The latest League of Legends Patch 14.17 brings significant shifts in the meta, with nerfs to key champions like LeBlanc and Lillia. This article will guide you through the top solo carry champions for each role, offering insights into the best builds, strategies, and matchups to dominate your games.
Top Lane
- Garen: Garen is a standout top laner in Patch 14.17, especially with the prevalent Aatrox picks. His simplicity and effectiveness make him a reliable choice for climbing the ranks. Garen’s strength lies in his ability to neutralize or even dominate matchups like Aatrox, especially when using Phase Rush as his keystone. The combination of Stridebreaker and Phantom Dancer in his core build enhances his ability to chase down and eliminate opponents. Garen’s lack of skill shots means he can consistently pressure opponents, making him a formidable force in solo queue. However, players should be cautious against matchups like Camille, which can be more challenging for Garen to handle.
- Aatrox: Aatrox continues to be a top-tier pick in the current meta, despite his slightly higher skill requirement compared to Garen. The new Black Cleaver build has made Aatrox even more powerful, offering a blend of durability and damage that allows him to thrive in extended fights. Aatrox excels in skirmishes and team fights, where his healing and sustained damage can turn the tide of battle. Players who invest time in mastering Aatrox will find him to be one of the most rewarding champions to play in Patch 14.17. When facing Aatrox, consider banning Fiora, as she poses a significant threat to his dominance.
- Sett: Sett remains a reliable pick in the top lane, maintaining his position as a solo carry staple across multiple patches. His ability to stat-check opponents makes him a strong choice for players who can secure early leads. Set’s core build has shifted slightly with the recent nerfs to Blade of the Ruined King, making Stridebreaker the go-to item for most matchups. This adjustment has resulted in a noticeable increase in win rates for Sett players. His crowd control and damage output allow him to thrive in extended fights, especially when facing opponents who rely heavily on positioning and mobility. Sett’s biggest threat in the current meta is Volibear, so consider banning him to maximize your chances of success.
Jungle
- Amumu: Amumu has risen to prominence in the jungle, particularly as a strong AP jungler with significant team fight impact. The discovery of the Liandry’s Anguish rush on Amumu has unlocked his potential to dominate games with consistent damage over time. Amumu’s crowd control and area-of-effect damage make him a valuable asset in team fights, where his ultimate can change the outcome of engagements. With Sunfire Aegis as a secondary item, Amumu becomes a tanky frontliner capable of soaking up damage while dishing out his own. To maximize his effectiveness, consider banning champions like Lulu or Braum, who can disrupt his initiation.
- Kha’Zix: Kha’Zix has solidified his place as the best assassin jungler in the current meta, thanks to repeated buffs to Dark Harvest. His ability to isolate and eliminate targets makes him a deadly force in solo queue. Kha’Zix’s versatility allows him to adapt his build based on the game state, with options like Ghostblade or Eclipse providing different advantages. Ghostblade offers enhanced mobility and skirmish potential, while Eclipse enhances his burst damage against squishier opponents. Kha’Zix thrives in matchups where he can take down vulnerable targets quickly, making him a great pick for those looking to carry from the jungle. Consider banning Amumu, who can pose a threat to Kha’Zix’s early game dominance.
- Udyr: Udyr has emerged as a top-tier jungle pick in Patch 14.17, particularly with the ease of execution that his playstyle offers. His empowered R combined with Liandry’s Anguish allows Udyr to deal significant damage with minimal effort, making him a reliable choice for players of all skill levels. Udyr’s build focuses on maximizing his durability while maintaining a high level of damage output. Dead Man’s Plate is a key item that enhances his mobility and survivability, allowing him to chase down opponents and initiate fights effectively. Champions with point-and-click crowd control, such as Lulu or Braum, are strong bans when playing Udyr, as they can limit his ability to engage.
Mid Lane
- Sylas: Sylas has returned to the forefront of the mid lane meta, thanks to recent buffs and a new build path that enhances his effectiveness in drawn-out fights. The combination of Rocketbelt and Cosmic Drive provides Sylas with the health and ability haste needed to excel in skirmishes against bruisers and tanks. This build allows Sylas to thrive in team fights, where his ability to steal powerful ultimates can turn the tide in his favor. While Sylas remains vulnerable to certain matchups, such as Galio and Vex, his versatility and high skill ceiling make him a valuable pick for experienced players.
