Best Champions to Climb in Ranked in Patch 14.13

Seeking to climb the ranked ladder in Patch 14.13? Look no further. In this article, we'll explore the top champions that can help elevate your gameplay and bring you closer to your ranked goals. Whether you prefer the top lane, mid lane, or another position, these champion recommendations will give you a competitive edge in your ranked journey.

Top Lane

Some significant changes have been made to the Top Lane in Patch 14.13, which have reshaped the meta and influenced champion viability. For more details on these changes, see our previous article about the patch notes for Patch 14.13.

Sett

Starting with the leader of Ionia's criminal underworld, we have Sett. He is an excellent pick for the top lane as he brings tremendous amounts of Crowd Control and immense damage to teamfights.

Not to mention his natural tankiness as well as being a mana-less champion: meaning you don't have to worry about your mana pool. However, he lacks engaging abilities, so some champions can kite him, and later in the game, he falls off as a duelist, needing more teamfights.

When it comes to Sett's build order, it's all about strategic choices. Start with Doran's Blade and a Health Potion, then consider building into Stridebreaker, Plated Steelcaps, or Mercury's Treads into Hullbreaker.

These choices will not only impact your champion's performance but also reflect your strategic approach to the game. Immediately after that, look to build into Overlord's Bloodmail. Next, you should get Sterak's Gage and Sundered Sky in whichever order you see fit.

This flexibility allows you to adapt your build to the evolving game situation, giving you a sense of control over your champion's performance.

For Runes, take Precision into Conqueror, Triumph, Alacrity, and Last Stand. And Resolve into Bone Plating and Overgrowth. Then, Attack Speed, Adaptive Force, and Health (based on level)

Volibear

Volibear is another excellent pick for the top lane in patch 14.13. He is a very fast pusher and highly tanky. He also has a lot of sustain and can dive towers quite easily. However, heal reduction can hurt him and his sustainability, and he relies on his ultimate for engagement and can be kited without it.

For build order, start with Doran's ring and two Health Potions. Then, build Ionian Boots of Lucidity into Rod of Ages and Navori Flickerblade. Next, build Spirit Visage for the extra sustain. Finish up with Frozen Heart and Unending Despair.

For Runes, take Precision into Conqueror, Presence of Mind, Haste, and Last Stand.

As for Secondary Runes, take Inspiration into Triple Tonic, Jack of All Trades, Attack Speed, Adaptive Force, and Health (based on level)

For more info on runes and builds for all champions, check out this website!

Garen

Our last pick for the top lane will be Garen, a champion with a unique playstyle that is both powerful and annoying to go up against. He is straightforward to play, has a lot of sustain and his ultimate makes him really strong in 1v1s as he can efficiently execute enemy champions.

He also doesn't use mana, which allows you to spam abilities. This unique combination of attributes makes Garen an intriguing champion to try out, promising an exciting and powerful gameplay experience.

For build order, start with Doran's Shield and a Health Potion. Build into Berserker's Greaves, Stridebreaker, and Phantom Dancer. Then get Infinity Edge and Mortal Reminder and finish up with Dead Man's Plate. Additionally, you can upgrade your boots to Zephyr.

For Runes, take Precision into Conqueror, Triumph, Haste, and Last Stand.

For Secondary Runes, take Sorcery into Nimbus Cloak and Celerity, then take Adaptive Force for both Offense and Flex and Health (based on level)

Mid Lane

As for the Mid Lane, the strongest champions remain similar to previous patches.

Vex

Vex, a champion with immense damage potential, is a great pick for those who enjoy countering dashing champions. Her excellent range and ult resets allow for multiple casts in a teamfight, making her a formidable force.

However, it's important to note that she's mana-hungry, especially in the early game. Her only mobility comes from her ultimate, so hitting the skillshot is crucial for maneuvering.

For her build order, start with Doran's Ring and two Health Potions. Build into Luden's Companion, Sorceror's Shoes and Shadowflame. Then, get Zhonya's into Rabadon's Deathcap and finish up with Stormsurge or Void Staff.

For Runes, take Domination into Electrocute, Taste of Blood, Eyeball Collection, and Ultimate Hunter. For secondary runes, take Inspiration into Biscuit Delivery, Cosmic Insight, Attack Speed, Adaptive Force, and Health (based on level).

Naafiri

Naafiri brings splendid burst damage and has excellent wave clear. She is also very mobile and a very strong roamer. However, she is somewhat squishy, especially if CC'd, and she relies on hitting her ability to maximize her effectiveness.

