In League of Legends, the battlefield known as Summoner’s Rift is divided into three primary lanes: top, mid, and bottom — with a jungle area in between. Each lane has a unique identity and strategic purpose, but the top lane holds a special place in the game’s dynamics. Often seen as the domain of lone warriors and durable tanks, the top lane is a proving ground for individual skill, game knowledge, and raw grit.
So, what exactly is the top lane? And what makes it such a crucial — and occasionally isolated — part of the game?
Where Is the Top Lane?
The top lane is the uppermost lane on Summoner’s Rift, running across the top section of the map. It’s located near the Baron Nashor pit and is usually occupied by one champion from each team.
Players on the blue side (bottom-left) walk up to reach it; players on the red side (top-right) walk down. Despite the mirror symmetry, both sides experience different early-game conditions due to terrain and vision placement.
The Role of the Top Laner
Top laners are typically solo players — meaning they don’t share experience or gold with a lane partner like bot lane does. This makes the top lane an ideal place for scaling champions who grow stronger over time, and for bruisers, tanks, or split-pushers who thrive on 1v1 combat and sustained presence.
Key responsibilities of a top laner include:
- Winning lane trades and surviving jungle pressure
- Teleporting to help other lanes or objectives
- Splitting the map in mid-to-late game
- Peeling for allies or diving the enemy backline in team fights
Top laners must master both micro (individual mechanics) and macro (map awareness and timing), often without the frequent support of a lane partner.
What Champions Are Played Top?
Top lane champions are known for their durability, utility, or scaling power. Some of the most iconic and popular include:
- Darius – A lane bully who dominates short trades
- Fiora – A high-skill duelist with split-pushing strength
- Garen – A beginner-friendly champion with silence and sustain
- Malphite – A tank who excels in teamfight initiation
- Camille, Shen, Ornn, Aatrox – Each offering distinct styles from roaming to frontline control
Champions in the top lane often build tanky or bruiser items, though AP top laners like Gwen or Lillia can also make appearances.
Is Top Lane Isolated?
Yes — and that’s both a challenge and a feature. Top laners spend much of the early game in relative isolation, which means fewer ganks but also less support. This solitude makes top a great lane for players who enjoy 1v1 matchups, strategic timing, and delayed power spikes.
However, this doesn’t mean the lane is irrelevant. Top laners can heavily influence team fights, split-push pressure, and objective control, especially near Baron Nashor, which is located on the top side of the map.
How Has Top Lane Changed Over Time?
In the early years of League, top was often a tank-heavy lane with few flashy plays. But over the years, Riot Games has added more mobility, dueling, and outplay potential to top lane champions.
In pro play, the top lane can swing from hyper-carry focused to full utility depending on the meta. Champions like Sion and Gragas have seen competitive play due to their flexibility, while others like Jax and Irelia dominate when late-game scaling is rewarded.
Final Thoughts: The Island of Opportunity
Top lane might be known as “The Island” due to its remote location and 1v1 nature, but it’s anything but disconnected from the action. Top laners are frontline anchors, split-push threats, and game-changers when played well.
Written by:
Christian