With Worlds just around the corner, devs have adjusted champions in preparation of the biggest lol esports event of the year. Which champions are affected?

Patch 14.18 for League of Legends (LoL) is here and it’s geared toward balancing the LoL esports meta in preparation for Worlds 2024. While this could be worrisome news for players whose favourite champions are also popular pro picks, it should also present new opportunties to shape new strategies for others.

Has the metagame changed? Where do champions now sit in the tier list? Here’s a quick guide to help you navigate through the first Worlds patch update.

Top Lane

OP: Sett, Aatrox, Garen

S:   Mordekaiser, Volibear, Illaoi, Cho’Gath, Yorick, Warwick, Camille, Zac, Kayle, Fiora, Malphite, Tahm Kench, Wukong, Kled, Gwen, Urgot,Cassiopeia
A:   Ryze, Kennen, Akshan, Sylas, Darius, Shen, Tryndamere, Trundle, Poppy, Riven, Jax, Pantheon, Olaf, Rengar, Renekton, Quinn, Singed, Vladimir, Gragas
B: Aurora, Dr. Mundo, Gangplank, Sion, Ornn, Irelia, Heimerdinger, Udyr, Teemo, Vayne, Jayce, Karma, Gnar, Yone
C:   Akali, Yasuo, Varus, K’sante, Rumble

D: Twisted Fate, Smolder, Skarner

Sett and Aatrox continue to dominate as the most powerful top laners, but Garen is now joining their ranks. Garen has been a sleeper pick for the last two patches, excelling in the lower ranks. For the most part, the top lane remains stable, with only a few champions shifting around. Mordekaiser has moved up to S-tier from A-tier, while regular S-tier champs like Volibear, Illaoi, and Cho'Gath remain strong picks.

For low elo, consider locking in Sett, Garen, or Yorick for solo queue success.

Ryze is a new A-tier addition this patch, joining the regular A-tier crew. Meanwhile, Aurora has seen repeated nerfs and Patch 14.18 continues this trend, thus dropping her to B-tier. Her reduced jump distance and wall forgiveness mean she’s less impactful than before.

At the bottom, Smolder, Skarner, and Twisted Fate remain in the D-tier. Smolder, despite receiving nerfs due to his dominance in pro play (particularly when flexed into mid or top), may still be favoured in pro matches thanks to his late-game power spike.

Although honestly? we won’t be surprised if pros keep picking Smolder anyway. Smolder’s power spike in the late game is too tempting for pros to ignore, and the nerfs aren’t too heavy — at least for pro play. However, these nerfs will likely affect his solo queue performance.

Jungle

OP: Nocturne, Amumu

S: Viego, Jarvan IV, Gwen, Fiddlesticks, Kayn, Xin Zhao, Volibear, Warwick, Shaco, Rammus, Morgana, Briar, Kha’zix, Nunu & Willump

A: Lilia, Ivern, Hecarim, Lee Sin, Poppy, Rek’sai, Diana, Talon, Trundle, Master Yi, Evelyn, Wukong

B: Elise, Bel’veth, Ekko, Zac

C: Sejuani, Kindred Brand, Zed, Olaf, Taliyah, Graves, Gragas, Jax, Pantheon, Rengar, Vi, Karthus, Nidalee, Skarner, Rumble

D: Zyra, Maokai, Sylas, Qiyana

The jungle meta remains relatively stable, with Amumu and Nocturne still sitting comfortably in the OP tier. However, watch out for Jarvan IV and Xin Zhao, who could be sleeper threats this patch — already strong and now receiving buffs.

For AP jungle players, Gwen is a solid choice thanks to her skirmishing potential, especially post-level six. Shyvana has slipped to A-tier, but she’s still a force to be reckoned with, especially in lower ranks.

Shyvana has dropped to A-tier, but she’s still a formidable pick for junglers in the lower ranks.

