I'm curious as to why Trundle isn't played more often especially in this meta where tanky top laners are really popular. Trundle's ult makes him awesome at scaling when properly built and lets his team get rid of enemy frontlines without as much trouble. He seems like a pretty solid champion to take top lane so why isn't he played more?
Jamaree3 votesBecause melee champions aren't played top as often anymore on top of people in this game are sheep.
InvalidGuest3 votesI love Trundle, he is an absolutely disgusting anti-tank and lategame he can take towers within half a minute.
However, he gets completely wrecked by ranged champions, like 
or 
who are very popular right now, so I'm guessing that's the main reason you don't see him more often.
Elkington IV3 votesI'm not sure what this "tanky top" meta is that you're referring to.
Riot has continually nerfed defensive itemization for bruisers and tanks alike. Trundle has to build pretty tanky to do his job, and is countered by ranged APs in lane (also Quinn and Vayne). As far as I've seen, on pretty much every map, people in mid-higher MMRs are running a lot more ranged magic damage champions, even in top lane. This makes sense considering how good AP itemization is currently, the lack of strong MR items, how much utility most ranged APs tend to have in their kits (meaning they scale well into late game even without getting fed early), and the comfort zone of being able to farm/harass from range.
Trundle is good against other bruisers and tanks, but pretty terrible against most ranged champions in lane, especially AP. You have to be really good with the Troll King to win against his direct counters (which are currently many).
When bruisers/defensive itemization as a whole are good again, you'll start seeing Trundle more often.
Zanphyra1 votesThis pretty much sums it up as to why he isn't played.
Aozora1 votesI see what you mean, but since Ryze is getting nerfed on PBE do you think we may be seeing a bit more of the top lane tanks and hopefully Trundle as well? I'm sure Lulu will still be a popular top lane pick though.
Elkington IV2 votesRiot is also buffing sustain and health, while finally making Negatron Cloak/Chain Vest easier to buy, so you'll definitely start seeing more bruisers again at top lane. Champions like Lulu and Karma will always be annoying counter-picks to top lane melees (they always have been).
Aozora1 votesThat's nice to here. Thanks! :)
junglerboy161 votesYeah, the changes making everything % based will really make Trundle strong, since he has such high base regen.
reitschule2 votesI play lots of Trundle (in fact, I went 8 - 2 on placements using mostly Trundle) and my guess would be because he's an auto attack melee champion with his only CC being on a long cooldown. He's kind of boring and can't really make any flashy plays.
He has phenomenal tower destroying capability and sustain, though.
junglerboy161 votesShhh! nobody is supposed to remember how good our troll king is, it's a secret!
Variks the Loyal1 votesTrundle is a great counterpick to tanky champions, but he wouldn't be able to sustain against a super harass ranged top laner, like Ryze, Gnar, or Lulu. So he's pretty much just a counterpick.
Confuscius1 votesYes he can, its difficult but trundle's basic runes/masteries alone with dorans shield plus his w with that and health pots are crazy sustain. He can harass early on as well easily on tanks other fighters and basically every type of champ ap champs need to be late game to even dare lol but your right there def a pain.
Raptamei1 votesIf your toplaner can't deal with ranged tops, he's not viable.
MariIyn Manson1 votesTrundle CAN deal with ranged top laners. He has great sustain, if you start 9/21 with a dorans shield you have no trouble sustaining through lane poke.
Kobila20001 votesBecause Riot has been pretty clear that they want old-style speed-buff-only champions to stay unviable. Better release more super-mobile champions and ranged toplaners, that stuff doesn't get abused at all.
DrNova1 votesNot to mention even with his W and his E, he still can hardly get in range of most of the hyper mobile champs played often these days long enough for an AA. But Riot doesnt care about the older champs, so..