The Ranked Trap: Why You’re Still Stuck
League’s ranking system isn’t just about your skill. It’s designed to keep you hooked. You dominate one game and feel on top of the world, only to get slammed with back-to-back frustrating losses that feel out of your control. This cycle isn’t accidental—it’s what keeps most players stuck in place.
What most don’t realize is that breaking free from this cycle takes more than just playing more games. You need strategies and decision-making tailored specifically to your rank.
Now, let’s get into the solo carry picks making waves in Patch 25.10.
Top Lane Solo Carries – Patch 25.10
Malphite
A subtle yet impactful change in patch 25.9 brought Malphite back into the spotlight. The Feats of Strength buff, combined with the new Armored Advance (Plated Steelcaps upgrade), makes him incredibly efficient now—especially since it provides 15 bonus armor and costs only 500 gold.
Malphite excels against AD champions and doesn’t need to win lane to dominate. His teamfight presence alone can carry games. The only matchups to watch out for are heavy AP threats like Sylas or Mordekaiser, so consider banning Sylas if you plan to pick him.
Build:
- Core: Sunfire Aegis → Thornmail → Frozen Heart
- Runes: Arcane Comet, Manaflow Band, Transcendence, Scorch
- Secondaries: Second Wind and Overgrowth
Shen
After several buffs, especially to his Q, Shen is stronger than he’s been in a long time. What makes him shine now is the synergy between his new power spike and Titanic Hydra as a rush item. It fixes Shen’s old problem—waveclear—and lets him exert more pressure, earlier.
Pro tip: Run Inspiration secondary with Biscuit Delivery and Approach Velocity instead of Domination. It has a 4% higher win rate, which is huge for solo queue.
Matchup Note: Ban Mordekaiser. Shen struggles against champions who don’t rely on auto-attacks, and Morde is the king of that niche.
Build:
- Core: Titanic Hydra → Jack-Sho → Situational tank items
- Runes: Grasp of the Undying, Shield Bash, Second Wind, Revitalize
- Secondaries: Biscuit Delivery, Approach Velocity
Sett
Sett has been a solo queue staple for several patches now, and nothing’s changed in 25.10. In fact, the Ignite buffs in this patch make his all-in threat at level 6 even more dangerous.
If you’re ahead as Sett, you become a one-man wrecking crew. With point-and-click damage and his iconic W, winning 1v2s becomes a regular occurrence.
Struggling against ranged top laners? Ban Kennen or Vayne.
Build:
- Core: Stridebreaker → Hullbreaker → Overlord’s Bloodmail
- Runes: Conqueror, Triumph, Alacrity, Last Stand
- Secondaries: Second Wind and Overgrowth
The jungle meta in League of Legends Patch 25.10 is undergoing a shakeup with the nerfs to several popular picks. With Xin Zhou, Vi, Kayn, and Naafiri all seeing declines, it’s time for a new wave of junglers to take the spotlight. Whether you’re looking to dominate early or take over the map in midgame skirmishes, these are the top jungle champions you should be playing to climb fast.
| Champion | Role | Strength | Best Ban |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malphite | Tank/Initiator | Incredibly efficient vs. AD champs; teamfight presence wins games even from behind | Sylas |
| Shen | Tank/Support | Strong waveclear with Titanic Hydra; impactful ult; buffs to Q made him dominant again | Mordekaiser |
| Sett | Bruiser | Dangerous all-in with Ignite buffs; powerful in 1v2 scenarios; strong against melees | Kennen/Vayne |
Jungle Solo Carries – Patch 25.10
With Xin Zhou nerfed, Jarvan IV rises as the premier early-game ganking jungler for solo queue. What gives Jarvan his edge is not only his strong ganks but also his long-range engage potential, which is a huge asset in chaotic solo queue environments.
Why Jarvan Works in 25.10:
- Dominates early skirmishes and ganks
- Great pick potential with long-range EQ + R combo
- Strong around objectives—set up early, punish split enemies
Pro Tip: When playing Jarvan, it’s wise to ban Lulu or Braum, as they can shut down your all-ins and deny you key kills.
Jarvan IV Optimal Build:
- Core Items: Eclipse → Sundered Sky → Tank items (Randuin’s, Spirit Visage, etc.)
