Are you struggling to climb out of low ELO in League of Legends? This comprehensive guide breaks down the top three champions for each role that can help you carry your games and improve your rank. Discover the best strategies tailored for lower ranks, ensuring you maximize your impact on the battlefield.

Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Low ELO players can significantly improve their game by choosing champions that require less mechanical skill and have strong carry potential.
- Top Lane champions like Heimerdinger, Yorick, and Dr. Mundo excel in low ELO due to their self-sufficiency and ability to impact the game without relying on teammates.
- Jungle champions such as Warwick, Briar, and Nocturne offer unique advantages in skirmishes and ganking potential, making them ideal for climbing ranks.
- Mid Lane champions Garen, Malzahar, and Vagar can dominate their lanes and provide significant teamfight presence, particularly in lower ranks.
Introduction to Low ELO Climbing
Climbing out of low ELO in League of Legends can often feel like an uphill battle, filled with challenges that can deter even the most dedicated players. As you navigate the ranks, you may find yourself questioning your champion pool and strategies, especially as the game evolves and the meta shifts.
This introductory section serves to highlight the importance of selecting the right champions—those that not only fit your play style but also possess the ability to carry games independently. We will dive deep into the best champions for each role, focusing on those specifically tailored for low ELO environments, where teamwork may often falter, and individual performance becomes paramount.

The champions discussed in this guide are not just statistically strong; they are also user-friendly and capable of making a significant impact despite the chaotic nature of lower-ranked games. With the right picks, you can maximize your carry potential, ensuring that you can turn the tide in your favor even when faced with underperforming teammates.
Whether you’re looking to dominate the top lane, wreak havoc in the jungle, control the mid lane, or provide crucial support in bot lane, this video will equip you with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions and implement effective strategies that resonate with the unique dynamics of low ELO gameplay.

Remember, the key to escaping low ELO is not only about individual skill but also the ability to adapt and recognize what works best in your current environment. As we explore each champion, we will outline their strengths, weaknesses, and the strategies you should adopt to leverage their unique kits effectively.
Get ready to unlock your potential and embark on a journey to the higher ranks, armed with champions that will empower you to take charge of your games!
Top Lane
Heimerdinger
Heimerdinger is an exceptional choice for players looking to dominate the Top Lane in low ELO. His ranged attacks and turret placements allow him to exert pressure on melee champions effortlessly.
One of the primary benefits of playing Heimerdinger is his ability to shove lanes quickly. This not only denies the enemy farm but also sets them up for ganks from your jungler. His 1v2 potential is impressive, especially when you have multiple turrets down. If an enemy jungler attempts to gank you, you can often secure a trade or even a kill.
In the mid to late game, Heimerdinger shines in taking objectives. His capability to solo Baron when the enemy team is distracted is a game-changer. Make sure to leverage this by coordinating with your jungler or taking advantage of the enemy’s absence.

Yorick
Yorick is another powerful pick for climbing low ELO ranks. With his incredible tower-taking abilities, he thrives in split-pushing scenarios. By pressuring the side lane, you can force the enemy team to respond, creating opportunities for your team to secure objectives elsewhere.
When playing Yorick, always aim to split push on the side of the map furthest from the next objective. This strategy can create a numbers advantage for your team when the enemy sends champions to deal with you. However, patience is key; avoid overextending and ensure you have vision before pushing up.

Dr. Mundo
Dr. Mundo is the quintessential tanky champion for low ELO players. His ability to absorb damage while still dealing significant auto-attack damage makes him a formidable opponent in the Top Lane.
Mundo’s playstyle revolves around building health, which directly boosts his damage output. This allows you to duel effectively against most champions while remaining unkillable. Utilize his teleport to either split push or join team fights, making sure to leverage his demolish rune to obliterate towers.

