Best Champions to Climb League of Legends Ranked in Patch 25.18

Climbing the League of Legends ranked ladder is never easy, and with every patch the meta shifts in ways that can make or break your journey. Patch 25.18 has shaken things up once again, bringing a wave of buffs, nerfs, and balance tweaks that readjust which champions thrive on the Rift. No matter what your end goal may be, picking the right champions can give you the edge you need.

In order to make the best possible choice, here's a look at the best champions to climb LoL ranked in Patch 25.18.

Best Top Lane Champions

Singed

Ever since Singed's [Q] Poison Trail received substantial buffs, the champion has been on a rampage. His playstyle may take some getting used to, but it is worth the trouble.

Currently the highest win rate Top Laner in the game (52.69%), Singed is without a doubt one of the best champions to climb ranked in League of Legends.

Sett

A very strong laner and a disruptive teamfighter thanks to his [R] The Show Stopper, Sett remains one of the strongest Top Lane champions in the game.

With a simple playstyle and a kit that is easy to pick up, the champion has grown into a fan favorite. This explains why Sett is currently the most picked Top Laner (9.3% pick rate) in Solo Queue in Patch 25.18.

Garen

Garen's signature ability, his [E] Judgment, got buffed in the latest patch. This has caused the champion's pick rate and win rate to burst in ranked.

Already an oppressive laner, now that Garen's scaling has improved he has turned into a bigger menace through every stage of the game. Make sure to max your [E] Judgment to have maximum pushing power, letting you put the pressure on your opposing Top Laner with ease.

Best Jungle Champions

Amumu

Patch 25.18 brought buffs to Amumu's [Q] Bandage Toss, lowering its cooldown while also reducing its mana cost. Now, the champion stands as one of the strongest Junglers in League of Legends.

With reliable engage, tons of crowd control, and a sturdy health bar, Amumu provides everything you need to be the difference maker in your ranked games.

Volibear

Volibear offers great ganks and strong dueling from very early on. Later on, his [R] Stormbringer gives him mobility and backline access, making him a terror to deal with.

Thanks to a simple kit that is easy to make the most of, Volibear continues to be one of the best champions in League of Legends when it comes to climbing the ranked ladder.

Briar

Briar saw a few tweaks in Patch 25.18, but nothing large enough to see her dethroned as the Jungler with the highest win rate in Solo Queue (53.15%).

Ever since the Blade of the Ruined King buffs a few patches ago, Briar has been out of control, and she does not look to be slowing down any time soon.

Best Mid Lane Champions

Vel'Koz

After receiving several buffs in Patch 25.18, Vel'Koz has soared in the Mid Lane. With good poke, self-peel, and ludicrous amounts of true damage late into the game, Vel'Koz offers a little bit of everything.

Just make sure to practice your skillshot aiming, and you'll be good to go!

Malzahar

Patch after patch, Malzahar remains one of the best champions to climb League of Legends ranked. His pushing power is off the charts in the Mid Lane, all while remaining relatively safe thanks to his [P] Void Shift.

The real reason Malzahar is such a prized pick in Solo Queue, though, is his ability to shut down an enemy carry on the spot with his [R] Nether Grasp.

Morgana

Few champions in League of Legends have risen in recent patches like Morgana has. Despite not being traditionally thought of as a Mid Laner, Morgana's win rate in Mid is at a sky-high 53.49% after receiving buffs to her [W] Tormented Shadow.

Morgana excels at shutting down enemy plays with her [E] Black Shield, while simultaneously offering fantastic playmaking and catch potential thanks to her [Q] Dark Binding and [R] Soul Shackles.

Best Bottom Lane Champions

Nilah

Nilah has been a top pick in Solo Queue all year long, and Patch 25.18 is no different. Currently the champion with the highest win rate in the Bottom Lane (52.90%), Nilah shines in ranked thanks to her strong laning and the ability to turn a teamfight on the spot with a well-timed [R] Apotheosis.

Smolder

A great alternative for players who would rather farm well and bide their time, Smolder has one of the most oppressive late games in the game. Just remember to maximize your [P] Dragon Practice stacking while landing as much poke as you can in the laning phase.

Vayne

Though the champion itself hasn't received any meaningful changes, Vayne has been one of the biggest beneficiaries from the recent Blade of the Ruined King buffs.

Make no mistake, Vayne can be a tough ADC to pilot. If you feel confident in your own skills, though, Vayne's immeasurable outplay potential makes her one of the best champions to climb ranked in League of Legends, as well as one of the most fun.

Best Support Champions

Milio

Milio's ability to empower his allies and keep them safe makes him one of the best Support picks in Solo Queue. Use your [W] Cozy Campfire and [E] Warm Hugs to give your carries the freedom to take over games, all while keeping them safe with your [R] Breath of Life.

Taric

If you like queuing up with a friend, then Taric may be the pick for you, as a well-timed [W] Bastion + [E] Dazzle combo will allow you and your partner to fish for easy kills early on.

Later on, Taric's [R] Cosmic Radiance is simply one of the best ultimates in the game, and one which all of your teammates will be thankful for.

Zyra

After recent buffs, Zyra continues to be one of the best carry Supports in League of Legends. Her oppressive laning phase and catch potential serve to explain Zyra's 52.15% win rate. If you find your team is lacking some DPS, then Zyra is the perfect choice to load your team with another weapon.

Adapting Your Game

Climbing the ranked ladder in League of Legends is all about adapting to the patch and making the most of the strongest champions available. Patch 25.18 has seen new picks rise in power, giving players plenty of tools to dominate their games.

Whether you prefer bruisers in the Top Lane, utility-heavy Supports, or hard-scaling carries in the Bottom Lane, there’s a champion for every playstyle ready to help you secure that next rank. So lock in your pick, play to your strengths, and take full advantage of the meta while it lasts.

Follow Strafe Esports for all the latest League news and our X account for the latest content and coverage. Also, stay tuned to Strafe YouTube for exclusive interviews, press conferences, and more.

Featured image credit: Riot Games

---

Read More: 

Worlds Meta Takes Shape! Winners and Losers of League of Legends Patch 25.18

Breaking Down the Most Picked Champions of the LTA North Split 3

Final LTA North Split of 2025 Plummets in Viewership Compared to the LCS