Malphite vs Pantheon TOP Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Pantheon

Malphite vs Pantheon

Updated Jun 3, 2026

Overview

Focus on surviving Pantheon's early burst and stun by using armor stacking and measured trades.
Prioritize a stable lane state to reach level 6 where your (R) becomes a game-changing engage tool.
This is a snowball vs scale matchup where Malphite must absorb early pressure and win through teamfight initiation.

Trading pattern

Take low-risk poke trades with (Q) and use (E) to reduce Pantheon's auto-attack damage when he commits.
Avoid trading when your passive shield is down or (W) stun and empowered (Q) are available.
After Pantheon uses (W) or (E), step forward to punish cooldown windows with (E) attack speed slow and poke.

Danger windows

Pantheon is most dangerous when his passive is stacked and (W) stun is ready; avoid trading or positioning to be stunned.
Be cautious when your passive shield is down as Pantheon can punish poke more effectively.
Level 6 unlocks Pantheon's roam threat with (R); hard push and ping when he leaves to avoid losing plates or jungle pressure.

Early game

Avoid extended trades before your first armor item to reduce Pantheon's empowered burst impact.
Use (Q) sparingly to poke and steal movement speed without wasting mana or exposing yourself to (W) stun trades.
Farm safely and preserve mana and health until you can threaten level 6 engage.

Power spikes

At level 6, use (R) for guaranteed engage and kill setups, forcing Pantheon to respect your initiation angles.
After your first armor item, physical trades become much safer; prioritize armor stacking to blunt Pantheon's damage.
Respect Pantheon's level 2-3 empowered (Q), (W), and (E) burst trades by avoiding all-ins until your defenses improve.

Win conditions

Survive early poke and burst by stacking armor and using (E) to reduce Pantheon's attack speed.
Use (R) to initiate teamfights or ganks, turning your tankiness and crowd control into decisive advantages.
Deny Pantheon free scaling by forcing safe farming and punishing cooldowns after his (W) and (E) are spent.