- Vex: Vex has become a powerhouse in the mid lane, particularly with the nerfs to several of her key matchups. Her ability to counter assassins and fighters makes her a formidable force in the current meta. Vex excels in trades, especially when her W and fear are available, allowing her to outplay aggressive champions like Yasuo, Yone, and Katarina. With a standard build of Luden’s Tempest into Shadowflame, Vex can deal significant burst damage while maintaining a safe distance from her opponents. Consider banning longer-range mages like Xerath or Vel’Koz, who can pose a challenge for Vex in lane.
- Neeko: Neeko continues to be a strong solo carry option in the mid lane, with a versatile build path that allows her to adapt to different team compositions. The emergence of the Stridebreaker rush on Neeko has given her more durability and crowd control, allowing her to function as a pseudo-bruiser in certain matchups. This build is particularly effective against tanky compositions, where Neeko can use her crowd control and sustained damage to take down even the most resilient opponents. Neeko’s ability to deceive and outplay her opponents with her passive and ultimate makes her a valuable pick for those looking to carry from the mid lane. Consider banning Yone, who can pose a threat to Neeko’s success in lane.
ADC
- Miss Fortune: Miss Fortune has been on the rise in the ADC meta, especially with the recent nerfs to Fleet Footwork and other popular ADC picks like Ashe and Ezreal. Her ability to dominate the laning phase and transition into a powerful mid-game threat makes her a top-tier pick in Patch 14.17. A new trend among high-level players is to rush Essence Reaver on Miss Fortune, prioritizing burst damage and ability haste over the early shielding provided by Bloodthirster. This build enhances her ultimate’s effectiveness, allowing her to shred through enemy teams with well-timed bullet times. Miss Fortune’s biggest threats come from dive champions, so consider banning Kha’Zix or Zed to protect her in team fights.
- Draven: Draven has seen a resurgence in power, benefiting from indirect buffs to his kit and the meta as a whole. His aggressive playstyle and ability to snowball from early kills make him a formidable force in solo queue. Draven’s Bloodthirster rush allows him to take aggressive trades and sustain through the laning phase, giving him the ability to dominate weaker opponents. His core build of Bloodthirster, Infinity Edge, and Lord Dominik’s Regards provides him with the damage and survivability needed to carry games. Draven excels in matchups where he can maintain pressure, so consider banning assassins like Zed or Kha’Zix who can disrupt his momentum.
- Jhin: Jhin remains a strong ADC pick, despite recent nerfs to Fleet Footwork. His versatility in build paths allows him to adapt to different team compositions and playstyles. Jhin’s most popular build, Shiv into Rapid Firecannon, offers mobility and extended range, making him a safe and consistent choice in team fights. For players looking for more damage, the Collector into Infinity Edge build provides a significant power spike in the mid-game, allowing Jhin to eliminate targets quickly. Jhin’s biggest threats come from champions who can dive and burst him down, so consider banning Zed or Camille to protect him in fights.
Support
- Senna: Senna dominated the support meta in Patch 14.16, and despite nerfs to her AP ratios, she remains a top-tier pick in Patch 14.17. The rise of the Black Cleaver build has given Senna a new avenue to deal damage and shred through enemy armor. This build is particularly effective in compositions that rely on extended trades and skirmishes, where Senna’s sustain and poke can whittle down opponents over time. While the enchanter build with Echoes of Helia and Moonstone Renewer is still viable, the Black Cleaver build offers more damage and team-wide utility. Consider banning champions like Blitzcrank or Pyke, who can disrupt Senna’s positioning and poke.
- Poppy: Poppy has emerged as a sleeper pick in the support role, offering a strong frontline presence and crowd control for her team. Despite her effectiveness, Poppy has yet to see widespread popularity, but that could change with the recent nerfs to other melee supports. Poppy’s ability to shut down mobile champions with her W and engage with her E and R make her a valuable asset in team fights. Her build focuses on maximizing her tankiness and utility, with DeadTo dominate the latest League of Legends Patch 14.17, you need to focus on the best solo carry champions across each role.
For more in-depth strategies and build details, you can explore further resources and guides on top League of Legends sites.
