Varus - League of Legends Champion
Win Rate
47.6%
Pick Rate
3.7%

Varusvs Malphite

FMarksmanMage
Patch26.3
Matches785,220
LaneAll Lanes
TierAll Tiers
Last UpdatedFeb 26, 2026
MethodologyData Methodology

Varus vs Malphite is a moderate matchup in LoL patch 26.3. Varus wins with a 51.8% win rate (+3.6%) over Malphite based on 56 games. Malphite wins the early laning phase while Varus scales better into the late game. Below you'll find the best Varus build, runes, laning stats, and strategies for the Varus vs Malphite matchup.

Varus Matchup Breakdown

Use the dropdown to select an opponent and see a detailed breakdown of how Varus performs against them. You'll get head-to-head win rates, laning stats, the best build and runes for the matchup, and early vs late game analysis — all based on real ranked data.

Compare against an opponent
Malphite - 51.8% win rateMalphite(51.8%)
Varus - 51.8% win rate in this matchup
Varus
51.8% WR
VS
Malphite vs Varus matchup - 48.2% win rate
Malphite
48.2% WR

Who Wins the Varus vs Malphite Matchup?

Varus wins the Varus vs Malphite matchup
Winner
Varus
Matches: 56
51.8%
Win Rate
48.2%
6.2
CS / min
5.2
895
DMG / min
679
12,322
Gold / game
11,013
152
Heal / min
119
622
DMG Mitigated / min
1,724
1.0
CC / min
1.1
47.8%
Early Game WR
52.2%
54.5%
Late Game WR
45.5%

Varus vs Malphite Matchup Summary

The Varus vs Malphite matchup is a moderate matchup in League of Legends ranked play. Based on 56 recent matches analyzed, Varus wins with a 51.8% win rate compared to Malphite's 48.2%, giving Varus a 3.6 percentage point advantage. Game phase dynamics play a critical role here: Malphite controls the early laning stage, but Varus outscales as the game goes longer. The matchup shifts dramatically depending on game length — Malphite needs to press advantages before Varus reaches their power spikes, while Varus should focus on safe farming and hitting key item breakpoints. The most significant statistical gap is in sustain, where Malphite leads by 1,068 HP/min — a difference that heavily influences the outcome of trades and skirmishes. Varus has a statistical edge, but the margin is close enough that respecting Malphite's strengths is important. Trade when cooldowns are favorable, track the enemy jungler, and build toward your strongest item spikes to convert the slight advantage into a decisive lead. Understanding these matchup dynamics is essential for champion select decisions and in-game strategy when facing this lane opponent.

Varus vs Malphite Laning Phase Breakdown

Varus wins the laning phase against Malphite in League of Legends

Varus is favored during the laning phase against Malphite, winning 3 out of 5 key stat categories. Varus holds advantages in farming, damage and gold income, making them the stronger laner in this matchup.

Farming
6.2Varus
5.2Malphite
Varus significantly out-farms Malphite by 1.0 CS per minute, accumulating an estimated 14 CS lead by mid game. This substantial farming gap gives Varus a major gold advantage and earlier item completions. Malphite players should prioritize wave management techniques like freezing near tower and using abilities efficiently to minimize the deficit.
Damage
895Varus
679Malphite
Varus heavily out-damages Malphite by 216 DMG/min, dominating both short trades and all-in fights. Malphite should avoid extended combat and instead focus on burst trade patterns — short engages followed by immediate disengagement — to avoid letting Varus's sustained damage advantage take over.
Economy
12,322Varus
11,013Malphite
Varus generates a commanding 1,309 more gold per game than Malphite. This substantial economic advantage means Varus consistently reaches key item breakpoints earlier, creating a compounding lead that grows throughout the game. Malphite should focus on cost-effective item choices and avoid unnecessary deaths to prevent falling further behind.
Utility
1.0Varus
1.1Malphite
Both Varus and Malphite provide similar amounts of crowd control (0.0s/min difference), meaning neither has a significant advantage in locking down opponents for ganks or team fights. Lane ganks are equally effective for both sides.
Sustain
774Varus
1,842Malphite
Malphite vastly out-sustains Varus, healing and mitigating 1,068 more damage per minute. This massive durability gap means Malphite can absorb significant punishment and remain in lane while Varus is forced to recall. Building grievous wounds early is essential for Varus, and focusing on burst trade patterns rather than sustained fights is critical.

Best Varus Build Against Malphite

Boots of Swiftness is the optimal boots choice against Malphite, providing the mobility and stats Varus needs most in this matchup. The top-performing core items for Varus against Malphite are Zhonya's Hourglass, Nashor's Tooth and Dusk and Dawn. This combination gives Varus an effective balance of damage, survivability, and utility for the matchup. This build has a 40.0% win rate across 5 games. While the overall matchup may be difficult, this item path gives Varus the best chance to compete against Malphite. Adjustments may be needed based on team compositions and game state, but this build provides the strongest foundation for the Varus vs Malphite matchup.

