League Of Legends 12.21 Tier List: Top Picks

What's up, League fam! We're diving deep into the patch 12.21 meta to bring you the absolute hottest champions right now. Whether you're climbing the ranked ladder, trying to impress your friends, or just want to know who's dominating Summoner's Rift, you've come to the right place. This tier list is all about identifying the S-tier beasts – the champions you absolutely need to consider playing if you want to maximize your win potential. We've scoured the data, watched the pros, and dissected the patch notes to give you the lowdown on who's thriving and who's just… surviving. So grab your favorite drink, settle in, and let's break down the champions that are currently ruling the Rift in patch 12.21!

S-Tier: The Unquestionable Powerhouses

Alright guys, let's kick things off with the S-tier – these are the champions that are just insanely strong in the current patch, 12.21. If you see one of these bad boys available, you should seriously consider picking them up. They have very few, if any, real weaknesses and can often carry games single-handedly if played even moderately well. Think of them as the undisputed kings and queens of the Rift right now. Their kits are tuned perfectly, they have great synergy with the current itemization, and they often dictate the pace of the game. Mastering even one of these champions can significantly boost your win rate. We're talking about champions who excel in multiple areas – whether it's early game dominance, insane scaling into the late game, incredible team fight presence, or unparalleled split-pushing capabilities. These are the champions you'll be seeing a lot of in high Elo and professional play because their impact is just that significant. Don't underestimate their power; they are the benchmarks against which all other champions are measured in this patch. Their ability to adapt to different game states and still remain a potent threat is what truly sets them apart. Expect to see them frequently banned because, frankly, playing against them can be a real pain. Their kits often involve reliable crowd control, high damage output that's hard to itemize against, or incredible survivability that makes them incredibly difficult to take down. We've analyzed their performance across various roles and skill levels to ensure this S-tier is truly representative of the current meta's elite. So, if you're looking to climb, focus your practice on these absolute monsters. They are the easiest path to victory when played correctly, offering a consistent and reliable way to impact games positively. Their presence on the Rift often forces opponents to adapt their strategies significantly, highlighting their meta-defining status.

Top Lane Titans

In the top lane for patch 12.21, we're seeing a few titans absolutely dominate. Fiora is an absolute menace. Her ability to duel anyone and her incredible scaling make her a constant threat. If you can get even a small lead, she snowballs incredibly hard, making it almost impossible for the enemy team to deal with her in a side lane. Her true damage and her parry, which can completely negate crucial abilities, make her a nightmare to play against. Proper timing on her W (Riposte) can single-handedly win teamfights or prevent a gank. Furthermore, her ultimate, the Grand Challenge, provides significant healing and true damage, making her a massive threat in both 1v1s and skirmishes. Building items like Hullbreaker and Ravenous Hydra further amplifies her split-pushing power and sustain, allowing her to take turrets at an alarming rate. The current meta favors champions who can apply pressure across the map, and Fiora excels at this, forcing opponents to send multiple people to deal with her, thus creating advantages elsewhere for her team. Her mobility and dueling prowess mean she can often escape unfavorable situations or turn them into kills. Players who master her intricate mechanics, especially parrying key abilities, will find themselves consistently climbing. She's a champion that punishes mistakes heavily and rewards precise execution. Her ability to recover from deficits through skillful play is also notable, making her a resilient pick. The importance of wave management and split-pushing tactics in the current game state makes Fiora an exceptionally strong pick, as she can control vast portions of the map single-handedly. Her presence forces difficult decisions from the enemy team, often leading to strategic advantages for her team.

Gwen is another top-tier pick. Her sustained damage and incredible mobility make her a force to be reckoned with, especially in extended fights. She shreds through tanks and squishies alike with her Hallowed Mist and her Q (Snip, Snip!). Her ability to become untargetable and reposition herself makes her incredibly difficult to lock down. In patch 12.21, with the right builds, Gwen can output an absurd amount of damage, making her a primary carry threat. Her ultimate, Skip 'n Slash, provides a massive burst of damage and a dash, further enhancing her offensive capabilities and escape potential. The synergy between her Hallowed Mist, which provides defensive bonuses and conceals her, and her aggressive damage output creates a unique playstyle that rewards smart positioning and aggressive dives. She excels in skirmishes and teamfights where she can continuously apply pressure and sustain through her healing. Items like Riftmaker and Nashor's Tooth are core to her build, amplifying her on-hit effects and overall damage output. Her ability to reset her dash by hitting enemies with her Q or ultimate adds another layer of complexity and potential for outplays. Gwen's power curve is steep, meaning she can become an unstoppable force if she gets going early. Players who can navigate the early game safely and farm effectively will be rewarded with a champion that can dominate the mid to late game. Her sustained damage is particularly effective against champions that rely on shields or quick burst, as she can out-sustain their defensive cooldowns and burst potential. The inherent survivability provided by her Hallowed Mist makes her a challenging target to focus down in teamfights, allowing her to deal consistent damage from advantageous positions. Her split-pushing potential is also noteworthy, as she can clear waves rapidly and pressure side lanes effectively, forcing opponents to respond.

