LoL Top Lane Tier List for Patch 26.21: Best Champions to Climb
This tier list covers the strongest top lane picks for solo queue in Patch 26.21. Rankings are editorial: we look at kit strength after the latest changes, matchup spread, and how reliably a champion converts leads into wins.
For the full tier list covering every role, see our LoL Tier List for Patch 26.21.
S Tier – Best Top Laners Right Now
Ambessa. The newest addition to top lane remains overtuned. Her dash resets and shield scaling let her win extended trades against almost anyone. Ban or pick.
Ksante. After the mini-rework, K’Sante has the best teamfight presence of any top laner. His all-out form still shreds tanks while being tanky enough to survive burst.
Jax. Jax has been quietly strong all season. Lethal Tempo synergizes perfectly with his passive, and his late-game split push is nearly impossible to answer 1v1.
A Tier – Strong and Reliable
Camille, Fiora, Darius, Gwen, Renekton, Yone (flex).
Camille and Fiora are perennial split-push threats that scale well. Darius punishes weak laners hard in lower elos. Gwen shreds tanks with her true damage. Renekton is back after item changes. Yone flexes mid/top and carries teamfights.
B Tier – Solid Picks With Conditions
Ornn, Sion, Malphite, Mordekaiser, Rumble, Urgot, Volibear.
These champions work well into specific matchups or team comps. Ornn and Malphite are safe blind picks with strong teamfight ultimates. Mordekaiser dominates melee matchups but struggles against ranged. Volibear is a lane bully who falls off.
C Tier – Playable But Outclassed
Cho’Gath, Gnar, Kennen, Teemo, Jayce, Gangplank.
These picks work in the right hands or into specific matchups, but the S and A tier champions do their jobs better this patch. Gangplank scales hard but his laning phase is punishing against current meta picks.
What Changed From Last Patch
- Renekton up → A tier. The Blade of the Ruined King changes help him stick to targets after stunning them.
- Gnar down → C tier. Mini Gnar nerfs to base attack speed hurt his kiting pattern.
How to Use This Tier List
Tier lists show what is strong, not what you should play. A champion you have 200 games on in B tier will outperform a champion you are learning in S tier. Use this as a guide for what to try next or what to ban, not as a rulebook.
For matchup-specific help, check our champion counter guides.
Looking for a smurf to practice top lane? Browse our LoL accounts.
