Use wave control and fog angles to hide charged (Q) and pressure Malphite's passive shield and armor stacking.
Prioritize scaling health and teamfight engage as this is a control vs teamfight matchup where Sion must manage medium lane pressure and avoid giving Malphite free scaling.
Trading pattern
Trade by landing (E) slows to enable charged (Q) knockups from hidden angles, punishing Malphite when his shield is down.
Avoid extended trades when (W) shield is down or after missed (Q) as Malphite's armor and poke reduce your damage.
Use (R) engage only with clear paths and team follow-up to punish grouped or low-mobility targets.
Danger windows
Respect Malphite's level 6 (R) engage window; avoid overextending without vision or team support.
Be cautious when your (W) shield is down, as Malphite's poke and (E) attack speed slow punish you harder.
Avoid charging (Q) in visible or predictable spots to prevent easy counter trades or interrupts.
Early game
Focus on farming safely and stacking (W) health shield to survive Malphite's poke and armor scaling.
Avoid obvious (Q) charges early to prevent easy punishes and respect (Q) slow for counter trades.
Use (E) slow to set up (Q) from fog or brush for safer trades before level 6.
Power spikes
At level 6, use (R) with clear pathing and team follow-up to force fights or return lane pressure; respect (R) knockup engage.
Build health and tank items to maximize (W) shield scaling, becoming hard to remove and threatening charged (Q) zones.
Respect Malphite's first armor item spike which reduces your physical damage effectiveness and increases his trade safety.
Win conditions
Use wave control and fog to land impactful charged (Q) knockups and scale health with (W) to become a durable frontline.
Force fights with (R) engage when you have clear paths and team follow-up, punishing Malphite's low mobility.
Deny Malphite safe scaling by pressuring before his armor and shield spikes, then dominate teamfights with your engage and tankiness.
Tip: For Sion vs Malphite, read overview, trading pattern, and danger windows first for a fast Top lane check.