For build order, start with Doran's Blade and a Health Potion. Then, build into Eclipse, Mercury Treads, and Profane Hydra. Next, get Serylda's Grude, Edge of Night. Then, finish up with either Maw of Malmortius or Opportunity.

For Runes, take Inspiration into First Strike, Magical Footwear, Biscuit Delivery, and Cosmic Insight.

For secondary runes, take Domination into Sudden Impact, Treasure Hunter, and Adaptive Force for both Flex and Offense and Health (based on level).

Brand

Brand brings a fantastic amount of burst damage, making him a force to be reckoned with in teamfights. He has ridiculously good wave clear, and his damage over time is outstanding.

However, he needs to hit his skillshot to maximize his effectiveness and is immobile and very squishy. The thrill of dealing high burst damage in teamfights is a key aspect of Brand's gameplay, promising an exhilarating experience for players who enjoy high damage output.

For Brand's build order, start with Doran's Ring and two Health Potions. Then, progress to Rylai's Crystal Scepter, Sorcerer's Shoes, and Liandry's Torment. After that, aim for Blackfire Torch and Zhonya's. Finally, complete the build with a Cryptbloom or Banshee's Veil.

For Runes, take Sorcery into Arcane Comet, Manaflow Band, Transcendence, and Scorch. For his secondary runes, take Precision into Presence of Mind, Coup de Grace, Ability Haste, Adaptive Force, and Health (based on level).

Jungle

The strongest Jungle champions in Patch 14.13 have changed a bit and are as follows:

Lillia

Lillia benefits very well from the Blackfire Torch & Liandry's combo. She has loads of damage, is very efficient at killing tanks, has ridiculous mobility, and does exceptionally well in teamfights.

However, her early game is relatively weak, with no hard CC until she reaches level 6. She is very squishy and relies on her mobility and kiting.

For build order, start with Gustwalker's Hatchling into Blackfire Torch, Ionian Boots of Lucidity, and Liandry's. Next, go into Zhonya's and Rylai's Crystal Scepter, finishing with Rabadon's.

For Runes, take Precision into Conqueror, Triumph, Haste, and Coup de Grace.

For Secondary runes, take Inspiration into Magical Footwear, Cosmic Insight, Adaptive Force for Flex and Offense, and Health (based on level)

Kha'Zix

Kha'Zix is a strong jungle champion in patch 14.13. He brings an extraordinary amount of burst damage and is a resetting hyper-carry. He is very mobile and is just extremely fun to play.

However, he is relatively squishy for a diving champion and needs damage to be able to reset, as his E resets based on kills.

For build order, start with Gustwalker's Hatchling, go into Youmuu's Ghostblade, Ionian Boots of Lucidity and Opportunity. Then, get Serylda's Grudge and Edge of Night. Then, finish up with Maw of Malmortius.

For Runes, take Inspiration into First Strike, Magical Footwear, Triple Tonic, and Cosmic Insight.

For Secondary Runes, take Domination into Sudden Impact, Treasure Hunter, Adaptive Force for both Flex and Offense and Health (based on level)

Shyvana

Shyvana brings tons of damage and farms the jungle very quickly. She is easy to play and does excellent in teamfights. However, she can be kited, and she relies on her ultimate ability as she is much stronger in her dragon form.

For build order, start with Scorchclaw pup into Spear of Shojin, Sorcerer's Shoes, and Liandry's Torment. Next, get Riftmaker and Rabadon's, and then finish up with Zhonya's.

For Runes, take Precision into Fleet Footwork, Triumph, Haste and Cut Down.

For Secondary Runes, take Inspiration into Cash Back, Jack of All Trades, Attack Speed, Adaptive Force, and Health (based on level)

ADC

The role of ADC has seen some changes. However, the best champions remain relatively similar.

Jhin

Jhin is still as strong in patch 14.13. He has a good amount of Crowd Control (CC) and a massive damage output. His passive can deal enormous damage, which also gives him movement speed whenever he lands a critical hit.

However, he can struggle against tankier opposition, and his reloading mechanism can leave him vulnerable for a short period. On the flip side, his ultimate can help him execute champions who have managed to slip his grasp.

It channels a large cone shape where Jhin can fire up to four shots, which stop at the first enemy hit, with the last one always being a crit.

For build order, start with Doran's Blade and a Health Potion, going into The Collector as your first item, then into Boots of Swiftness and Infinity Edge.

Then you can choose to build into Lord Dominik's Regards or Rapid Firecannon, then finish up with Bloodthirster or Edge of Night.

Lord Dominik's would be a stellar choice against tanky opponents, thanks to the 40% Armor Penetration, and it works excellently on Jhin for the added 25% Critical Strike Chance!

