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League of Legends Patch 11.4 Top Lane Tier List

By Joshua Simosa

Malphite, also known as Shard of the Monolith, remains one of the best top lane champions in the current meta.
Malphite, also known as Shard of the Monolith, remains one of the best top lane champions in the current meta. / Photo courtesy of Riot Games

Sometimes referred to as "the island", the top lane in League of Legends plays a crucial role for teams competing on Summoner's Rift. Top lane champions tend to be bruisers or tanks that focus on tasks such as protecting damage dealers, split pushing, initiating team fights, and crowd control.

Once Patch 11.4 arrives on Feb. 18, the top lane meta will most likely stay the same. Some champions and items are being nerfed, but these changes should not have a great impact on how the role is played. Tanks and bruisers will remain dominant, as they provide the greatest utility in the current state of the game.

League of Legends Patch 11.4 Top Lane Tier List

S Tier

Cho'Gath remains one of the strongest top laners in the game.
Cho'Gath remains one of the strongest top laners in the game. / Photo courtesy of Riot Games

Some champions that are essential picks, as they have proven to be dominant in top lane matchups and team fights, are Darius, Malphite, Cho'Gath, Shen, Nasus, and Gnar. These picks have high potential to carry teams to victory, can snowball, and provide great utility. They fit tank and bruiser roles, and depending on the team compositions, could prove to be a deadly threat.

A Tier

Fiora will rise in priority, as she is receiving buffs in Patch 11,4
Fiora will rise in priority, as she is receiving buffs in Patch 11,4 / Photo courtesy of Riot Games

These champions are also essential picks, but provide slightly less potential in the current meta. Fiora, Kayle, Pantheon, Jax, Shen, and Wukong deserve a spot in this tier, as they have proven their carry potential and can provide great utility in team fights. Although they are generally great picks, they can at times be countered by the enemy team's composition.

B Tier

Singed, the Mad Chemist, remains a decent top lane pick.
Singed, the Mad Chemist, remains a decent top lane pick. / Photo courtesy of Riot Games

Sett, Aatrox, Singed, Jayce, and Irelia are good champions but are generally at a slight disadvantage. They are currently not doing as well as the higher tier picks but can at times be a good fit. If the team compositions allow for it and they perform well in the laning phase, they can carry teams to victory.

C Tier

Tahm Kench may be fun to play, but is a poor pick in the current meta.
Tahm Kench may be fun to play, but is a poor pick in the current meta. / Photo courtesy of Riot Games

While its usually a bad idea to lock in these champions, they can at times fulfill the top lane role to a decent extent. Picks in this tier include Tahm Kench, Ryze, Dr. Mundo, Vladimir, and Yorick. Although they are not among the worst in the current meta, players should consider champions with higher potential.

D Tier

Udyr currently belongs in the jungle, not in the top lane.
Udyr currently belongs in the jungle, not in the top lane. / Photo courtesy of Riot Games

Champions to avoid at all costs include the likes of Udyr, Qiyana, Kalista, Diana, and Akali. They currently do not fit the top lane role well and will generally fail to provide the utility that is required by the current meta. Udyr is better off in the jungle, Kalista in the bottom lane, and Diana, Qiyana, and Akali in the mid lane.

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