Best Champions to Climb League of Legends Ranked in Patch 25.16

The League of Legends meta has been thrown for a loop with the arrival of Patch 25.16. The latest update brought important changes to several champions on the roster, particularly in the jungle, meaning it's time to readjust! If you're looking to rank up, then look no further. Here's our breakdown of the best champions to climb ranked in LoL Patch 25.16.

Top Lane

Sett

Patch after patch, Sett remains one of the very best champions in the game when it comes to Solo Queue. In the Top Lane, The Boss can use a well-timed [W] Haymaker to turn any early skirmish in his favor. Later on, his [E] Facebreaker and [R] The Show Stopper allow Sett to create havoc in team fights.

All of this has allowed Sett to hold on to a 52.21% win rate in Patch 25.16 despite his sky-high pick rate (9%).

Mordekaiser

Like Sett, Mordekaiser shines thanks to his ability to dominate the lane. Patch 25.16 introduces a brand new AD scaling to the champion's main damage ability, [Q] Obliterate, allowing players more flexibility in their builds.

For now, though, continue building into AP with items like Rylai's Crystal Scepter and Riftmaker as you look to climb the ranked ladder.

Singed

Patch 25.16 fixed a long-standing Singed buff which caused his [Q] Poison Trail to deal less damage on the Red side of Summoner's Rift. The result? Singed's win rate has skyrocketed (54.17% currently), making him the champion with the single highest win rate in all of League of Legends at the moment.

Though Singed's playstyle may take some getting used to, players who find the patience and dedication to commit to the task may find themselves rewarded with some hefty LP gains.

Jungle

Volibear

With strong early ganks and dueling power, Volibear is a menace from the get-go. Later on, though, his [R] Stormbringer gives Volibear easy access to the enemy backline, making him a problem all throughout the game.

With a simple kit and straightforward playstyle, Volibear is the perfect pick to start climbing the League of Legends ranked ladder from the Jungle.

Master Yi

The new patch saw Master Yi's [Q] Alpha Strike count towards stacking up items like Kraken Slayer and Terminus. Now, Master Yi can look to build Kraken Slayer first for a big spike in power early into the game.

If you like taking over games and carrying your team from the Jungle, then there's no doubt Master Yi is the pick for you.

Briar

Briar has received a large number of bugfixes in 2025, making the champion grow in strength with each passing patch. This, coupled with the recent Blade of the Ruined King buffs, sees Briar hold the highest win rate in the Jungle in Patch 25.16 at 53.28%, and is not looking to slow down.

Mid Lane

Malzahar

His oppressive laning phase, plus the added safety of his [P] Void Shift, make Malzahar difficult to deal with. It's once you hit level 6, however, that you will be able to shut down an enemy carry with the single press of a button thanks to his [R] Nether Grasp. This alone makes Malzahar an invaluable addition to any team in Solo Queue.

Xerath

Have you been working on your aim? Then take Xerath out for a spin. The Magus Ascendant's long range provides a headache to anyone that goes up against him in lane.

During team fights, well-timed uses of his [Q] Arcanopulse and [R] Rite of the Arcane will allow you to take down enemies while remaining a good, safe distance away.

Qiyana

If quick assassinations and flashy plays are more your style, then Qiyana has everything you're looking for. Patch 25.16 delivered large buffs to the Empress of the Elements, making her a true menace in the Mid Lane.

Beware, though, Qiyana's kit requires quick-thinking and even quicker actions, rewarding players who feel confident in their skills. This is perhaps why Qiyana has one of the highest win rates in the Mid Lane in Emerald+ at 53.17%.

Bottom Lane

Nilah

Nilah has dominated the ranked ladder from the Bottom Lane all year long, and Patch 25.16 is no different. Currently at a 52.78% win rate, Nilah is the ADC with the highest win rate in the game thanks to her strong laning and a game-changing ultimate that allows her to crush team fights.

Smolder

Unlike Nilah, Smolder is all about biding your time, farming well, and racking up the [P] Dragon Practice stacks so that you can take over the game later on.

Despite his oppressive late game, though, Smolder is no slouch in the laning phase, and can more than hold his own as he ramps up for the big show.

Sivir

With the right Support pairing, Sivir can be one of the most oppressive ADCs in lane. With a simple kit and a seamless playstyle, Sivir's 9.8% pick rate demonstrates why she's a favorite among ADC players.

Use your [W] Ricochet to shove in the wave and keep the pressure on. Do not waste your [E] Spell Shield, as it can easily get you out of hairy situations.

Support

Milio

Milio is one of the best Support champions to climb the ranked ladder with thanks to his unparalleled ability to empower allies while keeping them safe in the process. Learn to time your [R] Breath of Life, as it will often prove to be the difference between life and death for your teammates.

Taric

Taric is all about being on the same page with your teammates. If you're looking to Duo Queue with a friend, look to make the most of your [W] Bastion + [E] Dazzle combination to set up easy kills early on. In team fights, meanwhile, a well-timed [R] Cosmic Radiance has the power to single-handedly change the course of the game.

Zyra

If you'd rather take over the game from the Support role, then Zyra may be one of the best champions in the game for you. After receiving several buffs in Patch 25.16, Zyra's laning phase has turned into one of the most oppressive in League of Legends.

Once you hit level 6, access to [R] Stranglethorns will mean that landing an [E] Grasping Roots on an enemy carry will almost certainly spell their doom.

Time to Rank Up!

Climbing the ranked ladder in LoL Patch 25.16 will ultimately come down to how well you can adapt to the meta and maximize the strengths of these champions. Whether you lean on high-impact carries or versatile playmakers, each of the picks we’ve highlighted offers the tools to secure consistent wins.

If you’re looking to make real progress this patch, mastering even one or two of these champions can give you the edge needed to stand out and rise through the ranks.

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Feature image credit: Riot Games

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