If you’re a fan of the popular MOBA game League of Legends, then you know that the top lane can be a fierce and competitive place. With so many champions to choose from, it can be overwhelming trying to figure out which ones are the best to play in the top lane.
There’s so much to play, so much to master, and everything is so close yet so far. Therefore, you need to have a solid read of what works in the top lane and what doesn’t since it’s a solo lane, and only you can carry your weight around!
That’s where our tier list comes in. We’ve scoured the internet, analyzed the meta, and compiled a list of the best champions for the top lane in League of Legends.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned veteran, this LoL top lane tier list has something in store for your needs. So, without further ado, let’s jump right in!
Also read: Best support top laners in LoL
S+ Tier Champions
From powerful mages to unstoppable fighters, these champions are the cream of the crop and are sure to make a big impact in your next match:
Champion | Description | Counter Picks |
Darius | Noxian general who cuts through enemies | Dr. Mundo, Quinn, Vayne |
Fiora | Duelist who parries and ripostes | Akshan, Warwick, Pantheon |
K’Sante | Serpent who poisons enemies | Fiora, Singed, Kayle |
Aatrox | Darkin who cleaves through foes | Singed, Irelia, Warwick |
Dr. Mundo | Madman who hacks and slashes | Gwen, Aatrox, Warwick |
Also check: Top 7 Best Support Top Laners in League of Legends
S Tier Champions
From durable tanks to high-damage dealers, these champions are the cream of the crop and are sure to make a big impact in your next match:
Champion | Description | Counter Picks |
Nasus | Legendary hound who grows in power | Shen, Warwick, Olaf |
Camille | Hextech infiltrator who cuts through foes | Pantheon, Vladimir, Warwick |
Mordekaiser | Iron Revenant who wields a giant mace | Olaf, Vayne, Rengar |
Irelia | Ionian warrior who wields magic blades | Zac, Warwick, Olaf |
A Tier Champions
Whether you’re looking for a reliable carry or a versatile support, this A tier list has something for everyone.
Champion | Description | Counter Picks |
Zac | Elastic alchemist who bounces around | Singed, Warwick, Volibear |
Akshan | Dragon general who summons spirit blades | Kled, Tahm Kench, Gragas |
Olaf | Viking berserker who ignores wounds | Akshan, Zac, Tryndamere |
Warwick | Werewolf hunter who tracks prey | Vayne, Singed, Gnar |
Quinn | Ranger who transforms into a bird | Sejuani, Wukong, Ornn |
Shen | Ninja who shadows allies | Olaf, Zac, Gwen |
Singed | Chemist who leaves trails of poison | Urgot, Illaoi, Jayce |
Kled | Cowboy who rides a giant lizard | Quinn, Singed, Shen |
Rengar | Assassin who stalks in the shadows | Poppy, Yorick, Maokai |
Pantheon | Mythical warrior with a spear and shield | Zac, Dr. Mundo, Kled |
Wukong | Monkey king who wields a magic staff | Malphite, Warwick, Kled |
Poppy | Brave yordle who wields a giant hammer | Akshan, Olaf, Warwick |
Malphite | Golem who harnesses the power of earth | Olaf, Dr. Mundo, Shen |
Heimerdinger | Inventor who creates turrets | Viktor, Jayce, Zac |
Tryndamere | Barbarian who gains strength from fury | Singed, Kled, Warwick |
Illaoi | Priestess who smashes through spirits | Mordekaiser, Jayce, Kayle |
Garen | Royal knight who cleaves through foes | Yorick, Camille, Quinn |
Riven | Exile who wields a broken sword | Zac, Poppy, Maokai |
B Tier Champions
Players looking to expand their champion pool or try out new playstyles may find the B tier list to be a great resource, as it includes a wide range of champions with different roles and abilities.