- Runes:
- Primary: Conqueror, Triumph, Alacrity, Coup de Grace
- Secondary: Magical Footwear, Cosmic Insight
- Primary: Conqueror, Triumph, Alacrity, Coup de Grace
Nocturne
Nocturne benefits massively from the drop-off in early-game pressure junglers. While his early gank power isn’t on Jarvan’s level, Nocturne makes up for it with devastating map-wide ultimates and unmatched midgame catch potential.
Why Nocturne Is Top-Tier:
- Excellent map impact with Paranoia in midgame
- Great for punishing overextended enemies
- Thrives in lower-coordination solo queue environments
If you’re locking in Nocturne, banning Braum or Lulu is still the move—they’re reliable disengage tools against your dive-heavy playstyle.
Nocturne Optimal Build:
- Core Items: Stridebreaker → Hexplate → Black Cleaver
- Runes:
- Primary: Conqueror, Triumph, Alacrity, Last Stand
- Secondary: Grizzly Memento, Ultimate Hunter
- Primary: Conqueror, Triumph, Alacrity, Last Stand
Ekko
One of the biggest indirect winners of Patch 25.10 is Ekko, thanks to multiple AP item cost reductions. His two-item midgame spike is deadly, and now it comes 400 gold cheaper thanks to buffs to Lich Bane and Nashor’s Tooth. Oh, and Rabadon’s is now 100 gold cheaper too. That’s 500 gold shaved off his core build—massive value.
Why Ekko Is Climbing the Jungle Tier List:
- Strong two-item midgame power spike arrives faster
- Excellent skirmisher with great outplay potential
- AP item buffs make his scaling more accessible
Weak Matchups: Ekko struggles against champions who can avoid his passive procs. Shaco is particularly annoying, making him the best ban when you’re planning to pick Ekko.
Ekko Optimal Build:
- Core Items: Nashor’s Tooth → Lich Bane → Rabadon’s Deathcap
- Runes:
- Primary: Dark Harvest, Sudden Impact, Eyeball Collection, Treasure Hunter
- Secondary: Magical Footwear, Cosmic Insight
- Primary: Dark Harvest, Sudden Impact, Eyeball Collection, Treasure Hunter
Final Thoughts: Play Smart, Ban Smart, Climb Fast
Patch 25.10 is shifting jungle priorities toward midgame impact and strong engage potential. Jarvan is your go-to for early pressure, Nocturne dominates with map-wide picks, and Ekko benefits from a more affordable (but just as deadly) power curve.
TL;DR Jungle Picks for Patch 25.10:
| Champion | Role | Strength | Best Ban |
| Jarvan IV | Early Game Control | Engaging, snowballing ganks | Lulu/Braum |
| Nocturne | Midgame Skirmisher | Catch power, split threat | Braum/Lulu |
| Ekko | Scaling Assassin | AP burst, item spike | Shaco |
With AP item changes continuing to reshape the mid lane meta, Patch 25.10 has opened the door for several champions to climb to the top of the tier list. Whether it’s buffed items, direct champion adjustments, or even a more forgiving early game, there’s a lot working in favor of mid lane assassins and burst mages this patch. If you’re looking to climb, these are the champions—and builds—you need to know about.
Mid Lane Solo Carries – Patch 25.10
Annie
Annie has gone from forgettable to fearsome, climbing from a 47% win rate in 25.8 to over 52% in Patch 25.9—and she’s still rising in 25.10. Thanks to direct buffs and the Ignite buff, Annie’s level 6 kill threat is stronger than ever, making her a terrifying force in solo queue.
Why Annie Is Strong in 25.10:
- Buffs in 25.9 significantly improved her win rate
- Ignite buffs amplify her all-in power at level 6
- Avoids the 25.10 nerfs to Liandry’s, unlike many other mages
If you’re picking Annie, consider banning Syndra or Orianna, as both can zone you from a distance and shut down your shorter range poke.
Annie Optimal Build:
- Core Items: Malignance → Stormsurge → Rabadon’s Deathcap
- Runes:
- Primary: Electrocute, Cheap Shot, Eyeball Collection, Relentless Hunter
- Secondary: Absolute Focus, Ultimate Hunter
- Primary: Electrocute, Cheap Shot, Eyeball Collection, Relentless Hunter
Annie is one of the easiest champions to pilot with high kill potential, making her a perfect pick for mid lane climbers.
