LoL Patch 25.13 Top Lane Tier List (July 2025) OP Champions
I've been grinding the top lane in League of Legends for years, and let me tell you - Patch 25.13 might be small, but it's bringing some serious shake-ups to our favorite island! Whether you're a hardstuck Bronze player or pushing for that sweet Diamond promotion, knowing which champions dominate the current meta is absolutely crucial for climbing the ranked ladder.
In this comprehensive tier list, I'll break down every single top lane champion in Patch 25.13, from the absolutely broken OP picks to the champions you should probably avoid (sorry K'Sante mains). I've analyzed win rates, pick rates, and the latest buffs and nerfs to bring you the most accurate tier list possible. Plus, I'll share my personal insights on why certain champions are crushing it while others are falling behind.
Table of Contents
LoL Patch 25.13 Top Lane Tier List (July 2025)
OP Tier Champions
| Champion | Tier | Win Rate | Key Strengths | Best Build |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sett | OP | 53.2% | Lane dominance, teamfight utility | Stridebreaker, Sterak's |
| Kayle | OP | 52.8% | Unmatched scaling, late game carry | Nashor's, Riftmaker |
S Tier Champions
| Champion | Tier | Difficulty | Core Items | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Irelia | S | High | BoRK, Trinity | Fighter |
| Nocturne | S | Medium | Stridebreaker, Sterak's | Assassin |
| Poppy | S | Medium | Sunfire, Thornmail | Tank |
| Ornn | S | Medium | Sunfire, Abyssal | Tank |
| Vayne | S | High | BoRK, Guinsoo's | Marksman |
| Kennen | S | Medium | Rocketbelt, Zhonya's | Mage |
| Kled | S | High | Eclipse, Hydra | Fighter |
| Urgot | S | Medium | Black Cleaver, Titanic | Juggernaut |
| Riven | S | Very High | Eclipse, Black Cleaver | Fighter |
| Warwick | S | Low | Sunfire, Titanic | Fighter |
| Quinn | S | Medium | Galeforce, Collector | Marksman |
| Olaf | S | Medium | Stridebreaker, Sterak's | Fighter |
| Zac | S | Medium | Sunfire, Demonic | Tank |
| Cho'Gath | S | Low | Heartsteel, Demonic | Tank |
| Heimerdinger | S | Medium | Liandry's, Rylai's | Mage |
| Malphite | S | Low | Sunfire, Thornmail | Tank |
| Akali | S | Very High | Rocketbelt, Shadowflame | Assassin |
| Fiora | S | High | BoRK, Ravenous | Fighter |
| Aatrox | S | Medium | Eclipse, Black Cleaver | Fighter |
| Shen | S | Medium | Heartsteel, Titanic | Tank |
| Mordekaiser | S | Low | Riftmaker, Rylai's | Fighter |
A Tier Champions
| Champion | Tier | Playstyle | Power Spike | Weakness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jax | A | Split-push | Level 6/11 | Early game |
| Yorick | A | Split-push | Level 6 | Teamfights |
| Ryze | A | Scaling mage | 2 items | Early pressure |
| Wukong | A | Teamfighter | Level 6 | Tank matchups |
| Darius | A | Lane bully | Level 1-3 | Kiting |
| Cassiopeia | A | DPS mage | Level 2 | Ganks |
| Dr. Mundo | A | Tank | Level 6 | Grievous wounds |
| Vladimir | A | Scaling mage | Level 9 | Early game |
| Teemo | A | Lane bully | Level 1 | All-ins |
| Garen | A | Juggernaut | Level 6 | Kiting |
| Pantheon | A | Early game | Level 3 | Scaling |
| Renekton | A | Lane bully | Level 3 | Late game |
| Camille | A | Split-push | Trinity Force | Early game |
| Volibear | A | Versatile | Level 6 | Kiting |
| Gangplank | A | Scaling | Level 13 | Early pressure |
| Trundle | A | Anti-tank | Level 6 | Teamfights |
| Gragas | A | AP bruiser | Level 3 | Mana issues |
| Tryndamere | A | Split-push | Level 6 | CC chains |
| Nasus | A | Infinite scaling | 200 stacks | Early game |
| Singed | A | Proxy/Team | Level 6 | Range matchups |
| Gwen | A | AP fighter | Level 6 | CC |
B Tier Champions
| Champion | Tier | Viability | Best Matchups |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rengar | B | Situational | Vs squishies |
| Tahm Kench | B | Decent | Vs burst |
| Yasuo | B | High risk | Vs mages |
| Ambessa | B | New champion | Vs immobile |
| Gnar | B | Team dependent | Vs melee |
| Aurora | B | Situational | Vs low mobility |
| Yone | B | Feast or famine | Vs mages |
| Illaoi | B | Lane dominant | Vs melee |
| Sylas | B | Matchup dependent | Vs good ults |
| Karma | B | Support style | Vs aggression |
| Swain | B | Team reliant | Vs short range |
