Figuring out who the absolute best support lol player is right now is a constant debate, heavily influenced by recent performance, team synergy, and evolving metas. While opinions differ, we can analyze achievements, playstyles, and impact to identify the top contenders. This isn't about declaring a single winner, but more about spotlighting exceptional talent.
At a glance:
- We'll break down the characteristics that define a great support player in professional League of Legends.
- We'll explore a few of the top support players and their specialties.
- You'll learn how to evaluate support players based on key skills and stats.
- You'll understand why "best" is subjective and depends on team needs and meta trends.
What Makes a Support Player Truly Exceptional?
It's more than just warding. The modern support role demands a complex skillset, including:
- Vision Control: Placing and denying wards to control the map and provide crucial information. This is the foundation of any good support.
- Lane Dominance: Understanding matchups, trading effectively, and creating opportunities for the ADC to farm and gain an advantage.
- Roaming and Playmaking: Identifying opportunities to impact other lanes and secure objectives. Early roams can snowball advantages.
- Teamfighting Prowess: Protecting carries, disrupting enemies, and controlling the flow of battle. Positioning is key.
- Champion Mastery: A deep understanding of a variety of support champions, including tanks, enchanters, and playmakers.
- Communication and Leadership: Shotcalling and coordinating with teammates. Supports often act as the team's eyes and ears.
Top Contenders: A Look at Some Elite Support Players and Their Strengths
Let's dive into a few support players frequently discussed as being among the elite.
- Meiko (Tian Ye): A veteran support known for consistency and a vast champion pool. Meiko is a titan among supports, with over 400 wins. For example, his performance on tank supports like Braum has consistently secured victories for EDward Gaming. He was the first LPL player to reach 5000 career assists.
- CoreJJ (Jo Yong-in): Having transitioned from ADC, CoreJJ brings a unique perspective to the support role. His champion mastery and adaptability led him to a World Championship win. This transition shows his deep understanding of the game from both the carry and support perspectives. He is one of the most consistent supports in the LCS.
- Keria (Ryu Min-seok): A rising star known for aggressive playmaking and innovative builds. Keria is often praised for his mechanical skills and ability to carry games from the support position. Keep an eye on this player—he's one to watch.
- Mikyx (Mihael Mehle): A consistent European support player known for his ability to play both enchanters and playmaking supports at a high level. Mikyx's versatility makes him a valuable asset to any team.
These players, and others like them, consistently demonstrate the skills and qualities of a top-tier support. To understand the context for these players' success, consider exploring champion selection and meta adaptation in this Top LoL Champions Guide.
Evaluating Support Talent: What Stats Truly Matter?
Win rate alone isn't enough. Here's how to dig deeper:
- KDA (Kill/Death/Assist Ratio): A basic indicator of performance, but can be misleading. A high KDA on a scaling enchanter might be less impactful than a lower KDA on a playmaking tank.
- Vision Score: A measure of ward placement and destruction. A high vision score indicates strong map control.
- Kill Participation: The percentage of team kills a player participates in. High kill participation suggests active involvement in playmaking.
- Gold Share: The percentage of team gold a player earns. Supports typically have a low gold share, but a slightly higher share on roaming playmakers can indicate successful ganking.
- Damage Share: The percentage of team damage a player deals. Supports generally deal low damage, but certain mage supports can contribute significantly.
Example: A Thresh player with a lower KDA but a high vision score and kill participation might be more valuable than a Sona player with a high KDA but low kill participation.
The Subjectivity of "Best": Team Synergy and Meta Shifts
The "best" support player isn't a fixed title. It depends on:
- Team Composition: A team with aggressive carries might benefit from a playmaking support, while a team with scaling carries might prefer an enchanter.
- Meta Trends: Shifting metas can favor different support styles. A burst mage meta might elevate supports like Lux or Zyra, while a tank meta might favor Alistar or Leona.
- Synergy with ADC: The best support player is the one who synergizes best with their ADC partner. Communication and understanding are crucial.
Scenario: A team known for its strong early game might prioritize a support like Leona, who excels at engaging and creating early leads. However, the same team might switch to a support like Janna in a meta that favors protecting scaling carries.
Practical Playbook: How to Improve Your Support Game
Whether you aspire to be the best support lol player or climb a few ranks, here are some actionable steps:
- Master a Diverse Champion Pool: Focus on at least one champion from each support archetype (tank, enchanter, mage, playmaker).
- Tank Example: Alistar - Excellent engage and peel.
- Enchanter Example: Lulu - Strong shielding and buffs.
- Mage Example: Zyra - High damage and zone control.
- Playmaker Example: Thresh - Hook-based engages and utility.
- Perfect Your Vision Control:
- Start with Warding Basics: Understand ward ranges and optimal placement for early lane control (river bush, tribush).
- Track the Enemy Jungler: Place deep wards in the enemy jungle to anticipate ganks and track their movements.
- Control Objective Vision: Secure vision around Dragon and Baron before they spawn.
- Use Control Wards Effectively: Deny enemy vision and control key areas.
- Adapt to Game State: Adjust ward placement based on whether you are ahead or behind.
- Communicate Effectively with Your ADC: Discuss lane strategy, trading patterns, and roaming opportunities.
- Practice Roaming and Playmaking: Identify opportunities to impact other lanes and secure objectives.
- Review Your Replays: Analyze your mistakes and identify areas for improvement.
Quick Answers: Common Questions About Support Play
Q: What's more important, protecting my ADC or roaming?
A: It depends on the game state and your ADC's playstyle. If your ADC is scaling and needs protection, focus on peel. If your ADC can handle themselves or the enemy lane is passive, look for roaming opportunities.
Q: How do I deal with a toxic ADC?
A: Mute them if necessary and focus on your own gameplay. Don't let their negativity affect your decision-making. Try to support the rest of your team.
Q: What's the best support starting item?
A: It depends on your champion and playstyle. Spellthief's Edge is good for aggressive mage supports, while Relic Shield is better for tank supports.
Q: How do I know when to engage?
A: Look for opportunities when the enemy ADC is out of position, when you have a numbers advantage, or when your team is ready to follow up.
Q: Is support a good role for climbing ranked?
A: Absolutely! A good support can have a huge impact on the game, especially in lower elos where vision control and communication are often lacking.
Actionable Close
Determining the best support lol player is more about appreciating diverse talents and adapting strategies than crowning a single victor. Focus on mastering core support skills, understanding meta trends, and synergizing with your team. Improve your own game by expanding your champion pool, refining your vision control, and actively communicating with your team.