Malphite Skins: Rocking the Rift in Style (and Stone)
Selecting a champion in League of Legends is only half the challenge. The real test? Picking the right skin to show your true try-hard self… or your serious lack of commitment. If you love Malphite, you’re fortunate! This rock-solid champion has many cosmetic options, from stunning to… well, less stunning. So, let’s dive into the rocky world of Malphite skins and see which one makes you the envy of Summoner’s Rift.
The Quest for the Best Malphite Skin: A Tiered Ranking
The classic question: “Which skin is best for Malphite?” This debate is like Brand’s fire and as steadfast as Malphite. Beauty, however, lies in the eye of the beholder (or the clicker of ‘buy’). Some skins rock more than others. Here’s a ranking of Malphite’s finest according to the internet:
- Dark Star Malphite
- Old God Malphite
- Lunar Guardian Malphite
- Mecha Malphite
- Odyssey Malphite
- Ironside Malphite
- FPX Malphite
- Glacial Malphite
Now, let’s break down a few of these rocky contenders.
Dark Star Malphite: A Cosmic Cataclysm of Cool
First on many lists is Dark Star Malphite. Is it good? Is the sky blue? Does Teemo deserve the hate? The answer is a clear YES. This skin is more than good; it’s awe-inspiring. It’s priced at the Epic tier and loved by Dark Star skin fans and Malphite mains. Why all the buzz? The design is stunning. Imagine Malphite transformed into a celestial entity formed from a dying star. Think cosmic horror vibes in a stylish, “I’m about to ult your team into oblivion” way.
Looks alone aren’t everything. Dark Star Malphite brings unique sound effects (SFX) that are spectacular. Imagine deep cosmic roars rumbling through your speakers, eerie sounds of space, and pulses of energy that crackle with force. These SFX enhance the skin’s atmosphere, making every ability feel heavy and impactful. If you want to play a walking black hole, this is your skin.
Shamrock Malphite: Luck of the Irish… Rock?
On the other side, we see Shamrock Malphite. This skin is quite… green. Very green. And Irish-themed. It’s as subtle as a Blitzcrank hook to the face. But hey, sometimes absurdity is fun, right? Shamrock Malphite comes at 520 Riot Points (RP). For that price, no new animations or game-changing SFX. What you get is Malphite dressed in green and gold, ready to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day all year. The description adds humor, describing Malphite as a “twenty-ton rock man” left on an “un-rocklike plane,” longing for luck. Whether this luck leads to wins is anyone’s guess, but you’ll look festive while trying (just kidding… mostly).
Is it the top Malphite skin? Maybe not for everyone. But for its price and novelty, Shamrock Malphite is decent, if a bit cheesy. Plus, who knows? Perhaps the Irish luck is real, and this skin might secretly raise your win rate. We can hope, right?
Other Notable Malphite Skins: A Quick Rundown
Don’t forget the other contenders in the Malphite skin showcase. Here’s a quick rundown:
- Glacial Malphite: An Epic tier skin from 2012, priced at 1350 RP. A classic, but dated compared to newer skins.
- FPX Malphite, Ironside Malphite, Odyssey Malphite, Mecha Malphite, and Lunar Guardian Malphite: These offer varying coolness and thematic appeal. They’re solid choices for fans of those specific themes but lack the “wow” factor of Dark Star or the quirky charm of Shamrock.
- Old God Malphite: A top pick on “best” lists, suggesting it’s another strong choice for your RP. Think ancient, eldritch horror Malphite. Creepy!
Ultimately, the “best” Malphite skin is subjective. Want cosmic horror? Choose Dark Star. Festive green rock? Shamrock is for you. Something in between? Pick from the rest. Remember, points for style matter, but winning is still key. Now, let’s discuss what makes Malphite tick (or rumble) on the Rift.
Malphite Gameplay and Characteristics: More Than Just a Rock
Malphite, the Shard of the Monolith, isn’t just a pretty face (or rock). He’s a champion with clear strengths and weaknesses, a unique playstyle, and intriguing lore. Let’s examine what makes this geological giant rumble.
Early Game Blues: Malphite’s Vulnerable Start
Is Malphite weak early? Yes. In more words: absolutely, positively, yes. Malphite’s early influence is “negligible.” He’s like a toddler moving a boulder – all potential, but little immediate impact. He struggles against ranged champions who can poke him safely. His damage output early? About as scary as a wet noodle. If playing Malphite top, be ready to farm under tower, dodge skillshots, and generally play timidly until level six when you unleash your game-changing ultimate, Unstoppable Force.
