Which champions dominate the top lane in League of Legends on patch 14.12? No matter if you're into split pushing, carrying or soaking up tons of damage – we have all the best champions for you in this top lane tier list.
This recent League of Legends patch introduced significant changes to champions such as Skarner, Tryndamere, and Twisted Fate, affecting top lane dynamics. Skarner, primarily a jungler, had become overly dominant in the top lane, prompting Riot to implement adjustments to curb his influence in that role.
So, how have these changes affected the top lane? That's what we're going to look at right now.
Top Lane Tier List: S-Tier Top Lane Picks Of LoL Patch 14.12
Top lane has quite a bit of variety, so we'll be talking about the best Champions to play in the top lane among all the viable champions!
3. Garen
Garen has become the ultimate AP top laner in this LoL Patch and is dominating with a 51.79% win rate.
Build:
Garen excels as a top lane fighter. With the right dueling items, you can easily dominate any matchup. Start with Stridebreaker, his best item, and follow up with Phantom Dancer for enhanced movement to chase down enemies. Your third item can be situational, but Infinity Edge is a great choice for surprising opponents. Alternatively, you can opt for more conventional items like Dead Man's Plate or Force of Nature for added safety.
Power Spikes:
Garen is powerful in the early and mid game, excelling in skirmishes and winning most duels. While he may decline in effectiveness during the late game, most solo queue matches don’t last that long, so he remains a solid pick.
Counters:
Garen struggles against ranged top laners and other skirmishers. It's best to avoid picking him when facing champions like Twisted Fate, Urgot, and Camille.
Good Synergies:
Roaming mid laners like Naafiri synergize well with Garen, as they can assist him in gaining an advantage in the top lane. Additionally, AP junglers like Fiddlesticks are highly valued by Garen mains.
2. Volibear
Volibear is currently one of the best champions in the game with a win rate of 51.48%.
Build:
Volibear thrives with a balanced mix of AP, AD, and tank items to fulfill his role as a damage-dealing tank. Start with Rod of Ages to boost his mana and health, making it an essential first item. Next, opt for the new Navori Flickerblade, a fantastic choice for him. For the third item, select a situational tank item based on the opposing team composition.
Power Spikes:
Volibear excels in the early game, so it's crucial to play aggressively and engage in skirmishes frequently during this phase. While he may decline in strength in the late game, he remains effective in the mid game for taking objectives and split pushing.
Counters:
Honestly, there isn't much that can stop Volibear from dominating, but Grievous Wounds can put a dent in your sustain which is quite annoying.
Good Synergies:
Champions with solid crowd control abilities make excellent partners for Volibear in skirmishes. Jarvan IV is a particularly strong choice to pair with Voli in the top lane.
1. Sett
Sett is the final boss of top lane and is sitting at a 51.25% win rate.
Build:
For Sett, start with Tiamat but don’t rush to complete it. Focus on building Stridebreaker as your next major item and then follow up with Overlord’s Bloodmail for added resilience.
Power Spikes:
Sett is potent in lane and can handle minor fights right away, but it’s best to wait until he reaches level 3 and has access to all of his abilities before engaging fully.
Counters:
Steer clear of long-ranged champions like Vayne and Teemo, as they pose significant challenges for Sett.
Good Synergies:
Sett meshes well with many champions. If dealing with ranged adversaries, opt for a jungler that offers crowd control and mobility. Alternatively, a supportive jungler like Ivern can also be beneficial, helping Sett secure early advantages and accelerate his impact in the game.
Top Lane Tier List in LoL Patch 14.12: The Other Top Lane Champions
While the S-Tier Top Laners tend to be the best, there are still a lot of excellent picks in case these champions aren't available. Let's also take a look at some bottom-tier champions, which you should take note of and avoid!
The A-Tier Top Picks Of LoL Patch 14.12
If you're not a fan of the S-tier picks, or they are banned, this is where to look. The A-tier champs are good but don't warrant nerfs, so they are usually about the same.
| Champion | Win Rate | Pick Rate |
| Malphite | 51.25% | 4.98% |
Urgot |
51.51% | 2.38% |
Darius |
49.98% | 7.24% |
| Camille | 50.74% | 5.71% |
| Aatrox | 49.11% | 12.46% |
| Dr. Mundo | 51.52% | 3.84% |
Mordekaiser | 50.87% | 4.91% |
| Fiora | 51.19% | 4.04% |
| Jax | 50.38% | 5.37% |
| Yorick | 51.46% | 3.59% |
In this League of Legends patch, tankier champions have resurged in the A-tier. Picks like Jax, Mordekaiser, and Malphite stand out as some of the best choices due to their impressive sustain. These champions offer a robust presence in the game, making them valuable picks for players seeking durability.Additionally, Fiora and Camille continue to hold their place in the A-tier, as both champions seem to be consistently meta. Their versatile kits and consistent performance ensure they remain strong picks, providing players with reliable options regardless of the patch.
The F-Tier Top Picks Of LoL Patch 14.12
If you want to win, just stay away from these champions, basically no point in playing them unless you're a one-trick.
| Champion | Win Rate | Pick Rate |
| Udyr | 47.83% | 0.66% |
| K'Sante | 45.62% | 3.58% |
| Akshan | 49.89% | 0.54% |
| Jayce | 47.42% | 3.37% |
Akali | 47.13% | 1.96% |
Gangplank | 47.14% | 2.44% |
Akshan received some nerfs in this League of Legends patch. While he was never a top lane favorite, it's now even less advisable to play him in that role.
Similarly, Jayce, K'Sante, and Gangplank are not recommended for lower elo players. Not only are they currently not very strong, but they also require a high skill level to master. It's best to practice with these champions before attempting to use them in ranked games.