The Top Lane is not only a 1v1 area of the map. There are many dynamics and gameplay aspects that are unique to this role which make it one of the more interesting ones to play.
But we cannot argue against the fact that the Top Lane is a role where Laning itself is most important. It is rivaled only by Bot Lane, but it has the edge over it due to being a solo one.
Picking the right Champion for the job – one that can dominate and persevere in the Lane – is pivotal for winning altogether. Top is, as I’ve said, a solo lane, and having that 1v1 edge over your opponent in the Lane will tremendously help you emerge victoriously.
In this list, I’ve compiled the 5 Best Laning Phase Top Laners. These Champions are great fighters, farmers, bullies; you name it. Mastering them will certainly make you an intimidating force to face and likely propel you into the Victory screen.
Without further delay, let us begin with this brutalizing list.
5. Mordekaiser
Mordekaiser tends to be a real menace on the Lane. Using his rather high sustain, he can remain in the Lane for a long time, likely getting an early XP advantage over his adversary.
He has no Mana, which speaks for itself. Spell spamming is a usual occurrence, and sending you back for a recall will likely be something you’ll just have to deal with.
Mordekaiser is a Champion that also tends to tank up fast, and there are many options in his build path that will keep him on top of the situation at all times. He has a good wave clear that will help him crash his minions into towers easily.
I recommend you pick him up, as I absolutely love and hate him equally. He is relatively easy to play, and he’s the 1v1 god when his Ultimate is considered. It gives him the ability to totally ignore the Jungler that may be ganking and focus solely on his target.
When the Laning Phase ends, he’s also a valuable addition to any team, meaning he does not become obsolete as the mid-game comes around.
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4. Garen
In recent patches and even Seasons, Garen has made a name for himself. He’s become a staple Top Laner that can duel, tank, deal a lot of damage, and do just about anything he wants.
Like Mordekaiser, but even more obnoxious, he has a lot of sustain that will keep him healthy at all times. It only takes a few seconds out of combat with Champions to get a gradual heal that is substantial. If he packs a Teleport with him, he’ll be on the Lane for so long that you’ll wonder if there’s any way of getting rid of him.
His speed and overall DPS allow him to fight just about any Champion you can think of. Yes, there are counters to him, but he has a lot of tools to use to mitigate even great countermeasures.
His E gives him a very potent wave clear, and his Tank nature means that he will quite literally demolish those turrets in no time.
Jax and Teemo come to mind as the best to pick against him, but don’t expect to go into this matchup and act all high and mighty. Garen is strong, really strong, and you should never underestimate his potential.
In the late game, he’ll only get more powerful, a great pick for team play.
I recommend him as he’s likely the most basic Champion on this list. He is rivaled only by our number two. Keep reading to find that one out.
3. Fiora
Fiora is one of my favorite Fighters in League of Legends. Not a Bruiser or a Juggernaut – a Fighter. She embodies the dueling class and has so many great tools on her kit that will help you deal with just about every matchup.
Fiora is fast, and I mean fast. Killing minions with her rather satisfying and quick Q and E means that you’ll barely miss any last hit. Racking up quick gold and XP is vital in the Top Lane, and hitting the next level first can make or break a duel.
With Fiora, you’ll almost always be the first one to clear those minions, allowing you to use your brief level advantage to run down the enemy with your amazing passive.
She counters CC, can close or create gaps, has tons of damage – she’s just a complete and fun Champion that everyone should try at least once. Her late game is redundant to talk about, as you’ve more than likely seen an overfed Fiora in action.
I recommend this Champion for the reasons mentioned above, as well as a lot more that you’ll have to discover yourself by playing her. She may be simple at first glance but hides a lot of complexity that will surely fascinate you.
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2. Jax
Jax is the most basic Champion in the entire game, in my opinion. Some of you may disagree, and I’d sure like to hear your counter-arguments below. Anyhow, he’s so simple that even your grandma could play him.
This simplicity of both character and Champion makes Jax one of the most powerful Champions in the entire game. If he gets fed, everything is going to hell, as he’ll dominate even in 1v5 situations. Pair him with a Yuumi, and that’s game over.
But I digress. Jax’s laning is super good. The basic attack reset on his W and the relatively low mana cost on the rest of his kit allows him to farm safely and efficiently. When he gets a bit stronger, he can even clear waves with great haste, and that’s just one of the things that makes him one of the best split pushers.
When eye to eye with his opposing laner, he can apply a lot of unbearable pressure. Jax’s cooldowns are notoriously low, which can be abused from the very start of the game. Taking first blood with Jax is an occurrence so common it’s barely worth mentioning.
At any rate, he’s one of the best Champions in the game currently. So it is only natural that he’d be good at any point in the game, the laning phase included. Jax only gets stronger as time passes, and I don’t have to tell you how broken he tends to get.
I recommend playing him, as he’s my current main with whom I maintain a 70+% win rate. Yeah, go figure.
1. Darius
Though Jax may be my favorite, I certainly cannot deny the fact that Darius is the King of the Top Lane. There are various aspects and reasons for this – he’s an unprecedented bully, has a crap ton of damage, can brutally slaughter any Champion that he comes across, and, on top of all that, is an amazing split pusher.
Now that was a mouthful.
Darius is a Champion that I’m scared to face, never mind who I’m playing. There’s just something about him that intimidates me to the very core. I used to be a Darius main for over 6 Seasons, and I’m familiar with the Champion as well as one can be.
His Laning Phase is impeccable, and he’ll constantly maintain an XP and gold advantage over his opponent without even trying too hard. Darius getting fed is commonplace, but there is one issue with him overall.
In the late game, Darius loses a lot of his strengths. He slowly gets relegated to a usual Tank role rather than maintaining a fighting and dominating status. If everything aligns perfectly, though, he can still rack up those kills and Pentas, but it won’t align too often.
Whatever it be, Darius still remains the best of the best in the Laning sphere, which is not going to change for a while.
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Conclusion
The Top Lane, as a 1v1 platform, takes the laning phase as seriously as it can. It is the most important part of the entire role, and whoever comes out the victor from it will likely be victorious for the remainder of the game. Naturally, there are exceptions to this rule, but the gist of it remains the same.
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