The golden five
League of Legends is a game with many years of history and a wide variety of champions, old and new, to play. Most things in the game have changed over time, but roles remain mostly the same. Indeed, Riot Games themselves are defining within the game client and champion selection.
Going back to the early seasons, the five roles of top, jungle, mid, bot, and support have been almost sacred. There have been times when innovative stuff such as lane swaps and “protect the carry” strategies have been viable, but these five roles remain the same for the most part.
As Riot Games has enforced the five roles, it has designed champions with specific positions in mind. We know that flex picks are a bigger part of the game than ever, but in the end, each champion has a main role out of the five that rarely changes. At this point, champions are even divided into these roles in champion selection.
How is Riot dividing champions into roles?
League of Legends roles can be confusing, especially because playable LoL roles on the map aren’t the same as each champion’s role. You can have a mage champion most suited for the support role or a fighter always seen in the jungle.
This is where it can get a bit confusing, but in reality, Riot has made it so that it’s easier for new players to understand. The map roles are the ones to keep an eye on, as these will often indicate where a champion is viable to be played—knowing that you are already prepared for champion selection.
Note that some champions are shown under several role tabs in champion select. Take Zed as an example. He can be found under both the jungle and mid tab simply because Riot considers him viable in both positions.
Let’s look at all champions for each of the five roles without further ado. Note that flex picks are not always accounted for.
All top lane champions in League of Legends
- Aatrox
- Akali
- Camille
- Cho’Gath
- Darius
- Dr. Mundo
- Fiora
- Gangplank
- Garen
- Gnar
- Gragas
- Gwen
- Illaoi
- Irelia
- Jax
- Jayce
- Kayle
- Kennen
- Kled
- Lillia
- Malphite
- Mordekaiser
- Nasus
- Olaf
- Ornn
- Quinn
- Renekton
- Riven
- Rumble
- Sejuani
- Sett
- Shen
- Shyvana
- Singed
- Sion
- Tahm Kench
- Teemo
- Tryndamere
- Urgot
- Vayne
- Volibear
- Wukong
- Yasuo
- Yone
- Yorick
The top lane is the place for tanks, bruisers, and sometimes carries that do well in split pushing. Riot has put a lot of different champions under the top lane category, making it a lane suited for people with different preferences.
All jungle champions in League of Legends
- Amumu
- Bel’Veth
- Diana
- Ekko
- Elise
- Evelynn
- Fiddlesticks
- Graves
- Hecarim
- Ivern
- Jarvan IV
- Karthus
- Kayn
- Kha’Zix
- Kindred
- Lee Sin
- Lillia
- Master Yi
- Nidalee
- Nocturne
- Nunu & Willump
- Pantheon
- Poppy
- Rammus
- Rek’Sai
- Rengar
- Sejuani
- Shaco
- Shyvana
- Skarner
- Taliyah
- Talon
- Trundle
- Udyr
- Vi
- Viego
- Volibear
- Warwick
- Wukong
- Xin Zhao
- Zac
- Zed
If top lane doesn’t have enough variety, then the jungle will. This role is probably the hardest to define, as jungle champions always come and go. It’s where junglers can pick the wonkiest champions as most champions can essentially work in the jungle. With that said, Riot has put the best jungle clearers and/or gankers in this tab.
All mid lane champions in League of Legends
- Ahri
- Akali
- Akshan
- Anivia
- Annie
- Aurelion Sol
- Azir
- Cassiopeia
- Corki
- Ekko
- Fizz
- Galio
- Gangplank
- Heimerdinger
- Irelia
- Kassadin
- Katarina
- LeBlanc
- Lissandra
- Lux
- Malzahar
- Neeko
- Orianna
- Qiyana
- Ryze
- Swain
- Sylas
- Syndra
- Taliyah
- Talon
- Twisted Fate
- Veigar
- Vex
- Viktor
- Vladimir
- Xerath
- Yasuo
- Yone
- Zed
- Ziggs
- Zoe
Mid lane is the place for all the mages and magic-damage champions, but that’s not it. Mid lane also hosts plenty of assassins and bruisers that can be the perfect counter picks for all these mages. It’s also the center of the map and thus a vital role that will often receive a lot of pressure from around the map.
All bot lane champions in League of Legends
- Aphelios
- Ashe
- Caitlyn
- Draven
- Ezreal
- Jhin
- Jinx
- Kai’Sa
- Kalista
- Kog’Maw
- Lucian
- Miss Fortune
- Nilah
- Samira
- Sivir
- Tristana
- Twitch
- Varus
- Vayne
- Xayah
- Yasuo
- Zeri
- Ziggs
Bot lane is probably the most defined role of the five, at least if you ask Riot. This is the role where all the marksman and attack-damage carries go. The LoL client has very few champions in this category so take it with a grain of salt. Mages and enchanters such as Swain, Seraphine, and even Heimerdinger can work very well in this role and crush solo queue. In some situations, mid lane champions can fit into this role as well.
All support champions in League of Legends
- Alistar
- Amumu
- Ashe
- Bard
- Blitzcrank
- Brand
- Braum
- Janna
- Karma
- Leona
- Lulu
- Lux
- Maokai
- Miss Fortune
- Morgana
- Nami
- Nautilus
- Pantheon
- Pyke
- Rakan
- Rell
- Renata Glasc
- Senna
- Seraphine
- Sona
- Soraka
- Swain
- Taric
- Thresh
- Vel’Koz
- Xerath
- Yuumi
- Zilean
- Zyra
Last but not least are all the supports. This is the role of the healers and shielders, and engagers who can set up a team for success. The role has a lot of variety, but many champions are only suited for this role. You never see Yuumi or Thresh played in other lanes; they are staying right here as support.
