League of Legends Patch 26.04 came out on Thursday (February 19), delivering a large wave of changes of numerous champions to throw the early 2026 ranked meta for a loop. Several consistent Solo Queue staples continue to rise to the top thanks to their reliability, scaling, and straightforward win conditions, while other options step away from the spotlight after nerfs.

If you’re looking to gain LP efficiently, here are the best champions to climb ranked in LoL Patch 26.04.

Top Lane

Sett

With superb laning and the ability to disrupt teamfights, Sett remains one of the best Top Lane champions in the game. A well-timed [W] Haymaker will swing fights in his favor, while [R] The Show Stopper lets him reliably access enemy carries and create chaos in fights.

Ornn

Simply put, Ornn is one of the safest Top Lane picks in Patch 26.04 due to his scaling, durability, and team utility. Even from behind, his item upgrades and [R] Call of the Forge God ensure consistent impact in mid and late-game fights.

Singed

With a whopping 53.27% win rate, Singed continues to thrive in Solo Queue. His proxy pressure, roaming potential, and ability to disrupt fights with [W] Mega Adhesive and [E] Fling make him extremely hard to deal with in uncoordinated games.

While his playstyle may take some getting used to, learning Singed may be well worth the effort in the end.

Jungle

Ekko

When it comes to carry Junglers, Ekko is one of the strongest options in Patch 26.04 thanks to his mobility and high burst damage with the new Dusk and Dawn item. His reset potential with [R] Chronobreak, moreover, allows him to take aggressive fights while remaining relatively safe.

Briar

If you are able to secure an early lead, Briar is one of the best snowball Junglers in the game. Her dueling power, sustain, and ability to force skirmishes make her especially effective in chaotic Solo Queue environments.

Dr. Mundo

With an incredible 53.10% win rate, Dr. Mundo excels as a low-risk jungler. His sustain, fast clears, and tankiness allow him to scale reliably while acting as a durable frontline in later fights. And his damage cannot be underestimated, either.

Mid Lane

Veigar

Veigar continues to be a top climbing pick due to his infinite scaling and strong late-game burst. Safe farming and stacking allow him to eventually one-shot key targets with [R] Primordial Burst, all while his [E] Event Horizon serves as a temendous space-making tool in teamfights.

Diana

Like Ekko, Diana makes great use of the new Dusk and Dawn item. Diana thrives in mid-game skirmishes with her burst damage and engage potential. A well-timed [R] Moonfall, moreover, can be a single-handedly change the course of a teamfight.

Malzahar

With a 52.27% win rate, Malzahar is one of the most consistent Mid Laners in Patch 26.04. His wave control, spell shield, and point-and-click lockdown with [R] Nether Grasp make him extremely reliable in Solo Queue.

Bottom Lane

Jinx

Despite receiving a small nerf in Patch 26.04, Jinx remains one of the best hyper-carry picks in League of Legends thanks to her scaling and reset potential. Once she gets excited in teamfights, she can quickly take over games and secure objectives with ease. 

This, plus her simple and straightforward kit, make her one of the most picked ADC champions in the game with a 16% pick rate in Patch 26.04.

Smolder

Currently, scaling champions tend to outshine early-game champions, and Smolder is the king of scaling. His stacking mechanic and safe damage output make him a dependable ADC for steady ranked climbing.

Miss Fortune

Miss Fortune's strengths lie in her strong laning phase and her even better teamfighting. A well-placed [R] Bullet Time can instantly decide fights, making her a simple but highly effective Solo Queue pick in LoL Patch 26.04.

Support

Leona

If engage Support picks are your cup of tea, then look no futher than Leona. Her reliable crowd control and early aggression with [E] Zenith Blade and [Q] Shield of Daybreak help create early leads and snowball lanes more effectively than anyone. Pair up with a strong early-game ADC and start taking over games.

Zyra

As a slightly more unorthodox Support pick, Zyra excels as a pseudo-carry pick. Her plants provide consistent poke while the zone control of her [R] Stranglethorns is invaluable in teamfights.

Nami

With a 51.79% win rate, Nami remains a flexible and dependable enchanter. Her healing, buffs, and [R] Tidal Wave offer both engage and peel, making her a strong all-around Support for climbing ranked in LoL Patch 26.04.

Time to Rank Up!

League of Legends Patch 26.04 rewards champions with reliable kits, strong scaling, and consistent teamfight impact. Whether you prefer frontline tanks, scaling carries, or high-damage playmakers, mastering these picks can give you a clear edge in Solo Queue and help you climb the ranked ladder more efficiently.

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Featured image credit: Riot Games

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