Mid Matchup

Malphite vs Zed

Patch: 15.17 (25.17)
League: Platinum+
Malphite

Malphite

Shard of the Monolith
Mid
Malphite Mid Overall Win Rate
51.98%

Matchup Win Rate

57.1%
Malphite vs Zed Wins
42.9%
Zed vs Malphite Wins
Zed

Zed

the Master of Shadows
Mid
Zed Mid Overall Win Rate
48.89%

Malphite vs Zed - Mid Matchup Guide Patch 15.17 (25.17)

Malphite Mid vs Zed Mid - Who is stronger?

Malphite Mid wins most games against Zed (57.1% win rate) based on 826 games. This matchup works very well for Malphite players.

View detailed statistics below: items, runes, and counter builds for Malphite Mid vs Zed Mid in patch 15.17 (25.17), including win rates and pick rates. With proper study, this can improve your chances of victory up to 65.1% in this matchup.

Statistical Matchup Analysis

While Malphite remains a niche pick (1.0% pick rate, 46th place out of 63 Mid champions), Zed dominates the current meta mid lane with 7.1% popularity. Mastering this matchup is crucial for Malphite players - you'll face Zed in the majority of your games. Meta strength confirmed: Malphite's superior tier rating (A+ vs B) translates into a solid 57.1% matchup win rate. This performance explains why Malphite ranks 12th in win rate among Mid champions. Amplify your advantage: The Grasp of the Undying + Shield Bash rune setup achieves 61.4% win rate (10.6% popularity), while the core build Sunfire Aegis > Thornmail > Frozen Heart with Plated Steelcaps (65.1% win rate) lets you snowball advantages into guaranteed victories by 15 minutes.

Win through macro: Malphite takes the matchup (57.10%) despite falling behind in CS (6.22 vs 6.94/min). Your victories come through roaming, team fighting, and map pressure rather than 1v1 lane dominance. Quality over quantity: Malphite wins through smart play rather than raw damage - despite lower DPS (669 vs 839/min), the 57.1% win rate shows superior utility, positioning, and team fight impact. Statistical dominance: Malphite leads in both matchup win rate (57.1%) and KDA (2.50 vs 2.30) - complete superiority across all metrics.

Malphite vs Zed - Mid Stats Comparison

Malphite Mid
Malphite Mid
Versus
Zed Mid
Zed Mid
A+TierB
57.1%Matchup Winrate42.9%
51.98%Role Winrate48.89%
#12Winrate Rank#52
1.0%Pickrate7.1%
2.5Average KDA2.3
394Gold per Minute443
6.22CS/Min6.94
0.27Wards per Minute0.30
669Damage per Minute839

How to Beat Zed as Malphite (Mid)

The Malphite versus Zed matchup in the mid lane is favorable with proper positioning. Use your statistical advantage and prevent the opponent from realizing their potential.

The magic damage that Malphite deals remains relevant in the late game. Look for opportunities to initiate or counter-initiate. Zed deals mainly physical damage (89.12%), additional items against this damage type may be required against snowballing or aggressive play.

Consider the farming superiority demonstrated by Zed, ranking 22nd (versus 45th for Malphite) in farming efficiency among champions in this role. This means the opponent can build gold advantages more quickly. Meanwhile, their lower KDA (2.3 versus 2.5) suggests they are less effective in team fights.

Key aspects of the Malphite Mid versus Zed Mid matchup

Despite the statistical advantage in the matchup, overconfidence can be the main mistake. It is important for the Malphite player to maintain constant pressure on Zed, not allowing the opponent to safely scale up, and actively use the advantage gained to help their team.

Malphite vs Zed: Mid Lane Summoner Spells

Most Popular

Flash
Flash Teleports you a short distance toward your cursor.
Teleport
Teleport After a brief channel, become untargetable and travel to an allied unit. Upgrades into Unleashed Teleport, which significantly increases travel speed.
58.3% Win Rate76.1% Pick Rate

Highest Win Rate

Flash
Flash Teleports you a short distance toward your cursor.
Teleport
Teleport After a brief channel, become untargetable and travel to an allied unit. Upgrades into Unleashed Teleport, which significantly increases travel speed.
58.3% Win Rate76.1% Pick Rate

Malphite vs Zed: Mid Lane Runes

Most Frequent Runes

Primary Path
Sorcery
Arcane Comet
Arcane Comet Damaging a champion with an ability hurls a comet at their location, or, if Arcane Comet is on cooldown, reduces its remaining cooldown.

Adaptive Damage: 30 - 130 based on level (+0.05 AP and +0.1 bonus AD)
Cooldown: 20 - 8s

Cooldown Reduction:
Single Target: 20%.
Area of Effect: 10%.
Damage over Time: 5%.

