League of Legends patch 25.18 introduces significant top lane shifts that reshape the solo queue landscape. From impactful item updates to champion-specific adjustments, players aiming to climb the ranked ladder must adapt their picks and bans accordingly. With tanks gaining momentum, aggressive snowballers still dominating, and certain champions falling hard, this comprehensive guide breaks down the top lane tier list for patch 25.18 to help you make informed decisions and win more games.
Top Lane Tier List Overview – Patch 25.18
| Tier | Champions |
|---|---|
| OP | Warwick, Quinn, Malphite |
| Low Elo OP | Kayle, Garen, Yorick |
| Best Bans | Aatrox, Mordekaiser, Malphite |
| S | Olaf, Mordekaiser, Poppy, Ornn, Vayne, Kennen, Garen, Urgot, Sett, Shen, Kayle, Kled, Zac, Cho’Gath, Heimerdinger, Singed, Akali, Fiora, Aatrox |
| A | Rumble, Varus, Ryze, Wukong, Darius, Cassiopeia, Dr. Mundo, Vladimir, Teemo, Irelia, Pantheon, Renekton, Camille, Volibear, Gangplank, Gnar, Gragas, Tryndamere, Nasus, Jax, Riven, Illaoi |
| B | Jayce, Tahm Kench, Yasuo, Ambessa, Sion, Yorick, Yone, Trundle, Sylas, Karma, Swain, Rengar |
| C | Aurora, Gwen, Smolder, Udyr, Maokai, K’Sante, Viego, Kayn (Darkin) |
Key Patch Highlights and Champion Shifts
Warwick, Quinn, and Malphite Lead the Meta
Warwick and Quinn offer unmatched lane dominance thanks to their strong dueling setups and non-stop pressure potential. Malphite, on the other hand, capitalizes on recent buffs to Sunfire Aegis and Bami’s Cinder, turning him into the premier blind pick. His exceptional scaling, waveclear, and engage utility make him a top-tier solo queue choice across all skill levels.
Low Elo Favorites: Kayle, Garen, Yorick
In Bronze through Gold ranks, champions with reliable scaling and simpler playstyles often yield the best results. Kayle offers unbeatable late-game power, Garen’s E buff strengthens his early trades and sustain, and Yorick’s ability to win split-push scenarios with minimal mechanical demand makes all three optimal picks for low elo players.
Buffed: Garen and Jayce Climb in Viability
Garen’s minor buff to his E damage proves surprisingly effective, especially in extended trades. His resilience and ease of play keep him firmly in the S tier. Jayce has benefited from an increase in his rank one Q power, which gives him a stronger laning phase against melee opponents. While still mechanically demanding, skilled Jayce players can capitalize on his poke to swing early skirmishes in their favor.
Illaoi Maintains Strength Despite Ability Tweaks
Although Illaoi received a nerf to her W’s damage scaling, this was largely offset by increased duration on her E-created vessels, allowing her to punish targets longer. As a result, she retains her place in the A tier as a lane-dominant bruiser capable of solo carry performances.
Aurora Falls Off Dramatically
One of the biggest losers this patch is Aurora. The nerf to her passive – reducing its percent health damage from 2.5% to 1% – severely impacts her presence in early trades and in scaling DPS. Consequently, she tumbles to C tier and is now generally considered a weak pick in most matchups.
Tank Meta Revival: Ornn, Zac, and Cho’Gath Thrive
Item changes have quietly pushed tanks back into the spotlight. The buffs to Sunfire and Bami’s benefit champions like Ornn, Zac, and Cho’Gath by improving their clear speed and durability. Though they may not dominate the lane, their consistent teamfight value, scaling, and utility make them ideal blind picks for the current environment.
Top Lane Ban Recommendations
If you’re looking to optimize your bans in patch 25.18, focus on removing high-impact threats that are difficult to counter and often snowball games uncontrollably:
- Aatrox – Strong sustain and laning power make him a nightmare in extended trades.
- Mordekaiser – His ultimate isolates threats, neutralizing key enemy champions in crucial fights.
- Malphite – Popular, durable, and highly effective even in autofill hands due to his tankiness and initiation.
Video Breakdown for Patch 25.18
For a full visual breakdown of the top lane meta, including deeper insights and gameplay tips, watch the Skill Capped tier list video for patch 25.18 below:
Source: Skill Capped tier list for patch 25.18
Channel: Skill Capped YouTube Channel
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Malphite so strong in patch 25.18?
Buffs to Sunfire Aegis and Bami’s Cinder empower Malphite’s natural itemization path, making him tankier with better wave control. His ability to engage, absorb damage, and function well in virtually any matchup solidifies his OP-tier status.
Who are the best top lane champions for low elo?
Kayle offers unmatched late-game scaling, Garen delivers durability and simple trading patterns, and Yorick pressures side lanes with powerful split-pushing. All shine in low elo due to their ease of use and strong game impact.
Is Jayce worth playing after his buff?
Yes. The boost to Jayce’s level one Q makes his laning much stronger, giving experienced players a lethal poke advantage and increased lane prio. However, he remains a high skill cap pick best suited for confident mechanics.
What happened to Aurora this patch?
Aurora’s passive was heavily nerfed, cutting her percent health damage from 2.5% to 1%. This dramatically reduces her threat in trades and overall scaling, pushing her down to C tier and out of meta viability.
What are the best top lane bans in patch 25.18?
Aatrox and Mordekaiser dominate in most matchups with their sustain and duel potential. Malphite, while not a lane bully, offers too much consistency and value to be left unchecked as a blind pick.
Maximize Your Climb With the Right Picks
League of Legends patch 25.18 offers a rich and dynamic top lane meta with options for every playstyle. Prioritize champions like Warwick, Quinn, and Malphite for fast climbing, or lean on reliable picks such as Ornn and Zac for safe and consistent performance. Players in lower ranks should stick with high-scaling, low-execution champions like Garen, Kayle, and Yorick for reliable LP gain. Avoid risky selections like Aurora unless further improvements are introduced. Focus on the OP and S-tier champions to maximize your impact and maintain competitive advantage in solo queue.
For ongoing patch updates, tier lists, and meta breakdowns, visit LoLNOW.gg.