Champion | Description | Counter Picks |
Urgot | Cybernetic sharpshooter with a cannon arm | Dr. Mundo, Tryndamere, Zac |
Ornn | Demigod blacksmith who crafts living weapons | Akshan, Poppy, Fiora |
Maokai | Treant who roots enemies and grows in power | Mordekaiser, Rumble, Olaf |
Kayle | Angelic warrior who transforms into a dragon | Pantheon, Rengar, Zac |
Swain | Ravenous general who transforms into a demon | Akshan, Rengar, Singed |
Gankplank | Pirate captain who fires cannonballs | Zac, Dr. Mundo, Akshan |
Teemo | Yordle scout who poisons enemies | Pantheon, Ryze, Kennen |
Gwen | Adorable weaver who snips foes with her scissors | Warwick, Singed, Gnar |
Vayne | Vengeful marksman who hunts down foes | Wukong, Nasus, Akshan |
Tahm Kench | River king who devours enemies | Zac, Singed, K’Sante |
Jayce | Shapeshifting inventor who smashes with a hammer | Dr. Mundo, Warwick, Ornn |
Rumble | Mechanized yordle who overloads his weapons | Wukong, Illaoi, Tahm Kench |
Sejuani | Fierce barbarian who rides a boar | Lillia, Kled, Poppy |
Kennen | Ninja who electrocutes foes | Akshan, Nasus, Mundo |
Cho’Gath | Giant monster who gobbles up enemies | Quinn, Dr. Mundo, Gwen |
Sett | Brawling brawler who smashes foes | Singed, Dr. Mundo, Kled |
Vladimir | Bloodthirsty vampire who drains enemies | Yorick, Urgot, Kassadin |
Yorick | Gravedigger who raises undead | Kayle, Tryndamere, Irelia |
Gnar | Hyperactive yordle who transforms into a beast | Rengar, Pantheon, Ornn |
Gragas | Drunken brawler who hurls barrels | Sylas, Dr. Mundo, Quinn |
Volibear | Thunderous bear who mauls enemies | Gwen, Mordekaiser, Illaoi |
Lillia | Faerie who lulls enemies to sleep | Urgot, Gankplank, Darius |
Udyr | Primal warrior who shapeshifts into animals | Wukong, Olaf, Rumble |
Sylas | Rebel mage who steals enemies’ magic | Akshan, Illaoi, Zac |
Ryze | Arcane prodigy who binds enemies in magic | Olaf, Zac, Akshan |
Graves | Outlaw gunslinger who blasts enemies | Nasus, Akshan, Kled |
Trundle | Troll king who drains enemies’ strength | Kled, Malphite, Shen |
C Tier Champions
They’re not the worst, but they’re not recommended to play either. Therefore, it’s mostly a matter of personal preference beyond this point.
Champion | Description | Counter Picks |
Jax | Grandmaster who wields a magical lamppost | Zac, Poppy, Dr. Mundo |
Renekton | Savage gladiator who slashes enemies | Dr. Mundo, Illaoi, Shen |
Also check: Top 7 Best Roaming Top Laners in League of Legends
D Tier Champions
We recommend you keep them off your pick list as much as possible. However, even the weakest champions can still make wonders, so the chances are always there!
Champion | Description | Counter Picks |
Sion | Undead knight who explodes upon death | Dr. Mundo, K’Sante, Shen |
Yone | Samurai who slashes through spirits | Akshan, Olaf, Rengar |
Yasuo | Duelist who dashes through enemies | Olaf, Garen, Warwick |
Akali | Assassin who slips through shadows | Dr. Mundo, Nasus, Urgot |
Takeaway
In conclusion, this top lane tier list is a useful tool for players looking to determine the relative strength and viability of different champions in the current meta.
It’s important to note that the tier list is not a definitive ranking of champions and is subject to change as the meta shifts and new champions are released.
While a higher tier champion may be more powerful on average, they can still be defeated by a lower tier champion with the right strategy and team composition.
Take a look at our list of the best blind pick top laners in LoL.
Also read: Support tier list in League of Legends