Late Game Rock Star? The AP Malphite Paradox
Malphite’s weak early, but does he become a late-game powerhouse? Well… somewhat. Tank Malphite? Certainly. He becomes a nearly immovable armor wall, absorbing damage and disrupting teamfights with his ult. AP Malphite, conversely, acts like a glass cannon. “Is Malphite strong late game?” The answer is a qualified “sort of.” AP Malphite can one-shot squishy targets with his ultimate, but “falls off considerably late game.” Why? Unlike true AP assassins, Malphite lacks mobility. He ults in to delete someone, then… he’s stuck. He’s squishier than tank Malphite and besides his ultimate, his other damage spells don’t burn faces. Thus, AP Malphite becomes high-risk, high-reward, and isn’t a consistent late-game carry.
Gender and Race: Malphite’s Identity
Let’s get philosophical. “Is Malphite a girl?” Nope. Is he a boy? Not quite. Malphite is officially “genderqueer” in League of Legends. In Runeterra, gender labels are low priorities for a sentient rock. As for race, “What race is Malphite?” He’s a “massive creature of living stone.” Specifically, he was “birthed as a servitor-shard to an otherworldly obelisk known as the Monolith.” Think of him as a geological bodyguard who failed to protect his giant stone boss. Now he roams Runeterra, trying to “impose blessed order on a chaotic world.” Good luck with that.
Size Matters: Armor and Malphite’s Expanding Presence
“Does Malphite get bigger?” Yes! It’s real; his size increases with armor. His passive, Shard of the Monolith, grants him “increased percentage size equal to 8% of his total armor, capped at 35% increased size at 437 armor.” The tankier you build Malphite, the more intimidating he becomes, both in stats and physically. It’s a neat detail reinforcing his tank role – stack more armor and become an even larger wall.
Top Lane Titan (or at least, Top Lane Rock)
“Can Malphite play top?” Absolutely. It’s his primary role. “Malphite is a tank top lane champion.” His game plan? Survive early and farm.
up to get his core items. Once he does, he changes the game late with his ultimate, Unstoppable Force. He won’t solo-kill carries in the lane phase, but he will set up winning engages in teamfights. Think of him as the ultimate disruptor. He yells, “Nope, teamfight time!” whether the enemy is ready or not.
Synergies and Counters: Rock-Paper-Scissors, League of Legends Style
Every champion has friends and foes on the Rift. What works well with Malphite? The internet’s wisdom suggests Varus and Ashe are your best bets. Why? Malphite’s ultimate is a great engage tool. Varus and Ashe are AD Carries who excel at tearing down crowd control with damage. Imagine Malphite ulting the enemy, knocking them up. Then Ashe and Varus can unleash their arrows and abilities. Teamfight wombo-combo potential? Absolutely.
On the flip side, who counters Malphite? The classic counter question arises. Based on match data, the best counters for Malphite Top are Tahm Kench, Nasus, Olaf, Ornn, and Vladimir. Other sources mention Olaf, Singed, Vladimir, Sylas, and Nasus as counters. Notice a pattern? Olaf, Nasus, and Vladimir are consistent threats to Malphite. These champions can either ignore Malphite’s tankiness or scale harder in a 1v1. Singed and Sylas bring unique tools to disrupt Malphite’s plans. Conversely, Malphite counters champions like Vayne, Varus, Quinn, Warwick, and Tryndamere. These are typically squishier, auto-attack focused champions whom Malphite can punish with armor stacking.
Malphite vs. Kayle: A Matchup Breakdown
Does Malphite beat Kayle? Statistically yes. Malphite wins against Kayle 57.99% of the time. That is a significant win rate, 11.71% higher against Kayle than the average opponent. Even after accounting for normalizing win rates, Malphite wins against Kayle 8.43% more often than expected. This suggests Malphite is a strong pick against Kayle. His ability to withstand her early poke helps, and he punishes her in the mid-to-late game with his engage.
Champion Comparisons: Malphite vs. The World
How does Malphite compare to other top laners? Here’s a look at some comparisons:
- Malphite vs. Garen: “Malphite has a 50.3% win rate against Garen, which is 0.6% lower than expected.” It’s an even matchup, slightly Garen-favored.
- Malphite vs. Viego: “Malphite wins against Viego 54.61% of the time… 2.59% above expectations.” Malphite has a slight edge here.
- Malphite vs. Swain: “Malphite wins against Swain 53.85%… 5.93% above expected.” Another favorable matchup.
