What's up, fellow Summoners? It's that time again – patch 12.21 is here, and you know what that means! It's time to dive deep into the Rift and figure out which champions are absolutely crushing it right now. We've been grinding, we've been analyzing, and we've compiled the ultimate League of Legends tier list for patch 12.21 to help you climb those ranked ladders and secure those sweet, sweet victories. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, understanding the meta is key, and this tier list is your golden ticket to playing the strongest picks. So, grab your favorite snack, settle in, and let's break down who's S-tier, who's chilling in A-tier, and who might need a bit more love.

S-Tier: The Absolute Powerhouses

The S-tier is where the cream of the crop resides, the champions that are defining the meta in patch 12.21. These guys are consistently performing at an extremely high level, boasting impressive win rates and pick rates across various skill levels. If you see one of these bad boys in champion select, you're probably going to have a good time, assuming you know how to pilot them, of course. These champions often have a combination of strong laning, game-changing ultimates, or incredible scaling potential that makes them a menace to deal with. Mastering just one of these S-tier champions can seriously boost your win rate and help you dominate your games. They are the ones you'll see frequently banned because, frankly, they can be incredibly frustrating to play against when piloted by a skilled player. Think about their kit synergies, their itemization paths, and how they interact with the current jungle pathing and objective control. The meta shifts, but these champions are currently at the peak of their power, offering a reliable and potent way to secure victory. Their kits are so well-rounded that they can adapt to various team compositions and playstyles, making them universally strong. When you're drafting, prioritizing these picks can put your team at a significant advantage from the get-go. It's not just about raw power; it's about their efficiency and impact across the entire game, from the early skirmishes to the late-game teamfights. They often have fewer hard counters, or their skill ceiling is so high that a good player can overcome unfavorable matchups. Remember, though, that even S-tier champions require practice and a good understanding of the game. Don't just blindly pick them; learn their nuances, their power spikes, and how to play around their weaknesses. The meta is always evolving, and while these are the top dogs now, staying updated is crucial for long-term success.

Top Lane Titans

In the top lane, we're seeing a lot of bruisers and tanks excelling. Champions like Fiora are back in a big way. Her dueling potential is through the roof, and with the right build, she can split-push like a menace or dive the backline in teamfights. Remember that Riposte timing? It's crucial for shutting down key abilities. Gwen is another champion who's been absolutely shredding. Her sustained damage and mobility make her a terrifying opponent in extended fights. The key with Gwen is to utilize her Q and W effectively to maximize her damage output and survivability. On the tankier side, Ornn continues to be a rock. His ability to provide immense crowd control and upgrade his team's items makes him invaluable in almost any team composition. He's the kind of guy who makes everyone else on his team stronger, and that's a powerful asset. Don't underestimate his impact in the early game either; his trading patterns are surprisingly strong for a tank. The stability he brings to a team cannot be overstated. He sets up plays, absorbs damage, and provides crucial engage or disengage tools. His ultimate is a fantastic engage tool that can initiate fights or disrupt enemy formations. Building him correctly ensures he's a constant threat and an unkillable force. It's easy to overlook the tank role, but Ornn exemplifies how impactful a well-played tank can be. He’s not just a meat shield; he’s a strategic asset that dictates the flow of the game through his presence and utility. The sheer amount of control he offers makes him a top-tier pick for players who understand macro play and team coordination. His item upgrades are a significant bonus that can’t be ignored, especially in longer games where those extra stats make a huge difference. He’s the anchor that keeps your team steady against the storm. His lane phase can be surprisingly dominant if played correctly, allowing him to build advantages that snowball into the mid and late game. He provides utility and durability in spades, making him a fantastic choice for anyone looking to contribute to their team's success without necessarily needing to be the primary damage dealer. His ability to tank damage and provide crowd control makes him a constant threat to the enemy team. The ability to upgrade ally items is a unique and powerful mechanic that adds significant value.