Arcane Comet

Damaging a champion with an ability hurls a comet at their location, or, if Arcane Comet …

Manaflow Band
Manaflow Band Hitting an enemy champion with an ability permanently increases your maximum mana by 25, up to 250 mana.

After reaching 250 bonus mana, restore 1% of your missing mana every 5 seconds.

Cooldown: 15 seconds

Manaflow Band

Hitting an enemy champion with an ability permanently increases your maximum ma…

Transcendence
Transcendence Gain bonuses upon reaching the following levels:
Level 5: +5 Ability Haste
Level 8: +5 Ability Haste
Level 11: On Champion takedown, reduce the remaining cooldown of basic abilities by 20%.

Transcendence

Gain bonuses upon reaching the following levels:Level 5: +5 Ability Haste Level…

Scorch
Scorch Your next damaging ability hit sets champions on fire dealing 20 - 40 bonus magic damage based on level after 1s.

Cooldown: 10s

Scorch

Your next damaging ability hit sets champions on fire dealing 20 - 40 bonus mag…

Secondary Path
Resolve
Second Wind
Second Wind After taking damage from an enemy champion, heal for 4% of your missing health +3 over 10s.

Second Wind

After taking damage from an enemy champion, heal for 4% of your missing health …

Overgrowth
Overgrowth Absorb life essence from monsters or enemy minions that die near you, permanently gaining 3 maximum health for every 8.

When you've absorbed 120 monsters or enemy minions, gain an additional 3.5% maximum health.

Overgrowth

Absorb life essence from monsters or enemy minions that die near you, permanent…

Adaptive
Attack Speed
Attack Speed Increases attack speed by 10%

Attack Speed

Increases attack speed by 10%

Scaling Health
Scaling Health Increases health from 10 to 180 HP across levels 1-18

Scaling Health

Increases health from 10 to 180 HP across levels 1-18

Scaling Health
Scaling Health Increases health from 10 to 180 HP across levels 1-18

Scaling Health

Increases health from 10 to 180 HP across levels 1-18

59.5% Win Rate45.8% Pick Rate

Best Win Rate Runes

Primary Path
Resolve
Grasp of the Undying
Grasp of the Undying Every 4s in combat, your next basic attack on a champion will:
  • Deal bonus magic damage equal to 3.5% of your max health
  • Heal you for 1.3% of your max health
  • Permanently increase your health by 5
    Ranged Champions: Damage, healing, and permanent health gained are 60% effective.
  • Grasp of the Undying

    Every 4s in combat, your next basic attack on a champion will:Deal bonus magic damage equ…

    Shield Bash
    Shield Bash Whenever you gain a new shield, your next basic attack against a champion deals 5 - 30(+2.5% Bonus Health)(+15.0% New Shield Amount) bonus adaptive damage.

    You have up to 2s after the shield expires to use this effect.

    Shield Bash

    Whenever you gain a new shield, your next basic attack against a champion deal…

    Conditioning
    Conditioning After 12 min gain +8 Armor and +8 Magic Resist and increase your Armor and Magic Resist by 3%.

    Conditioning

    After 12 min gain +8 Armor and +8 Magic Resist and increase your Armor and Magi…

    Overgrowth
    Overgrowth Absorb life essence from monsters or enemy minions that die near you, permanently gaining 3 maximum health for every 8.

    When you've absorbed 120 monsters or enemy minions, gain an additional 3.5% maximum health.

    Overgrowth

    Absorb life essence from monsters or enemy minions that die near you, permanent…

    Secondary Path
    Sorcery
    Manaflow Band
    Manaflow Band Hitting an enemy champion with an ability permanently increases your maximum mana by 25, up to 250 mana.

    After reaching 250 bonus mana, restore 1% of your missing mana every 5 seconds.

    Cooldown: 15 seconds

    Manaflow Band

    Hitting an enemy champion with an ability permanently increases your maximum ma…

    Transcendence
    Transcendence Gain bonuses upon reaching the following levels:
    Level 5: +5 Ability Haste
    Level 8: +5 Ability Haste
    Level 11: On Champion takedown, reduce the remaining cooldown of basic abilities by 20%.

