Best Champions to Climb League of Legends Ranked in Patch 26.14

League of Legends Patch 26.14 landed on July 15, 2026, arriving hot off the heels of MSI 2026 and acting as the cleanup crew for the post-tournament meta. Several champion buffs and nerfs, as well as important item adjustments, delivered a few shifts in power in the new patch. If you're looking to reach a new rank before the end of Season 2, then here are the best champions to climb ranked in LoL Patch 26.14!

Best Champions to Climb in League of Legends Patch 26.14

Top Lane

Mordekaiser

With a whopping 53.61% win rate and a fresh set of buffs to boot, Mordekaiser is the standout Top Lane pick for climbing ranked in Patch 26.14. His passive stacking and mixed damage output make him very difficult to itemize against, while [R] Realm of Death removes the most dangerous enemy from a fight.

Whether he's splitting or grouping, Mordekaiser's win condition is always clear, and that's precisely what makes him so effective for climbing ranked in League of Legends.

Yorick

Yorick is one of the most oppressive split-pushers in the game, and LoL Patch 26.14 is no different. His ability to generate a constant stream of ghouls through [Q] Last Rites gives him unmatched wave control, while a well-placed [W] Dark Procession will often lead to a solo kill.

When Yorick uses [R] Eulogy of the Isles to summon the Maiden of the Mist, managing his side lane becomes a full-time job for the enemy team.

Garen

Despite receiving nerfs in Patch 26.14, Garen remains one of the most reliable Top Lane picks in League of Legends Solo Queue. His passive regeneration allows for consistent trades and extended lane presence, while [Q] Decisive Strike and [E] Judgment provide both gap-closing and sustained damage for added pressure.

His teamfighting contribution with [R] Demacian Justice is deceptively strong, especially when used to close out fights by targeting a fed enemy carry. Garen is just the all-around package.

Jungle

Shyvana

With a whopping 52.65% win rate, Shyvana is one of the top Junglers for climbing ranked in LoL Patch 26.14. Her fast clear speeds and bruiser scaling allow her to develop into a durable frontline threat, and [R] Dragon's Descent remains one of the most disruptive engage tools in the Jungle pool.

Rammus

Rammus continues to be one of the most effective ganking Junglers in the game in Patch 26.14. His absurd armor scaling and point-and-click taunt make him very tough to deal with, and his ability to chain into extended crowd control gives his laners all the time in the world to follow up. Once he gets rolling, he is nearly impossible to stop.

Briar

Briar remains one of the best snowball Junglers in League of Legends. Her dueling power, built-in sustain, and ability to force skirmishes at a moment's notice make her especially effective in Solo Queue.

Mid Lane

Malzahar

Malzahar continues to be one of the most consistent Mid Laners in Solo Queue. His wave control is second to none, his passive spell shield provides an additional layer of safety, and his point-and-click lockdown with [R] Nether Grasp makes him one of the most reliable teamfight contributors in the entire game.

In a meta that continues to reward safe, scalable picks, Malzahar continues to thrive.

Naafiri

If assassins are more your style, then look no further than Naafiri. Her pack-based kit rewards aggressive, roam-heavy play that thrives in the chaos of Solo Queue, and her straightforward win conditions make her one of the most accessible assassins in the game. A well-executed all-in with [R] The Call of the Pack can eliminate high-priority targets before they have a chance to react.

All in all, Naafiri is one of the top assassin picks in the Mid Lane at the moment.

Veigar

Veigar rounds out the Mid Lane picks for Patch 26.14 as one of the most dependable scaling threats in the game. Patient farming and consistent stacking allow him to eventually one-shot key targets with [R] Primordial Burst, while his [E] Event Horizon remains one of the best space-making tools in League of Legends. 

Bottom Lane

Senna

Despite receiving important nerfs recently, Senna remains one of the best ADCs for climbing ranked in LoL Patch 26.14, holding an outstanding 52.08% win rate.

Her infinite scaling through soul stacks gives her a unique laning flexibility that most ADCs simply cannot match, and her [R] Dawning Shadow can turn fights around across the entire map. Even trimmed, she remains one of the most impactful AD carries in the pool.

Ziggs

Not an ADC, but Ziggs is an excellent Bot Lane pick in Patch 26.14. His extreme range and persistent zone control through [E] Hexplosive Minefield make him nearly impossible to engage on in a standard lane, and his [R] Mega Inferno Bomb provides a global team fight tool that can punish grouped enemies from afar.

In a meta where the game often stalls into extended mid-game fights, Ziggs's poke and objective control truly thrive.

Smolder

Smolder remains one of the most dependable ADCs for steady, methodical ranked climbing in Patch 26.14. His stacking mechanic rewards consistent farming and a patient playstyle that pays off enormously once he hits key breakpoints, and his safe damage output and long-range poke make him a reliable choice for players looking to gain LP without taking unnecessary risks.

Support

Leona

Looking to engage for your team? Leona is one of the best Support picks in League of Legends right now. Her ability to chain lockdown enemies with [E] Zenith Blade and [R] Solar Flare gives her one of the most reliable engage patterns in the Support pool, and with tank-oriented items still strong following the 26.11 changes, her durability and teamfight presence have never been better.

In Solo Queue, where coordination is limited, a well-timed Leona combo can prove devastating for the enemy team.

Zyra

Zyra is the damage-oriented Support pick of choice in Patch 26.14. Her plants provide persistent zone control that punishes opponents for overstepping in lane, and the versatility of [R] Stranglethorns gives her a ton of room for skill expression.

For players who want to carry from the Support role, Zyra is hard to overlook.

Seraphine

Despite receiving nerfs in Patch 26.14, Seraphine remains a well-rounded Support pick with a rare combination of sustained healing, crowd control, and lane dominance. Her [R] Encore is one of the most teamfight-altering ultimates in the Support pool, capable of creating picks as well as setting up devastating team combos.

For players who want to empower their allies while maintaining genuine carry potential, Seraphine is still one of the best picks in League of Legends.

Time to Rank Up!

League of Legends Patch 26.14 continues to reward champions with reliable kits, strong scaling, and consistent teamfight impact. With Ranked Season 2 ending on July 28, time is running out to make your push. Whether you prefer frontline tanks, snowballing assassins, scaling hyper-carries, or high-damage playmakers, mastering these picks gives you a clear edge in Solo Queue and can help you climb the ranked ladder before the reset.

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Featured image credit: Image exclusive to Strafe Esports

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