Diana
Diana has been hovering at the edge of S-tier, and Patch 25.10 pushes her firmly into top-tier territory. With multiple AP item buffs working in her favor, Diana can choose from a variety of strong build paths depending on her role in the game—whether that’s dueling in a sidelane or bursting in teamfights.
Why Diana Shines in 25.10:
- Viable with all of the buffed AP items (Lich Bane, Nashor’s, Rocketbelt, Rabadon’s)
- Flexible builds based on team comp and playstyle
- One of the few assassins who can hold lane early and trade well
There’s no must-ban for Diana, but Yasuo can be tricky, as Wind Wall blocks your Q and disrupts your engage combo.
Diana Optimal Builds:
- Sidelane/Fighter Build: Lich Bane → Nashor’s Tooth → Rabadon’s
- One-Shot/Teamfight Build: Rocketbelt → Shadowflame → Rabadon’s
- Burst Utility Build: Stormsurge → Shadowflame → Zhonya’s
Diana Runes:
- Primary: Electrocute, Sudden Impact, Eyeball Collection, Treasure Hunter
- Secondary: Shield Bash, Bone Plating
Tip: Diana’s strength lies in how quickly she can pivot between playstyles—choose the build that fits the enemy comp and your team’s needs.
Katarina
Katarina is loving the new Lich Bane changes. The 300 gold cost reduction and recipe change (no more Needlessly Large Rod!) drastically improve her early game purchasing power, helping her snowball faster and more reliably.
Why Katarina Is a Top Pick in 25.10:
- Lich Bane now has a cheaper and smoother build path
- Early game snowball potential is stronger with better gold efficiency
- Still one of the most punishing roamers in solo queue
Katarina’s toughest matchup remains Galio, who’s tanky, has reliable CC, and can completely shut down her reset potential—ban him if you’re looking to snowball.
Katarina Optimal Build:
- Core Items: Lich Bane → Shadowflame → Zhonya’s or Rabadon’s
- Runes:
- Primary: Electrocute, Sudden Impact, Eyeball Collection, Relentless Hunter
- Secondary: Triumph, Coup de Grace
- Primary: Electrocute, Sudden Impact, Eyeball Collection, Relentless Hunter
Success with Katarina is all about knowing when to go in—get your resets, and take over fights before the enemy can react.
Mid Lane’s Rising Stars in 25.10
Patch 25.10 is heavily favoring burst mages and AP assassins. Whether you’re looking for early kill pressure (Annie), flexible scaling (Diana), or gold-efficient snowballing (Katarina), now is the perfect time to lock in these champs and start climbing.
TL;DR Mid Lane Picks for Patch 25.10:
| Champion | Strength | Best Ban | Core Build |
| Annie | Level 6 burst, consistent damage | Syndra/Orianna | Malignance → Stormsurge → Rabadon’s |
| Diana | Hybrid playstyle, flexible builds | Yasuo | Lich Bane → Nashor’s or Rocketbelt → Shadowflame |
| Katarina | Snowball queen, better item curve | Galio | Lich Bane → Shadowflame → Zhonya’s/Rabadon’s |
Ready to master the 25.10 mid lane meta? Whether you’re looking to one-shot enemies or control teamfights, these champions are your ticket to climbing in solo queue.
While Patch 25.10 brings only light changes to the bot lane, that doesn’t mean the role isn’t in a strong place. In fact, the current ADC meta is one of the best for solo carrying, thanks to a combination of powerful itemization, strong early-to-mid game spikes, and more self-reliant picks.
If you’re queuing up as ADC this patch, these are the champions, builds, and strategies you need to dominate.
ADC Solo Carries – Patch 25.10
Jinx
Jinx continues to shine as one of the best ADCs in Patch 25.10. Her kit is tailored for solo carrying games, especially in midgame teamfights, where her passive can snowball fights instantly.
Why Jinx Is Meta:
- Insane reset potential with Get Excited!
