Top lane in League of Legends is often called an island due to its unique position on the map. It offers a true 1v1 experience, testing your skills against a single opponent. This guide will help you master the how to play as the Top Laner in LOL Patch 14.19
Choosing Your Champion
Top lane boasts the most diverse champion pool in the game. You can pick from tanks, bruisers, or high-damage dealers. Your choice should complement your team’s composition and counter your opponent’s pick.
Most top laners use Flash and Teleport as summoner spells. Teleport is crucial for returning to lane quickly and joining team fights across the map. Some aggressive players might opt for Ignite instead of Teleport for extra kill pressure.
Mastering the Laning Phase
Understanding attack ranges is key to successful trading. Champions with longer ranges have an advantage in poking their opponents. Consider both auto-attack and ability ranges when trading.
Pay attention to ability cooldowns. Engage when your skills are ready and your opponent’s are on cooldown. Also, be aware of which abilities can pass through minions. Use minions as shields against enemy skillshots.
Wave Management
Proper wave management can give you a significant advantage. Freezing the wave near your tower denies your opponent farm and exp. Push the wave when you want to roam or recall.
Be careful when trading in large enemy minion waves. Minion damage adds up quickly and can turn a trade in your opponent’s favor. Always consider the minion count before engaging.
Warding Strategies
Warding is crucial for top lane survival. Place your first ward around 2:30 to protect against early ganks. On the blue side, ward the tri-brush. On the red side, ward the top river brush.
Buy control wards whenever possible. Place them in a brush closer to your tower for better protection. As the game progresses, move your vision line up with your position on the map.
Unlike other roles, top laners often keep their Warding Totem throughout the game. This allows for better vision control during split-pushing or when face-checking brushes as a tank.
Mid to Late Game Decision Making
As the game progresses, you’ll need to decide between grouping with your team or split-pushing. Your choice depends on your champion and the game state.
Split-pushing
If you’re playing a strong duelist or have good escape tools, split-pushing can be effective. Push side lanes to draw pressure away from your team. This strategy works best when your team can take objectives while you distract the enemy.
Remember to maintain vision control when split-pushing. Ward enemy jungle entrances to spot incoming threats. Always be ready to join your team with Teleport if a crucial fight breaks out.
Grouping for Teamfights
If your champion excels in teamfights or your team needs your presence, focus on grouping. Use Teleport to join fights quickly from side lanes. Position yourself to engage or peel for your carries, depending on your role.
Top Lane Tips and Tricks
- Experiment with different playstyles to find your comfort zone. Top lane’s diverse champion pool allows for various strategies.
- Trade damage when your opponent is about to last-hit a minion. This forces them to choose between farm and fighting back.
- Push your wave and ward the enemy jungle to track their jungler’s movements. This information helps your entire team.
- Don’t hesitate to cancel your Teleport if the situation changes. A cancelled Teleport has a shorter cooldown than a completed one.
- Coordinate with your team when split-pushing. Ensure they’re ready to take objectives while you draw enemy attention.
- Practice last-hitting under tower. This skill is crucial when playing against a lane bully who constantly pushes you in.
- Learn when to sacrifice some farm for a good trade. Sometimes, dealing damage to your opponent is worth more than a few minions.
- Communicate with your jungler about gank timings and ward placements. Coordination can lead to successful ganks and objectives.
- Adapt your build to the game state. Don’t stubbornly follow the same item path every game.
- Watch your replays to identify mistakes and improve your decision-making. Self-analysis is key to climbing the ranks.
Play as Top Laner in LoL Patch 14.19
By mastering these top lane fundamentals, you’ll be well on your way to dominating your lane and impacting the game. Remember, practice makes perfect. Keep refining your skills, and you’ll see improvement in no time.
Whether you prefer the island-like 1v1 duels or the thrill of teleporting into a teamfight, top lane offers a unique and rewarding experience in League of Legends. Good luck on the Rift, summoner!
