Top Lane Meta - Emerald and Above

The current meta is defined by the overwhelming presence of Malphite and Varus, who dominate both pick and ban rates. High win rate scaling champions like Kayle and Shen are also influential, providing a strong counterpoint to the lane bullies. Overall, the meta favors a mix of reliable tanks and high-utility carries that can impact teamfights effectively.

Malphite is the most popular choice with a 6.9 percent pick rate, followed by Varus at 6.4 percent and Garen at 6.3 percent. Darius and Jax are also highly favored by players, maintaining pick rates of 6.2 percent and 6.0 percent respectively. These five champions represent the most common matchups you will encounter in the top lane.

Malphite is the most heavily banned champion at a staggering 41.2 percent, followed by Varus at 21.8 percent. Akali and Gwen are also frequently removed from play with ban rates of 17.3 percent and 17.1 percent. Yasuo rounds out the top five most banned list, holding a 16.9 percent ban rate among Emerald+ players.

Malphite leads the field with a massive 48.1 percent presence, meaning he is involved in nearly half of all drafts through picks or bans. Varus follows with 28.2 percent presence, while Darius sits at 22.6 percent. Gwen and Yasuo also show significant presence at 20.9 percent and 19.9 percent respectively, indicating their high priority in the current patch.

Kayle boasts the highest win rate at 53.9 percent, followed closely by Shen at 53.1 percent and Ornn at 52.9 percent. Varus remains a top-tier performer with a 52.5 percent win rate despite his high pick rate. Nasus also performs well in this bracket, rounding out the top five with a solid 52.3 percent win rate.

Since Malphite is banned in over 41 percent of games, you should master high win rate alternatives like Kayle or Ornn to ensure success. Considering Varus has both a high pick rate and a high win rate, learning to play with or against him is crucial for climbing. Focus on champions that can handle the lane pressure from Darius and Garen while scaling into the late game.

Patch 16.2.1 has solidified Malphite as the most contested champion in the top lane given his massive presence and ban rate. The data shows a healthy performance for scaling champions like Kayle and Nasus, suggesting a meta that rewards patience and late-game scaling. While standard picks like Jax and Garen remain common, the shift toward high win rate utility tanks like Shen and Ornn is notable.