Greetings from Librarian Husky! Patch 14.21 has introduced several exciting new picks, with Teemo shining in the jungle, Corki making a strong return, and the ADC meta becoming more diverse than ever. This guide provides a complete update on these meta shifts, along with a tier list for solo queue across every role. Let’s dive into the latest strategies and tier changes that can help you climb!

Top Lane Analysis: Predictions and Outcomes

Despite changes to several top laners, pre-patch predictions have held steady, resulting in little movement in rankings. The OP tier remains consistent with Shen at the top, followed closely by Malphite after recent buffs.

Adjustments in Champion Tiers

Teemo’s buff has been more effective than expected, moving him from B to A tier. Similarly, Camille has dropped in performance by around 3% due to nerfs, supporting her A tier placement.

Effects of Gwen’s Passive Nerf

In our initial analysis, there was uncertainty regarding Gwen’s nerfs. Now, after several days, it’s clear the nerf is impactful, with her passive reduction leading to a 3% drop in win rate. Although minor on paper, the frequent proc on each auto-attack adds up, showing a cumulative effect.

Top Lane Shift: Gwen’s Decline in Priority

Gwen is no longer a top lane powerhouse and has moved from S to B tier due to recent nerfs. Meanwhile, Teemo has gained popularity as a jungler, proving even stronger in the jungle than the top lane.

Teemo’s Boosted Jungle Performance

The movement speed buff to Teemo’s W has proven useful for jungling, allowing him to clear faster and apply more pressure during ganks. This speed increase enhances his ability to secure kills and contribute effectively.

Optimal Build and Runes for Teemo Jungle

For Teemo jungle, the recommended build includes Nashor’s Tooth, followed by Liandry’s Anguish, and Malignance. Press the Attack is currently the preferred rune, with Triumph, Alacrity, and Cut Down, complemented by Free Boots and Cosmic Insight.

Jungle Tier List and Minor Adjustments

Teemo has moved to the Jungle S tier. The tier list otherwise remains stable, with champions like Nocturne, Kha’Zix, and Jarvan leading as top solo queue junglers. Gwen, Brand, and Volibear shift to B tier, while Fiddlesticks drops to A. Both Gwen’s and Brand’s nerfs have lessened their impact in jungle play.

Significant Mid Lane Adjustments

This patch brings considerable changes to the mid lane. Swain, for instance, has faced challenges since his rework, with his win rate dropping significantly from around 52% in 14.20 to 46% in 14.21. Despite correct item builds, Swain’s effectiveness has declined, moving him into the B tier as a mid-lane pick for solo queue.

Yasuo’s Improved Viability in 14.21

Yasuo has emerged as a stronger choice this patch, particularly with Blade of the Ruined King no longer viable as his primary item. Kraken Slayer has become an optimal substitute, especially following recent buffs to Yasuo’s crit ratios, enhancing his overall effectiveness. As a result, Kraken Slayer is now winning over 1% more often as a rush item than Blade of the Ruined King for Yasuo.

Yasuo’s Core Build for Patch 14.21

The recommended core build for Yasuo in patch 14.21 includes Kraken Slayer as the first item, followed by Immortal Shieldbow and Infinity Edge. This setup maximizes his damage output and significantly improves his success rate in solo queue.

Yasuo vs. Yone: Shifts in Mid Lane Rankings

It’s rare for Yasuo to outperform Yone in the rankings, but Yone has been less successful with Kraken Slayer. Due to these differences, Yone is now in the B tier, while Yasuo has moved up to A tier.

Surprising Buffs to Corki and New Rune Setup

Corki’s buffs have had a significant effect, boosting his win rate by around 6% in 14.21—exceeding expectations of a 2-4% increase. Additionally, Conqueror has emerged as a more powerful choice than Fleet Footwork, with a rune setup that includes Presence of Mind, Alacrity, Cut Down, Biscuits, and Cosmic Insight, maximizing Corki’s mid-lane strength.

Optimal Build for Corki in 14.21

Corki’s build remains steady, with Trinity Force and Manamune as core items and Ravenous Hydra as a reliable third choice. This setup has greatly improved Corki’s efficiency in the mid lane, lifting him from C tier to A tier.

Mid Lane Tier List: Top Champions for Mid Patch

The OP tier in the mid-lane remains strong with Sylas, Ahri, and Vex, who continue to perform exceptionally well. These champions are expected to remain dominant in the current meta with minimal adjustments needed.

Stable Mid Lane Champions After Patch 14.21 Adjustments

Other mid-lane champions, such as Galio, Kassadin, Yone, Azir, and Talon, have met expectations, with no further changes to their tier positions. These champions continue to perform consistently well within the current patch.

Corki’s Bot Lane Dominance in 14.21

While Corki has resurfaced in mid-lane, he has shown even stronger performance in the bot lane. In this role, The Collector has become a more effective item than Trinity Force, which remains optimal in mid-lane due to Corki’s faster leveling and higher AD scaling.

Optimal Build and Runes for Bot Lane Corki

For bot lane Corki, who levels more slowly due to shared XP, The Collector provides increased value by boosting his AD ratio in this patch. The recommended build includes The Collector and Infinity Edge, with Hail of Blades as the best rune choice to enhance Corki’s upfront burst potential.

Bot Lane Corki’s Rise with Hail of Blades

The new bot lane build for Corki, focusing on The Collector and Infinity Edge with Hail of Blades, offers substantial burst damage, positioning him as a top-tier bot lane pick. Corki was previously absent from the bot lane tier list in 14.20 but now holds an OP-tier position in patch 14.21.

ADC Meta Update: New OP Tier Contenders

Corki and Kog’Maw have joined Nilah in the ADC OP tier, with Kog’Maw proving more resilient to the Blade of the Ruined King nerfs than anticipated. This has resulted in a balanced bot lane meta, offering a wide array of viable ADC choices.

Current Strong Picks in the ADC Role

ADC champions like Caitlyn, Xayah, and Sivir have regained prominence this patch, establishing themselves as strong solo queue picks. Aphelios, previously ranked lower, has now moved into a competitive position, demonstrating value in high-damage and sustained-fight scenarios. These changes indicate a balanced ADC meta where players can reliably choose classic marksmen without significant drawbacks. Only a few champions, including Zeri, Kalista, and Samira, are currently underperforming due to recent adjustments or suboptimal synergies, making them less recommended for solo play.

Swain as a Support: Potential for a Tanky Build

Swain has struggled as a support this patch, impacted by his recent rework and lower win rate. However, there is potential for Swain to excel with a tankier build, as his kit favors drawn-out fights. A core setup using Rylai’s Crystal Scepter and Unending Despair enhances Swain’s durability in the frontline, allowing him to sustain and contribute more effectively in skirmishes. This build is currently underutilized but could increase Swain’s value as a support, boosting both his resilience and impact.