- Malphite vs. Lillia: “Lillia wins against Malphite 49.66% of the time… 1.71% above expected.” Lillia seems favored against Malphite, but it’s a close fight.
The Best of the Best: Malphite Player Rankings
Ever wondered who the gods of rock are? Who is the best Malphite player? Here are top contenders according to recent rankings:
- Just Yuumi #Storm TR (#1) Challenger (Winrate: 76.6%)
- BERSERM3R#KICK TR (#2) Master (Winrate: 65.8%)
- Duro como Pedra#Malph BR (#3) Master (Winrate: 60.3%)
- Piedra De Riñon#owo LAS (#4) Master (Winrate: 59.6%)
These players excel at Malphite at high levels. Perhaps you can learn a tip or two from their rocky rampages.
Malphite is a champion with a clear identity: a tanky, engage-focused top laner who is strong in fights but weak early. He has good and bad matchups and a loyal player base who have mastered the art of engaging firmly. Let’s explore one of his popular skin themes: Dark Star.
Dark Star Theme: Cosmic Horror and Skin Superiority
The Dark Star skin line in League of Legends is known for its stunning yet terrifying aesthetic. It’s a universe filled with cosmic entities, devoured galaxies, and dread, all in a visually stunning package. Dark Star Malphite exemplifies this theme’s might.
Dark Cosmic Lux: The Multiverse-Threatening Fashionista
Speaking of Dark Star, let’s discuss one of its powerful figures: Dark Cosmic Lux. How strong is Dark Cosmic Lux? Prepare for a shock. Dark Cosmic Lux is possibly the strongest entity in the multiverse. Yes, you read that correctly. Multiverse-threatening power. She can erase existence just by being present and create powerful unnatural creatures from destroyed galaxies and star systems.
Is Dark Cosmic Lux rare? Not “rare” in terms of being unavailable, but “highly sought after.” It’s a Legendary skin at 1820 RP, standard for that tier. Its intricate design and visual effects make it a great pick for Lux fans and high-level skin collectors. If you see someone sporting Dark Cosmic Lux, realize you face not just a skilled player but possibly someone wielding immense cosmic power (in-game).
Dark Star vs. Dark Cosmic: What’s the Difference?
So what are Dark Star and Dark Cosmic? Are they identical? What is the difference? View it this way: Dark Stars are pure Corruptants, original cosmic foes. Dark Cosmics are Cosmic Entities consumed by the Dark Star. Dark Cosmic entities represent corrupted versions of once-good cosmic beings, twisted by the Dark Star’s influence. It’s like the distinction between pure evil and corrupted good – both bad but subtly different flavors of cosmic wickedness.
Dark Star and Odyssey: Multiverse Crossovers?
Are Dark Star and Odyssey one and the same? Nope, they are distinct universes in the League of Legends multiverse. Still, there is a connection. Dark Star Varus exists to hunt beings from the Odyssey universe. So they aren’t the same entity. The Dark Star has enough power to breach universal boundaries and step into other dimensions, like Odyssey. It’s all complex but note these are separate yet linked universes, with the Dark Star as a multiversal threat.
The Power of the Dark Star: More Than Just Pretty Lights
How strong is Dark Star? In-universe lore, extremely powerful. Darkstar can levitate herself and fly at subsonic speeds by creating a nearly invisible portal into the Darkforce dimension. She manipulates this dimension to fly and likely do other nasty cosmic things. The Dark Star theme isn’t just about stunning visuals; it’s rooted in immense power and dread lore. When you choose a Dark Star skin, you’re not just picking a cosmetic; you’re embracing overwhelming, universe-ending power.
League of Legends Skins: A Broader Look Beyond Malphite
Malphite skins are just a glimpse into the vast League of Legends cosmetics world. Let’s step back and analyze the wider skin landscape, from the best to rarest to downright expensive.
The Pantheon of “Best” League Skins: A Matter of Taste (and Budget)
Everybody has their favorite skins; the debate over the best league skin is timeless. Yet some skins consistently make “best of” lists. One list includes: Arcane Survivor Jayce, Attorney Azir, Battle Academia Ezreal, Battle Bunny Miss Fortune, Battle Queen Katarina, Beemo, Birdio, and Cheddar Chief Twitch, among others. These skins shine for creative themes, top-notch visuals, and impact. The “best” skin is subjective and hinges on personal choice, champion preference, and how much you’re willing to spend.