Comparison
Champion | Key Strengths | Key Weaknesses |
---|---|---|
Heimerdinger | • Strong zone control with turret • Excellent lane pressure • Good at defending against dives • Strong poke damage with rockets • Can control objectives well | • Strong zone control with turrets • Excellent lane pressure • Good at defending against dives • Strong poke damage with rockets • Can control objectives well |
Yorick | • Exceptional split pushing power • Strong dueling potential • Can pressure multiple lanes (with Maiden) • Good sustained damage • Strong objective control | • Weak early game • Relies heavily on ghouls/Maiden • Loses power when Maiden dies • Can be countered by waveclear • Needs time to set up ghouls |
Dr. Mundo | • Extremely tanky late game • Exceptional health regeneration • Good sustain under tower • Strong chase potential with Q • Effective frontline/disruptor | • Weak early game • Vulnerable to Grievous Wounds • Highly immobile • Relies on hitting Q skillshots • Susceptible to early ganks |
Additional Notes:
- Heimerdinger excels at lane control but requires good positioning and setup
- Yorick is strongest when split pushing but needs careful management of his summons
- Dr. Mundo becomes very hard to kill late game but struggles early and against healing reduction
Jungle
Warwick
Warwick has always been a strong pick in low ELO jungles, but his current state makes him even more OP. His kit offers incredible skirmishing power and survivability, making him a perfect choice for players looking to climb the ranks.
Utilizing Warwick’s passive and Q ability allows for extended fights where he can outlast opponents. His W grants bonus movement speed towards low-health enemies, enabling him to secure kills that other junglers might miss. This makes him an opportunistic jungler, perfect for capitalizing on mistakes made by the enemy team.

Briar
Briar is another jungler who fits perfectly in the low ELO landscape. Her kit allows for extended skirmishes, making her a strong choice in chaotic fights.
With her powerful ultimate, Briar can join fights from across the map, providing immense value to her team. She is easy to pick up for beginners, but mastering her limits can elevate her effectiveness significantly.

Nocturne
Nocturne is an excellent choice for players seeking a straightforward approach to the jungle role. His ultimate provides a clear win condition, allowing you to impact games significantly once you hit level six.
Focusing on full clears will keep your jungle path consistent, making it easier to secure objectives and gank lanes effectively. Prioritize your first ultimate for lanes that will provide a strong follow-up to maximize your chances of success.

Comparison
Champion | Key Strengths | Key Weaknesses |
---|---|---|
Warwick | • Excellent sustain in jungle • Strong early game dueling • Great objective control • Blood hunt passive for map presence • Strong ganks post-6 • Very good at catching low HP targets | • Falls off late game • Can be kited easily • Predictable ultimate • Mana issues early • Weak against coordinated teams • CC vulnerable during ult |
Briar | • High mobility in combat • Strong dueling potential • Excellent assassination potential • Good sustain with passive • Powerful teamfight presence • Flexible build paths | • Requires managing blood frenzy • Can be CC’d during abilities • Weak when behind • Limited escape options • Needs proper timing for abilities • Vulnerable to counter-jungling early |
Nocturne | • Global pressure with ultimate • Strong ganks post-6 • Good dueling potential • Fast clear speed • Can build assassin or bruiser • Strong pick potential | • Heavily reliant on ultimate • Weak pre-6 ganks • Can be countered by grouped teams • No escape after going in • Vulnerable to early invades • Falls off in very late game |
Additional Notes:
- Warwick is an excellent beginner jungler with strong sustain and ganking
- Briar excels at aggressive plays but requires good management of her blood frenzy mechanic
- Nocturne is strongest when using his ultimate to create map pressure and pick off isolated targets
Mid Lane
Garen
Garen is a simple yet effective champion for low ELO mid-laners. His ability to dominate common mid lane matchups makes him a formidable pick.
With a straightforward kit, Garen can excel without requiring extensive mechanics. Utilize his W for damage reduction during trades and capitalize on his passive for sustained fights. As the game progresses, Garen becomes a one-shot threat to squishy champions, making him a valuable asset in team fights.

Malzahar
Malzahar is a powerful mid lane champion, particularly for players who may struggle with early game trades. His ultimate allows him to negate the advantages of aggressive opponents.
By focusing on farming and reaching key item spikes, Malzahar can become a significant threat without needing to snowball early. His ability to zone enemies with his E and secure kills with his R makes him a reliable pick in low ELO matches.

Veigar
Veigar’s stacking ability makes him an excellent choice for low ELO, where games often extend longer. His scaling power allows him to become a late-game threat as he builds AP.
Focus on farming and stacking your Q to maximize your damage potential. As the game progresses, ensure you control vision around objectives to catch enemies off guard with your E and secure kills.
Veigar is an excellent choice for mid lane in low ELO due to his ability to scale into a late-game powerhouse. His kit allows for significant burst damage, especially when players manage to stack his AP effectively.