Jungle Juggernauts

In the jungle, Xin Zhao continues to be a top-tier pick. His aggressive early game and strong ganks make him a constant threat. He excels at diving the backline and disrupting enemy formations with his E (Charge!()). His ultimate, Three Talon Strike, provides incredible burst damage and a knock-up, making him a fantastic initiator and assassin. In patch 12.21, Xin Zhao's ability to snowball leads is immense. Item builds focusing on bruiser stats allow him to be both tanky and deal significant damage, making him difficult to kill while still being a primary threat. His passive, Determination, grants him healing and attack speed, further enhancing his dueling and sustain capabilities. The combination of his empowered auto-attacks and his targeted dashes makes him incredibly effective at locking down squishy targets. His early game pressure forces opponents to play reactively, and successful ganks can quickly open up the map for his team. Players who understand jungle pathing and objective control will find Xin Zhao to be a highly rewarding pick, as he can exert pressure across the entire map. His ability to quickly clear camps and move between lanes makes him a versatile jungler. The current itemization in patch 12.21, with items like Stridebreaker and Black Cleaver, synergizes exceptionally well with his kit, providing him with the necessary damage, mobility, and durability to be a dominant force. His teamfight presence is significant, as he can dive the backline, disrupt key targets, and apply immense pressure. His kit is relatively straightforward to pick up, but mastering his aggressive playstyle and optimal gank timings can elevate his performance dramatically. He's a champion that thrives on proactive play and punishing enemy mistakes, making him a staple in the current meta for aggressive junglers.

Vi remains a powerhouse. Her reliable crowd control, especially her ultimate, makes her an excellent pick for locking down priority targets. Her kit is well-rounded, offering good damage, engage, and sticking power. In patch 12.21, Vi's ability to dive into the enemy backline and isolate carries is unparalleled. Items like Divine Sunderer and Sterak's Gage provide her with a strong mix of damage and survivability, allowing her to function as both a diver and a secondary engage. Her passive, Vault Breaker, offers mobility and burst damage, complementing her aggressive playstyle. Her Q (Vault Breaker) can be charged for extended range and knock-up, making it a potent tool for engaging or disengaging. Her ultimate, Cease and Desist, is a point-and-click lockdown that guarantees a target is dealt with, making it invaluable for assassinating key enemy threats or initiating fights. Vi's strong early to mid-game presence allows her to apply significant pressure and secure objectives. Players who excel at identifying playmaking opportunities and coordinating with their team will find Vi to be a highly effective jungler. Her ability to reset her Vault Breaker cooldown by attacking makes her quite sticky once she gets onto a target. The synergy between her ultimate and her Q allows for devastating dive compositions. In patch 12.21, her tankiness combined with her damage output makes her a formidable opponent that is difficult to shut down. She excels at diving the backline, disrupting enemy formations, and locking down high-priority targets. Her reliability in securing kills on carries makes her a high-priority pick for teams looking to snowball early leads. The straightforward yet effective nature of her kit makes her accessible for many players, while still offering depth for those who master her mechanics and target prioritization.

A-Tier: Strong Contenders

Moving down to the A-tier, we have champions who are still incredibly strong and can definitely carry games, but they might have a few more exploitable weaknesses or require a bit more finesse than the S-tier picks. These are your solid, reliable choices that will consistently perform well. They are the workhorses of the meta, offering consistent value and strong contributions to your team's success. While they might not have the same game-breaking potential as the S-tier, they are far from weak and can absolutely secure victory in the right hands. These champions often excel in specific niches or provide a unique form of utility that can be invaluable. They might be slightly more reliant on team coordination or specific team compositions to shine, but their overall effectiveness is undeniable. Picking an A-tier champion means you're making a safe and strong choice that will likely contribute positively to your team's efforts. They represent a significant portion of the meta's strength and are crucial for understanding the game's dynamics. These picks are great for players who want to maintain a high win rate without necessarily needing to master the absolute peak of the meta, offering a more accessible yet still powerful avenue for climbing. They often have well-defined power spikes and clear game plans that, when executed correctly, can lead to dominant performances. Their strengths are significant enough to overcome their minor drawbacks, making them highly competitive picks.

