With Season 25.S1.3 underway, the top lane meta in League of legends has been heavily influenced by recent balance changes, item adjustments, and strategic shifts. Some champions dominate both high and low ELO, while others struggle to stay relevant.

If you’re looking for the best top laners to climb in ranked or improve your gameplay, this Tier List will separate champions into clear tiers, ranking them from OP (overpowered) to C-tier (weakest picks).


Top Lane Tier List For League of Legends 25.S1.3

Top Lane Champion Rankings

TierChampions
OP (Overpowered)Warwick, Urgot, Cho’Gath
OP for Low EloHeimerdinger, Dr. Mundo, Yorick
S (Strong Meta Picks)Fiora, Riven, Kayle, Ornn, Vayne, Kennen, Kled, Ryze, Volibear, Mordekaiser, Singed, Olaf, Zac, Darius, Cassiopeia, Malphite, Aatrox, Garen
A (Solid Choices)Nasus, Tahm Kench, Yorick, Sett, Irelia, Quinn, Gwen, Vladimir, Rengar, Shen, Sylas, Renekton, Camille, Swain, Poppy, Trundle, Illaoi, Tryndamere, Maokai, Teemo, Gragas, Pantheon, Wukong
B (Viable but Situational)Sion, Akali, Gangplank, Ambessa, Gnar, Aurora, Rumble, Dr. Mundo, Heimerdinger, Jax, Karma, Yone
C (Struggling in the Current Meta)Jayce, K’Sante, Smolder, Yasuo, Udyr

Best Champions for Climbing in Top Lane

OP Tier – The Best of the Best

These champions are overpowered in the current meta, providing massive Impact in both lane and team fights. They have strong laning phases, great scaling, and minimal weaknesses.

  • Warwick – Exceptional sustain, great dueling power, and strong split-pushing potential.
  • Urgot – One of the best juggernauts, with high damage, tankiness, and a powerful execution ultimate.
  • Cho’Gath – Infinite scaling tank with a massive health pool, CC, and true damage that makes him unkillable late-game.

For low ELO, champions like Heimerdinger, Dr. Mundo, and Yorick dominate because of their simple mechanics and ability to carry games without needing a lot of team coordination.


S-Tier – Strong Meta Picks

These champions are consistent and powerful, performing well across most matchups. They don’t have the same level of dominance as OP-tier champions but are still great for Solo queue.

  • Fiora & Riven – Elite 1v1 duelists, who dominate in split-push scenarios.
  • Ornn & MalphiteTanky frontline picks with strong engage tools for team fights.
  • Vayne & KennenRanged top laners who abuse melee matchups and scale hard into late game.
  • Aatrox & GarenReliable fighters with solid laning phases and strong sustain.
  • Mordekaiser & ZacDurable bruisers with teamfight impact and self-sustain.

These champions are perfect for both aggressive and defensive playstyles, making them some of the best options for solo queue success.


A-Tier – Solid but Less Consistent Choices

These champions work well in the right hands, but they require good matchups or proper execution to be effective.

  • Shen & MaokaiTanks with strong global presence and great team utility.
  • Sett & IllaoiBully lane champions who excel at 1v2 scenarios and team fights.
  • Renekton & Camille – Strong early-game champions that fall off in late game if not ahead.
  • Teemo & QuinnCheese picks that can dominate melee matchups but struggle against coordinated teams.
  • Pantheon & WukongEarly-game bullies who snowball leads but can fall off if games go long.

A-tier champions are still great choices, but they lack the dominance of S and OP-tier picks.


B-Tier – Viable but Situational Picks

These champions can work, but they require specific matchups or niche strategies.

  • Sion & Dr. Mundo – Tanks that can soak damage but struggle against high-damage scaling carries.
  • Akali & Yone – Assassin-style champions that can pop off but are very high-risk, high-reward.
  • Gangplank & RumbleHigh skill ceiling champions who are very item-dependent.
  • Ambessa & Gnar – Niche champions who perform well with proper team coordination.

B-tier picks aren’t bad, but they’re often outclassed by stronger meta picks.


C-Tier – Struggling Champions

These champions are weak in the current meta and should generally be avoided unless you’re a one-trick player.

  • Jayce & K’Sante – Have potential but are outclassed by other bruisers and tanks.
  • Smolder – Still figuring out his place in top lane, but currently too weak to be reliable.
  • Yasuo & UdyrHigh risk, low reward, with poor matchups into top lane bruisers.

C-tier picks can work, but they require significantly more effort to succeed.


Which Top Laners Should You Play in 25.S1.3?

If you’re looking to climb ranked, stick to these recommendations:

  • Best overall top laners: Warwick, Urgot, Cho’Gath
  • Best low ELO top laners: Heimerdinger, Dr. Mundo, Yorick
  • Best tanks: Ornn, Malphite, Zac
  • Best duelists: Fiora, Riven, Aatrox
  • Best scaling picks: Kayle, Ryze, Vayne

Avoid picking C-tier champions unless you’re extremely confident in them, as they are currently weak in the Season 25.S1.3 meta.

For more League of Legends updates, guides, and tier lists, stay tuned to LoLNOW.gg!

Frequently Asked Questions about Top Lane Tier List (25.S1.3)

Which is the best top laner in Season 25.S1.3?

The best top laners in 25.S1.3 are Warwick, Urgot, and Cho’Gath. They provide strong laning phases, great team fight presence, and consistent carry potential.

Who are the best top laners for low elo?

For low elo, the best top laners are Heimerdinger, Dr. Mundo, and Yorick. These champions are simple to play, have strong lane dominance, and can easily carry games without needing a highly coordinated team.

What are the best tank champions for top lane?

The best tank top laners are Ornn, Malphite, and Zac. These champions provide strong crowd control, durability, and are essential for team fights.

Which champions should I avoid playing in top lane?

Champions like Jayce, K’Sante, Smolder, Yasuo, and Udyr are currently weak in the meta and should generally be avoided unless you are highly experienced with them.

What is the difference between OP, S, and A-tier top laners?

OP-tier champions are the strongest and have minimal weaknesses. S-tier champions are very strong but require good execution. A-tier champions are solid choices but may have more difficult matchups or require specific conditions to succeed.

Is Fiora better than Riven in top lane?

Fiora and Riven are both strong duelists, but Fiora is better for split-pushing and 1v1s, while Riven has stronger team fight potential and mobility.

How do I counter OP top laners like Warwick and Urgot?

To counter Warwick and Urgot, pick champions with mobility and ranged poke, such as Quinn, Vayne, or Teemo. Additionally, building Grievous Wounds items like Executioner’s Calling can reduce Warwick’s healing.