Why Soraka top is strong

Soraka top? GG.

I can not tell you how many times I have heard this simple phrase said to me in solo queue. Hearing this sucks, no doubt about it, and that is why I am writing this article explaining Soraka top. The innumerable amount of people who give up when someone tries something new or something that has come to the term "Breaking the meta" is upsetting. Just because someone isn't playing the meta does not mean they aren't viable. How else is the meta found rather than trying new champions, builds, or anything that is not ordinary.

 

The example I bring to the table today is one of my personal best champions, Soraka top. Soraka has many strengths in lane. She has an amazing wave clear that can double as harass if you position yourself correctly. She has a silence that can prevent the enemy from CSing or for when you are dueling it is an amazing tool to negate a decent amount of damage. Her sustain is unmatched, who else can heal that much at any point? Not to mention the fact that it gives a huge armor bonus for a couple seconds, this is great for multiple reasons.

Firstly she can stay in lane much longer than her lane opponent in almost any match up. Secondly when you are dueling with someone, especially if they are AD, that armor plays a major role. Let's not forget the fact that it also catches people off guard, going in on a Soraka who you think you have a slim advantage over and having her heal and gain armor is not a fun time. Lastly the cooldown of the heal goes down if you land your starfall (Q) on an enemy champion, also great for dueling! Her starfall (Q) does major damage as well! A great factor of her being top is that you likely are against a tank, but, your Q gets rid of their Magic Resistance by 6 +1% of your AP. This leads to major damage and great farming as well as zoning your enemy from their farm. And let's not forget her amazing ultimate. Having a Soraka that actually has AP ult when you need it changes a fight whether it is in lane for yourself or you see bot lane get into a tough fight, a good ult will not only give your team kills but you get assists as well. 

 

Playstyle/Build

I play Soraka as an aggressive farmer. I go about midway through the wave and Q it down until it is gone, pushing my wave into their tower as well as damaging them if they shoot to go for any farm that is not under their tower. While under their tower a lot of the time you are able to Q and back up before the starfall actually hits him, therefore, the tower does not hit you. Your E is also a great poking tool and good for denying CS if they are trying to use spells like a Vladamir, Shen, or a Mundo. 

My build varies depending on the match up. I nearly always start by rushing Chalice, then, if they are AD I go into Rylai's for the damage. The reason I do not go armor is because my heal gives me armor during trades so it is not as much a factor as Magic Resistance is. That being said, when I am against an AP champion I build my Spirit visage for the improved heals and reduced damage from the enemy. From there I will build the opposite item I rushed (Rylai's for AP, Spirit Visage for AD) then it all depends on personal preference. She is viable as an AP damage dealer to carry, as well as a tanky AP build. She can be the front line or the back line, depending on what your team needs.

Runes/Masteries

 For runes I go Magic Pen reds, Armor yellows, Scaling AP blues, and AP Quints.

 

For masteries  I go 9/21/0.

 

Strengths

To basically summarize what is above, she is strong for the following reasons. She has great sustain, poke, and utility. She can outfarm and outpush most major toplaners, basically rendering them irrelevant later in the game. She can save people from anywhere on the map with her ultimate, not to mention the heals during team fight and the MR reduction of her starfall for teamfights. She is a great addition to almost any team.

Weaknesses

There are two downfalls to Soraka top. Ganks and the infamous ignite. While you are in lane you will be pushing, more then likely, to deny CS. This leaves you very susceptible to ganks. The way to deal with this is as simple as one word. VISION. You must keep your warding constant. I suggest putting a pink ward in the tri brush and keeping the river warded so you have plenty of notice. Keeping vision will keep you safe and cancel out this threat. Ignite is another story. If you get ignited early in a fight it is most likely a good idea to back out. This will render your E heal and your Ultimate half as useful, and that can make or break a fight. Once you get their ignite down and you have good vision, you can dominate your lane opponent. You are free to harass push and outfarm whoever you are against.

Success?

I am not someone who is using this as a theory. I have tried this in ranked many times going from Bronze II to Gold V in a matter of a week. Here is a picture of some of my progress with her in ranked.

I hope you have enjoyed this article and found it informative. If you had any questions about Soraka top I hope this answered them,  Maybe next time you are in champion select and someone picks a unconventional champ you will give them a shot, they might know better then you.