Illaoi vs Malphite Top Matchup

Illaoi Top wins 52.7% of 2,212 Low Elo games against Malphite Top, +2.4 points vs expected, 2-patch window 26.19-26.20.

Researched on LoL patch 26.20. Tips are written to hold at any rank; stats come from Low Elo ranked games up to patch 26.20.

Why Illaoi is favored

Illaoi's Test of Spirit(E) and tentacles punish Malphite when he tries to trade or all-in her, and Leap of Faith(R) can turn his engage into a multi-tentacle fight. Malphite is better off surviving lane and using his teamfight engage elsewhere.

How to play as Illaoi

Keep E ready to punish Malphite when he walks up, and save R for his all-in or a gank rather than spending it before he commits.

Test of Spirit(E) makes Malphite's spirit echo damage back to him, while nearby tentacles can strike both the spirit and Malphite.

Leap of Faith(R) spawns a tentacle for each enemy champion hit, so Malphite diving into her while it is active can give her more targets for tentacle slams.

How to play as Malphite

Stand behind minions and dodge Test of Spirit(E); back away when Illaoi activates R instead of engaging into her tentacles.

Sources

These notes come from r/summonerschool, checked against the champions' abilities.