- Two-item power spike (Kraken Slayer + Infinity Edge) hits like a truck
- Synergizes perfectly with enchanters, but also excels with Braum
Jinx is especially deadly when paired with Braum, with the duo winning over 55% of their games. Braum’s CC into Jinx’s Flame Chompers creates near-unbreakable lockdown. Other great partners include Lulu, Yuumi, Nami, Soraka, Janna, and Sona.
To maximize her teamfight potential, consider banning a dive champ like Zed or Jarvan IV, both of whom can easily shut her down before she scales.
Jinx Optimal Build:
- Core Items: Kraken Slayer → Infinity Edge → Rapid Firecannon or Guardian Angel
- Runes:
- Primary: Lethal Tempo, Presence of Mind, Bloodline, Cut Down
- Secondary: Absolute Focus, Gathering Storm
- Primary: Lethal Tempo, Presence of Mind, Bloodline, Cut Down
Tip: In teamfights, position for the first takedown—after that, it’s cleanup city.
Tristana
Tristana is thriving in this ADC meta thanks to her ability to threaten kills early while still scaling into a late-game hypercarry. Her level 6 all-in potential is unmatched among ADCs, and smart use of her mobility makes her one of the best self-sufficient carries in solo queue.
Why Tristana Works:
- High all-in kill pressure from W + E + R combo
- Great matchup into squishy lanes with weak disengage
- Strong scaling despite aggressive playstyle
Just be cautious of overaggression—knowing when to leap in and when to hold back is key to mastering Trist.
Itemization Strategy:
Tristana’s build is dependent on your gold timing and lane state:
- Early lead + <1300 gold: Rush The Collector
- Bigger base (1300+ gold): Grab Youmuu’s Ghostblade
- Behind or even lane: Still prioritize Youmuu’s, even if you have to wait—it scales way better
Tristana Runes:
- Primary: Press the Attack (or Lethal Tempo), Presence of Mind, Bloodline, Cut Down
- Secondary: Free Boots, Biscuit Delivery
If you’re paired with an aggressive support, go PTA. For enchanters, Lethal Tempo gives you better DPS scaling.
Best ban for Tristana? Karma, who can easily disengage your all-ins and stall out your kill windows.
Lucian
Lucian rounds out the top three ADCs and continues to thrive as one of the most independent and aggressive bot laners in the game. His midgame R poke is fantastic for chunking out carries before big objectives, and his Essence Reaver → Infinity Edge build provides massive burst potential.
Why Lucian is S-Tier:
- Can make picks and start fights without relying on teammates
- Short cooldown dash (E) keeps him mobile and hard to punish
- Essence Reaver + Infinity Edge = tons of upfront damage
Lucian thrives in skirmish-heavy games, so if you’re looking to make plays without waiting on your team, he’s your go-to.
Lucian Optimal Build:
- Core Items: Essence Reaver → Infinity Edge → Rapid Firecannon or Lord Dominik’s
- Runes:
- Primary: Press the Attack, Presence of Mind, Bloodline, Cut Down
- Secondary: Magical Footwear, Biscuit Delivery
- Primary: Press the Attack, Presence of Mind, Bloodline, Cut Down
Because of Lucian’s shorter range, you’ll want to ban long-ranged poke ADCs like Ashe to avoid being harassed out of lane early.
Positioning tip: Use E aggressively when going for trades—but save it when you’re facing point-and-click CC or dive threats.
TL;DR: Top ADC Picks for Patch 25.10
| Champion | Strengths | Best Ban | Core Build |
| Jinx | Teamfight resets, hypercarry scaling | Zed / Jarvan | Kraken Slayer → Infinity Edge → RFC |
| Tristana | All-in threat, great scaling | Karma | Youmuu’s / Collector → IE |
| Lucian | Self-sufficient, playmaker burst | Ashe | Essence Reaver → Infinity Edge |
While the bot lane meta continues to shine in Patch 25.10, it’s not just ADCs enjoying the spotlight. Support is in a fantastic spot too—especially if you’re leaning toward playmaking or high-impact enchanters. Whether you’re looking to dominate skirmishes or amplify your ADC’s power, this patch delivers some powerful tools.
Here’s your guide to the top three supports for solo queue in the current patch, including how to build, play, and ban around them.
