This article delves into the top laners who will do exceptionally well in patch 14.11. Some champions fall off slightly, while others leap upwards.
So stay tuned, and abuse these champions while you can! We've written a couple of articles for Patch 14.10, such as Best Junglers. However, the new patch will bring changes to top lane foremost, and it's worth delving into.
Sett
Starting with the leader of Ionia's criminal underworld, we have Sett. He is an excellent pick for the top lane as he brings tremendous amounts of Crowd Control and immense damage to teamfights. Not to mention his natural tankiness as well as being a mana-less champion, meaning you don't have to worry about your mana pool. However, he lacks engaging abilities, so some champions can kite him, and later in the game, he falls off as a duelist, needing more teamfights.
Image Source: Riot Games
When it comes to Sett's build order, it's all about strategic choices. Start with Doran's Blade and a Health Potion, then consider building into Stridebreaker, Plated Steelcaps, or Mercury's Treads into Hullbreaker. Immediately after that, look to build into Overlord's Bloodmail, the new item. Next, you should get Sterak's Gage and Black Cleaver in whichever order you see fit. These choices will not only impact your champion's performance but also reflect your strategic approach to the game.
For runes, take Precision into Conqueror, Triumph, Alacrity, and Last Stand. And Resolve into Second Wind and Overgrowth. Then, Attack Speed, Adaptive Force, and Health (based on level)
Runes for Sett.
Urgot
Now, let's move on to Urgot, the executioner. He's a ranged top laner who excels in the mid-game. Urgot's playstyle revolves around dealing massive AoE damage and being highly versatile. He can split-push effectively and contribute significantly to teamfights. However, his reliance on hitting skill shots can be a challenge, especially in the early game before he reaches his power spike at level 9.
Image Source: Riot Games.
For build order, start with Doran's Blade and a Health Potion, building into Plated Steelcaps, Black Cleaver, and Hullbreaker. After that, you can choose from Sterak's Gage and Jak'Sho the Protean, Thornmail, and Overlord's Bloodmail in whichever order you prefer.
For runes, take Precision into Fleet Footwork, then Triumph, Bloodline, and Last Stand. And Resolve into Conditioning and Overgrowth, taking Adaptive Force for both offense and flex, then Health (based on level)
Runes for Urgot.
If you need help picking runes or can't be bothered to do it every game, you can download the Blitz.gg App! It also helps you with pick suggestions against specific match-ups as well as build order!
Tryndamere
Tryndamere will benefit greatly from the buffs coming to Phantom Dancer this patch. Even though Infinity Edge is getting slightly nerfed, it won't affect his early to mid-game. Tryndamere brings tons of damage, he scales very well into the late-game. He is also very mobile and is splendid at split-pushing! His ultimate also allows exceptional durability as he can simply refuse to die for the duration of his ultimate.
Image Source: Riot Games.
For build order, start with Doran's Blade and a Health Potion, building into Berserker's Greaves, Ravenous Hydra, and Phantom Dancer. After that, go into Infinity Edge and Navori Flickerblade. Finishing up with Lord Dominik's Regard.
For runes, you want to start with Resolve into Grasp of the Undying, Demolish, Second Wind, and Revitalize. Then, Precision into Alacrity and Last Stand, taking Attack Speed, Adaptive Force and +10% Tenacity and Slow Resist.
Runes for Tryndamere.
Kayle
Kayle is a ridiculously strong top laner, solidifying herself as the most vigorous late-game champion. She has significant power spikes and built-in invulnerability with her ultimate and can snowball incredibly well. However, her early game is very weak until she hits her power spike, and she can struggle to get back into the game if she gets shut out by some champions. To know what champs counter her, we recommend checking out this website!
Image Source: Riot Games.
For her build order, start with Doran's Blade & a Health Potion, then build into Boots of Swiftness, Nashor's Tooth, and Rabadon's Deathcap. Afterward, go into Shadowflame and Lich Bane in whichever order you prefer. Then, finish up with Zhonya's or Banshee's Veil.
For runes, take Precision into Fleet Footwork, Absorb Life, Alacrity, and Last Stand. For secondary runes, Sorcery into Celerity and Gathering Storm, taking Adaptive Force for Flex and Offense, then Health (based on level).
Runes for Kayle.
Gwen
Gwen is a ruthless tank killer who scales well into the mid and late-game. She is also very versatile, great at teamfights and split pushing, and relatively easy to pick up and do well with. However, she relies purely on damage bringing very little utility to the team, and healing reduction can significantly harm her.
Image Source: Riot Games.
For her build order, start with Doran's Ring and two Health Potions, building into Riftmaker, Ionian boots of Lucidity, and Nashor's Tooth. Afterward, get Rabadon's Deathcap into Shadowflame and Zhonya's in whichever order you prefer.
For Runes, take Precision into Conqueror, Presence of Mind, Alacrity, and Last Stand. And Resolve into Second Wind and Overgrowth, taking Attack Speed, Adaptive Force, and Health (+65).
Runes for Gwen.
Tahm Kench
A ridiculously tanky champion who brings solid damage and good mobility, as well as being a beast in a team fight. However, he's weak in the early game until he gets his items and has minimal wave clear so his lane can get pushed in.
Image Source: Riot Games.
For build order, start with Doran's Shield and a Health Potion, building into Heartsteel, Plated Steelcaps, and Sunfire Aegis. Next, get a Thornmail and Spirit Visage, finishing up with Jak'Sho The Protean, Unending Despair, or Randuin's Omen, depending on the match-up.
For Runes, take Resolve into Grasp of the Undying, Demolish, Second Wind, and Overgrowth. For secondary runes, take Inspiration into Magical Footwear and Approach Velocity, taking Attack Speed, then Health (based on level) for both Flex and Defense
Runes for Tahm Kench.