    Transcendence

    Gain bonuses upon reaching the following levels:Level 5: +5 Ability Haste Level…

    Adaptive
    Attack Speed
    Attack Speed Increases attack speed by 10%

    Attack Speed

    Increases attack speed by 10%

    Scaling Health
    Scaling Health Increases health from 10 to 180 HP across levels 1-18

    Scaling Health

    Increases health from 10 to 180 HP across levels 1-18

    Scaling Health
    Scaling Health Increases health from 10 to 180 HP across levels 1-18

    Scaling Health

    Increases health from 10 to 180 HP across levels 1-18

    61.4% Win Rate10.6% Pick Rate

    Malphite vs Zed: Mid Lane Item Builds

    Most Popular Build

    Starting Items
    Stealth Ward
    Stealth Ward (0 gold) Active (210 - 120s, max 2 charges)
    Places an Invisible Stealth Ward that grants vision for 90-120 seconds.
    Doran's Ring
    Doran's Ring (400 gold) 18 Ability Power
    90 Health

    Restoration
    Restore 1.25 Mana every second. If you can't gain Mana, restore 0.55 Health instead.
    Helping Hand
    Attacks deal 5 bonus physical damage to minions.
    Health Potion
    Health Potion (50 gold) Consume
    Restores 120 Health over 15 seconds.
    51.5% Win Rate60.1% Pick Rate
    Popular Boots
    Plated Steelcaps
    Plated Steelcaps (1200 gold) 25 Armor
    45 Move Speed

    Plating
    Reduces incoming damage from Attacks by 10%.
    53.0% Win Rate51.2% Pick Rate
    Mercury's Treads
    Mercury's Treads (1250 gold) 20 Magic Resist
    45 Move Speed
    30% Tenacity

    50.6% Win Rate19.6% Pick Rate
    Sorcerer's Shoes
    Sorcerer's Shoes (1100 gold) 12 Magic Penetration
    45 Move Speed

    50.6% Win Rate18.0% Pick Rate
    Core Build
    Bami's Cinder
    Bami's Cinder (900 gold) 150 Health
    5 Ability Haste

    Immolate
    After taking or dealing damage, deal magic damage to nearby enemies for 3 seconds.
    ->
    Sunfire Aegis
    Sunfire Aegis (2700 gold) 350 Health
    50 Armor
    10 Ability Haste

    Immolate
    After taking or dealing damage, deal magic damage per second to nearby enemies for 3 seconds.
    Thornmail
    Thornmail (2450 gold) 150 Health
    75 Armor

    Thorns
    When struck by an Attack, deal magic damage to the attacker and apply 40% Wounds for 3 seconds if they are a champion.
    Frozen Heart
    Frozen Heart (2500 gold) 75 Armor
    400 Mana
    20 Ability Haste

    Winter's Caress
    Reduce the Attack Speed of nearby champions by 20%.
    56.5% Win Rate6.3% Pick Rate
    Final Build
    Jak'Sho, The Protean
    Jak'Sho, The Protean (3200 gold) 350 Health
    45 Armor
    45 Magic Resist

    Voidborn Resilience
    After 5 seconds of champion combat, increase your bonus Armor and Magic Resist by 30% until end of combat.
    57.2% Win Rate13.4% Pick Rate

    Best Win Rate Build

    Starting Items
    Oracle Lens
    Oracle Lens (0 gold) Active (160 - 100s, max 2 charges)
    Reveals enemy Stealth Wards and traps around you for 6 seconds.
    World Atlas
    World Atlas (400 gold)
    Health Potion
    Health Potion (50 gold) Consume
    Restores 120 Health over 15 seconds.
    54.5% Win Rate0.5% Pick Rate
    Highest Winrate Boots
    Symbiotic Soles
    Symbiotic Soles (900 gold) 40 Move Speed
    Voidborn
    Gain Empowered Recall.
    Symbiosis
    After traveling 150000 units of distance, transform into Synchronized Souls.
    57.3% Win Rate0.2% Pick Rate
    Plated Steelcaps
    Plated Steelcaps (1200 gold) 25 Armor
    45 Move Speed

    Plating
    Reduces incoming damage from Attacks by 10%.
    53.0% Win Rate51.2% Pick Rate
    Mercury's Treads
    Mercury's Treads (1250 gold) 20 Magic Resist
    45 Move Speed
    30% Tenacity

    50.6% Win Rate19.6% Pick Rate
    Core Build
    Bramble Vest
    Bramble Vest (800 gold) 30 Armor
    Thorns
    When hit by an Attack, deal magic damage to the attacker and apply 40% Wounds for 3 seconds if they are a champion.
    ->
    Sunfire Aegis
    Sunfire Aegis (2700 gold) 350 Health
    50 Armor
    10 Ability Haste

    Immolate
    After taking or dealing damage, deal magic damage per second to nearby enemies for 3 seconds.
    Thornmail
    Thornmail (2450 gold) 150 Health
    75 Armor

    Thorns
    When struck by an Attack, deal magic damage to the attacker and apply 40% Wounds for 3 seconds if they are a champion.
    Frozen Heart
    Frozen Heart (2500 gold) 75 Armor
    400 Mana
    20 Ability Haste

    Winter's Caress
    Reduce the Attack Speed of nearby champions by 20%.
    65.1% Win Rate2.3% Pick Rate
    Final Build
    Unending Despair
    Unending Despair (2800 gold) 400 Health
    25 Armor
    25 Magic Resist
    10 Ability Haste