Mid Lane Maestros

In the mid lane, Ahri is a fantastic A-tier pick. Her mobility, charm, and burst damage make her a consistent threat. She's great at pick potential and safe wave clear. In patch 12.21, her itemization allows for both burst and sustained damage, making her adaptable. Her ability to charm an enemy, follow up with a burst of spells, and then use her dashes to reposition or escape is a classic Ahri playstyle that remains highly effective. Her ultimate, Spirit Rush, provides three dashes, allowing for incredible playmaking potential, repositioning in fights, or safely engaging and disengaging. Ahri's passive, Vastayan Grace, provides her with movement speed and mana regeneration, further enhancing her sustained presence in lane and in skirmishes. She excels at punishing immobile targets and can effectively roam to influence side lanes. Players who can land her skill shots, especially her charm, will find her incredibly rewarding. Her flexibility in item builds, leaning towards either burst-heavy or more sustained damage with items like Luden's Tempest or Everfrost, allows her to adapt to different team compositions and matchups. Her ability to kite enemies and weave in and out of combat makes her a difficult target to lock down. The consistent threat she poses throughout the game, from laning phase to late-game teamfights, makes her a reliable choice. Her charm is a potent tool for setting up kills for her jungler or for her own burst combos. The overall balance of her kit – mobility, crowd control, and damage – ensures she remains a relevant and strong pick in the current meta.

Viktor is another mid lane powerhouse. His scaling potential is immense, and his Hex Core upgrades provide him with unique advantages throughout the game. In patch 12.21, Viktor's ability to control zones with his W (Gravity Field) and R (Chaos Storm) makes him a nightmare for engaging teams. His sustained damage output is incredibly high once he gets his core items. His first Hex Core upgrade is crucial for his laning phase, giving him enhanced abilities and stats. Subsequent upgrades further amplify his power, making him a scaling threat that few can match. Viktor excels in teamfights where he can sit back and dish out consistent damage while controlling the battlefield with his area-of-effect abilities. Players who can manage his farm and position themselves well will be rewarded with a champion that can output massive amounts of damage and control the flow of fights. His itemization often includes items like Everfrost, Deathcap, and Zhonya's Hourglass, providing him with both offensive and defensive capabilities. The zone control provided by his Gravity Field and Chaos Storm can make it incredibly difficult for enemies to approach or engage effectively. His sustained damage output, especially after hitting key item power spikes, can melt through even tanky targets. Viktor's strength lies in his ability to scale into a late-game monster, and players who are patient and focused on farming will see immense rewards. His controlled playstyle and emphasis on positioning make him a solid pick for players who prefer a less mechanically intensive but highly impactful champion. The strategic importance of his Hex Core upgrades adds another layer of decision-making, as players must choose the order in which to upgrade their abilities to best suit their playstyle and the current game state.

B-Tier: Solid Picks

These B-tier champions are no slouches, guys! They are perfectly viable and can definitely secure wins, but they might be a bit more situational or require a more dedicated player to get the most out of them. Think of them as the reliable workhorses that can get the job done when picked correctly or when the enemy team doesn't have a hard counter. They are excellent for players who have a deep understanding of their champion and can play around their specific strengths and weaknesses. While they might not be as universally dominant as the S or A-tier picks, they offer unique advantages that can be exploited in the right circumstances. They are often good picks against specific team compositions or when you need a particular type of utility. These champions require a solid game plan and good execution, but when those conditions are met, they can absolutely perform at a high level and contribute significantly to victory. Their place in the B-tier signifies that they are strong, but perhaps not as straightforwardly powerful or as universally applicable as those above them. They are the champions that reward mastery and smart decision-making, offering a more nuanced path to success on the Rift. Their viability is undeniable, and they can certainly climb the ladder, but they might require a bit more effort or a specific team synergy to truly shine compared to the meta-defining champions.