Early Game vs Late Game

Early Game
Malphite
52.2%
+4.3% advantage
Varus early game win rateVarus47.8%
Malphite early game win rateMalphite52.2%
Late Game
Varus
54.5%
+9.1% advantage
Varus late game win rateVarus54.5%
Malphite late game win rateMalphite45.5%

During the early laning phase (first 15 minutes), Malphite has a meaningful 52.2% win rate, outperforming Varus by 4.3 percentage points. Malphite players should look to press this advantage through aggressive trades, wave priority, and early jungle coordination.

Varus is far superior in the late game (25+ minutes), boasting a 54.5% win rate — 9.1 points above Malphite. Extended games heavily favor Varus, whose kit and scaling make them a dominant force in team fights and objective control.

This matchup features a dramatic power shift: Malphite must aggressively press their early advantage and close out the game before Varus reaches their scaling breakpoints. If Varus survives the laning phase without falling too far behind, the matchup flips in their favor. Dragon and Rift Herald control are pivotal — the team that secures early objectives can snowball or buy time to scale.

Best Varus Runes Against Malphite

Precision rune tree - Varus primary runes vs MalphitePrecision
Press the Attack - best Varus rune vs MalphiteTriumph - best Varus rune vs MalphiteLegend: Alacrity - best Varus rune vs MalphiteCoup de Grace - best Varus rune vs Malphite
Domination rune tree - Varus secondary runes vs MalphiteDomination
Taste of Blood - best Varus rune vs MalphiteTreasure Hunter - best Varus rune vs Malphite
80.0% WR

Running Precision primary with Domination secondary allows Varus to press their advantage against Malphite, amplifying the strengths that make this a favorable matchup.


Varus matchup data for League of Legends patch 26.3. The table below shows Varus's win rate, gold difference, and performance stats against every champion in the current meta. Click any champion name to see a detailed head-to-head breakdown including the best Varus build, runes, laning stats, and early vs late game analysis for that specific matchup.

