Several top laners counter each other in League of Legends; some vary in strength based on the current meta, while others vary depending on matchups.
For top laners, three archetypes of champions fluctuate as the meta changes: Hypercarries, support-style champions, and split-pushers. We’ll break down each one of these archetypes and then show you the six best top lane champions in League.
Best top lane champions
This list of top-tier champions can change depending on several things. Sometimes, the meta shifts for no reason other than players’ tastes, but usually, there’s some balance adjustment behind it. It can be difficult to keep up with the flavor-of-the-month champs, so let us do that for you.
Here are the best top laners for League Patch 14.14.
- Aatrox
- Malphite
- Nasus
- Camille
- Gwen
Aatrox
There are top laners that are easy to learn, and though some require a time investment, they’re rewarding. Aatrox belongs to that second group. The Darkin Blade hasn’t changed much in recent years, but as they say, if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. The champion’s kit allows him to dominate the top lane and late-game teamfights if played well, but it’s easier said than done.
On paper, Aatrox doesn’t have immensely powerful abilities on their own. If you learn how to land your Qs and Ws, however, you will wreak true havoc on Summoner’s Rift. It’s not a beginner-friendly option, so if you haven’t played him yet, we advise you to try some normal games before going into ranked.
| Pros | Cons |
| – Deadly in solo duels – Can carry the game if allowed to snowball – Has a massive power spike in the mid game – Monstrous late game | – Can fall off if he gets behind – Lacks engage tools |
Playing Aatrox is all about hitting your foes with auto attacks and Qs. To enhance both, it’s best to pick the Conqueror rune from the Precision tree. It gives you stacks that empower your attacks, transforming you into a true beast in teamfights. To survive in these teamfights, though, you’d better go for Resolve Tree to gain some sustainability.
| Area of Interest | Best options for Aatrox |
| Best runes | Rune tree one: Precision – Conqueror – Triumph – Legend: Alacrity – Last Stand Rune two: Resolve – Second Wind – Overgrowth Offense: Adaptive Force Flex: Adaptive Force Defense: Health based on level |
| Best items | – Plated Steelcaps/Mercury’s Treads – Eclipse – Sundered Sky Like every bruiser in the game, Aatrox has many options after getting the three pivotal items mentioned above. Usually, you get these around the 20th or 25th minute, where enemies will likely start to deal some damage as well. Therefore, it’s best to go for something that boosts your damage and survivability, like Sterak’s Gage, Overlord’s Bloodmail, or Spirit Visage. If you want to go all-in on an aggressive build, pick Serylda’s Grudge, Death’s Dance, or Profane Hydra. |
| Best Summoner’s Spells | – Flash – Teleport |
| Best build path | – The Darkin Blade (Q) – Umbral Dash (E) – Infernal Chains (W) Once you get level four, max Q first, then E, and W in the end. |
| Toughest matchups | – Warwick – Vayne – Urgot – Trundle – Irelia – Kled – Wukong |
Malphite
Malphite is one of the first champions in the game, and to this day, his kit remains mostly true to the original. His basic abilities allow Malphite players to survive and go for skirmishes in the early game. His ultimate, on the other hand, is one of the best engage elements in League, making him a valuable pick if your team needs a frontline.
| Pros | Cons |
| – Tanky – Strong engage – Scales well with ability power and can also deal tons of damage with proper build | – Easy to predict – Can be shut down before level six easily – Doesn’t do much in teamfights besides setting them up with his ultimate |
There isn’t much philosophy to playing Malphite. His abilities scale really well with ability power and can annoy enemies as poke tools, particularly his Q. Therefore, there are two Runes options you can go for: Resolve as the main Tree and Sorcery as the second one, or vice versa. Personally, we prefer the second solution.
| Area of Interest | Best options for Malphite |
| Best runes | Rune tree one: Sorcery – Arcane Comet – Manaflow Band – Transcendence – Scorch Rune two: Resolve – Second Wind – Overgrowth Offense: Attack Speed Flex: Health Defense: Health |
| Best items | – Plated Steelcaps/Mercury’s Treads – Sunfire Aegis – Kaenic Rookern As he’s mostly a tank, there isn’t one proper build path for Malphite. It all depends on the enemy’s composition. Kaenic Rookern should be rushed as the first item versus AP-based teams, while Sunfire Aegis should be bought for the AD-based teams. Usually, though, the opponents will have both types of champ, and then you should build both. Afterward, go for the usual tank items, like Frozen Heart, Thornmail, Jak’Sho, The Protean, and Unending Despair. |
| Best Summoner’s Spells | – Flash – Teleport |
| Best build path | – Seismic Shard (Q) – Thunderclap (W) – Ground Slam (E) Once you get level four, max Q first, then E, and W in the end. |
| Toughest matchups | – Gragas – Singed – Darius – Gangplank – Sett |
Camille
With the popularity and strength of the bruisers in the top lane, many role mains may likely say it’s finally healing. Another champion who has been forgotten for a while—but is now better than ever—is Camille. The perilous fighter is mobile and can navigate teamfights and delete enemy carries in a blink of an eye. But to do this, you need to know all the ins and outs of her gameplay.
