Malphite vs Gnar TOP Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Gnar

Malphite vs Gnar

Updated Jun 3, 2026

Overview

Prioritize surviving early waves and avoid extended trades until armor and cooldowns reduce Gnar's poke threat.
Focus on stable lane control to preserve mana and health for impactful level 6 engages with (R).
This is a control vs teamfight matchup where Malphite aims to blunt Gnar's physical damage and win grouped fights.

Trading pattern

Take low-risk trades when your passive shield is active and after applying (E) to reduce Gnar's attack speed.
Avoid extended trades before your first armor item and (R) are available to prevent being outpaced by Gnar's poke.
Use (R) to initiate fights or punish Gnar when he commits to mega form near terrain or loses (E) cooldown.

Danger windows

Respect Gnar's mega form (R) wall stun and (W) stun as lethal engage threats, especially near terrain.
Avoid all-ins when your (R) is down or your passive shield is not available.
Be cautious when Gnar's Rage is near mega form as he can turn fights with hard CC and durability.

Early game

Use (Q) sparingly to poke and steal movement speed, avoiding mana waste and shield downtime.
Avoid fighting when your passive shield is down to minimize poke damage from Gnar's ranged harass.
Farm safely and build armor early to reduce Gnar's physical damage effectiveness before level 6.

Power spikes

At level 6, use (R) for guaranteed engage and kill setups rather than low-value poke.
After your first armor item, physical trades become safer and more effective against Gnar's auto attacks.
Respect Gnar's level 6 mega form (R) and (W) stuns, especially near walls where his engage is strongest.

Win conditions

Survive early poke by managing mana and shield, then stack armor to blunt Gnar's physical damage.
Use (R) to initiate or counter-engage in grouped fights where your knockup can secure kills.
Deny Gnar safe scaling by punishing his mini form cooldowns and forcing unfavorable trades before he transforms.