Varus matchup win rates and stats in League of Legends patch 26.3
Opponent
Win Rate
Matches
CS/min
DMG/min
Gold/game
Early WR
Late WR
47.94%4366.386013,37949.8%46.4%
46.79%2816.487513,98751.6%43.0%
48.39%2796.188814,25850.9%46.8%
46.05%2156.387213,25841.7%49.6%
51.79%1956.494514,61059.5%46.5%
49.37%1586.487913,31947.1%51.1%
54.30%1516.080013,58860.3%50.0%
47.65%1496.794913,63845.3%50.0%
44.44%1446.084413,07345.5%43.6%
45.99%1376.284912,60351.4%39.7%
48.85%1316.790013,55758.0%38.7%
45.63%1036.488313,40649.0%42.6%
51.49%1016.891113,68263.6%42.1%
47.83%926.487013,12456.5%39.1%
41.76%916.390713,27943.5%40.0%
48.84%866.598012,73154.5%45.3%
52.50%806.01,00013,95451.6%53.1%
50.65%776.282212,89651.6%50.0%
49.33%756.189813,49255.3%43.2%
53.52%716.51,21111,30851.3%56.3%
40.85%715.879012,08754.8%30.0%
48.57%706.486413,78354.0%42.4%
39.68%635.91,00213,23550.0%33.3%
42.62%616.387312,57040.9%43.6%
51.79%566.289512,32247.8%54.5%
42.86%565.999412,20845.8%40.6%
38.89%546.11,02013,68032.0%44.8%
45.28%535.993511,55145.8%44.8%
40.38%526.087313,53842.9%38.7%
52.00%506.21,10712,67348.0%56.0%
48.00%506.389311,61251.6%42.1%
36.73%496.287511,83330.4%42.3%
44.90%496.697414,97445.5%44.7%
41.30%466.51,11613,32940.9%41.7%
44.44%456.01,14013,08026.7%53.3%
53.49%436.31,05612,63268.4%41.7%
58.14%436.587514,34153.3%60.7%
42.86%426.689313,80434.8%52.6%
38.10%426.596112,02550.0%22.2%
51.22%416.21,08912,94956.3%48.0%
46.34%416.386511,77542.1%50.0%
42.50%406.283313,76752.6%33.3%
34.21%386.588312,27931.8%37.5%
51.35%376.21,06113,06046.1%54.2%
43.24%376.296113,85418.2%53.9%
45.95%376.11,05712,10371.4%30.4%
47.22%366.076112,82638.5%52.2%
47.22%366.593312,81241.7%50.0%
50.00%346.388813,58155.6%48.0%
47.06%346.399312,91950.0%45.8%
42.42%336.386414,15372.7%27.3%
45.16%316.686514,12663.6%35.0%
54.84%315.889513,65863.6%50.0%
41.94%316.090713,06336.4%45.0%
46.67%306.278911,77446.1%47.1%
44.83%296.51,04914,48230.0%52.6%
75.00%286.692711,03073.7%77.8%
42.86%286.088312,26660.0%23.1%
40.74%276.190411,32764.3%15.4%
37.04%276.189913,81340.0%35.3%
48.15%275.61,19513,00460.0%41.2%
42.31%265.97999,83821.4%66.7%
50.00%266.193511,84254.5%46.7%
48.00%256.484511,20546.7%50.0%
62.50%246.385212,73858.3%66.7%
65.22%236.077811,36466.7%63.6%
59.09%226.397914,83063.6%54.5%
40.00%205.975511,52240.0%40.0%
60.00%207.092112,28650.0%75.0%
20.00%206.491812,60116.7%21.4%
55.00%206.488012,74566.7%45.5%
52.63%196.088611,30954.5%50.0%
47.37%196.888612,21233.3%60.0%
50.00%186.679611,60733.3%66.7%
50.00%186.31,01812,28550.0%50.0%
38.89%186.192213,09050.0%33.3%
52.94%176.095312,16355.6%50.0%
23.53%175.989012,62933.3%18.2%
47.06%176.287912,56771.4%30.0%
37.50%166.088512,85540.0%36.4%
18.75%166.496013,07016.7%20.0%
37.50%166.086612,59137.5%37.5%
33.33%155.485012,31128.6%37.5%
53.33%155.986111,07355.6%50.0%
46.67%156.994812,93846.1%50.0%
80.00%156.51,19612,92775.0%85.7%
26.67%156.383411,62237.5%14.3%
35.71%145.81,01713,64966.7%27.3%
46.15%136.189112,08150.0%42.9%
53.85%136.579311,51566.7%42.9%
38.46%135.777311,25357.1%16.7%
66.67%125.298611,89680.0%57.1%
58.33%126.71,21113,940100.0%16.7%
83.33%125.588311,507100.0%66.7%
27.27%115.980213,5920.0%33.3%
36.36%116.51,03813,03360.0%16.7%
50.00%105.993812,33833.3%75.0%
50.00%106.586411,28766.7%25.0%
40.00%105.181813,16225.0%50.0%
55.56%96.385612,24366.7%50.0%
77.78%96.299616,187100.0%66.7%
33.33%96.283916,0530.0%33.3%
44.44%95.391112,46525.0%60.0%
66.67%96.693613,76660.0%75.0%
62.50%85.799813,63566.7%60.0%
50.00%85.188813,356100.0%42.9%
37.50%86.493615,15850.0%33.3%
75.00%86.991913,07675.0%75.0%
57.14%76.983710,87250.0%66.7%
50.00%65.17539,83150.0%50.0%
66.67%66.699613,74766.7%66.7%
33.33%66.583213,72650.0%25.0%
50.00%64.496114,56650.0%50.0%
50.00%65.31,02611,25950.0%50.0%
20.00%56.283410,34650.0%0.0%
80.00%56.183510,808100.0%66.7%
60.00%56.085214,70450.0%66.7%
80.00%56.476410,26466.7%100.0%
100.00%52.684911,426100.0%100.0%
40.00%55.775210,44525.0%100.0%
40.00%55.31,10511,61925.0%100.0%
0.00%54.98388,7880.0%0.0%
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Varus vs Malphite - Frequently Asked Questions

How does Varus do against Malphite in League of Legends?

Varus wins the Varus vs Malphite matchup with a 51.8% win rate compared to Malphite's 48.2%, a 3.6 percentage point difference. This data is based on 56 recent ranked games in patch 26.3.

How does Varus do against Malphite in the early game?

In the early game, Malphite has the advantage against Varus with a 52.2% win rate versus 47.8%. Malphite players should look to press their lane advantage through aggressive trades and wave control during the first 15 minutes.

How does Varus do against Malphite in the late game?

In the late game, Varus takes over the Varus vs Malphite matchup with a 54.5% win rate compared to 45.5%. Varus scales better into team fights and objective contests after 25 minutes.

Who wins the Varus vs Malphite matchup?

Varus wins the matchup against Malphite with a 51.8% win rate in League of Legends patch 26.3. The 3.6 percentage point advantage means Varus is moderately favored in this lane matchup based on 56 games analyzed.

What is the best Varus build against Malphite?

The best Varus build against Malphite includes Zhonya's Hourglass, Nashor's Tooth, Dusk and Dawn with Boots of Swiftness. This build achieves a 40.0% win rate in the matchup. Check the matchup breakdown above for the full item path and build order.

What are the best Varus runes against Malphite?

The best Varus runes against Malphite use the Precision primary tree with Domination secondary. This rune setup achieves a 80.0% win rate in the Varus vs Malphite matchup. See the full rune breakdown in the matchup comparison above.

Does Varus counter Malphite?

Yes, Varus has a favorable matchup against Malphite with a 51.8% win rate. Varus has a solid advantage over Malphite in lane based on current patch 26.3 data.

How do I play Varus against Malphite?

When playing Varus against Malphite, leverage your statistical advantages by trading aggressively during favorable windows. Play safe early and scale into your power spikes where you outperform Malphite. Build the recommended items and runes for this specific matchup for the best results.