| Sion | B | Tank/AD flex | Vs AD heavy |
C Tier Champions
| Champion | Tier | Issues |
|---|---|---|
| Rumble | C | Nerfed heavily |
| K'Sante | C | Too complex for payoff |
| Smolder | C | Weak early, unreliable scaling |
| Udyr | C | Better in jungle |
| Maokai | C | Low damage, low impact |
| Nidalee | C | Better mid/jungle |
| Jayce | C | High skill, low reward |
Detailed Champion Analysis
Sett - The Boss (OP Tier)
Sett continues his reign of terror in Patch 25.13, and honestly, I'm not surprised one bit. This champion is absolutely dominating every single elo bracket right now. His kit provides everything you could want in a top laner - strong trades with his passive, incredible sustain through Dorian's Shield and Q max, and that game-changing ultimate that can single-handedly win teamfights.
What makes Sett so oppressive right now is his versatility. You can build him full tank and still deal respectable damage, or go for a more bruiser-oriented build with Stridebreaker and absolutely demolish squishies. His W (Haymaker) true damage scaling means tanks can't simply stack armor against him, while his E (Facebreaker) provides excellent gank setup for your jungler.
In lane, I recommend starting with Dorian's Shield against poke matchups or Dorian's Blade for all-ins. Max Q first for the sustain and damage, then W for the shield and true damage burst. Your trading pattern is simple - auto attack twice to proc your passive, pull them in with E, and follow up with Q for massive damage. Save your W for when you've taken some damage to maximize both the shield and damage output.
Kayle - The Righteous (OP Tier)
If you're looking for the ultimate insurance policy in solo queue, Kayle is your answer. This champion might have a rough early game, but once she hits level 6, she becomes increasingly difficult to deal with. By level 11, she's a monster, and at level 16? Game over.
The beauty of Kayle in low elo especially is that games tend to drag on longer, giving you more time to reach your power spikes. Even if you go 0/3 in lane, as long as you farm up and reach your item breakpoints, you can carry teamfights single-handedly. Her ultimate provides incredible utility for saving caught-out teammates or enabling aggressive dives.
My go-to build involves rushing Nashor's Tooth for the attack speed and on-hit damage, followed by Riftmaker for the omnivamp and true damage conversion. Against heavy AD, don't be afraid to slot in a Zhonya's second. The key to playing Kayle is patience - give up CS if necessary, soak experience, and wait for your moment to shine.
Irelia - The Blade Dancer (S Tier)
The recent buffs to Irelia's passive attack speed have pushed her firmly into S tier. I've been spamming her in my games, and the difference is noticeable - those extra attack speed points make her early all-ins much more threatening and help her stick to targets in extended trades.
What separates good Irelia players from great ones is wave management. You need to set up the wave properly to have minions to Q through during fights. Always keep track of low-health minions that can serve as escape routes or gap closers. Her level 2 all-in with E-Q is one of the strongest in the game if you land the stun.
Building Blade of the Ruined King first gives you incredible dueling power and sustain. Follow it up with Trinity Force for the Sheen procs and additional attack speed. Against heavy AP, Wit's End is an excellent third item. Remember, Irelia thrives in extended fights where she can stack her passive and dance around enemies with Q resets.
Yorick - The Shepherd of Souls (A Tier)
Despite eating another nerf to his base armor (down to 36 from 39), Yorick remains a solid A-tier pick, especially in lower elos where split-pushing is king. His ability to take towers with Maiden and ghouls is unmatched, and many players still don't know how to properly deal with his pressure.
The key to Yorick is understanding when to release the Maiden. Don't just mindlessly send her down a lane - time it when you can pressure elsewhere or when the enemy team is forced to respond to an objective. Your ghouls do surprising amounts of damage early game, so landing E in trades can chunk enemies for half their health.
