Welcome! Are you tired of losing the top lane before the game even starts? Do you feel like no matter what you do, your opponent always has the upper hand? Well, it’s time to change that! In this amazing LoL Boost Guide, we’re diving deep into the most common mistakes top laners make and how you can fix them to dominate your lane in Season 15.
Whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting out, this guide will give you the tools to climb the ranks and become the top laner you’ve always wanted to be. Let’s get started!
The Top Lane Mindset: Why It’s the Most Punishing Role
Top lane is the most snowball-heavy role in League of Legends. One small mistake can lead to a massive disadvantage, and if you fall behind, it can feel like the game is over. Unlike other roles, top lane is a melee vs. melee battleground, where every auto-attack, every trade, and every minion matters. If you’re not ready from the very first second, you’re already at risk of losing the lane.
The First Few Seconds: Where Lanes Are Won or Lost
The moment the minion waves meet, the top lane battle begins. Many players underestimate the importance of the first few seconds, but this is where you can set the tone for the entire laning phase. Let’s break it down:
- Contesting the Wave Early: If you’re lazy and don’t contest the wave at level one, you’re giving your opponent free control. For example, if Renekton aggressively positions on the wave while Mordekaiser sits in the brush, Renekton gets free auto-attacks and a guaranteed push advantage. This small mistake can snowball into a lost lane.
- Grasp of the Undying: In matchups where Grasp of the Undying is key, being late to the lane allows your opponent to stack their rune for free. For instance, if Jax is allowed to auto-attack the wave early, he can stack Grasp and start trading aggressively, putting you at a disadvantage before the lane even properly begins.
- Ranged vs. Melee Matchups: In ranged matchups, you need to desync the minion waves by hitting them early. If you don’t, the melee minions will die at the same time, allowing your opponent to last-hit freely while you’re busy trying to harass. This is a common mistake that can cost you early pressure.
The Biggest Mistake: Prioritizing CS Over Trading
One of the most common pieces of advice in League is to prioritize CS over everything else. While this is true for some roles, it’s not always the case in the top lane. In fact, prioritizing CS over trading can lead to disastrous outcomes.
Why Trading is More Important Than CS in the Top Lane
In volatile matchups, trading effectively is often more important than securing every last hit. Here’s why:
- Health Over Gold: In the top lane, your health is your most valuable resource. If you take a bad trade just to secure a minion, you risk getting zoned off future CS or even getting solo killed. For example, if Garen gives up a melee minion to trade with Yorick, he can turn the lane in his favor by chunking Yorick’s health, even if he’s behind in CS.
- Snowball Potential: The Top lane is all about snowballing. A good trade can lead to a kill, which can lead to a massive lead. On the other hand, prioritizing CS over trading can leave you vulnerable to all-ins and ganks.
- Matchup Knowledge: Understanding when to trade and when to farm is crucial. In some matchups, you need to trade aggressively to establish dominance, while in others, you need to play safe and focus on farming. Knowing the difference is key to winning your lane.
Short Trades vs. Long Trades: The Key to Winning Lane
One of the most important concepts in the top lane is understanding short trades vs. long trades. This concept applies to every matchup and can determine whether you win or lose your lane.
How to Identify Short vs. Long Trade Champions
Short Trade Champions: Champions like Jax or Malphite, who take Grasp of the Undying, excel at short trades. They can quickly deal damage and disengage before the opponent can retaliate.
Long Trade Champions: Champions like Darius or Warwick, who take Conqueror or Lethal Tempo, thrive in extended fights. They want to stay in combat as long as possible to maximize their damage output.
Applying This Knowledge in Lane
Let’s look at an example: Renekton vs. Aatrox. Renekton wants short, bursty trades, while Aatrox wants longer trades to maximize his sustain and damage. If Renekton overcommits and tries to extend the trade, Aatrox can turn the fight around. However, if Renekton sticks to short trades and disengages quickly, he can chip away at Aatrox’s health and eventually secure a kill.
Proxying: When to Let It Happen and When to Stop It
Proxying is a strategy where the enemy laner farms your minions between your tier 1 and tier 2 turrets. It’s a frustrating situation to be in, but knowing how to handle it can save your lane.
The Biggest Mistake: Tunneling on Stopping the Proxy
Many players make the mistake of tunneling on killing the proxy player, often at the cost of their own health and resources. However, once the proxy has started, it’s often too late to stop it without significant cost.
When to Let It Happen
- Accept the Loss: Sometimes, it’s better to let the proxy happen and focus on minimizing your losses. Trying to stop it can lead to unnecessary deaths and wasted time.
- Look for Opportunities: Instead of forcing a fight, look for opportunities to break the proxy later. For example, if you can match their proxy and get a free recall, you can reset the lane state.
When to Stop It
- Guard Your Wave: If you can guard your wave as it comes in, you can prevent the proxy from happening in the first place.
- Timing is Key: If you’re going to kill the proxy player, make sure you do it at the right time. For example, killing them at level 8 (when death timers spike) can give you enough time to crash the wave and reset.
Final Thoughts: How to Climb as a LoL Top Laner
Top lane is undoubtedly the most punishing role in League of Legends, but it’s also one of the most rewarding. By avoiding the common mistakes outlined in this best LoL Boost Guide and focusing on trading effectively, understanding matchups, and handling proxy situations, you can turn your struggles into strengths.
Remember, every trade counts, and every decision you make in the early game can have a massive impact on the rest of the match. So, take these lessons to heart, practice them in your games, and watch as you climb the ranks in Season 15.
