Patch 26.18 Tier List in League of Legends

Patch 26.18 Solo Queue Tier List Overview

Patch 26.18 has produced several meaningful changes across the solo queue meta. Zaahen has become a top-lane S-tier pick, tank junglers are quietly returning to relevance, Ekko is one of the biggest winners in mid lane, and melee supports continue to dominate bot-side engagements.

This list focuses on champions that are currently performing well in ranked solo queue. Tier placement considers practical win-rate strength, consistency, pick potential, and how effectively a champion can influence games without requiring a coordinated team.

Top Lane Tier List

Key top-lane changes

Top lane is relatively stable in patch 26.18. Zaahen is the main champion moving upward after receiving buffs before the patch. His win rate increased by approximately one percentage point, which was enough to move him from A tier to S tier.

These buffs did not turn Zaahen into an overwhelmingly dominant champion. Instead, they improved a champion who was already performing reasonably well and gave him enough additional strength to compete with the best top laners.

Nasus also remains one of the strongest solo queue top laners. His lifesteal nerf reduced his power slightly, but he is still performing considerably better than most champions in the role.

Recommended top laners

• S tier: Zaahen and Nasus remain the standout choices.
• Reliable alternatives: Champions already near the top of the previous tier list remain effective because there was little movement in the role.
• Scaling option: Nasus is particularly attractive when the game gives him room to farm and reach his item and ability spikes.

There is no need to radically change your champion pool for top lane. If you already play Zaahen or Nasus comfortably, patch 26.18 is a good time to prioritize them.

Jungle Tier List

Tank junglers are back in contention

Jungle is the role with the most interesting movement this patch. Tank junglers have been recovering over several patches, partly because jungle pet damage for tanks was improved in patch 26.16. Additional item changes have also made tanks more competitive compared with traditional bruisers.

Rammus is one of the biggest hidden performers. His win rate is now around 53%, yet many players still do not prioritize him. Sejuani, Zac, Skarner, and Cho’Gath are also finding success, giving players several durable alternatives to damage-focused junglers.

S-tier jungle picks

• Rammus: A major solo queue overperformer who can punish physical-damage-heavy team compositions.
• Sejuani: Her steady win-rate growth has finally justified an S-tier promotion.
• Master Yi: The buffs were more effective than expected, increasing his win rate by roughly 1–1.5%. Rageblade changes also appear to have helped him.
• Zac, Skarner, and Cho’Gath: Strong tank options that are receiving more attention as the jungle meta shifts.

How to approach the jungle meta

Consider tanks when your team already has sufficient damage or when the enemy composition lacks reliable tools for dealing with frontliners. Tank junglers can provide engage, crowd control, and durability even when they are not carrying the game through raw damage.

Cho’Gath jungle is still a relatively new option, but his pick rate has risen above 4%, suggesting that players are beginning to recognize his value. Sejuani is a safer choice for players who want a more established tank jungle identity.

Viego improved after receiving an attack-damage growth buff and a passive change that scales with bonus health. However, early data does not show bruiser builds clearly outperforming more offensive setups. Do not automatically switch to a Trinity Force-focused build simply because of the passive adjustment.

Ekko jungle also improved, although not enough to enter the topmost tier. He is now performing at an S-tier level and is worth considering if you already understand his clearing, pathing, and skirmishing patterns.

Mid Lane Tier List

Ekko is the biggest mid-lane winner

Ekko is the most important mid-lane change in patch 26.18. His win rate increased by approximately 1.5%, making the buffs more impactful than expected and moving him into the OP tier alongside Vex and Fizz.

His biggest traditional weakness is the early game. Certain matchups force Ekko to play defensively and use his Q to farm until he reaches a stronger item and ability breakpoint. The reduced Q mana cost makes this phase easier by allowing him to remain in lane and collect minions more consistently.

Once Ekko reaches his core spike, his skirmishing becomes extremely dangerous. The improved Q ratio also contributes to his increased power, so players who can survive the early lane should find more opportunities to influence side fights and mid-game objectives.

Other mid-lane updates

• OP tier: Ekko, Vex, and Fizz.
• A tier: Syndra dropped into A tier after her nerfs. Kassadin remains in A tier because his buffs did not meaningfully change his win rate.
• C tier: Cassiopeia, Orianna, Ryze, and Mel remain among the weaker solo queue choices after being heavily affected by balance decisions connected to professional play.
• Strong mage alternatives: Xerath, Viktor, and Hwei have moved ahead of several previously high-priority control mages.

Cassiopeia was expected to remain roughly stable after her changes, but the adjustments proved more negative for solo queue than anticipated. Syndra also lost enough power to fall from her previous position.