Bot Lane Barrage

In the bot lane, Miss Fortune is a solid B-tier pick. Her ultimate, Bullet Time, can absolutely devastate teamfights if landed correctly, especially when combined with her E (Cull the Weak). In patch 12.21, her ability to poke down enemies in lane and her strong follow-up damage make her a decent threat. However, she can be quite immobile and vulnerable to assassins if caught out. Her passive, Strut, grants her movement speed when out of combat, which helps with repositioning but doesn't offer much protection once engaged. Players who can position themselves well and anticipate enemy movements will get the most out of Miss Fortune. Her strengths lie in her ability to snowball with early kills and her powerful AoE ultimate. Item builds often focus on maximizing her attack damage and critical strike chance, with items like Kraken Slayer and Infinity Edge being core. Her poke in lane can be quite oppressive, allowing her to gain an early advantage. However, her lack of escape tools means she needs careful positioning to avoid being focused down. Her ultimate is a game-changer in teamfights, capable of wiping out entire teams if they are caught out of position. Players who can communicate with their team to set up engaging ultimates or create opportunities for her to cast hers safely will see greater success. She is a champion that rewards patience and good positioning, making her a reliable, albeit sometimes vulnerable, carry.

Jhin is another strong B-tier choice. His unique playstyle with his fixed number of shots per magazine and his ultimate, Curtain Call, offers high burst damage potential. In patch 12.21, Jhin excels at setting up kills with his W (Deadly Flourish) and providing significant burst damage from a distance. His fourth shot always crits, adding a powerful punch to his auto-attack rhythm. Players who can master his reloading mechanic and hit his critical skill shots will find him very rewarding. His ultimate can be used to finish off fleeing enemies or to poke down opponents from afar. Itemization usually focuses on critical strike chance and attack damage, with items like Galeforce and Infinity Edge being popular choices. Jhin's strengths lie in his poke, burst damage, and his ability to control areas with his abilities. However, his immobility and the predictability of his attack sequence can make him vulnerable if caught out. His strength in coordinated teams is high, as his abilities can set up plays for his teammates. He is a champion that thrives on calculated aggression and precise execution, making him a high-skill-cap pick. The ability to influence fights from a distance and provide significant burst damage makes him a valuable asset, but his reliance on teammates for protection and initiation is notable.

Support Stars

For supports, Leona finds her place in B-tier. Her reliable crowd control and engage potential make her a strong pick for protecting carries and initiating fights. In patch 12.21, her ability to lock down targets with her Q (Shield of Daybreak), E (Zenith Blade), and R (Solar Flare) is immense. She's a fantastic pick into engage-heavy enemy compositions or when your team needs a strong frontline presence. Her passive, Shield of Daybreak, grants her bonus armor and magic resist when she shields herself, making her surprisingly tanky. Players who enjoy diving in and disrupting the enemy team will find Leona to be very rewarding. Her ultimate, Solar Flare, provides a large area stun, making it incredibly useful for engaging or peeling. Item builds often include items like Locket of the Iron Solari and Knight's Vow to provide utility and survivability for her team. Her strength lies in her hard engage and crowd control, making her a strong initiator. However, she can be somewhat predictable and struggles against poke-heavy lanes or disengage comps. Her commitment to an engage means she needs good follow-up from her team to be effective. She is a classic engage support that excels when paired with aggressive damage dealers, allowing her to lock down targets for them to eliminate. Her role as a playmaker and frontline enabler makes her a consistent and valuable addition to many team compositions.

Soraka is another B-tier support. Her unparalleled healing makes her a nightmare for opponents to deal with, especially in sustain-heavy matchups. In patch 12.21, Soraka's ability to keep her team alive through sustained healing is invaluable. Her W (Astral Infusion) allows her to heal allies at the cost of her own health, which she can then replenish with her E (Equinox). Her ultimate, Wish, provides a global heal, making her a crucial asset in saving allies across the map. Players who can effectively manage her health and position themselves safely will find her incredibly potent. Her strengths lie in her incredible sustain and her ability to turn fights around with timely heals. However, she is extremely vulnerable to assassins and dive compositions if caught out of position. Her silence from her E can also be used defensively to stop enemy engages. Itemization often includes items like Moonstone Renewer and Redemption to maximize her healing output. Soraka excels at out-sustaining opponents and keeping her team healthy through prolonged engagements. She is a champion that rewards careful positioning and strategic use of her abilities, making her a strong pick for players who prioritize support and sustain.

Conclusion

And there you have it, guys! That's our take on the League of Legends tier list for patch 12.21. Remember, this is a snapshot of the current meta, and things can always shift with subsequent patches or even just player innovation. The S-tier champions are your go-to picks for maximum impact, the A-tier are your solid, reliable powerhouses, and the B-tier are your situational but still very strong contenders. Don't be afraid to experiment and find what works best for your playstyle and your team composition. Happy climbing on Summoner's Rift!