Patch 14.22 is here! With the arrival of Ambessa and plenty of changes to items and more, where do your favourite champions sit?
Patch 14.22 brings significant updates and reworks to League of Legends, injecting fresh dynamics into the Rift. Changes to items like Static Shiv are influencing champion preferences and playstyles.
On top of that, Ambessa had just debuted on the Summoner’s Rift, and she will definitely impact champion balance in the weeks to come. And with adjustments to summoner spells, minion movement, and Smite targeting, this patch sees a few shifts in power across the Rift.
Let’s dive into the details — and then we’ll take a look at the updated champion tier list to see where your favourite champions sit!
Top Lane
OP: Malphite
S: Irelia, Shen, Kayle, Cassiopeia, Aatrox, Warwick, Gragas, Ornn, Urgot, Kennen, Kled, Illaoi, Tahm Kench, Mordekaiser, Singed, Cho’Gath, Zac, Udyr, Nasus, Darius
A: Teemo, Volibear, Yorick, Sett, Fiora, Ryze, Akshan, Quinn, Rengar, Olaf, Sylas, Dr. Mundo, Sion, Pantheon, Gnar, Tryndamere, Trundle, Poppy, Riven, Camille
B: Jax, Wukong, Renekton, Jayce, Vayne, Aurora, Garen, Gwen, Gangplank, Vladimir, Heimerdinger
C: Karma, Yone, Akali, Rumble, K’Sante, Skarner
D: Yasuo, Smolder, Varus
Winners:
Irelia has risen to S-tier, as recent buffs boost her performance in the top lane. Kayle’s movement and attack speed improvements also move her up, making her a serious contender for S-tier as she gains an edge in lane dominance.
Losers:
Shen steps down from OP-tier after nerfs targeting his passive cooldown and shield. Jax, who enjoyed high visibility at Worlds, has seen a reduction in burst damage that drops him to B-tier. Although Rumble and K’Sante were standout top lane picks at Worlds, they don’t hold the same impact in regular solo queue, maintaining their places in the lower tiers.
Jungle
OP: Nocturne, Kha’Zix, Graves
S: Talon, Viego, Elise, Teemo, Jarvan IV, Kayn, Warwick, Zac, Nunu & Willump
A: Udyr, Lilia, Wukong, Lee Sin, Shaco, Bel’Veth, Karthus, Ekko, Taliyah, Xin Zhao, Kindred, Ekko, Poppy, Ivern, Fiddlesticks, Shyvana, Trundle, Rek’Sai, Amumu
B: Gwen, Camille, Volibear, Nidalee, Vi, Olaf, Pantheon, Zed, Jax, Hecarim, Sejuani, Gragas, Evelynn, Rammus, Rumble
C: Rengar, Maokai, Qiyana
D: Zyra, Sylas, Brand
Winners:
The OP-tier champions Nocturne, Kha’Zix, and Graves hold their ground. Graves, especially, benefits from the increased gold efficiency of Ghostblade. Talon’s recent buffs have boosted his jungle viability, solidifying him in S-tier.
Wukong, on the other hand, received a mana buff and a cooldown reduction on his W, which improves his skirmishing potential. These adjustments move him up to A-tier, where he can make strong plays, especially in skilled hands.
Losers:
Lilia has taken a hit with a decrease in base armour and reduced passive healing against monsters, affecting her jungle sustain. She now sits in A-tier. Udyr, another Liandry’s Torment jungler, experienced a nerf to his R ability’s max health scaling. This adjustment weakens his mid-game impact, pushing him down from S-tier to A-tier.
Mid Lane
OP: Ahri, Vex
S: Sylas, Irelia, Taliyah, Talon, Anivia, Vel’Koz, Lux, Veigar, Hwei, Lissandra, Camille, Naafiri, Xerath, Annie, Galio, Neeko
A: Swain, Katarina, Syndra, Corki, Malzahar, Malphite, Ryze, Orianna, Qiyana, Akshan, Ekko, Akali, Vladimir, Viktor, Aurora, Zoe, Yasuo, Kassadin, LeBlanc, Nasus, Aurelion Sol
B: Pantheon, Yone, Fizz, Karma, Jayce, Zed, Heimerdinger, Rumble, Ziggs, Brand, Twisted Fate
C: Tristana, Zeri, Ezreal
D: Lucian, Azir
Winners:
Ahri and Vex maintain their positions at the top, leading the OP-tier. Several mid-lane champions see improvements this patch. Katarina’s cooldown reductions on her E and R provide a boost to her early and mid-game, solidifying her spot in A-tier.
Vel’Koz has gained from reduced cooldowns on his R, increasing his impact in team fights and moving him up to A-tier. Swain’s buffs also place him as a consistent choice in A-tier. Thanks to her top lane buffs, Irelia is a flexible A-tier pick in mid as well.
Losers:
Anivia’s reduction in armour growth and her E’s AP ratio weaken her tankiness, though she stays strong in S-tier. Meanwhile, Sylas, with decreased health growth, drops from OP-tier to S-tier. Finally, Syndra’s W nerfs place her down in A-tier, though she remains a solid pick.
Bottom Lane (ADC)
OP: Caitlyn, Corki,
S: Sivir, Nilah, Jhin, Jinx, Ashe, Lux, Draven, Karthus, Brand, Ziggs, Hwei, Seraphine
A: Kai'Sa, Samira, Xayah, Miss Fortune, Lucian, Vayne, Veigar, Swain
B: Tristana, Twitch, Ezreal, Yasuo, Varus, Aphelios
C: Kalista, Zeri, Smolder
Winners:
Caitlyn’s priority has increased, pushing her into OP-tier, especially in lower elo matches. Varus’s W on-hit damage buff provides a slight boost, but he remains in B-tier. Vayne’s minor damage increase on her R isn’t enough to move her up, so she stays in A-tier. Sivir’s recent buffs and synergy with Essence Reaver have also lifted her to S-tier.
Losers:
Kalista, Zeri, and Smolder stay in C-tier as they continue to struggle after several nerfs over the summer.
Support
OP: Lulu, Vel’Koz, Nami
S: Senna, Braum, Xerath, Sona, Thresh, Milio, Poppy, Taric, Rell, Janna
A: Swain, Leona, Soraka, Galio, Shen, LeBlanc, Shaco, Karma, Blitzcrank, Amumu, Bard, Zyra, Zilean, Pyke, Morgana, Zoe, Tahm Kench, Seraphine, Zac, Neeko, Lux
B: Yuumi, Renata Glasc, Nautilus, Alistar, Rakan, Maokai, Hwei, Sylas, Brand, Camille, Heimerdinger, Teemo, Pantheon
C: Ashe, Twitch, Malphite
Winners:
Lulu remains a staple in OP-tier, and she’s now shares the throne with Vel’Koz and Nami. Vel’Koz’s reduced cooldowns on his E and R abilities make him a strong pick. Meanwhile, Nami is bumped up to OP tier, benefitting from the popularity of Caitlyn and Corki, as well as recent support nerfs for other champions. Blitzcrank’s buff to his E strengthens his role, and Swain’s buffs make him a solid A-tier choice.
Losers:
Senna drops out of OP-tier due to recent nerfs, and Poppy’s reduced base AD weakens her slightly, though she still holds her spot in S-tier.
This is how champions stack up in League of Legends Patch 14.22. With these changes, you’ll be equipped to master the meta and make the most of your favourite champions. Keep an eye out for the next patch to see what further adjustments will bring to the Rift!
