The top lane in League of Legends is full of fighters, divers, and beefy tanks just waiting to kill new players, but for those that love a good old 1 vs 1 brawl, the role can offer some of the most intense experiences in the entire game.
Before heading into League of Legends' most isolated lane, players should arm themselves with as much knowledge as possible, making sure they understand the basics of the role and what is expected of them.
10 Counter Picks Don't Matter Yet
While the top lane is known for scary counter picks that can swing the lane one way or another, they are only really relevant at higher levels of play where players excel at their champions and know the specific matchup inside out.
Beginner top laners should instead focus on playing and learning the champions they enjoy, and as long as they are laning against players of their own skill, the matchup shouldn't matter too much. Early attempts at counter-picking will likely result in top laners playing difficult champions they are unfamiliar with.
9 Get Level 2
As with the other solo lane, mid, players receive full experience in top lane and so will reach level 2 after the six minions from the first wave and one melee minion from the next wave die.
This is important to know as level 2 is a volatile time in top and players can look to capitalize on their own advantage, or back off when they realize a stronger enemy will reach it first. Ways to take advantage include going all in, poking, denying last hits, and even denying experience.
8 Take Armor Or Magic Resistance
As top laners can expect to face off against their lane opponent in single combat for most of the lane, it can be a good idea to opt into early armor or magic resist depending on if they are against a champion who deals physical or magical damage.
This starts in champion select as players can add either of these resistances to their runes, and then can often be followed up by purchasing boots that provide the relevant resistance. If the jungler's damage type matches the enemy top laner's, then there is even more incentive to stack up.
7 Ignite Or Teleport?
To take Ignite or Teleport as a top laner is a question as old as League. While both are viable options, players should really only opt for Ignite in lanes they believe they have kill pressure. Aggressive champions who want to dominate the lane can use Ignite to snowball, whereas champions who struggle in the lane will be better served with Teleport which will enable them to get back to farming faster.
Teleport is also better in the later stages of the game and is somewhat crucial for the team. It enables players to farm the side lanes and join their team the moment a fight kicks off or an objective is contested. It is also great for flanking on champions with high-impact ults like Kennen. Other options like Ghost are also available, and some players even choose to take both Teleport and Ignite together, but it is recommended that beginner players stick to taking Flash for now.
6 Beware Of Early Ganks
It is very common for junglers to start off on the bottom side of the map where they will clear their camps before moving up to kill the monsters on the top side of the map. After that, it is very easy for them to gank top.
To avoid being surprised and dying, top laners should bear in mind that from about 2:40 into the game, they could be vulnerable. Armed with this foresight, they can ward, avoid pushing up too far in the long lane, and play safe for the time being. On the other hand, their own jungler might want to gank top, so players can look to set up an opportunity especially if they have CC (Crowd Control).
5 Help With Rift Herald
Although it can be hard for top laners to get involved with early Drakes due to the pit being on the opposite side of the map, they can help to take Rift Herald, which is found inside the Baron Pit during the first 20 minutes of the game.
The first Rift Herald spawns at the 8-minute mark and is the most useful as its charge can be used to gain gold from Turret Plates before they fall off after 14 minutes. Junglers can take this objective by themselves, but by pushing their wave and warding, top laners can make their way into the pit and not only help take it faster but ward off any attempts by the enemy to contest.
4 Tanks Will Always Be Useful
Whereas some champions heavily depend on success in lane to win the game, tanks who have access to plenty of CC or other supportive abilities will always be useful. Although doing well in the lane by getting more farm and maybe some kills will help them become tankier, and putting the enemy laner behind is always a plus, there is less pressure overall.
This is ideal for beginner top laners who may struggle at first and want to remain useful to the team after a tough lane. Players in this position should prioritize grouping with the team for fights and objectives in the mid and late-game.
3 Play Ranged Champions
One of the easiest ways to combat the fear of facing scary fighters and bruisers in the top lane is to play ranged champions. The main benefit of playing ranged top laners like Teemo and Quinn is how much easier farming gets, as players no longer have to walk into the midst of the wave, like their melee opponent.
Players will also find they can now bully their opponent with ranged autos and spells, however, most of these ranged top laners are also immobile and squishy, so can be jumped on. Ganks are particularly dangerous for these players, especially if pushed up too far in the long lane.
2 Impact Other Lanes
Top lane may be jokingly known as an island by the League community, from which it is hard to impact the map and the result of the game, but there are actually many ways to make one's presence known on Summoner's Rift as a top laner.
The simplest way to impact other lanes is by using Teleport to friendly towers, or after 14 minutes to minions or wards which can provide better flank angles. Top laners can also roam to mid lane or invade the top side jungle with their allies, after pushing their own minions into the enemy tower. Certain champions like Shen are also better at helping around the map, thanks to his global ultimate which shields an ally before teleporting to them.
1 Split Push
Split pushing is a mid to late-game tactic most commonly used by top laners. Essentially a player applies pressure to a side lane and its turrets, while their team is fighting, contesting objectives, or applying pressure elsewhere on the map. If the enemy responds by sending one or more members to defend, they lose their advantage on the map, if they don't respond their towers and maybe an inhibitor are forfeited.
Although split pushing is highly nuanced, there are three key things for beginners to bear in mind. First, is to only push up when the team is doing something; if one pushes when the team is recalling or farming the jungle, the enemy will just kill that player. Secondly, players should aim to split push on the opposite side to the currently contested objective. For example, if Baron is up, push bot lane and ideally with the option to Teleport. And lastly, players should ward, so they can see when the enemy comes to hunt them down.
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