One of the key strategies for playing Veigar is focusing on farming and stacking his Q ability. Aiming for at least 80 CS by 10 minutes will set you up for success. Additionally, controlling vision around objectives is crucial; using his E to catch enemies in choke points can lead to easy kills.
- Key Playstyle Tips:
- Prioritize stacking your Q for increased AP.
- Use E strategically to zone enemies during team fights.
- Make sure to secure your R for picking off squishy targets.
Comparison
Champion | Key Strengths | Key Weaknesses |
---|---|---|
Garen | • Strong sustain with passive • Good trading with Q silence • Tanky with W • Strong execute ultimate • No mana/energy requirements • Simple to play | • Can be kited easily • Predictable gameplay pattern • No ranged abilities • Weak against heavy CC • Vulnerable to poke • Limited outplay potential |
Malzahar | • Strong wave clear • Point-and-click suppression ult • Good objective control • Passive spell shield • Great team fight presence • Strong DOT damage | • Immobile • Mana hungry early game • Vulnerable when ult is down • QSS counters ultimate • Requires setup for full damage • Weak early levels |
Veigar | • Infinite AP scaling • Strong AoE stun • One-shot potential • Excellent late game scaling • Good wave clear • Strong zoning with E | • Very immobile • Weak early game • Skill-shot dependent • Vulnerable to assassins • Long cooldowns early • Needs time to stack AP |
Additional Notes:
- Garen is an unconventional mid laner but can counter certain matchups effectively
- Malzahar excels at pushing waves and creating pick opportunities
- Veigar becomes extremely powerful late game but needs protection to reach that point
ADCs
Miss Fortune
Miss Fortune (MF) stands out as a premier ADC choice for low ELO due to her straightforward mechanics and high damage output. Her ability to deal substantial area damage with her ultimate can change the tide of team fights.

In team fights, simply positioning behind your frontline and waiting for the right moment to unleash your ultimate can lead to devastating results. Additionally, building lethality allows MF to be effective even without relying on auto-attacks.
- Miss Fortune Strategy:
- Focus on landing your ultimate during chaotic fights.
- Utilize your passive to maximize damage while kiting.
- Prioritize building items that enhance your burst potential.
Lux
Lux is a unique pick for the ADC role in low ELO, offering a blend of damage and utility. Her kill threat at level six is exceptionally high, especially when paired with a support that can initiate fights.

When playing Lux as an ADC, make sure to maximize your poke and zone control using your abilities. Her R can be used for both poke and securing kills, making her a versatile champion in skirmishes.
- Lux Play Strategy:
- Use your E to root enemies before following up with Q and R.
- Take teleport to enhance your laning phase and sustain pressure.
- Look for opportunities to poke enemies while maintaining a safe distance.
Sivir
Sivir is another solid choice for ADC in low ELO, particularly due to her wave clear and utility. Her Q allows for easy farming and her ultimate can greatly enhance team fights by providing movement speed to allies.

Playing Sivir effectively involves managing your spell rotations and utilizing your W for quick wave clear. Additionally, her spell shield can be a game-changer when avoiding crowd control.
- Sivir Strategy:
- Focus on maintaining high CS with your Q.
- Use your ultimate to engage or disengage in team fights.
- Always be aware of your positioning to maximize your shield’s effectiveness.
Comparison
Champion | Key Strengths | Key Weaknesses |
---|---|---|
Miss Fortune | • Strong lane poke with Q bounce • High damage ultimate for teamfights • Good early game trading • Passive movement speed boost • Strong mixed damage output • Excellent in lane with proper positioning | • Immobile when fighting • Channeled ultimate can be interrupted • Predictable damage patterns • Weak against dive compositions • Relies heavily on positioning • No escape abilities |
Lux | • Long-range poke and burst • Strong utility with shield and snare • Good waveclear with E • Safe farming distance • Strong pick potential • Can support team while dealing damage | • Very squishy • All abilities are skillshots • No mobility/escape tools • High mana costs • Weak against assassins • Lower sustained DPS than traditional ADCs |
Sivir | • Strong waveclear with W and Q • Spell shield for utility/mana • Team-wide movement speed ultimate • Good teamfight presence • Strong late game scaling • Can safely farm from distance | • Short attack range • Mana intensive early game • Requires good spell shield timing • Weak early all-ins • Skillshot dependent • Limited self-peel |
Additional Notes:
- Miss Fortune excels in teamfights and lane dominance
- Lux is more of an AP carry than traditional ADC but can work in bot lane with proper team composition
- Sivir provides utility and waveclear while scaling well into late game
Support
Vel’Koz
Vel’Koz has emerged as a top-tier support choice for low ELO due to his poke and burst damage capabilities. His long-range abilities allow him to poke enemies and control the lane effectively.

