The latest League of Legends patch 14.18 brings notable changes, including direct nerfs to Misfortune and buffs to Jinx. These adjustments are sure to shift the meta, with several champions rising to dominance in their respective roles. In this article, we’ll break down the top champions for solo queue across each lane and explain why they’re so powerful in this patch. From Garen dominating two roles to Jinx returning to the top of the ADC list, this guide will help you climb the ranks quickly.
Garen: The Top Lane Titan
Garen is back as a top contender in Patch 14.18, excelling both in the Top Lane and Mid Lane. His combination of high damage and tankiness makes him a go-to pick for solo queue.
- Key Matchups: Garen thrives against Nasus and Aatrox, two common top lane picks. His main struggle is against Camille, making her a top ban choice.
- Build Path: The core build for Garen includes Stridebreaker and Phantom Dancer. You can opt for Conqueror or Phase Rush, depending on the enemy team’s mobility.
- Why Garen?: Garen’s ability to deal damage while remaining incredibly durable makes him perfect for solo queue. His kit guarantees reliable damage output, especially when paired with defensive abilities like his W.
Aatrox: The Skirmishing Specialist
If you’re looking for a high-skill top laner, Aatrox is the answer. With exceptional skirmishing potential, Aatrox is rewarding for players who can consistently land his abilities.
- Key Matchups: Fiora and Garen are challenging matchups for Aatrox, so consider banning them.
- Build Path: Aatrox has two strong build paths—Lethality for squishy teams or Bruiser for tankier compositions.
- Why Aatrox?: Aatrox is one of the few champions who can dominate both early and late-game skirmishes. Mastering his kit allows you to outplay opponents and carry games easily.
Jinx: The Return of the Rocket Launcher
Jinx returns to the top of the ADC tier list thanks to her recent buff, which increased her attack speed growth. Jinx is now more versatile, capable of building both lethality and crit items.
- Key Matchups: Consider banning high-pressure ADCs like Draven or Zed to reduce the threat during the laning phase.
- Build Path: Jinx can rush Kraken Slayer or Galeforce depending on the matchup, followed by Phantom Dancer and Infinity Edge.
- Why Jinx?: Jinx excels in both early-game snowballing and late-game team fights, making her a great pick for solo queue climbers.
Udyr: The Best Jungle Skirmisher
Udyr maintains his spot as one of the top jungle picks for Patch 14.18. His early to mid-game skirmishing is nearly unmatched, especially with his Leandre’s build.
- Build Path: Udyr’s core items are Leandre’s Anguish and Dead Man’s Plate, allowing him to be a consistent damage threat while still tanky.
- Key Matchups: Udyr struggles against champions with strong peel, so banning supports like Lulu can give you a big advantage.
- Why Udyr?: His simple but effective kit allows for high-pressure gameplay, perfect for solo queue dominance.
Amumu: The Teamfight King
Amumu remains the top pick for teamfighting junglers, especially with Lillia being nerfed. Amumu’s ability to dish out both crowd control and damage makes him invaluable in solo queue.
- Build Path: Amumu’s standard build includes Leandre’s Anguish and Sunfire Aegis for a balance of damage and tankiness.
- Key Matchups: Banning peel-heavy champions like Lulu or Janna will allow Amumu to dive more effectively into the enemy backline.
- Why Amumu?: Amumu’s mix of crowd control, tankiness, and damage makes him a great choice for players who want to dominate team fights.
Kha’Zix: The Deadly Assassin Jungler
Kha’Zix has surged in popularity, especially after recent buffs to his Q and Dark Harvest. He’s now one of the highest-playrate junglers in solo queue.
- Build Path: Duskblade of Draktharr into Ghostblade allows Kha’Zix to dominate squishy targets. His flexibility in build paths makes him a solid pick in various matchups.
- Key Matchups: Consider banning Amumu or other strong teamfight junglers to give Kha’Zix more room to execute isolated targets.
- Why Kha’Zix?: His ability to snowball and pick off targets makes Kha’Zix a deadly option for jungle mains looking to carry.
These are just some of the standout champions for Patch 14.18, so be sure to adapt your playstyle to the current meta for the best results.