Kassadin is still playable and remains in A tier, but his buffs did not produce the major improvement that Ekko received. Choose him for scaling and matchup-specific value rather than because he is newly dominant.

Bot Lane and ADC Tier List

Best ADC choices

Jinx occupies the only OP-tier position in the ADC role. She combines excellent scaling with strong team-fight impact and currently has the highest win rate among the marksmen discussed in this update.

Just below Jinx, Xayah, Zeri, and Tristana are exceptionally strong. Their pick rates remain below 10%, which means many players are overlooking champions that are winning considerably more often than Ezreal.

• OP tier: Jinx.
• High S tier: Xayah, Zeri, and Tristana.
• Situational option: Varus may deserve a higher placement if the Rageblade changes continue to improve his results as more data becomes available.

ADC changes to monitor

Zeri remains in S tier despite her nerf. The W adjustment caused only a minimal reduction in performance, so there is no reason to abandon her if she is already part of your champion pool.

Ezreal remains popular, with a pick rate around 12%, but his win rate is below 46%. His popularity is partly explained by a dedicated player base that continues to select him regardless of his current strength. Unless you are an experienced Ezreal specialist, there are better choices in patch 26.18.

Zeri benefits from both Yun Tal Wildarrows and Runaan’s Hurricane, which were improved in recent patches. Rageblade changes may also affect several ADCs, but the results are not yet fully consistent. Varus has seen an approximate one-point win-rate increase, while Kog’Maw has remained close to his previous performance. It is too early to assume that Rageblade is equally valuable for every champion who purchases it.

Support Tier List

Melee supports continue to dominate

The support meta remains heavily focused on melee champions. Braum, Leona, and Thresh occupy the OP tier, giving players strong access to engage, protection, crowd control, and team-fight utility.

• OP tier: Braum, Leona, and Thresh.
• A tier: Nautilus after falling from S tier.
• S tier: Seraphine remains strong despite her nerf.
• B tier: Bard after his nerfs reduced his effectiveness.

Best bot-lane pairing

Braum and Jinx are one of the most attractive pairings in patch 26.18. Jinx is the strongest ADC, while Braum is the highest-performing support among the recommended options. They also complement one another well in team fights and are not banned frequently, so the pairing should be available in many games.

Braum is useful even when you are not duo-queued with a Jinx player. Yone appears frequently in both top and mid lane, with combined pick rates reported at roughly 19%. Braum can either protect an allied Yone or provide valuable tools against an enemy Yone, increasing his usefulness across a wide range of drafts.

Support selection tips

• Prioritize Thresh or Blitzcrank if you are highly experienced with hook-based supports.
• Choose Braum when your team needs protection, reliable team-fight utility, or a strong answer to melee threats.
• Do not overreact to Seraphine’s nerf. The change has little practical impact until late levels, which many support games do not reach.
• Use Leona when your team needs decisive engage and the opposing lane is vulnerable to all-in pressure.

How to Use the Tier List Effectively

1. Start with comfort: A high-tier champion is not automatically better than a lower-tier champion you understand well.
2. Build a small champion pool: Focus on two or three picks per role rather than trying to play every strong champion.
3. Match the pick to the draft: Tanks are valuable when your team lacks a frontline, while aggressive carries are stronger when your team can protect them.
4. Review item trends carefully: Recent changes to Rageblade and other items may need more time before their long-term impact becomes clear.
5. Prioritize consistent decision-making: Farming, objective timing, positioning, and avoiding unnecessary deaths matter more than switching champions after every tier-list update.

The most practical patch 26.18 strategy is to take advantage of champions that are both strong and underplayed. Rammus, Cho’Gath jungle, Braum, Xayah, Tristana, and Ekko can provide excellent value when you are comfortable with their basic game plans.

Patch 26.18 Final Takeaways

• Top: Zaahen moved into S tier, while Nasus remains one of the role’s strongest solo queue picks.
• Jungle: Tank junglers are quietly returning to the meta. Rammus, Sejuani, Zac, Skarner, and Cho’Gath are worth considering.
• Mid: Ekko is the biggest winner and now joins the OP tier with Vex and Fizz.
• ADC: Jinx is the only OP-tier marksman, with Xayah, Zeri, and Tristana close behind.
• Support: Braum, Leona, and Thresh remain the leading choices, while Braum pairs especially well with Jinx and provides value against frequent Yone picks.

Patch 26.18 rewards players who combine strong champion selection with disciplined execution. Use the tier list to narrow your options, then focus on mastering the lane patterns, item timings, and team-fight responsibilities of your chosen picks.