| Pros | Cons |
| – An all-around great pick – Mobile – Can catch up on targets and finish them off | – Is countered quite hard in a few scenarios – Her ultimate can also be her doom if not used correctly |
On paper, many would expect Camille to prefer Precision or Domination Tree due to her aggressive abilities. But as it turns out, Resolve is actually way better since it replenishes her lackluster defensive qualities and turns her into an all-around great pick.
| Area of Interest | Best options for Camille |
| Best runes | Rune tree one: Resolve – Grasp of the Undying – Shield Bash – Second Wind – Overgrowth Rune two: Inspiration – Biscuit Delivery – Cosmic Insight Offense: Attack Speed Flex: Adaptive Force Defense: Health |
| Best items | – Plated Steelcaps/Mercury’s Treads – Trinity Force – Ravenous Hydra These three items are enough to launch your power spike, but Camille can only get better from this point. Sterak’s Gage is a viable option if you’re looking to fight in the front lines. Spear of Shojin fits in that scenario as well. But if you want to flank your enemies and boost your damage as much as possible, go for Death’s Dance. |
| Best Summoner’s Spells | – Flash – Teleport |
| Best build path | – Precision Protocol (Q) – Hookshot (E) – Tactical Sweep (W) Once you get level four, max Q first, then E, and W in the end. |
| Toughest matchups | – Warwick – Gnar – Vladimir – Wukong – Zac |
Nasus
From time to time, League players surprise others by picking off-meta champions and finding great success with them. In Patch 14.14, that seems to be the case with Nasus. The Curator of the Sands hasn’t seen direct changes since Patch 14.11 but has started to rise in the top lane.
| Pros | Cons |
| – Arguably the strongest stacking ability in the game – Can single-handedly carry the game if it runs late – Easy and fun to play | – A one-trick pony – Tough to return to the game once you fall behind – Immobile |
Nasus’ gameplay couldn’t have been simpler. All you need to do is stack your Qs, then smash enemies with them in teamfights. To help yourself in the early game and improve your damage and sustain, go for the Precision + Resolve combo, with Fleet Footwork picked as the primary rune. It builds Energy stacks that create Energized attacks, which heal you and grant you some additional movement speed.
| Area of Interest | Best options for Nasus |
| Best runes | Rune tree one: Precision – Fleet Footwork – Triumph – Legend: Haste – Last Stand Rune two: Resolve – Second Wind – Unflinching Offense: Ability haste Flex: Health based on level Defense: Health based on level |
| Best items | – Ionian Boots of Lucidity – Trinity Force – Frozen Heart With Nasus’ damage coming entirely from his Q, especially when the game leaves the laning phase, there is hardly room to be creative with his build. He needs to stack armor and magic resistance, depending on the enemy team’s composition. With that in mind, simply round up your build with items like Spirit Visage, Sterak’s Gage, Thornmail, Dead Man’s Plate, Warmog’s Armor, or Jak’Sho, The Protean. |
| Best Summoner’s Spells | – Ghost – Teleport |
| Best build path | – Siphoning Strike (Q) – Spirit Fire (E) – Wither (W) Once you get level four, max Q first, then w, and E in the end. |
| Toughest matchups | – Shen – Twisted Fate – Aatrox – Tryndamere – Irelia – Illaoi – Ornn – Trundle |
Gwen
There are a few champions that top laners hate to play against, and Gwen is one of them. Her kit allows her to engage in one-versus-one skirmishes and to become a late-game menace. She’s extremely powerful in the current meta, but it comes at a cost. Similarly to Aatrox, Gwen is a complex pick that requires some prowess before heading for the solo queue.
| Pros | Cons |
| – Can adjust to every situation – Tough to outplay if in the hands of a skilled player – Scales really well | – Falls off a bit in the late game – Will often be targeted in teamfights – Hard to master |
Gwen’s build and runes are similar to other champions mentioned above. Having a Conqueror as the main rune is key to unlocking her true potential, while the Resolve runes grant her a bit of extra survivability, which is especially helpful in the early game.
| Area of Interest | Best options for Gwen |
| Best runes | Rune tree one: Precision – Conqueror – Presence of Mind – Legend: Alacrity – Last Stand Rune two: Resolve – Second Wind – Overgrowth Offense: Attack Speed Flex: Adaptive Force Defense: Health |
| Best items | – Mercury’s Treads/Plated Steelcaps – Nashor’s Tooth – Riftmaker As Gwen, your goal entering the mid-game will be to maximize damage. It’s best to go for something basic like Rabadon’s Deathcap, Shadowflame, or Cosmic Drive. You should also get a Zhonya’s Hourglass at some point since it’s a key item for each AP-based champion. |
| Best Summoner’s Spells | – Flash – Teleport/Ignite |
| Best build path | – Snip Snip (Q) – Skip ‘n Slash (E) – Hallowed Mist (W) Once you get level four, max Q first, then E, and W in the end. |
| Toughest matchups | – Kayle – Illaoi – Warwick – Tryndamere – Yone – Rammus – Kled |
Published: Jul 19, 2024 04:00 am