What is the role of top lane?

Ralanr·9/25/2015, 6:30:42 PM·1 votes·12,327 views

I play normals and I'm unranked, so please forgive me for my lack of knowledge. Based on what I've played (I main top with ) it feels like top lane has no real importance. I've seen bot lane get rushed numerous times to shut down the carry, and I've seen late games push mid because it's the shortest distance to the turret. But Top lane is usually ignored unless the other two lanes are not being pushed due to the enemy team.

So what is the point of top lane? Is it less important than the others? Is this because of the current meta or has this always been a thing?

11 Comments

redniwediS9/25/2015, 7:07:52 PM2 votes

Top lane is no less important than the other lanes, however the role is the most flexible in the game. Because of it's position there is really only one requirement to a top lane champion, you have to be self reliant. It's often said Top is an island, and that's mainly because of how it's opposite works.

Bottom lane is a duo lane for a few reasons:

Having a duo lane is the most efficient way of splitting gold between the team.
Mid is safer by default due to it's length, and so it's best for less safe solo pick.
Bottom lane is a long lane, and is therefore less safe.
Unlike Top, Bottom lane is situated next to an early game, neutral objective.

Because of these reasons most of the action happens on the bottom side of the map. You want to control neutral objectives, and the top side of the map doesn't have one until the 20 minute mark. The lane itself up top is not as important, however the role, with it's flexibility, can have one of the largest impacts if played correctly.

PROJECT Bear9/25/2015, 7:22:16 PM1 votes

top lane you duke it out like a man, ignore the rest of the map (other than the occasional 'bot/mid n00b stop feeding'), crush your opponent 5/0, then die (last of your team 'cause you are fed and tanky) to the enemy carry that destroyed bot/mid lane.

other times, mid/bot is destroying their lanes, so they take the nexus while you're still duking it top lane, like a man.

LICENSED HOOKER9/25/2015, 8:20:59 PM1 votes

Nasus + q.. That is the foundation of the question

What is top lane

Rengar Top Lane9/26/2015, 1:30:51 PM1 votes

Guess it depends on the champion to be honest.

For example: I play top lane Rengar for the purpose of farming core items/making the enemy top with me- a) weak part of the enemy team b) having to deal with me in lane. c) call jungler to help fight me

By having the enemy have a weak laner, it lowers their chance of winning. By them having to deal with me sustaining in lane, I can draw their attention from roaming. By calling jungler to gank me, one of our carry lanes are can play aggro or gank without worry.

In the end, playing top lane for me is like being the second support on the team. I'll roam when possible and at the same time, try to take the enemy jungle pressure off you. Combining wards with shoving the wave before a back can easily draw the enemy jungler's attention. Just be careful, though. Some have crazy mobility >.>