Jungle Juggernauts

For the jungle, we're looking at champions who can impact multiple lanes and secure objectives. Graves is still a top pick, offering incredible clear speed and dueling power. His ability to weave in and out of fights with his smoke screen is unmatched. Kayn, in his Shadow Assassin form, is a nightmare for squishy carries. The sheer burst damage he provides can instantly delete anyone caught out of position. His mobility and untargetability make him incredibly hard to pin down. And let's not forget Vi. Her engage is reliable, her damage is consistent, and her ultimate is a guaranteed lockdown on a priority target. She’s perfect for locking down those pesky assassins or enabling your own carries. Vi’s straightforward kit makes her accessible, but her high impact means a skilled player can really shine. Her ability to dive the backline and isolate key targets is invaluable. The synergy between her Q charge, auto-attack resets, and her ultimate allows for devastating combos that can end fights before they even begin. She’s a fantastic pick for players who enjoy an aggressive playstyle and want to make a significant impact on the game from the early stages. Her jungle clear is efficient, allowing her to maintain pressure on the map and contest objectives effectively. The lockdown provided by her ultimate is a game-changer, ensuring that priority targets are dealt with swiftly and decisively. This makes her an excellent choice for players who want to carry their team to victory through proactive plays and strong ganks. Vi’s kit is designed for snowballing leads, and when she gets ahead, she can become an unstoppable force. Her resilience allows her to survive initial engages, making her a consistent threat throughout the game. She provides a reliable engage and follow-up damage, making her a versatile pick for various team compositions. Vi excels at punishing enemy mistakes and creating opportunities for her team. Her straightforward nature means less time spent learning complex mechanics and more time spent executing impactful plays. Her ability to disrupt enemy backlines and secure kills on key targets makes her a high-priority pick for many junglers. She's all about making plays and ensuring that the enemy carries have a very bad time. The raw power and lockdown potential she offers are hard to ignore, making her a consistent threat in the current meta.

Mid Lane Mayhem

Mid lane is all about controlling the tempo, and these champions do it exceptionally well. Ahri is a consistent threat, her charm can set up kills, and her ultimate provides excellent mobility for dodging skillshots and repositioning. Syndra continues to be a queen of burst damage. If she gets rolling, she can one-shot entire teams with her ultimate. The key is landing those stuns and managing her ball placement. And then there's Orianna. She's the definition of a safe, reliable pick. Her ball control is key, and her ultimate can swing teamfights entirely. Her utility and damage are always relevant, making her a fantastic choice for climbing. Orianna offers a unique blend of control, damage, and utility that few other champions can match. Her ability to poke in lane, wave clear efficiently, and provide game-changing ultimates makes her a staple in competitive play and a strong pick for solo queue. The strategic placement of her ball is paramount, allowing for zoning, shielding allies, and delivering devastating damage. Her passive enhances her auto-attacks, making her surprisingly potent in trades. In teamfights, her ultimate can completely turn the tide, catching multiple enemies and dealing massive damage, often setting up easy follow-up kills for her team. She's a champion that rewards good positioning and game sense. Even when behind, her utility remains high, providing shields and poke that can help her team survive or set up plays. Her consistent performance across different stages of the game makes her a reliable pick for climbing the ranks. The ability to control the flow of battle with her ball and ult provides a level of strategic depth that appeals to many players. She’s a champion that demands precision and thoughtful play, but the rewards are immense. Her safe laning phase allows her to farm up and reach her power spikes without much risk, making her a consistent threat. The strategic depth of her kit means that players who master her can consistently outplay opponents. Her ability to control space and dictate engagements is a crucial part of winning games. The versatility of her kit allows her to adapt to various team compositions and strategies. Orianna is a champion that embodies control and execution, making her a timeless pick.

