Top Supports LoL: Best Champions for Patch Domination

For the bigger picture and full context, make sure you read our main guide on Support Tier List: Best League of Legends Champions Now.
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Struggling to climb as a support main? Finding that your usual picks just aren't cutting it anymore? Staying ahead in League requires understanding who the top supports LoL are right now and adapting your strategy accordingly. This guide dives deep into the current meta's strongest support champions, giving you the edge needed to carry your team to victory.
At a glance:

• Discover the Z-Tier support champions dominating the current patch.
• Learn why certain enchanters and playmaking supports thrive in the current meta.
• Understand how to counter popular support picks and exploit their weaknesses.
• Explore off-meta support options and when they can be surprisingly effective.
• Get practical tips for climbing the ranked ladder as a support player.

The Z-Tier: The Untouchable Top Supports

These are the champions that consistently deliver wins, boasting high pick rates and impressive win rates. Mastering one or two of these can dramatically impact your climb.

• Lulu: The quintessential hyper-carry enabler. Lulu excels at keeping carries like Jinx, Zeri, and Twitch alive and dealing massive damage. Her Polymorph is a game-changer in team fights, and her ultimate, Wild Growth, provides invaluable health and crowd control.
• Pyke: The aggressive playmaker. Pyke thrives on roaming, securing picks, and snowballing a lead. His stealth, mobility, and ultimate, Death From Below, make him a constant threat to the enemy team. However, he is item-dependent and vulnerable if behind.
• Thresh: The versatile utility master. Thresh offers a blend of engage, peel, and utility, making him a valuable asset in any team composition. His Death Sentence (hook) can initiate fights, his Dark Passage (lantern) can save allies, and his Flay can disrupt enemy movements.
  These champions are powerhouses for a reason. Their kits provide unmatched utility and impact. But mastering them requires understanding their strengths and weaknesses, and adapting your playstyle to the specific game.

Why These Champions Reign Supreme: Meta Analysis

The current meta favors hyper-carries and aggressive playmaking, which directly benefits the Z-Tier supports. Let's break down why:

• Hyper-carry reliance: Champions like Jinx, Zeri, and Twitch require strong protection and enabling to reach their full potential. Lulu perfectly fulfills this role.
• Snowball potential: Pyke thrives in a meta where early leads can easily translate into game-winning advantages. His ability to roam and secure kills allows him to quickly snowball and carry his team.
• Versatility and adaptability: Thresh's flexible kit allows him to adapt to a variety of situations and team compositions. He can engage, peel, and provide utility, making him a consistently strong pick.
  To climb effectively, consider these meta trends and how they influence champion selection. A pocket pick that synergizes with the current dominant strategies can be a game-changer.

Countering the Meta: Exploiting Z-Tier Weaknesses

Even the best champions have weaknesses. Understanding how to exploit these vulnerabilities is crucial for outplaying your opponents.

• Lulu: While strong in protecting carries, Lulu is vulnerable to assassins and dive compositions. Champions like Pyke or engage tanks like Alistar can quickly shut her down.
• Pyke: Pyke is item-dependent and struggles against teams with heavy crowd control. Drafting champions with hard CC like Leona or Nautilus can effectively shut him down. Also items with shield (Karma) will cunter him.
• Thresh: Thresh's hook can be dodged, and his effectiveness is highly dependent on skill. He also struggles against hyper-mobile champions like Ezreal or Lucian.
  Case Snippet: In a recent Challenger game, a Lulu player was consistently shut down by a well-coordinated dive composition featuring a fed Irelia and Vi. The team prioritized eliminating Lulu in team fights, effectively negating her ability to protect her carry.

Top Tier Off-Meta Support Picks

Beyond the standard "support" champions, certain off-meta picks can thrive in the right circumstances. While not always ideal, these surprise picks can catch opponents off guard.

• Tahm Kench: Offers unparalleled protection for carries and can turn the tides of battle with his Devour ability. Best against dive comps and hyper-aggressive lanes.
• Shaco: A disruptive and unpredictable support that can create chaos in the enemy backline. Requires a coordinated team and a strong understanding of Shaco's mechanics.
• Zilean: Provides excellent utility with his Time Bomb and Chronoshift. Synergizes well with hyper-carries and provides valuable speed boosts and revives.
• Brand: High damage output and zoning potential can punish passive lanes. Can be easily shut down by engage supports but excels against enchanters.
• Neeko: Disguise and deceptive playstyle can create unexpected opportunities for engages and ganks. Requires a strong understanding of Neeko's mechanics and the ability to outplay opponents.
• Taric: Provides consistent healing and invulnerability with his ultimate, Cosmic Radiance. Excellent against burst damage compositions and provides valuable protection for allies.
  These picks require a deep understanding of their strengths and weaknesses, and a willingness to adapt your playstyle to the specific matchup.
  You can See the Support Tier List for a complete overview of champion rankings and detailed insights into each pick.

Climbing the Ladder: Practical Tips for Support Mains

Climbing as a support main requires more than just picking the right champion. Here are some practical tips to improve your gameplay and climb the ranked ladder:

1. Master vision control: Vision wins games. Prioritize warding key objectives and choke points to provide valuable information for your team.
2. Roam effectively: Coordinate with your jungler and mid laner to create pressure on the map and secure objectives.
3. Communicate effectively: Use pings and chat to communicate with your team and coordinate strategies.
4. Adapt your build: Don't blindly follow cookie-cutter builds. Adapt your itemization to the specific matchup and your team's needs.
5. Track enemy cooldowns: Knowing when your opponents have used their key abilities can give you a significant advantage in fights.
6. Understand wave management: Manipulating minion waves can create favorable situations for your ADC and allow you to roam more effectively.
   Example: If you're playing against a Pyke, knowing when he's used his Shadow Dive (W) can allow you to safely engage or reposition without fear of being caught off guard. This small advantage can make a huge difference in the outcome of a fight.

A Quick Start Guide To Climbing

Here is a table you can use to quickly decide what champion you want to pick.

Quick Answers: Common Questions About Top Supports

Here are some frequently asked questions and concise answers.
Q: Is it always best to pick a Z-Tier support?
A: Not always. Champion select needs context. Z-Tier champions are strong overall, but their effectiveness depends on team composition, matchup, and player skill. Look for synergy and counter-picks to refine your choices.
Q: How important is communication as a support?
A: Communication is critical. As a support, you're often the team's eyes and ears. Clear communication about ward placements, cooldowns, and enemy movements can significantly improve your team's coordination and decision-making.
Q: What if my ADC is autofilled and struggling?
A: Focus on enabling them as much as possible, but don't be afraid to roam and support other lanes. Sometimes, the best way to carry is to help other teammates get ahead.
Q: Should I always build support items, even on off-meta picks?
A: Generally, yes. Support items provide essential utility and vision control. However, certain off-meta builds may prioritize damage or tankiness depending on the champion and game state. Adjust, but never skip vision entirely.

Climb With These Supports

Dominating the support role requires more than just knowing which champions are strong. It demands understanding the meta, exploiting weaknesses, and adapting your playstyle to the specific game. By mastering the Z-Tier supports, exploring off-meta options, and honing your gameplay, you can climb the ranked ladder and become a force to be reckoned with.