The Price of Prestige: The Most Expensive Skin in League
Let’s discuss truly high-roller skins now. What is the most expensive skin in League of Legends? The title holder seems to be the Immortalized version of Ahri, crafted to celebrate Faker, the legendary mid-laner. This skin can cost upwards of $500 due to its unique
Skins and their limited availability include special visual effects and nods to Faker. A $500 skin? That’s more than what some spend on gaming PCs! Hardcore Faker fans may find this price worth it for digital prestige.
The Quest for Rare Skins
Rare skins are not obtainable normally, making them special. Some rare League skins are Silver Kayle, Judgement Kayle, PAX skins, Victorious Jarvan, and King Rammus. These skins came from limited events or achievements. Owning one shows veteran status and dedication to League of Legends.
Do Skins Matter? Cosmetic vs. Gameplay
Skin Count: Lux vs. Zed
Some champions get many skins, others fewer. “How many skins does Zed have?” Zed has “6 skins (7 with classic).” Lux has an impressive “20 skins.” That’s nearly a new skin each patch. Lux’s popularity drives this number. If you main Lux, choices abound. If you main Zed, you have a few stylish options.
Custom Skins and Their Risks
Players create custom skins for more options. These modify visuals in the game. But “Is Riot banning custom skins?” Yes, the situation is complex. Concerns about cheating are prominent. Riot may take a stricter stance on custom skins due to exploit potential. Custom skins can be fun, but using them poses risks if Riot increases enforcement.
Wild Rift: Mobile Skins and Champions
League of Legends is now on mobile with Wild Rift. Let’s explore how skins and champions are faring there.
Best Skin in Wild Rift
So, “What is the best skin in Wild Rift?” It’s subjective like in PC League. However, many skins are visually stunning and mobile-friendly. Wild Rift features unique skin lines and mobile-exclusive skins for different cosmetics.
Strongest Wild Rift ADCs
“Who is the strongest character in Wild Rift?” Strength varies by patches and roles. In early 2024, S-tier ADCs included Ezreal, Tristana, Draven, Samira, Varus, and Caitlyn. These champions were top picks in the ADC role for their strong carry potential.
Free Skins in Wild Rift: Earning Without Spending
“How to get free skin in Wild Rift?” Who doesn’t love free? Wild Rift offers ways to earn free skins. Checking “offers” in the game reveals bundles with free chests you can claim. Stay alert for these, and you may snag a new skin at no cost.
Most Banned Champions in Wild Rift
“Who are the most banned heroes in Wild Rift?” Ban rates change with patches and metas, but early 2024’s top target was Teemo at 15.31%. Olaf was at 2.62%. Kayle and Shen faced fewer bans than Teemo. Even on mobile, Teemo hate continues.
Gifting Skins in Wild Rift
“Can you gift a skin you own in Wild Rift?” Yes! You can gift skins among other items. “Anything purchasable with Wild Cores can be gifted,” including champions, skins, emotes, and more. Wild Rift makes sharing cosmetic love easy.
League Concepts: Roles and Lanes Explained
League of Legends has its jargon and terminology. Let’s clarify key concepts for newcomers.
ADC: The Damage Dealers
“What is ADC in LOL?” ADC means “Attack Damage Carry.” This role focuses on heavy physical damage through basic attacks. ADCs are usually “ranged champions” who start weak but gain strength mid-to-late game. They rely on positioning and farming for victory.
Baron Lane: Top Lane with Strategy
“What is a Baron Lane?” It means the top lane closest to Baron Nashor pit. Baron Lane is about management and skill. Understanding character and opponents is crucial. Lane management and outplays define this lane’s playstyle.
Miscellaneous Facts: Skin Prices, Genders, and Rumors
Let’s explore miscellaneous facts about League of Legends, focusing on prices, gender and rework rumors.
Skin Price Check
Quick price checks for specific skins:
- Shamrock Malphite: 520 RP. Budget-friendly goodness.
- Rue (Fortnite skin): 1,200 V-Bucks.
- Tyrant Swain: 1350 RP. A striking skin for the Master Tactician.
Chip: Malphite’s… Son?
“Is Chip Malphite’s son?” Not biologically. Lore-wise, “Chip may be a rock piece from Malphite,” forming a unique bond. They share a “father/son dynamic.” In a League of Legends way, Chip is Malphite’s son.
Ezreal and Yumiko: Gender Clarifications
Quick clarifications for curious players:
- Ezreal: “Is Ezreal a guy?” Yes, Ezreal is a young man.”