Support Solo Carries – Patch 25.10
Braum
Braum has quietly been strong for a few patches, but with recent buffs to Unflinching and tier-three boots, he’s now reclaiming his throne as the best solo queue support in Patch 25.10.
Why Braum Dominates:
- Unmatched 3v3 power: His passive and CC chain dominate early skirmishes
- Incredible damage mitigation: Can absorb absurd amounts of poke and burst
- Strong synergy with hypercarries like Jinx, Lucian, Tristana
With the current bot lane meta so focused on brawling, Braum gives your team a massive edge in fights around early dragons or skirmishes in river.
The only real ADCs you want to avoid when picking Braum are Ezreal and Jhin. Ezreal’s lower damage and reliance on skill shots make him less effective in coordinated all-ins, and Jhin’s slow autos don’t synergize well with Braum’s passive.
Braum Build & Runes:
- Core Items: Locket of the Iron Solari → Knight’s Vow → Solstice Sleigh
- Summoner Spells: Flash + Heal
- Runes:
- Primary: Guardian, Font of Life, Bone Plating, Unflinching
- Secondary: Biscuit Delivery, Cosmic Insight
- Primary: Guardian, Font of Life, Bone Plating, Unflinching
Ban Tip: Senna is a strong poke support who can bully Braum in lane—ban her out if you’re locking him in.
Leona
After recent buffs, Leona is shining again as one of the top melee engage supports. But what really elevates her this patch is how well she synergizes with the most meta ADCs: Jinx, Tristana, Lucian, Kai’Sa, and Miss Fortune.
Why Leona Works:
- Great synergy with ADCs that can follow up or dive with her
- Dominant pick potential in lane and mid-game
- Excels against squishy comps and immobile carries
Key Build Insight:
Too many Leona players are defaulting to Celestial Opposition, but in most games, Bloodsong is the superior upgrade, especially against sustained DPS comps. Use Celestial only if you’re facing burst-heavy threats.
Leona Build & Runes:
- Core Items: Locket → Knight’s Vow → Bloodsong
- Runes:
- Primary: Aftershock, Font of Life, Bone Plating, Unflinching
- Secondary: Biscuit Delivery, Cosmic Insight
- Primary: Aftershock, Font of Life, Bone Plating, Unflinching
Ban Tip: Braum is Leona’s worst enemy right now, shutting down her all-ins and punishing dives. Ban him if you want to engage freely.
Sona
Sona takes the crown as the best enchanter support in Patch 25.10. With Lulu nerfs continuing and a recent buff to Sona’s Q, players who max Q first are now winning 54% of the time, compared to just 51% for W-max builds.
Why Sona Is S-Tier:
- Strong poke and sustain when ahead
- Max-Q builds deal surprisingly high damage
- Can turn fights with her ultimate engage
- Huge utility with W/E + game-changing R
While she’s vulnerable in lane against aggressive melee supports, her scaling into mid and late game makes her a monster in teamfights. If you’re even or ahead, she becomes a true 5v5 powerhouse.
Sona Build & Runes:
- Core Items: Moonstone → Bloodsong → Redemption
- Item Upgrade: Always go Bloodsong for max value
- Runes:
- Primary: Summon Aery, Manaflow Band, Transcendence, Gathering Storm
- Secondary: Conditioning, Revitalize
- Primary: Summon Aery, Manaflow Band, Transcendence, Gathering Storm
Ban Tip: Take out Leona or Nautilus—melee engage supports can shut Sona down before she scales.
Final Thoughts: Support Picks to Win More in 25.10
| Support | Playstyle | Best ADC Synergy | Ban Recommendation |
| Braum | Skirmish tank, peel | Jinx, Lucian, Trist | Senna |
| Leona | Hard engage, playmaker | Tristana, Kai’Sa, MF | Braum |
| Sona | Enchanter, scaling utility | Any hypercarry | Leona or Nautilus |
Whether you prefer locking down enemies, setting up your ADC to pop off, or buffing your team into late-game dominance, Patch 25.10 offers excellent support options for solo queue climbers. Just make sure you’re building correctly, pairing smartly, and banning wisely.
Let me know if you’d like this post adapted for a newsletter, infographic, or social media thread!
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