I prefer Trinity Force into Hullbreaker for maximum split-push potential. Serylda's Grudge third gives you some much-needed utility and helps your ghouls stick to targets. In teamfights, you're not the primary engage - hang back, land E on priority targets, and let your ghouls and Maiden do the work while you bonk people with Q.
Gangplank - The Saltwater Scourge (A Tier)
GP received some nice quality-of-life buffs this patch with reduced Q mana costs and lower ultimate cooldown. These changes make his laning phase more forgiving and give him more global pressure with Cannon Barrage. Interestingly, Fleet Footwork is now outperforming Grasp of the Undying, especially in higher elos.
The Fleet Footwork setup gives you better sustain and movement speed for kiting, which synergizes perfectly with your passive. You can proc Fleet with Q for safe sustain while maintaining distance from aggressive laners. The movement speed also helps you position for those crucial barrel combos in teamfights.
My core build remains Trinity Force into Essence Reaver, but I've been experimenting with Navori Quickblades third for the ability haste and crit scaling. The key to GP is patience - farm with Q, scale up, and look for those game-winning barrel combos. Don't force plays early unless your jungler is camping top.
Aatrox - The Darkin Blade (S Tier)
Aatrox sits comfortably in S tier despite being one of the most banned champions in the game. His recent buffs to passive healing and E omnivamp have solidified his position as a premier blind pick. The combination of sustain, damage, and teamfight presence makes him a complete package.
Your trading pattern revolves around landing Q sweet spots. Q1 into W is your bread and butter combo - if they're pulled back into Q2, you're guaranteed to land Q3 for massive damage. Don't spam E unnecessarily; save it for dodging key abilities or repositioning for Q3. His ultimate is best used proactively before taking damage to maximize the healing amplification.
I recommend Eclipse into Black Cleaver for most games. The lethality helps you bully lane, while Cleaver provides health and armor shred for teamfights. Serylda's Grudge third rounds out your build with a slow to guarantee Q hits. Against heavy healing, don't forget to grab an early Executioner's Calling.
Malphite - Rock Solid (S Tier)
Malphite remains one of the best low-elo stompers and a fantastic answer to AD-heavy teams. His point-and-click poke with Q, combined with attack speed slows and that game-changing ultimate, makes him incredibly reliable. Even if you fall behind, one good ultimate can swing a teamfight.
The beauty of Malphite is his simplicity. You don't need complex mechanics or perfect timing - just farm safely, poke with Q when your mana allows, and look for those 3-4 man ultimates. Your passive shield helps you take favorable short trades, especially against auto-attack reliant champions.
Sunfire Aegis into Thornmail is my go-to build against AD teams. If they have significant magic damage, slot in an Abyssal Mask second. Frozen Heart is excellent against champions like Jax or Irelia who rely on attack speed. Remember, your ultimate is your team's primary engage tool - communicate with your team before going in.
Shen - The Eye of Twilight (S Tier)
Even after his E scaling nerf, Shen maintains his S-tier status through sheer utility and global presence. His ultimate can completely turn bot lane fights, secure objectives, or save your feeding mid laner (we all have one). The energy cost reductions from previous patches make his laning phase much more manageable.
Shen's strength lies in his flexibility. You can play aggressive with Ignite for kill pressure or take Teleport for maximum map presence. His level 2 and 3 trades are deceptively strong - E through them, proc your Q empowered autos, and back off. Many players underestimate his damage output early.
Heartsteel is my preferred mythic for the scaling health and size increase (who doesn't want to be a giant ninja?). Titanic Hydra second gives you waveclear and damage that scales with your health stacking. Redemption is a surprising but effective third item - the active works with your ultimate for massive shields and healing.
Low Elo Domination Picks
If you're climbing through Bronze, Silver, or Gold, these champions will serve you particularly well:
Yorick - Split-push to victory while enemies chase you around the map Heimerdinger - Set up your turrets and watch enemies int into them Garen - Simple execution, powerful ultimate, and natural tankiness Malphite - Press R to win teamfights Sett - Stat-check everyone while being nearly unkillable
These champions share common traits: simple execution, clear win conditions, and the ability to punish common low-elo mistakes like poor positioning and extended fights.
