Nasus vs Malphite Top Matchup

Nasus Top wins 54.1% of 4,017 Low Elo games against Malphite Top, +4.1 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 Nasus is favored

Nasus can sustain through Malphite's Q poke with his passive and safely stack through the lane, while Spirit Fire(E) reduces Malphite's armor later. Malphite needs to create pressure before Nasus reaches the scaling phase he wants.

How to play as Nasus

Prioritize safe last hits and let your passive recover poke damage; use Spirit Fire(E) when you can trade without giving Malphite a free all-in.

Soul Eater(P) provides lifesteal that helps Nasus recover Malphite's Q poke, while Spirit Fire(E) reduces armor and undermines Malphite's physical defenses.

Siphoning Strike(Q) gains permanent damage from unit kills, so surviving the lane and stacking is itself a major advantage for Nasus.

How to play as Malphite

Pressure early with efficient trades and wave control instead of spending mana on Q after Q; Nasus can sustain the poke and prefers a quiet lane to stack.

Sources

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