What can one do to get better at top lane

Galewings·Jan 21, 2015·2 votes·3,031 views

When I started league, a plat friend told me That half the players become one to two trick ponies and the other half become jacks of all trades.

I opted to go for the second one, since I feel that option is less toxic and better for what is supposed to be a team based game. I've learned a lot from playing different roles, though I still have much to learn. I feel alright in most roles, but the one I never seem to be able to get down is top.

When I top I am always behind in farm. I am usually on the short end of trades/duels and get bullied out of farm easily. It's by far my weakest role. I know I should engage when I have a minion advantage, or when they are low on mana. I always ward, too. But I always seem to struggle. I'm wondering if there's more stuff I should know and consider about being top and more things I should know about trading and the like.

11 Comments

hh the thinkerJan 21, 20151 votes

most people have trouble with at least one role, which is fine. as long as you can play it at an ok level. there is a lot to know about top lane, but not sure you are struggling with. one thing you can try is playing a tank top and joining your team when you can. you can try shen since he's great for that, or any other tank you prefer.

Blue Collar BearJan 21, 20151 votes

I'd like to help.

Who do you play in the top lane?

GalewingsJan 21, 20151 votes

For top I have Nasus, Nidalee, Irelia, Garen and Ryze. The only one I feel somewhat comfortable using is Nidalee.

Blue Collar BearJan 21, 20151 votes

Well, top lane is all about simultaneously trading and farming at the same time. There are two ways you can push; either a) you kill all of the melee minions, which will cause the enemy minions to have more damage but less overall health, or b) you kill all of the caster minions, which means that the enemy lane has more than half of the health but less than half of the damage of a wave. What this means is that if you choose option A, your lane will push because caster minions are squishy. They will die quickly, and not deal a lot of damage. If you choose option B, your lane will stall. This is good if you are trying to quickly push your lane. It will take time for your minions to kill the enemy melee minions, long enough for the next wave to reach you. By doing this, your lane will slowly push. Your melee minions will die, but your caster minions will not die on their own. This kind of slow pushing is great for making sure your opponent loses CS. Now, when you do this is up to you. You probably already knew a lot of this, but it is good food for thought when thinking about how to control your lane.

When you're in the top lane, you almost always want the enemy laner to overextend early on. Your jungler will start on the bottom, and he will reach topside at about level three. At this time, you want your enemy laner to be as close to your tower as possible so your jungler can gank easier whilst also denying the enemy jungler any access to a gank. To do this, simply do not auto attack your lane. Let your enemy laner push the wave. You should still last hit, but anytime you are not last hitting, you should be harassing them. As Nidalee, you will most likely succeed easily in harassing them as you are ranged.

This is just some things I've come up with off the top of my head. I try to keep most of these things in mind when I'm playing top lane, but the one thing you want to remember is that top lane is, for the most part, a solo lane. You will not receive a lot of jungler attention, because his attention is needed towards the other side of the map for dragon. Usually that first gank is all you're going to receive. Keep in mind that the enemy jungler is also going to be looking to snowball their top laner early on.

I do not play many of your champions (aside from Garen / Nasus), so this may seem very vague champion wise. I hope this helps.

PengodJan 21, 20151 votes

I love playing Nidalee and Irelia. Are you looking for champion tips or just top lane tips in general? Most of the stuff is the same as mid lane, and I can help you develop what champs or champ types to pick from on situations, and how to utilize the champ type to the best extent.

Leti the YetiJan 21, 20151 votes

There are more factors top lane than anywhere else there's really no general tips

top lane is the only lane where you have 2 varying volatile mongrels in hostile proximity each other while micromanaging farm and trades non stop or there is a cancer range top against a melee

top lane is a lane where you just play that 1 dude... and you figure out how to make that one specific champ work in all these specific situations cuz top lane isnt so simple that you cn just generalize everything

WyenotJan 21, 20151 votes

What has improved my gameplay as a top laner as of late is always be looking for something to do.

If I am too pushed I immediately look to see if I can go harass their jungler or roam down to mid for a surprise gank.

Look to make favorable strong trades. The thing I noticed is whoever sets the tone of the lane usually commands it. So always try to trade in such a way that makes them shit their pants while you remain safe. Some champions just out trade others that's something you'll learn with match up experience. An easy tip is look to trade when your minion wave is larger, you will get great results!

Pay attention to levels, they are more important than you might think. Do your best to stay in the lane and sustain if you have to. It's important you get the experience.

That's all I can think off the top of my head.

The WhamboozlerJan 21, 20151 votes

It sounds like you might be having trouble learning to trade/farm/harass with melee champs. Managing minion aggro, freezing the lane, zoning and the like are SUPER important in top lane. You said you're most comfy with Nid, who is both ranged and safe/strong in lane. That makes sense. I'd suggest picking a mobile top laner with half-decent sustain who can get in or out if they need and practice learning how to handle dueling/harassing up close. That or exclusively play ranged top laners I guess.

Try someone like Renekton, Jarvan... or even the old standby of "I can do everything". Lee Sin. They're pretty good at correcting if they make a mistake.

HeroSaitamaJan 21, 20151 votes

i Suggest you look for wingsofdeathx videos on youtube and watch his stream he's the best top laner to explain match ups when it comes to laning i have almost no problems except if my enemy runs ignite might try that new approach for the next season.