In League of Legends, the concept of a “worst champion” is never set in stone. With over 170 champions in play and Riot’s balance patches shifting the meta every few weeks, today’s underdog can become tomorrow’s powerhouse.
Still, win rate statistics and solo queue data from September 2025 paint a clear picture: Ryze, Azir, Kalista, and Udyr are struggling at the bottom of the ladder, plagued by outdated kits, steep learning curves, or a reliance on perfect team play.
The Worst Champion: Ryze (Mid Lane)
No champion has fallen harder in the 2025 meta than Ryze. With a 44.9% win rate and a 1.2% pick rate, he sits at the bottom of the charts.
Ryze’s kit is built around weaving spell combos and scaling into a macro-heavy late game. While devastating in professional play, he flounders in solo queue, where teammates rarely coordinate around his strengths.
If his team falls behind early, his weak scaling and reliance on precise mechanics leave him unable to keep pace with more straightforward mages like Annie or assassins like Zed. For many players, Ryze is simply too complex to justify his underwhelming results.
Other Contenders for “Worst”
- Azir: Once a pro-play darling, Azir now suffers from high mana costs, a fragile early game, and one of the steepest learning curves in League. His 45.2% win rate reflects the difficulty of making him work outside of coordinated play.
- Kalista: This ADC thrives only with perfect synergy alongside her support. Without it, her lack of scaling and limited mobility compared to meta picks like Kai’Sa or Jinx make her a risky choice.
- Udyr: Once revitalized by a rework, Udyr has slipped back into irrelevance. His kit feels clunky in the modern jungle meta, and his win rate has dropped below 50% across both jungle and top lane.
Together, these champions highlight how mechanics-heavy, team-reliant picks often underperform in solo queue compared to simpler, self-sufficient designs.
Why Play the Underdogs?
Despite their poor stats, these “worst champions” still inspire loyalty. Dedicated Ryze and Azir mains, for example, showcase how mastery and patience can turn statistical weaknesses into personal strengths. Meanwhile, balance patches or reworks could revive any of these champions overnight, as League’s history has repeatedly shown.
For some players, choosing the underdog is part of the thrill—winning with the hardest champion in the game is its own badge of honor.
Closing Thoughts
So, who is the worst champion in League of Legends? Right now, the answer is Ryze, with Azir, Kalista, and Udyr not far behind. But in a game defined by constant change, “worst” is temporary.
Tomorrow’s patch might buff these champions into competitive staples, proving once again that in League, no champion is ever truly doomed.
Written by:
Christian