Champions to Ban
Based on pick rate, win rate, and general annoyance factor, here are my top ban recommendations:
- Sett - Too strong in every stage of the game
- Aatrox - Oppressive laning and teamfight presence
- Malphite - Especially if you're playing AD champions
- Warwick - His sustain and dueling make him nearly impossible to lane against
- Darius - Classic low-elo pubstomper who snowballs out of control
Meta Insights and Tips
The current top lane meta favors champions who can either dominate lane early or scale into monsters. Tanks have taken a slight hit with Heartsteel nerfs, but they're still viable, especially Ornn and Malphite who provide game-changing ultimates.
For climbing, I recommend focusing on 2-3 champions maximum. Master their matchups, power spikes, and limits. Consistency beats variety when it comes to gaining LP. Wave management remains the most important skill - even the best champion pick won't save you if you're constantly pushing without vision.
Remember to adapt your builds to each game. Cookie-cutter builds from websites will only take you so far. Learn when to build defensively, when to go for damage, and which boots to buy (hint: it's not always Plated Steelcaps).
Related Resources
For more League of Legends content and guides, check out these helpful resources:
- Best Laptops for League of Legends - Maximize your FPS for better gameplay
- Mobile Legends Tier List - If you enjoy MOBAs on mobile
- Apex Legends Tier List - For when you need a break from the Rift
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the best top laners in Patch 25.13?
Sett and Kayle dominate the OP tier for their consistency and carry potential. Sett offers unmatched versatility with strong laning and teamfight utility, while Kayle provides the best scaling in the game. For S-tier picks, Irelia, Aatrox, and Malphite are all excellent choices depending on your playstyle and team composition.
Is Yorick still good after his nerfs?
Yes, Yorick remains a solid A-tier pick despite his base armor being reduced from 39 to 36. His split-pushing potential is still unmatched, especially in lower elos where macro play is weaker. The armor nerf hurts his early trading, but once you have Maiden and a few items, you're still a split-pushing menace. Just play more carefully in the early levels.
What's the best rune for Gangplank now?
Fleet Footwork has overtaken Grasp of the Undying as the optimal keystone for Gangplank in Patch 25.13. The sustain from Fleet procs on your Q, and the movement speed helps with barrel positioning and kiting. This is especially true in higher elos where players are better at avoiding extended trades that would benefit Grasp.
Why is Irelia strong this patch?
Irelia received a significant buff to her passive attack speed, increasing from 7.5-25% to 10-25%. This buff, combined with a bugfix ensuring proper scaling on level-up, gives her much stronger early game all-ins and better sustained fighting. She's particularly effective against meta picks like Aatrox and other fighters.
Who should I ban in top lane?
The top three bans for Patch 25.13 are Sett, Aatrox, and Malphite. Sett is simply too versatile and strong at all stages. Aatrox has oppressive laning with his healing and can take over teamfights. Malphite is a must-ban if you're playing AD champions or your team lacks magic damage. Warwick and Darius are also solid ban choices in lower elos.
Which champions are best for low elo?
For Bronze through Gold, prioritize simple champions with clear win conditions. Garen, Malphite, and Sett are excellent for their straightforward gameplay. Yorick and Heimerdinger dominate through split-pushing and zone control respectively. These champions punish common low-elo mistakes and don't require perfect mechanics to succeed.
Are tanks still viable in the current meta?
While tanks took a slight hit with Heartsteel nerfs, champions like Ornn, Malphite, and Shen remain S-tier. They provide crucial frontline presence and game-changing ultimates. The key is picking tanks with strong utility rather than pure damage soakers. Ornn's upgrades, Malphite's engage, and Shen's global presence keep them relevant despite item nerfs.
How important is counterpicking in top lane?
While counterpicking can provide advantages, mastery trumps matchups in solo queue. I'd rather see someone play their 200-game Garen into a "counter" than first-time Fiora because it's supposedly good. Focus on learning 2-3 champions deeply rather than having a shallow pool of counterpicks. That said, avoid picking immobile champions into Vayne or Cassiopeia top.
What's the current state of ranged top laners?
Ranged top laners like Vayne, Quinn, and Kennen are all S-tier in the right hands. They excel at punishing melee champions and can completely shut down certain matchups. However, they require good wave management and positioning to avoid ganks. In coordinated play, they're riskier due to their squishiness and lack of frontline presence.
When should I take Teleport vs Ignite?
This depends on your champion and playstyle. Ignite is better for champions with kill pressure like Darius, Renekton, or Riven. It's also recommended in low elo where you can snowball harder. Teleport is preferred on scaling champions like Kayle, Gangplank, or tanks who want to impact the map. Shen should always take Teleport to maximize his global presence with ultimate.