Season 5 Top lane Meta

Top lane is mostly seen as a boring farm-fest with tanks, however, top lane is interesting and fun to play, and I’m here to give you and insight into which champs are hot and which are not as we head into Season 5.

Better Champions

Gnar: Gnar is one of the best current top laners as his laning phase is great. Added to this, he has lots of CC to lockdown any enemy carries, as well as being tanky whilst still providing tones of damage. Builds usually include a Trinity Force and/or Blade of The Ruined King, then full tank. This allows for good damage, but also allows some tankiness, which means you can get into the back line without dying. Mega- Gnar is amazing, and you should try and transform into Mega-Gnar just as the team fight is starting as it gives you bonus health, but also provides more CC than normal Gnar.

Irelia: Riot nerf Irelia please. Irelia is an outstanding top lane carry, a fun champion to play and overall pretty OP in the current meta. Maxing Equilibrium strike allows for an insane amount of CC, however maxing Hiten style (W) allows for max life steal, both are very viable for maxing. Irelia’s laning phase is decent, however not the best. Once you get Trinity Force, or even Sheen, you get lots stronger and can generally 1v1 most champs.

Irelia hits her power spike when she completes her Trinity Force as it add lots of damage, but also allows for abit of tankiness. General build for Irelia is Trinity Force and/or Blade of The Ruined King, then usually tanky, however a Wits end can be viable. Irelia is super strong and will most likely be seen during Season 5, unless Riot nerfs her…again.

Lissandra: Lissandra has had a recent rise to popularity, and this is complimented by Morellonomicons rise as well. Lissandra’s laning phase is very strong, poking with her Q, Ice Shard allows for good harass, and this becomes better with Lissandra’s passive, Iceborn, which allows for one ability every 18 seconds to cost no mana. After getting two or three items, Lissandra becoming insanely strong. Using her E, Glacial Path, followed up by a Ring of Frost (W) and Frozen Tomb (R) can instantly one shot any carry. Her E allows for easy access into team fights, as well as allowing her to escape easily. Lissandra’s popularity is still rising and as of right now is in the top 3 for top laners. She is a fairly simple champ for how OP she is.

Maokai: The mega tank. Maokai has always been a relevant top laner, and after finishing Rod Of Ages, becomes quite strong in any duel. However, Maokai’s problem was that he couldn’t get to any carries due to a low range gap closer. This has become a bit easier with the addition of Righteous Glory, which gives a temporary move speed buff. However, this has not made Maokai instantly OP, but has more so steadied him, making him a solid top laner. Maokai is very easy, builds usually include Rod of Ages, then straight tank. Maokai will most likely be relevant throughout Season 5, but not a top priority in the pick/ban phase. His laning phase can easily be countered, through poke champions, but this is easily made up for in team fights as he easily zones carries, whilst still doing a good amount of damage, if he can get to them of course.

Mundo: A mega tank, much the same as Maokai in the tank aspect. Mundo was very used in the early stages of early/mid-Season 4. However, his popularity has slowly dwindled. Despite this, Mundo still has seen some play in competitive matches, as the top lane summoner spell meta has switched to TP, which means Mundo’s ult can’t be reduced unless a Morellonomicon is present. Mundo’s laning phase is quite weak as he can be easily camped and generally relies on his Q to farm, which is not ideal as it uses health, and missing one can hurt. Mundo’s mid game is okay, not the best but not the worst, due to him being built straight tank.

He is killable mid game but can be good at zoning out certain carries. However, Mundo’s lackluster early game and okay mid game is made up for in the late game. At 6 items, Mundo is close to unkillable, due to his ult and the items he has. He can soak up damage and easily zone out almost every mid and AD carry. Mundo is overall a decent champ, but being shut down early game can cost him dearly. Most likely won’t see much play in Season 5, but is still viable.

Jayce: Squishy top laner can easily carry from the top lane. Jayce’s laning phase is pretty good due to his good base damage on his abilities, but also has good poke with his W and E-Q Combo. He is pretty big lane bully, but not the biggest. No reliable escape means he can get ganked and shut down quite easily but a mobile jungler or midlaner. Jayce’s mid game is the strongest due to his insane poke. A simple E-Q combo can take a carry down to one quarter health. Jayce’s late game is still pretty good, but his damage seems to get shut down a bit when tanky items start being built. Jayce himself is not tanky, which means a GA or Banshees is usually required otherwise he can get popped easily. Won’t see too much professional play, but can be a monster in Solo Q.

More Uncommon Picks.

Poppy: As shown by Vizicsacsi and MakNoon can be a force in the top lane. However not really in the Meta and will only do well in certain matchups and against certain team-comps.

Renekton: Should only be used against Tryndamere or Teemo. Used to be a massive lane bully but since the introduction of tanky top lane champs, his popularity has spiraled downhill.

Ryze: Nerfs absolutely destroyed him. Used to be really popular but now his damage is quite weak and will not be seen in Season 5 unless buffed.

Jarvan: Cheesy top laner who does really well against Ryze and Lissandra. Can be insanely strong if ahead, but quite weak if behind. Better as a jungler than top laner.

Jax: Early weak game, but at level 6 gets a good power spike. His mid game is decent due to Trinity Force, but late game is where he shines. Can be easily countered though. Can be seen in Season 5.

Hopefully this has given you a decent enough insight into the Top lane Meta as we shift towards Season 5. Thankyou for reading and have a good festive season!