Bot Lane Barrage

Bot lane is a delicate dance of damage and support, and these champions are leading the charge. Kai'Sa remains a top-tier ADC. Her ability to evolve her abilities and adapt her build makes her incredibly flexible. Her sustained damage and mobility are fantastic for taking down tanks and assassins alike. Jinx is the queen of late-game scaling. If you can keep her safe, she will absolutely melt teams in the late game with her rockets and minigun. Her ultimate can also be a great engage or pick tool. And for support, Nami is proving to be incredibly potent. Her healing, buffs, and crowd control make her an excellent enabler for her ADC, and her ultimate can initiate or disengage fights effectively. Nami’s kit is all about empowering her allies and disrupting her enemies. Her Ebb and Flow provides reliable healing and poke, while her Tidecaller’s Blessing can buff her allies’ damage and movement speed, making them a significant threat. Her Wavecaller ultimate is a potent engage tool that can catch multiple enemies off guard or be used defensively to peel for her carries. She offers a well-rounded support experience, capable of both offensive and defensive plays. Her synergy with many ADCs is excellent, making her a flexible pick in the bot lane. Nami excels at enabling her team to succeed by providing crucial buffs and sustain. Her bubble (Q) is a skillshot that can disrupt enemies and set up kills, adding to her control capabilities. Her passive, Surging Tides, grants movement speed to allies who move towards her, encouraging team cohesion and quick repositioning. She’s a support that rewards proactive play and good positioning, allowing her to maximize her impact on the game. Her healing and utility make her a strong choice for players who want to support their team effectively and secure wins through well-executed plays. The combination of her healing, buffs, and CC makes her a valuable asset in any team composition. She can enable aggressive plays or provide crucial sustain to keep her team in the fight. Nami's ability to provide both offensive and defensive support makes her a versatile and powerful pick for the support role. Her consistent performance and impactful abilities make her a go-to choice for many players looking to climb the ranked ladder.

Support Stability

As mentioned, Nami is stellar. But let's not forget Lulu. Her ability to shield, polymorph, and buff her allies makes her an indispensable part of many team compositions. She can make an ADC nearly unkillable or turn an engage champion into a terrifying threat. Thresh also continues to be a top-tier playmaker. His lantern provides unparalleled safety for his team, and his hook is a constant threat that can initiate fights or catch out opponents. His kit allows for aggressive plays and defensive maneuvers, making him a versatile and powerful support. Thresh offers a unique combination of engage, disengage, CC, and peel that makes him a highly sought-after support. His Death Sentence (hook) is one of the most iconic and impactful skillshots in the game, capable of initiating fights or catching out unsuspecting enemies. The Dark Passage (lantern) provides a crucial lifeline for allies, allowing them to escape danger or reposition safely. Flay (E) offers additional CC and can be used to disrupt enemy engages or peel for carries. The Box (R) provides a powerful zoning tool and can deter enemy advances. His kit rewards mechanical skill and good decision-making, allowing players to make game-changing plays. Thresh excels at creating opportunities for his team and punishing enemy mistakes. He can be played aggressively to secure kills or defensively to protect his carries. His versatility and high skill ceiling make him a constant threat in the hands of a skilled player. The ability to save allies with his lantern is invaluable, especially in a game where positioning is key. Thresh is a champion that requires a deep understanding of the game and his own kit to maximize his potential. He offers a high level of agency for a support player, allowing them to significantly influence the outcome of games. His pick potential and protective abilities make him a staple in many meta discussions. Thresh is known for his ability to turn the tide of a game with a single well-placed hook or an opportune lantern save. He's a champion that consistently proves his worth through his impactful abilities and playmaking potential. The sheer number of ways he can impact a fight, both offensively and defensively, makes him a top-tier support choice. His kit is designed to facilitate team coordination and create advantages. Thresh is a champion that embodies the art of support play, offering a robust toolkit for success.

A-Tier: Strong Contenders

The A-tier champions are just a step below the absolute best, but they are still incredibly powerful and viable picks for climbing. These champions might have a few more weaknesses or be slightly more situational than their S-tier counterparts, but they can absolutely carry games when played well. If you enjoy a particular champion in this tier, don't hesitate to pick them up – you can still achieve great success! They often require a bit more finesse or have specific team compositions they excel in, but their impact is undeniable. These are the champions that are very close to breaking into the S-tier and could easily become meta-defining with a few minor buffs or shifts in the meta. They are the backbone of many strong team compositions and provide a solid foundation for victory.

