TL;DR
- Cho’Gath dominates with 53.60% win rate using Frostfire Gauntlet tank build
- Darius maintains 52.06% win rate with Stridebreaker for target sticking
- Wukong offers jungle flexibility and team fight dominance with Goredrinker
- Top lane has evolved from isolated role to carry position with diverse champion pool
- Professional meta differs significantly from solo queue with Gragas and Renekton prevalence

The top lane meta has undergone substantial transformation throughout the preseason, creating distinct differences between solo queue dynamics and professional competitive play. Identifying optimal champion selections requires understanding these divergent evolutionary paths.
The complete overhaul of League’s item system for the 2021 season necessitated multiple patches for stabilization as players gradually mastered optimal building strategies. Riot Games has continuously fine-tuned equipment across every update, with particular focus on top lane items. The preseason initially featured overpowered tank items that dominated both top lane and jungle roles, though these imbalances have been corrected for the official Season 11 launch.
Throughout the initial two seasonal patches, top lane diversity has expanded remarkably with numerous viable champion options now available. Every archetype from durable tanks to aggressive split pushers currently performs effectively in the top lane, providing diverse player types opportunities to advance through this strategic role.
Below you’ll discover the most powerful selections for patch 11.2.
Cho’Gath
Cho’Gath has delivered exceptional performance in the top lane across recent patches. The colossal void creature currently maintains a 53.60% victory rate in Platinum tier and above, representing the highest win percentage among all top lane champions currently. For League of Legends Patch 11.2, this statistical dominance provides more than sufficient foundation for players to ascend the solo queue rankings using Cho’Gath.
Achieving success with Cho’Gath requires committing to full tank itemization. Eventually, Cho’Gath achieves near-invincibility where he can execute preferred actions without significant resistance. Utilizing Frostfire Gauntlet as the primary Mythic item enables Cho’Gath to immobilize opponents through persistent slowing effects while pursuing eliminations. This singular item dramatically reduces Cho’Gath’s vulnerability to kiting, which historically represented his primary weakness.
For the upcoming Patch 11.3, Riot has indicated intentions to moderate Cho’Gath’s power level. While he may not currently dominate professional competitive scenes, his solo queue performance metrics significantly exceed balanced proportions. Whether the planned Cho’Gath adjustments in Patch 11.3 will sufficiently address balance concerns remains uncertain, though modifications will likely create opportunities for alternative top lane champions.

Darius
Darius represents a timeless solo queue staple for top lane players seeking carry potential. While many top laners function as tanks with limited carry capacity, Darius breaks this mold completely. He embodies a powerful bruiser capable of defeating any opponent on the battlefield and potentially achieving team fight dominance.
This represents the ideal combination for formidable solo queue champions, with Darius serving as living validation. The Hand of Noxus consistently appears among top win-rate rankings, with patch 11.2 continuing this established pattern. He currently ranks as the fifth-most successful top laner statistically with a 52.06% victory rate. While this percentage could theoretically be higher, the reality that Darius stands among the most frequently selected top laners this patch creates concerning implications.
Darius features relatively straightforward mechanics, enabling virtually any player to leverage his powerful state during solo queue advancement. Most competitors select Stridebreaker as their Mythic Item, granting Darius enhanced target retention capabilities. Once Darius successfully engages an opponent, the enemy rarely emerges victorious from the encounter.
Darius enthusiasts also frequently incorporate Sterak’s Gage as secondary equipment, providing substantial defensive statistics while simultaneously increasing damage output. For Patch 11.3, this item will receive nerfs that will probably impact Darius’s overall effectiveness.

Wukong
A champion demonstrating consistent excellence throughout the preseason period is Wukong. Wukong inherently contributes substantial value to team compositions, excelling in combat scenarios while maintaining split pushing capabilities. The Monkey King has progressively ascended to a 52.36% win rate on Patch 11.2, representing the third-highest performance among top lane specialists.
Wukong’s additional intimidating factor stems from his jungle viability, creating valuable flex pick potential to disrupt opponent strategies. When selected for top lane duty, players typically utilize the Goredrinker Mythic item, currently regarded among the game’s most powerful equipment options. Goredrinker supplies Wukong with all essential statistics, while he receives substantial healing from the Thirsting Slash passive to sustain engagement longevity.
Similar to Darius, Wukong presents an excellent choice for players aiming to carry matches from the top lane position. Should Wukong secure early game advantages during laning phases, he typically overwhelms team fights and eliminates vulnerable targets rapidly. For Patch 11.3, Riot intends to nerf Goredrinker following extensive community feedback. This adjustment may position Wukong in a more balanced state, though the Monkey King will probably discover alternative success methodologies.

What is top lane in LoL?
The top lane in League of Legends occupies the map’s uppermost section directly above the Baron Nashor pit. This strategic position typically hosts tank or bruiser champions who dedicate laning phases to resource accumulation, developing strength for later game stages.
Throughout certain League seasons, top lane earned the “island” designation because junglers frequently neglected ganking opportunities in this area. In contemporary competitive landscapes, the top lane has experienced significant evolution and can now be strategically leveraged to secure match victories. Champions including Renekton, Camille, Darius, Fiora, and numerous others now possess capacity to function as primary carries from the top lane position.
Who is the strongest top laner in LoL?
Determining the most powerful champion within any specific role consistently presents challenges. Regarding patch 11.2, Cho’Gath represents the top laner possessing the highest victory rate in solo queue environments, though this doesn’t automatically designate him as the absolute strongest. Examining professional competitive scenes reveals Gragas and Renekton currently dominating top lane selections, regarded as the two premier picks currently available.
Action Checklist
- Master Cho’Gath’s Frostfire Gauntlet build for maximum tank dominance
- Practice Darius’s Stridebreaker combo for optimal target engagement
- Learn Wukong’s jungle flex pick strategy to confuse opponents
- Study top lane wave management and split push timing
- Analyze professional VODs to understand Gragas and Renekton mechanics
No reproduction without permission:Game Guides Online » The best top laners for solo queue in patch 11.2 Master the top lane with proven champions, strategic builds, and advanced techniques for climbing in League of Legends
