To understand the reasoning behind the tier chosen for each champion in the roles, it’s important to understand how the tier is calculated. In this tier list, the tier is calculated based on several features.

Like other tier lists, the standard statistics used include: Pick Rate, Ban Rate, and Win Rate. Furthermore, this list also considers the skill requirement to play the champion at a high level, the validity of the champion in the role across all ELOs, and the likelihood of the champion to remain at a similar power level for the remainder of the season (based on likelihood of champion buff/nerfs, item dependency, and meta dependency).

Now that that’s out of the way, let’s go over the tier categories.

The highest tier is “S Tier”. This category represents the ‘cream-of-the-crop’ or the ‘best-of-the-best’. These champions are fantastic for their consistency, have high win rates, low ban rates, and low pick rates. If these champions are open and you play them well, then play them!

The next tier is “A Tier”. This category is distinguished as ‘above average’ and for good reason. The champions in this category are competitive with “S Tier” champions in the right conditions, and if you know how to play them really well, then they can easily be as good as the “S Tier” or even better.

Next is the “B Tier”. This tier is the ‘average’ tier where you can find champions that will be consistent in the meta across almost all metas and conditions, however, there will always be a better pick. With that said, there will still always be worse ones, too.

The second to last tier is “C Tier”. This tier is the ‘below average’ category that really should be avoided at all costs. Unless you are a ‘one-trick’ or just enjoy playing these champions, it’s probably best to pretend they don’t exist. Either because they are poorly applicable to the current meta or are just insanely difficult to play and master for the stats and strengths that they bring to the team.

Finally, we have “D Tier”. This tier is by far the worst category and is ‘terrible’ (likely for many reasons). This tier is the category of champions that are prevalent in the role, but should not be played (no ifs, ands, or buts). Aside from these tiers, any champion not on a list for the role, can be considered a really, really, bad idea.

With that out of the way, let’s get to the Tier Lists.

Top Lane

When specifically looking at the Top Lane Tier List, the ‘S Tier’ is composed of champions that are powerful for pretty much every reason there can be. A combination of low ban rates, high carry potential, side-laning threat, and either an easy kit or one that is so powerful when mastered that it can’t be ignored. Irelia, for example, is famous for her kit being difficult to grasp, but those who do manage, can easily put the game on their shoulders and carry. Not to mention Irelia has multiple build paths so no matter the meta, or any patch item changes, she will likely always be in a good position and have great matchups against popular picks.

Contrary to the top of the list, the ‘D Tier’ is made of champions that are WAY too matchup specific, nerfed to weaken their top lane potential, or just take too long to scale up for a solo queue game.

As for the A-C tiers, these champions are ranked based on reliance on specific builds or metas, their ease of use, and for what they can bring to the team. Kayle, for example, is a relatively easy champion to learn and has incredible scaling potential. If she weren’t extremely weak to early game ganks she would easily be in the ‘S Tier’. Champions in the ‘C Tier’ for top lane, are just weaker versions of champions listed higher on the list or simply work better in other positions making them a poor choice in the top lane.

Jungle

The ‘S Tier’ for jungling is clearly focused on ganking and farming junglers that have high damage and carrying potential. For solo queue, that is what’s really important, and map controlling junglers simply require too much forethought to be as consistent from game-to-game as the top of the list.

The ‘A Tier’ is for champions that have many good matchups and are not extremely reliant on the meta. This category is very diverse because each of these champions offer unique features for teams. Choosing any of these ‘A Tier’ champions in the right team composition can easily make the difference and bring the champion to an ‘S Tier’ level.

The ‘B Tier’ offers a great set of champions that are often played by ‘one-tricks’. If you are one of those people, then you likely can play them to the level of ‘A Tier’ champions, however, if you are not, then these champions are just slightly worse than the ones above due to poor clearing, weaker skirmishing, or require too much setup from lakers to have a gank be successful.

As for ‘C Tier’ and ‘D Tier’, these champions are generally best to steer clear of since they are extremely meta dependent and have much better alternatives in most metas and recent patches.