Top Lane Powerhouses

• Darius: Still a menace in lane, his execute potential is massive. Needs to snowball to be most effective.
• Garen: Simple but effective. His survivability and damage are surprisingly high, great for beginners and experienced players alike.
• Sett: Strong duelist with good engage. His Show Stopper ultimate can be game-changing in teamfights.

Jungle Threats

• Lee Sin: High skill, high reward. If you master him, he can dominate.
• Ekko: Great mobility and burst. Can snowball hard if he gets an early lead.
• Xin Zhao: Strong early game ganks and dive potential. Falls off a bit late game but remains a threat.

Mid Lane Mavericks

• Viktor: Excellent scaling and wave clear. Becomes a monster in the late game.
• Akali: High mobility and burst damage. Requires good positioning and execution.
• Yasuo: High skill ceiling, huge potential for outplays. Can be feast or famine.

Bot Lane Bombshells

• Caitlyn: Longest auto-attack range. Great for poke and sieging.
• Miss Fortune: Strong in lane and her ultimate can decimate teams.
• Aphelios: High damage potential, but complex to play effectively.

Support Standouts

• Leona: Excellent engage and crowd control. Pairs well with aggressive ADCs.
• Blitzcrank: Game-changing hooks. Can dictate lane priority.
• Karma: Good poke, shielding, and utility. Strong in poke compositions.

B-Tier: Solid Picks

B-tier champions are perfectly viable and can certainly win games, especially if you're skilled with them or they fit well into your team's strategy. They might not have the same raw power or consistent impact as the S and A-tier picks, but they are far from weak. Think of them as the reliable workhorses of League of Legends. They can be great choices if you're looking to learn a role or want a champion that isn't constantly banned.

• Top Lane: Tryndamere, Mordekaiser, Kayle
• Jungle: Warwick, Rammus, Sejuani
• Mid Lane: Annie, Veigar, Malzahar
• Bot Lane: Tristana, Sivir, Kog'Maw
• Support: Soraka, Janna, Morgana

C-Tier: Niche or Needs Help

These champions are generally considered weaker in the current meta or have very specific niche uses. They might require a perfect team composition, a significant skill advantage, or a favorable matchup to succeed. While it's not impossible to win with them, you'll likely be fighting an uphill battle against more meta-relevant picks. This doesn't mean they're unplayable, just that their effectiveness is limited in the current patch.

• Top Lane: Gnar, Illaoi, Yorick
• Jungle: Zac, Shaco, Nocturne
• Mid Lane: Twisted Fate, Talon, Galio
• Bot Lane: Draven, Kalista, Vayne
• Support: Bard, Zyra, Taric

D-Tier: Generally Avoid

This tier is for champions that are significantly underperforming. It's not that they can't win, but their kits are either outdated, their numbers are too low, or they have too many inherent weaknesses that are exploited by the current meta. Unless you're a one-trick pony with thousands of hours on a champion in this tier, it's generally advisable to pick something else to maximize your chances of winning.

• Top Lane: Aatrox, Pantheon, Volibear
• Jungle: Ivern, Skarner, Rek'Sai
• Mid Lane: Fizz, Lissandra, Brand
• Bot Lane: Azir, Jhin, Ashe
• Support: Yuumi, Zilean, Alistar

How to Use This Tier List

Alright guys, so this is our League of Legends 12.21 tier list. Remember, this is a general guideline, and player skill is always the most important factor. A highly skilled player on a C-tier champion can absolutely dominate a less experienced player on an S-tier champion. Use this list to understand the current power levels of champions and to make informed picks and bans in champion select. Don't be afraid to experiment! Sometimes, off-meta picks can surprise your opponents. But if your goal is to climb efficiently, focusing on the S and A-tier champions is generally your best bet. Happy climbing, and may your LP gains be ever in your favor!