Mid lane

OP: Naafiri, Vex, Sylas

S: Lissandra, Garen, Xerath, Lux, Akshan, Diana, Swain, Annie, Galio, Vel’koz, Anivia, Tryndamere, Zed, Neeko, Fizz

A: Le Blanc, Ahri, Aurora, Hwei, Ryze, Malphite, Twisted Fate, Viktor, Aurelion Sol, Veigar, Qiyana, Ekko, Zoe, Talon Taliyah, Pantheon, Malzahar , Yone, Yasuo, Syndra

B: Irelia, Brand, Nasus, Kassadin, Akali, Vladimir,Karma, Ziggs, Kled, Heimerdinger

C: Katarina, Jayce, Zilean, Lucian, Orianna

D: Tristana, Corki, Smolder, Ezreal, Zeri, Azir

https://static.gosugamers.net/ba/f2/da/008e9dd81b5dfb775f804c9bccd1689bd06178d5f500ffbddce0f89d50.jpgNaafiri and Vex continue to reign supreme in the mid lane, now joined by Sylas. Garen mid has also been trending, making him a strong S-tier pick, especially as he’s yet to receive any nerfs.

In low elo, Fizz, Aurelion Sol, and Annie are among the top picks for success.

As for pro play, expect champions like Tristana, Corki, Smolder, Ezreal, Azir, and Zeri to struggle in solo queue due to recent nerfs. Despite their effectiveness in the pro scene, they’ve been weakened in regular play over the past two months.

Bottom lane

OP: Jhin, Jinx

S: Miss Fortune, Kai’Sa, Nilah, Lux, Brand, Kog’Maw, Karthus, Seraphine, Twitch

A: Draven, Samira, Ashe, Swain, Veigar, Sivir, Lucian

B: Ziggs, Caitlyn Vayne, Xayah, Yasuo

C: Ezreal, Kalista, Aphelios

D: Zeri, Varus Smolder, Tristana, Corki

The bottom lane looks a bit different for 14.18, with nerfs affecting Miss Fortune which topples her off the OP rank and down to S tier.

Instead, Jhin is joined by Jinx in the OP tier. MF is still a strong pick so she will sit in S-tier. Joining S rank is Kai’Sa –who benefits from the nerfs on Bloodthirster and Fleet Footwork — bumping her power against champions that rush these items significantly. The rest of the champipns are the same, except for Draven, who dropped to A-tier following the said item nerfs.

In low elo, consider taking Ashe, MF, and Jinx into solo queue.

Samira, on the other hand, goes up to A-tier for the same reason as Kai’Sa. And then there’s Ziggs, who used to be a decent A-tier champ but has been significantly nerfed because of pro play, so we think he’s dropped to B in terms of strength and priority.

And because of pro-play, plenty of ADCs are going to struggle, including Zeri, Varus, Smolder, Tristana, and Corki.

Support

OP: Senna, Poppy

S: Pyke, Seraphine, Lulu, Nami, Janna, Zac, Taric, Thresh, Sona, Milio, Vel’Koz

A: Leona, Maokai, Rell, Braum, Neeko, Rakan, Lux, Zyra, Zilean, Bard, Blitzcrank, Karma, Shaco, LeBlanc, Soraka, Galio, Tahm Kench

B: Nautilus, Alistar, Pantheon, Yuumi, Renata Glasc, Heimerdinger, Swain, Brand, Syndra, Sylas, Caitlyn, Camille, Morgana, Teemo

C: Twitch, Malphite, Hwei, Ashe

D: Twisted Fate, Ahri

There will be a few movements in the Support role, so take advantage of Senna and Poppy in the OP tier this patch as they remain the strongest picks in Solo Queue.

However, some nerfs on favourites in the pro scene like Leona and Maokai have received significant nerfs, so expect their power have reduced as they’re now in A tier.

There also seems to be a shift in priority among solo queue players from melee supports to enchanter supports—except for Poppy and Thresh, who are the only OP and S-tier melee supports that are still pretty powerful.

For low elo, consider Senna, Zyra, and Lux.

We also won’t have a D tier this patch since Ahri and Twisted Fate’s pick rates in the Support role have completely dropped them off the priority list.

With Worlds just around the corner, Patch 14.18 is shaping up to deliver some exciting shifts in the meta. While the pros prepare for the biggest stage, solo queue players will need to adjust their strategies as these changes settle in. It might take a bit of time to adapt, but staying flexible will be crucial in this patch.