With over 170 champions and a constantly shifting meta, choosing who to play in League of Legends can feel overwhelming. But champion selection isn’t just about picking what’s popular—it’s about finding the right balance between your playstyle, role, and the game’s evolving strategy.
The right pick not only enhances your personal performance but also maximizes your team’s chances of success.
Step 1: Learn the Roles and Your Playstyle
League of Legends is structured around five main roles: top lane, jungle, mid lane, ADC (bot), and support.
Each role demands different skills and responsibilities:
- Top: Isolated duels, tanking, and split-pushing.
- Jungle: Map control, objectives, and ganking.
- Mid: Burst damage, roaming, and playmaking.
- ADC (Bot): Consistent DPS and positioning.
- Support: Vision control, peel, and initiation.
Experiment with several games in each role to see what feels natural. Ask yourself:
- Do I prefer initiating fights or supporting allies?
- Am I more mechanical or strategic?
- Do I thrive in fast-paced situations or prefer scaling into the late game?
Answering these questions will help narrow down which champions suit your natural strengths.
Step 2: Analyze Champion Types and the Current Meta
Within each role, champions fall into classes like tanks, assassins, mages, marksmen, and enchanters. Riot’s patch notes frequently shake up which champions perform best, while tier lists and community guides offer quick insights into what’s strong.
- New players should start with simple kits and forgiving mechanics. Champions like Garen (top), Annie (mid), and Miss Fortune (ADC) are often recommended.
- Climbing players should mix reliable comfort picks with meta choices. Picking champions with steady win rates—and that aren’t always banned—helps ensure consistency.
The key is not just playing what’s strong, but playing what’s strong for you.
Step 3: Test, Refine, and Commit
Practice is essential. Use the Practice Tool to drill abilities and combos, then move into normals or flex games. Play at least five games with each candidate champion before making decisions.
Track your progress with in-game analytics to spot which champions give you the most impact.
Once you find success, refine your pool:
- One or two main champions in your chosen role.
- One flexible backup for bad matchups or bans.
This balance lets you master champions deeply while staying adaptable.
Step 4: Adapt and Keep Learning
No champion is evergreen. The meta changes with every patch, and reworks or nerfs can quickly shift power rankings. Staying updated means:
- Watching pro play for strategic trends.
- Following streamers and guide creators for matchup tips.
- Reassessing your pool after major balance updates.
Players who adapt to the meta while staying loyal to a core set of champions often climb faster and enjoy more consistent results.
Closing Thoughts
Picking a champion in League of Legends isn’t just about raw power—it’s a journey of self-discovery, strategy, and adaptation. Start with a role that fits your playstyle, experiment with different champion types, refine your pool, and stay open to change.
The best champion for you isn’t necessarily the one topping the tier list—it’s the one you can consistently master and impact games with.
Written by:
Christian