Updated for Patch 26.17
Patch 26.17 has shifted the solo queue meta once again, with some champions emerging as especially strong picks across every role. Whether you’re climbing in Top, Jungle, Mid, ADC, or Support, knowing which champions are performing well can help you decide what to play — or what to prepare to face.
In this tier list, we’ll break down some of the best champions for each role in League of Legends Patch 26.17, along with a quick look at why they’re strong in the current meta.
Best Top Lane Champions in Patch 26.17
Top lane continues to reward champions who can survive difficult matchups while still becoming major threats later in the game. For Patch 26.17, these are some of the strongest picks to consider:
S Tier:
- Aatrox
- Jax
- Riven
- Sett
A Tier:
- Darius
- Fiora
- Gwen
- Camille
- Ornn
Jungzy Pick: Aatrox
Aatrox is an excellent all-around top lane choice thanks to his strong trading, sustain, and ability to take over teamfights. He can pressure opponents in lane while still providing plenty of value once fights start breaking out around objectives.
Quick Tip
Don’t feel like you need to constantly chase whichever champion has the highest win rate. A champion you understand well will usually be a better climbing choice than an unfamiliar champion that happens to sit near the top of a tier list.
Best Jungle Champions in Patch 26.17
Jungle remains one of the most influential roles in solo queue. Champions that can clear efficiently, create early pressure, and still contribute around objectives are especially valuable.
S Tier:
- Nocturne
- Jarvan IV
- Vi
- Viego
A Tier:
- Amumu
- Kha’Zix
- Diana
- Xin Zhao
- Kayn
Jungzy Pick: Nocturne
Nocturne is a great solo queue jungler because his ultimate gives him tremendous map pressure. Once he reaches level six, he can punish isolated enemies, turn fights in side lanes, and force opponents to play more cautiously whenever Paranoia is available.
Quick Tip
Don’t judge your jungle performance only by kills. Keeping up your farm, securing objectives, tracking the opposing jungler, and creating pressure for your lanes can have just as much impact on winning the game.
Best Mid Lane Champions in Patch 26.17
Mid lane offers a huge variety of playstyles, but champions with reliable damage, strong roaming potential, and the ability to influence fights around objectives are particularly valuable in solo queue.
S Tier:
- Ahri
- Syndra
- Vex
- Anivia
A Tier:
- Viktor
- Orianna
- Akali
- Katarina
- Veigar
Jungzy Pick: Ahri
Ahri remains a strong mid lane choice because of her combination of mobility, pick potential, and safety. Charm can create opportunities for your team, while Spirit Rush gives Ahri the mobility to chase down targets or escape dangerous situations.
Quick Tip
Mid lane isn’t only about winning your 1v1 matchup. Look for opportunities to push your wave and move toward river fights, objectives, or side lanes. Being the first mid laner to a fight can often matter more than a small CS advantage.
Best ADC Champions in Patch 26.17
ADC remains heavily dependent on positioning and item scaling, but the strongest picks can consistently turn gold advantages into huge teamfight damage. Champions with reliable damage, strong scaling, or good self-protection are particularly valuable.
S Tier:
- Jinx
- Kai’Sa
- Miss Fortune
- Ashe
A Tier:
- Caitlyn
- Ezreal
- Lucian
- Xayah
- Jhin
Jungzy Pick: Jinx
Jinx is an excellent ADC for players who want strong late-game carry potential. Her range and area damage make her dangerous in teamfights, and once she activates Get Excited! after a takedown, she can quickly turn one kill into an entire winning fight.
Quick Tip
Your first priority in a teamfight is staying alive. Don’t walk through the enemy frontline trying to reach a vulnerable carry. Deal damage to the safest available target and reposition as the fight develops.
Best Support Champions in Patch 26.17
Support can have an enormous impact on solo queue through vision control, roaming, engage, and protecting carries. Strong support picks can influence the map without needing large amounts of gold.
S Tier:
- Nautilus
- Thresh
- Rakan
- Nami
A Tier:
- Leona
- Lulu
- Braum
- Milio
- Morgana
Jungzy Pick: Thresh
Thresh brings a little bit of everything to the support role. His hook can start fights and punish positioning mistakes, while Dark Passage gives him an excellent way to save teammates. A good Thresh can create opportunities throughout the entire game without needing to be the team’s primary damage dealer.
Quick Tip
Don’t spend the entire game standing next to your ADC. Once it’s safe to leave lane, look for opportunities to establish vision, help your jungler, roam toward mid, or arrive early to upcoming objectives.
Final Thoughts on the Patch 26.17 Meta
Patch 26.17 gives players plenty of strong options across all five roles, but a tier list should be treated as a starting point rather than a rulebook. Champion mastery, matchup knowledge, and comfort with your pick still matter enormously when climbing.
If you’re looking for a new champion to add to your pool, start with one or two of the S or A Tier picks for your role and spend some time learning their matchups, builds, and power spikes.
We’ll continue updating Jungzy with champion guides, builds, and meta coverage as League of Legends changes throughout the season.
Which champion are you playing in Patch 26.17?