    Anguish
    Every 4 seconds while in combat with champions, deal magic damage to nearby enemy champions and heal for 250% of the damage dealt.
    60.0% Win Rate8.2% Pick Rate
    Other Items
    Kaenic Rookern
    Kaenic Rookern (2900 gold) 400 Health
    80 Magic Resist
    100% Base Health Regen

    Magebane
    After not taking magic damage for 15 seconds, gain a magic shield.
    54.0% Win Rate8.2% Pick Rate
    Unending Despair
    Unending Despair (2800 gold) 400 Health
    25 Armor
    25 Magic Resist
    10 Ability Haste

    Anguish
    Every 4 seconds while in combat with champions, deal magic damage to nearby enemy champions and heal for 250% of the damage dealt.
    60.0% Win Rate8.2% Pick Rate
    Rabadon's Deathcap
    Rabadon's Deathcap (3600 gold) 130 Ability Power
    Magical Opus
    Increases your total Ability Power by 30%.
    51.5% Win Rate6.8% Pick Rate
    Randuin's Omen
    Randuin's Omen (2700 gold) 350 Health
    75 Armor

    Resilience
    Receive 30% less damage from Critical Strikes.
    Humility
    Slow nearby enemies by 70% for 2 seconds.
    59.8% Win Rate6.4% Pick Rate
    Zhonya's Hourglass
    Zhonya's Hourglass (3250 gold) 105 Ability Power
    50 Armor


    Time Stop
    Enter Stasis for 2.5 seconds.
    51.9% Win Rate4.5% Pick Rate
    Malignance
    Malignance (2700 gold) 85 Ability Power
    600 Mana
    15 Ability Haste

    Scorn
    Gain 20 Ultimate Ability Haste.
    Hatefog
    Damaging a champion with your Ultimate burns the ground beneath them for 3s, dealing magic damage per second and reducing their Magic Resist.
    55.5% Win Rate4.3% Pick Rate
    Shadowflame
    Shadowflame (3200 gold) 110 Ability Power
    15 Magic Penetration

    Cinderbloom
    Magic and true damageCritically Strikes enemies below 40% Health, dealing 20% increased damage.
    52.2% Win Rate4.2% Pick Rate

    Malphite vs Zed: Mid Lane Skill (abilities) Orders

    Most Frequent Skill Order

    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10
    11
    12
    13
    14
    15
    16
    17
    18
    Q
    Q
    Seismic Shard Malphite sends a shard of the earth through the ground at his foe, dealing damage upon impact and stealing Move Speed for 3 seconds.
    Q
    Q
    Q
    Q
    Q
    W
    W
    Thunderclap Malphite attacks with such force that it creates a sonic boom. For the next few seconds, his attacks create aftershocks in front of him.
    W
    W
    W
    W
    W
    E
    E
    Ground Slam Malphite slams the ground, sending out a shockwave that deals magic damage based on his Armor and reduces the Attack Speed of enemies for a short duration.
    E
    E
    E
    E
    E
    R
    R
    Unstoppable Force Malphite launches himself to a location at high speed, damaging enemies and knocking them into the air.
    R
    R
    R
    Max Order: Q > E > W
    59.7% Win Rate32.7% Pick Rate

    Highest Win % Skill Order

    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10
    11
    12
    13
    14
    15
    16
    17
    18
    R
    Q
    Seismic Shard Malphite sends a shard of the earth through the ground at his foe, dealing damage upon impact and stealing Move Speed for 3 seconds.
    Q
    Q
    Q
    Q
    Q
    R
    W
    Thunderclap Malphite attacks with such force that it creates a sonic boom. For the next few seconds, his attacks create aftershocks in front of him.
    W
    W
    W
    W
    W
    R
    E
    Ground Slam Malphite slams the ground, sending out a shockwave that deals magic damage based on his Armor and reduces the Attack Speed of enemies for a short duration.
    E
    E
    E
    E
    E
    R
    R
    Unstoppable Force Malphite launches himself to a location at high speed, damaging enemies and knocking them into the air.
    R
    R
    R
    Max Order: W > E > Q
    96.9% Win Rate1.2% Pick Rate

    Malphite tips:

    • Armor naturally reduces the rate that attacks go through Granite Shield, so Brutal Strikes will strengthen the shield against physical damage.
    • Despite his abilities scaling on Armor, some games require Malphite to get Magic Resist. When those games occur, try getting Aegis of the Legion, Mercury's Treads, and Guardian Angel.

    Playing Against Zed

    • Zed receives bonus effect from Attack Damage items he purchases, so Armor is super effective against him.
    • After Zed uses his Living Shadow, he is at his most vulnerable as his damage, slow, and mobility are both dependent upon it.
    • Zed's Shadow Slash can only slow you if his shadow hits you with it.