Greetings, Summoners! Librarian Husky here, bringing you the ultimate guide to mastering the support role in League of Legends patch 14.23. With exciting updates shaking up the meta and a broader range of champions finding their place, it’s the perfect time to dive deep into the strengths and strategies of each support pick. Whether you’re climbing the ranks or perfecting your draft strategy, this tier list is tailored to help you stay ahead of the competition. Let’s explore the patch together!

Champion Overview and Tier Criteria

The tier list evaluates champions based on their performance in various scenarios, including solo queue and competitive drafts. Champions are categorized from S-tier (top-tier picks) to F-tier (poor options). The rankings consider laning strength, scaling potential, utility, and synergy with team compositions. Champions placed above B-tier are discussed in detail to provide actionable insights. This ensures players can focus on the champions with the most impact in the current meta. Whether you prefer enchanters, engage supports, or utility-focused picks, this list has you covered.

Champion Analysis: Swain

Swain has received a midscope update with adjustments to all his abilities. While he boasts a high win rate in carry and mid roles, his design and resource dependency make him ill-suited for the support role. Swain’s kit requires significant itemization and experience, both of which are limited in the support role. As a result, he struggles to effectively contribute compared to other supports. Players who enjoy his playstyle might find better success in solo lanes. Swain’s lack of utility in the support role also makes him an unreliable choice for team-oriented play.

Champion Analysis: Way

Way occupies the D-tier due to his hybrid playstyle that blends Mage and enchanter traits. His mixed kit underperforms compared to dedicated Mages or enchanters. While some champions can successfully fulfill hybrid roles, Way’s tendency to lean towards Mage qualities limits his utility and makes him less effective in higher-level games. This leaves him outclassed in both damage and utility when compared to specialized picks. In most drafts, Way struggles to justify his place due to his lack of clear identity.

Champion Analysis: Nautilus

Nautilus is ranked in B-tier as a reliable engage support. His long-range crowd control abilities make him valuable against double-range bot lanes and compositions lacking initiation. However, Nautilus is less effective against tanky melee supports who can withstand his crowd control. His reliance on engaging leaves him vulnerable if he falls behind during the laning phase. Proper positioning and team synergy are crucial to maximize his potential. Nautilus thrives when paired with aggressive ADCs who can follow up on his crowd control.

Nautilus as a Counter Pick

Nautilus excels as a counter pick rather than a blind choice. His performance improves significantly in matchups where he can capitalize on his crowd control and engage potential. Against heavy frontline compositions, he struggles to maintain his effectiveness due to his squishy nature as an engage support. Teams that require initiation can benefit greatly from Nautilus in the right scenarios. His ability to lock down high-priority targets makes him invaluable in specific drafts.

Champion Analysis: Zyra

Zyra emphasizes utility through crowd control and area denial rather than traditional heals and shields. Despite a weak early game, she scales into a powerful support with substantial buffs and synergy across various compositions. Her versatility makes her a viable pick in many drafts. Her plants offer strong zoning potential, deterring enemies from advancing freely. With proper positioning and timing, Zyra can turn fights with her ultimate in key moments.

Weakness Against Poke Compositions

Zyra struggles against poke compositions that can easily play around her ultimate ability. Dedicated players often find creative strategies to overcome this disadvantage, but her susceptibility to ranged harass remains a challenge. To succeed against such compositions, Zyra players must rely on careful positioning and precise use of her crowd control. Awareness of enemy abilities and cooldowns is vital to mitigate incoming poke damage.

Champion Analysis: Miss Fortune

Miss Fortune serves as a disengage enchanter, particularly effective against dive-heavy compositions. Her ultimate ability can turn fights by punishing aggressive engagements. However, her utility depends heavily on favorable drafts and coordinated play, which can make her less reliable in solo queue. Her strength lies in her ability to punish overextensions, making her a threat in tight team fights. Players must ensure they pair her with the right team composition to maximize her impact.

Optimal Draft Situations

Miss Fortune performs best when paired with an auto-heavy ADC and facing a team reliant on dives. Her ability to counteract aggressive playstyles allows her to shine in these setups, though unsuitable drafts can diminish her impact significantly. In coordinated team environments, her zoning capabilities create opportunities to control objectives. However, in solo queue, her effectiveness often relies on teammates understanding her strengths.

Champion Analysis: Sona

Sona is a late-game scaling enchanter with one of the weakest early game phases among supports. Despite her vulnerability in lane, Sona’s potential to carry games grows significantly as she gains levels and items. In specific matchups where she can scale freely, she can be an excellent counter-pick. Her healing and utility make her a strong choice in prolonged team fights. With proper positioning, Sona can avoid being punished in the early game while preparing for her late-game power spikes.

Comparison with Senna

Senna surpasses Sona in most scenarios, offering stronger early-game presence and scaling versatility. However, Sona can still find success when paired against teams that allow her the space to reach her power spikes without significant pressure. In team compositions focused on sustain and utility, Sona’s kit can outperform more aggressive options. Her ability to consistently heal and buff allies makes her a valuable choice in drawn-out battles.

Champion Analysis: Vel’Koz

Vel’Koz received crucial buffs in patch 14.22, reducing his ability cooldowns. These changes enhance his effectiveness as a ranged damage dealer, making him one of the best support Mages in the current meta. However, his lack of mobility necessitates careful positioning to avoid being quickly eliminated. His long-range abilities allow him to poke enemies safely from a distance. In the right hands, Vel’Koz can single-handedly dictate the outcome of skirmishes with his damage output.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Vel’Koz’s true damage and zoning capabilities are invaluable in team fights. However, his susceptibility to gap closers and dive champions makes him a high-risk, high-reward pick. Players must master his positioning to fully capitalize on his strengths. Building cooldown reduction items can further enhance his utility in prolonged fights. His reliance on skill shots requires precise aim and consistent mechanical skill.