Malphite vs Darius TOP Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Darius

Malphite vs Darius

Updated Jun 3, 2026

Overview

Prioritize surviving early lane pressure from Darius's strong melee all-in and extended trades.
Focus on building armor and using (E) to reduce Darius's auto-attack damage before engaging with (R) in teamfights.
This is a control vs teamfight matchup where Malphite must blunt Darius's early aggression and win through decisive (R) engages later.

Trading pattern

Use (E) to reduce Darius's attack speed and auto-attack damage during trades.
Take short, low-risk trades when your passive shield is up and (E) is on cooldown.
Avoid overcommitting before level 6; rely on measured (Q) poke and defensive trades until (R) is available.

Danger windows

Darius is most dangerous when his (E) pull is up, threatening to lock you in for extended trades.
Level 6 unlocks Darius's execute (R), making low-health windows lethal; avoid trades when you are below execute thresholds.
Be cautious when your passive shield is down, as poke damage is more effective and your trade potential drops.

Early game

Avoid extended trades before your first armor item and when your passive shield is down to minimize Darius's damage.
Use (Q) poke sparingly to slow Darius and disrupt his approach but conserve mana for post-6 engages.
Position safely to dodge (E) pull and prevent him from stacking his passive bleed.

Power spikes

At level 6, use (R) for guaranteed long-range engage or kill setups rather than low-value poke.
After your first armor item, physical trades become much safer; prioritize armor stacking to blunt Darius's damage.
Respect Darius's level 6 (R) execute and his ability to reset fights; avoid extended trades near execute thresholds.

Win conditions

Survive early lane pressure by avoiding extended trades and stacking armor to blunt Darius's physical damage.
Use (E) to reduce Darius's attack speed and (Q) slow to control his approach, setting up safe engages.
Capitalize on level 6 by using (R) to initiate teamfights or objective contests where your engage can secure kills or advantages.