For Runes, take Precision into Fleet Footwork, Presence of Mind, Bloodline, and Cut Down.

For secondary runes, take Sorcery into Celerity, Gathering Storm, Adaptive Force for both flex and offense and Health (based on level)

Jinx

Jinx remains a force to be reckoned with as an ADC in Patch 14.13. Her high win rates are a testament to her strength and adaptability in the current meta. Bringing a decent amount of CC and massive AoE (Area of Effect) damage into teamfights, she is extremely strong in the mid to late game.

Her Q can transform her minigun into a rocket launcher. This deals increased damage and AoE at the expense of attack speed. The AoE damage makes her crucial in teamfights and extremely good at taking out single opponents when paired up with the slow of her W and the stacking attack speed from her minigun.

Her ultimate ability is a global skill shot, which can deal large amounts of damage the lower the HP of the enemy hit. It explodes on the first enemy hit, dealing AoE damage.

For her build order, you want to start with Berserker's Greaves and move into Kraken Slayer and Phantom Dancer. This build gives her even more attack speed as well as movement speed.

After this, similarly to Jhin, she can choose to build into either Infinity Edge or Lord Dominik's Regard, both being excellent third-item options. Next, go for Bloodthirster. Additionally, you can finish up your build with a Zephyr.

For Runes, take Fleet Footwork into Presence of Mind, Bloodline, and Cut Down.

For secondary runes, take Sorcery into Absolute Focus, Gathering Storm, Attack Speed, Adaptive Force, and Health (based on level)

Kai'sa

Kai'sa is another ADC that's still strong in 14.13. She scales very well and can peel for herself. She has excellent sustained damage and incredible burst damage. However, she is very squishy, especially if her abilities are on cooldown, and she is mana-hungry, especially in the early game.

For build order, start with Doran's Blade and a Health Potion. Build into Statikk Shiv, Berserker's Greaves, and Guinsoo's Rageblade. Then, get Nashor's Tooth and Zhonya's, and finish up with a Rabadon's.

For Runes, take Precision into Press the Attack, Absorb Life, Alacrity, and Cut Down.

For secondary runes, take Inspiration into Magical Footwear, Biscuit Delivery, Attack Speed, Adaptive Force, and Health.

Support

Support has been relatively uneventful this patch, with no direct changes to any support champions.

Braum

Braum brings a ton of CC, with AoE knock-ups and a large amount of stuns. He also has very good disengage and can peel for his carries exceptionally well. However, Braum lacks engage and can be poked down. He also needs to have a good team to be able to support efficiently.

For build order, start with World Atlas and two Health Potions, and build into Solstice Sleigh, Plated Steelcaps Warmog's Armor. Next, get Locket of the Iron Solari and Knight's Vow, finishing up with either Thornmail or Frozen Heart.

For Runes, take Resolve into Guardian, Font of Life, Bone Plating, and Unflinching.

For secondary runes, take Precision into Triumph, Haste, Attack Speed, and Health (based on level) for both Flex and Defense.

Leona

Leona brings loads of lockdown and does excellent in teamfights. She also protects her carries exceptionally well and is a very strong roamer. However, she relies on her team to follow up after engaging, and she is an all-in champion, meaning she has little disengagement.

For build order, start with World Atlas and two Health Potions. Then, it will build into Celestial Opposition, Plated Steelcaps, and Warmog's Armor. Next, get Locket of the Iron Solari and Knight's Vow, finishing up with Thornmail.

For Runes, take Resolve into Aftershock, Font of Life, Bone Plating, and Overgrowth.

For secondary runes, take Inspiration into Hextech Flashtraption, Cosmic Insight, Ability Haste, Move Speed, and Health.

Nami

Nami is an incredibly strong laner, bringing great sustain and both engage and disengage. She can also speed up her entire team. However, she is reasonably squishy, especially if CC'd, and she relies on hitting her Q to be effective.

For her build order, take Sorcery into Summon Aery, Manaflow Band, Transcendence, and Scorch.

For secondary runes, take Inspiration into Magical Footwear, Cosmic Insight, Adaptive Force for both Flex and Offense and Health (based on level)

 

In conclusion, patch 14.13 brings exciting changes and opportunities for climbing the ranked ladder. With the top champions highlighted for both the top lane and mid lane, players have a diverse array of options to consider for their ranked journey.

Whether it's Sett and Volibear dominating the top lane or Vex and Naafiri bringing their unique strengths to the mid lane, players have the chance to elevate their gameplay and achieve their ranked goals strategically. Remember to adapt your playstyle and builds based on the specific matchups and team compositions you encounter. Best of luck on the ranked grind in Patch 14.13!

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Credit: Adi

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