From Mains to Flame
There’s something so personal about choosing which League of Legends champion to play. Perhaps you cycle through multiple characters, but like everyone, you have one or two favorites you keep coming back to. If you’ve ever wondered how your favorite ranks among others, this list breaks down some of the hardest and most popular characters out there.
1. Azir
Also known as The Emperor of the Sands, Azir is Shurima’s rightful ruler. There is a lot of micromanaging involved when trying to play Azir successfully. From sending out soldiers, knowing when to dash, and summoning a Sun Disc, it might take some time until you master this champion.
2. Qiyana
The greatest elementalist in the history of Ixaocan, Qiyana is the fiercest of the Yun Tal. While definitely bringing a fresh mechanic to the assassin role, it might take some time to master it all. With the spells changing their effects depending on the element you pick up, a wrong ultimate ability could potentially make or break your whole game.
3. Kalista
Kalista is the undying spirit of vengeance, only answering to those willing to pay with their very souls. A very mobile marksman, Kalista is hard to catch and harder to escape from. This can, however, be a difficult thing to maneuver, as one click in the wrong direction could put you in the wrong place at the wrong time.
4. Aphelios
The Weapon of The Faithful, Aphelios kills the enemies of his faith in brooding silence. This champion wields five weapons and switches between them for a literal arsenal of attacks. This can be very difficult to master for many, as you have to be careful and know which weapon gives you which options.
5. Kindred
Kindred and her Wolf are known as the twin essences of death across Runeterra. From marking enemies, hunting them down, and collecting marks in the jungle, there is a lot to think about while playing Kindred. With never getting a break from collecting targets and marks, and making sure to time the Wolf’s Frenzy or Lamb’s Respite, Kindred is one of the harder champions to master.
6. Hwei
Hwei is a brooding painter known as The Visionary. Being able to cast 10 different spells, as opposed to the usual 3 or 4, Hwei is definitely at the top of the list for complex champions. Considered by many to be one of the most confusing mechanics added to the game, it might take a long time to even understand his spells.
7. K’Sante
The defender of Nazumah and a warrior of his people, K’Sante is a fighter and a leader at heart. With lots of mobility and survivability, he is a very fun champion to play. One wrong move, though, and the fun turns into frustration, as it takes a while to master timing and the change of spells once you use your ultimate ability.
8. Sylas
Sylas is a hardened revolutionary set out to destroy the kingdom he once served. An extremely fun mage/assassin, this Unshackled champion does bring a level of complexity to the table. While trying to master your own spells and combinations, Sylas players must also be knowledgeable of every single champion's ultimate ability in the game if they want to use Sylas’s.
9. Aurelion Sol
Dragging literal stars from the sky onto the battlefield, Aurelion Sol is fighting to regain his freedom. If you are a veteran League player, the name Ao Shin might ring a bell when talking about a champion that has been tabled for its complexity. From channeling the Breath of Light, flying across the map, creating Singularities, and even calling down giant stars that send a shockwave across the whole map, Aurelion Sol definitely has plenty of things you need to master before entering the Rift.
10. Zoe
An embodiment of mischief, imagination, and change, Zoe is the cosmic messenger of Targon. Although tiny and cute, she packs a punch with her sparkling spells. Zoe’s spells seem pretty simple, but they have the potential to do pitiful, tickling damage when used incorrectly or to one-shot K.O. the enemy if mastered properly.
Now that we have discussed some of the hardest champions to master, here are 10 fan favorites everyone loves to play.
1. Yasuo
Falsely accused of murdering his master, Yasuo has been given the title of “The Unforgiven.” An absolute fan favorite, and many players’ one-trick pony, Yasuo is a gem of the Rift. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing your teammates knock up the entire enemy team and casting your ultimate on them.
2. Ahri
Ahri, the Nine-Tailed Fox, travels the world in search of the remnants of her ancestors. Who doesn’t love dealing a ton of damage and being uncatchable? With a combination of fun gameplay mechanics and amazing looks, Ahri is many people's top champion.
greyloch from Washington, DC, area, U.S.A. on Wikimedia
3. Jinx
Swapping between Pow-Pow and Fishbones, throwing Flame Chompers to snare the enemies, and landing the Super Mega Death Rocket across the whole map are things that every Jinx player is very familiar with. A fun and satisfying gameplay mechanic and a quirky personality make Jinx a very likable and favorable champion.
4. Zed
The Master of Shadows, Zed, is the ruthless leader of the Order of Shadow in Ionia. A very fun-to-play assassin, Zed has won over many players' hearts since his release. With the ability to jump in, eliminate a target, and safely get out without anyone knowing what happened, it makes you feel like a true silent shadow assassin.
5. Katarina
Decisive in judgment and lethal in combat, Katarina is a Noxian assassin of the highest caliber. Jumping around enemies, teleporting behind them, and blinking onto her blade for a swift attack are just some of the reasons why people love playing Katarina. The ability to jump around from enemy to enemy, leaving bodies behind her, makes this champion a fan favorite for sure.
6. Lux
The Lady of Luminosity, Luxanna Crownguard, A.K.A. Lux, has a hold on millions of summoners' hearts. With an extremely fun playstyle and a potential for every single spell to give a shot of dopamine, Lux is a fan favorite from the tutorial all the way to ranked. Landing that beam of light as the final blow just feels a certain way.
7. Darius
The Hand of Noxus, the Dunk-Master, the Spinner, Darius is the symbol of Noxian might. With his survivability, utility, and great damage output, he is one of the most classic top lane picks. If you have ever managed to stack Hemorrhage and ult all five enemies in one go, you know why Darius is the fan favorite.
8. Garen
Garen is a proud and noble warrior of Demacia. He was most people’s first-ever top lane pick. With the well-known spin-to-win, bush ambush tactic, he has been a staple of top laners.
9. Miss Fortune
A very beloved Bilgewater captain famed for her looks and feared for her ruthlessness, Sarah Fortune, also known as Miss Fortune, is many summoners’ absolute favorite. From her Strut, Bullet Time, to making it rain with bullets, MF is a classic fan favorite.
10. Sona
Demacia’s best virtuoso, Sona, is a delight to play and listen to. Her visual design and relaxing gameplay are just some of the reasons why she’s a fan favorite. And let’s not forget the one and only DJ Sona, bringing the whole team epic background music.