In the laning phase, focus on landing your Q and following up with your R when enemies are low on health. Vision control is essential; use your range to poke while maintaining safe positioning.
- Vel’Koz Strategy:
- Prioritize landing Q to set up for R.
- Control objectives by playing from the fog of war.
- Use your poke to create opportunities for your team to fight.
Tahm Kench
Tahm Kench is a dominating support champion in low ELO, especially with his tankiness and ability to save allies. His heart steel build allows him to scale well into the late game.
Utilizing Tahm’s abilities effectively involves positioning yourself to absorb damage for your ADC while also looking for opportunities to engage or save teammates with your ultimate.
- Tahm Kench Strategy:
- Focus on building tank items to maximize your survivability.
- Use your W to initiate or disengage fights.
- Prioritize protecting your carries in team fights.

Zyra
Zyra is a powerful support choice that thrives in low ELO due to her crowd control and damage output. Her ability to zone enemies with plants and roots can be game-changing in team fights.
For Zyra, positioning is key; use your plants to poke and zone enemies while keeping an eye on your own positioning to avoid being caught out. Her ultimate can turn the tide of a team fight if used correctly.
- Zyra Strategy:
- Utilize your plants to zone enemies during skirmishes.
- Focus on landing your E to root enemies for follow-up damage.
- Be proactive in team fights with your ultimate for crowd control.

Comparison
Champion | Key Strengths | Key Weaknesses |
---|---|---|
Vel’Koz | • High poke damage • True damage passive • Long-range abilities • Strong zoning potential • Good waveclear • Strong teamfight presence | • Very immobile • Squishy/easily killed if caught • All abilities are skillshots • Vulnerable to all-ins • Limited utility for team • Mana intensive early |
Tahm Kench | • Strong tank/engage potential • Can save allies with Devour • Good CC with Q stun • Excellent roaming with R • High durability • Strong early game trades | • Short range • Can be kited easily • Needs to stack passive • Limited engage without Flash • Weak against poke • Team-dependent |
Zyra | • High base damage • Strong zone control with plants • Good CC with E root • Excellent teamfight ultimate • Can solo carry games • Strong lane presence | • Very squishy • Immobile • Plant AI can be unreliable • Vulnerable to assassins • Seed management required • Dies easily if caught |
Additional Notes:
- Vel’Koz excels at long-range poke and teamfight damage
- Tahm Kench is great at protecting carries and engaging fights
- Zyra dominates lane phase and provides strong zone control
Conclusion
Climbing out of low ELO in League of Legends requires selecting champions that can carry games even with minimal coordination from teammates. Focus on champions like Veigar, Miss Fortune, and Vel’Koz, who can dominate their respective roles with straightforward mechanics and impactful abilities.
Prioritize farming, taking objectives, and positioning yourself correctly in team fights. By mastering these champions and understanding their strengths, you can significantly improve your chances of climbing the ranks.
FAQ
What is the most important factor in climbing out of low ELO?
Understanding your champion’s strengths and maintaining good positioning during fights is crucial.
How can I improve my mechanics?
Practice last hitting and skill shots in custom games to refine your mechanics.
Should I focus on one champion or multiple champions?
It’s beneficial to have a few champions you’re comfortable with, but mastering one can also lead to success.
What should I do if I get matched with uncooperative teammates?
Focus on your own gameplay and try to make the best out of the situation. Communicate positively and avoid tilting, as staying composed can lead to better decisions.
How can I effectively practice my champion pool?
Spend time in the Practice Tool to get accustomed to your champions’ mechanics, and play normal games to apply what you’ve learned in a real match setting.
Is it better to play ranked or normal games to climb?
Playing ranked can provide a more competitive environment, helping you adapt faster, but normal games can also be useful for experimenting with strategies without the pressure.
What mindset should I have while trying to climb?
Adopt a growth mindset. Focus on learning from each game, regardless of the result, and always look for ways to improve your skills and decision-making.