The Top Lane Tier List for Patch 12.18!

The Bruisers are taking control!

The Patch 12.18 Top Lane Tier List

Champions

Spirit Guard Udyr Splash Art
It’s one of my favorite ultimate skins. (c) Riot Games | © Riot Games

You want to be better League of Legends? You’ve read our guides and still aren’t getting better? Well then, you’re probably playing the wrong champions. But don’t worry we’ve got something for you right here. The tier list Riftfeed’s series that looks at the top champions in each Patch. Today we’re looking at the LoL Patch 12.18.

LoL Patch 12.18 didn’t bring a ton of changes to top lane, but there’s still a big distinction between fighters bruisers and juggernauts. This has taken a while so we now have a fairly clear picture of the impact on meta.

  • Udyr Rework, Visual Updates & More| Udyr Rework, Visual Updates & More

Top Lane Tier List S-Tier Toplane Picks LoL Patch 12.18?

There are many champions in top lane, so we will be discussing the top Champions that you can play there.

No. 3 – Shen

Pulsefire Shen
Shen is an attractive man with half the mask off! (c) Riot Games | © Riot Games

It’s still a mystery why Shen is currently at the top of the tier. He did not receive any buffs, nor did his items. He slipped into the first spot quite quietly. 

His global vision will ensure that Shen is always strong He is able to function without any gold or resources. Shen’s strength can be attributed to how He is safe and steady. Top lane, which is all about counter matchups as well as punishing mistakes and is the least friendly for new players, can be described as being unfriendly. Top lane is not a lane that has ‘blind safe’ champions or lane winners because of its matchup dependent nature. Without having to counter pick

The last blind Safe champion was Gragas His extreme sustain. Since then, he’s been nerfed. Top Lane hasn’t had a champion that is blind-pickable. Shen steps in to help. He’s not blind pickable because he has some bad matchups but he is safe enough. His items and his utility are sufficient for him to have an impactful game and help his team.

Shen is also a skilled damage split player and can be used in any team comp. So you don’t have to worry about who your team will be. These are all factors that make Shen the best pick Top lane. Shen is the best choice if you are looking for an autofilled Top lane.

Additionally, Shen has one on the strongest Level 2 spikes of the gameYou can use the E-Q combo to cheese your opponent and attempt to get an early kill. This can give Shen an advantage in lane. Zac has almost always been in jungle, but he may find himself supporting others occasionally. However recently a top Zac playstyle has surfaced that has proved extremely effective in current meta. Zac can choose between a tanky or high-damage AP build. 

LoL Patch 12.18 Best Top Laner No. 2 – Udyr

Dragon Oracle Udyr Splash Art
Amazing skin, even after the rework. (c) Riot Games | © Riot Games

Udyr recently got his rework during Patch 12.16. Udyr instantly became viable again after Riot gave him mid-patched buffs and more changes during patch 12.17. Udyr is now the dominant soloqueue.

Udyr played in the jungle alongside Sunfire, Demonic, and with a focus on his ultimate Phoenix position. He was an AoE disruptor, who would be in frontline for his team and make it difficult for his enemies to maneuver. Udyr’s toplane playstyle is more intense and involves more skirmishing. Udyr was able to get some buffs to the AD build as part of patch 12.17.

AD Udyr focuses on maximizing his Q Wildclaw Steance. You can build items such as the Blade of the Ruined King, Titanic Hydra and Trinity Force. Udyr suffers a ridiculous amount of single-target damage when using these items. Udyr’s Wildclaw or Awakened stances will cause more than 100% maximum health damage to opponents with just 4 auto attacks. Udyr is able to destroy any target within the game tanks provided they are isolated. Keep in mind that Udyr will burst your head if he builds AD.

Udyr’s biggest flaw is his inability to maintain durability and long range. This is why you shouldn’t play Udyr in this way in the toplane. Instead, try to force skirmishes in which only two or three people can focus your attention.

  • Did you catch our guide for Nilah?

LoL Patch 12.18: Best Top Laner (c) Riot Games: No. 1 – Singed

Beekeeper Singed Splash Art
Beez Nutz. | © Riot Games

Singed has been in and around the S tier of toplane for quite some time. But for 12.17, he’s back!. Singed is a solid champion and provides great utility and CC for his team. His matchups are very good and he has only a few poor ones. He’s likely to be a low-variance performer. 

Singed’s unique playstyle, difficulty and play style are the things that keep him behind. It can be difficult to get him up because he is unlike any other champion. You should do some research on the best itemizations for each of the games and play him many times before reaching the ladder.

Remember Singed could be on the enemy side. don’t chase Singed!

  • Riot to Make Top Lane Changes

Top Lane Tiers in LoL Patch 12.18 – The Other Top Lane Champions

Even though the S-Tier Top Laners have a reputation for being the best, there are still some great choices in case they aren’t available. Let’s take a look at the champions in the bottom tier, which you should avoid.

Top Lane Tier List 12.15
There are not many changes to this patch for the plane!

The A-Tier Top Picks of LoL Patch 12.18:

This is the place to go if you don’t like the S-tier picks or they are banned. While the A-tier champs can be good, they don’t merit nerfs so they are generally about the same.

  • Mordekaiser- Win Rate: 51.20%, Pick Rate: 6.47%
  • Tahm Kench – Win Rate 53.96%, Pick rate 3.20%
  • Garen-Win Rate: 51.10%, Choose Rate: 7.73%
  • Singed – Win rate: 53.76%, pick rate: 2.50%
  • Poppy – Win rate: 52.20%, Pick rate: 1.02%

Top Lane is dominated in the most part by champions who are more interested in long fights than bruisers. Tanks are an option, and they will always be helpful in team comps. However, it is best to stick with the bruisers. 

  • League of Legends Maps – A Fundamental Guide

The F-Tier Top Picks of LoL Patch 12.18:

These champions are not worth playing if you want to win. 

  • Volibear – Win Rate 48.94%; Pick Rate 4.05%
  • Jayce – Win rate: 47.66%, pick rate: 1.64%
  • Kennen – Win Rate: 47.36%, Pick Rate: 2.05%
  • Gwen – Win Rate 46.3%, Pick rate: 4.56%

Gwen is in a very bad spot right now. She has been nerfed twice in a rowRiot may not have nerfed Gwen the first or second consecutive times, but it is clear that they want Gwen out of the spotlight. She should be able to make some positive changes that will allow her to remain viable, but not OP.

Author: Eric Pomeroy
Passionate about Valorant, I started playing CSGO but switched to valorant looking at the characters and the play style. I own this website and have written the content myself.