Mid Lane

The ‘S Tier’ in the mid lane is a group of fantastic picks in nearly any game. These champions are great blind, and can easily carry solo queue games! Some of these champions require more skill than others to pilot, but even when played less than stellar, players can see great returns. The most important feature about these champions is that they are nearly always great in the meta, so players who enjoy playing these champions can enjoy the fact that they are usually pretty viable.

Champions in the ‘A Tier’ are definitely not far off the ‘S Tier’ but are just a bit more matchup-dependent or skill-reliant. Overall though, ‘A Tier’ champions are almost always in a good position in the meta and exceptional carries!

‘B Tier’ belongs to several niche picks and some specific counterpicks to champions listed in the tiers above. Although they definitely see the light of day, they should very rarely be blind picked.

As for the ‘C Tier’ and ‘D Tier’, these champions are simply better elsewhere, extremely meta-reliant or are simply too difficult to play well enough to match most champions in the tiers above (best to avoid these champions… for now atleast).

Bot Lane

As for the bottom lane, these champions are simply too strong if left unchanged. Swain, for example, has been averaging a solo queue win rate of greater than 53.5% for the past 5 patches (and likely even more). Swain and Ziggs offer their team more flexibility in draft to generate better matchups, and are incredible blind picks. The other picks of the tier are simply insane late game carries with few counters to prevent them from snowballing. Looking past the ‘S Tier’, the bot lane is pretty well balanced, and the majority of picks fall into either ‘A Tier’ or ‘B Tier’. The specific placement between these two tiers is basically based on how well they do against the ‘S Tier’ picks. The ones that do well (or decently well), end up in the ‘A Tier’, and those that do not, are in the ‘B Tier’.

After that, ‘C Tier’ and ‘D Tier’ are quite underwhelming in the current climate, and don’t seem like they will be viable options anytime soon. Karthus specifically, should be discussed because of his high win rate. Although Karthus bot sports a very attractive win rate (upwards of 53%), there are very few matches played each patch which likely means there are very few (but very impressive) players that play him Bot which significantly skew the data and do not accurately indicate how he actually fairs in the current climate.

Support

Lastly, we have support. In ‘S Tier’ we have the notorious solo queue autofill picks. These picks are notorious for this because they are fun to play and are always good. In solo queue, often the supports that are exceptional for their ability to capitalize on mistakes are the best options regardless of the meta. These champions do exactly that. Blitzcrank and Thresh, obviously for their catch potential, and Leona for her ability to chain crowd controlling abilities long enough for her team to finish the kill. Finally, Lulu is here for the exact opposite reason. Lulu is incredible because she can help teammates who get caught out for making mistakes, and can easily bait enemies into committing to a fight/skirmish that they cannot win.

The ‘A Tier’ champions are similar to champions in the ‘S Tier’ but are less consistent in those facets. Nautilus is an obvious example, as he resembles the crowd controlling effects of Leona, however his cooldowns are longer and early game stats weaker. Unlike the other roles, the support ‘B Tier’ is actually composed of fantastic champions that can do the job quite well. The only caveat to these champions is they are somewhat quirky and require at least a handful of games to get the hang of.

The ‘C Tier’ is composed of champions that are simply better off in other lanes, with certain duos, or in specific metas. Sett, for example, is quite good and could easily be in the ‘B Tier’ however he really only works in ‘kill lanes’ where he is paired with champions like: Swain, Veigar, Yasuo, or Vayne.

Finally, ‘D Tier’ is simply the home of champions that you will occasionally see people play when they are autofill but refuse to believe it changes anything! Best to dodge in these situations, but make sure to check if they have specific duos that they pair well with and see if you can accommodate.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are obviously a lot of champions and role combinations out there, and a lot of viable ones at that! Don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone and find a new or niche pick that you see on this list and try them out in a normal game! Maybe you’ll find your next main!

Do your best and keep asking questions.

Good luck, Summoners!