Best Characters in League of Legends for Beginners

The Blix team has made such lists as TOP-10 Best Top-Laners Champions or Top 10 Best Junglers. But those lists are for somewhat experienced players. This article is all about helping players—whether brand new to LoL or looking to level up their gameplay—find the best champions suited to their skill level. 

We’ve curated a list of ten beginner-friendly champions to help you get started, along with five more complex picks for when you’re ready to step up your game. This guide is aimed at players looking to build their champion pool and improve their mechanics without getting overwhelmed.

To create this list, we analyzed data from [several rate sources plus our own insights on champion performance. We considered factors like win, pick, and ban rates to ensure you get the most effective picks for your journey on the Rift.

Highlights

• 10 best Champions for the beginners
• Rates, abilities, and stats for each
• 5 additional champions to step up

The Beginner’s Champion List

Every blade its own master. Genesis Nightbringer Yasuo is live. pic.twitter.com/FsKMrlnXgT

— League of Legends (@LeagueOfLegends) October 10, 2024

Beginner-Friendly Champions in LoL

• Garen
• Darius
• Warwick
• Amumu
• Annie
• Malzahar
• Ashe
• Jinx
• Leona
• Soraka

Champions to Rank Up

• Yasuo
• Zed
• Riven
• Lee Sin
• Irelia

Top Lane

Garen

Garen’s about as simple as it gets—no skill shots, just pure damage and tackiness. Perfect for when you want to focus on understanding the basics of the top lane without having to worry about fancy mechanics. Just spin to win, literally.

Subreddit

• Release Date: April 27, 2010
• Last Change Patch: 14.19
• Class: Fighter / Tank
• Tier: A

Champion’s Rates

• Pick Rate: 4.52%
• Win Rate: 51.3%
• Ban Rate: 0.67%

Champion’s Abilities

• Passive: Perseverance – Garen regenerates health every second if he hasn’t taken damage for a few seconds.
• Q: Decisive Strike – Gains bonus movement speed and silences the target.
• W: Courage – Grants bonus armor and magic resist temporarily.
• E: Judgment – Spins rapidly, dealing damage to enemies nearby.
• R: Demacian Justice – Deals true damage based on the target’s missing health.

Darius

Here’s the deal with Darius: He’s unforgiving and relentless. His kit is all about punishing missteps, making him a go-to choice if you’re ready to learn how to dominate trades. If you love dunking on people (literally), Darius is your guy.

Subreddit

• Release Date: May 23, 2012
• Last Change Patch: 14.19
• Class: Fighter
• Tier: A

Champion’s Rates

• Pick Rate: 4.29%
• Win Rate: 50.5%
• Ban Rate: 5.03%

Champion’s Abilities

• Passive: Hemorrhage – Causes enemies to bleed, dealing damage over time.
• Q: Decimate – Swings his axe in a wide circle.
• W: Crippling Strike – Next attack slows and deals bonus damage.
• E: Apprehend – Pulls in enemies and reduces their armor.
• R: Noxian Guillotine – Executes a target enemy champion.

Jungle

Warwick

Want a jungler who’s practically always healthy and zooms around the map like he’s in Fast & Furious? Warwick’s your pick. With insane sustain and an ultimate that’s perfect for locking down key targets, he’s your ticket to easy ganks.

Subreddit

• Release Date: February 21, 2009
• Last Change Patch: 14.20
• Class: Fighter
• Tier: S

Champion’s Rates

• Pick Rate: 3.67%
• Win Rate: 52.7%
• Ban Rate: 1.31%

Champion’s Abilities

• Passive: Eternal Hunger – Basic attacks deal bonus magic damage and heal him.
• Q: Jaws of the Beast – Lunges forward, biting and healing himself.
• W: Blood Hunt – Gains movement speed towards low-health enemies.
• E: Primal Howl – Reduces damage taken and fears enemies when it ends.
• R: Infinite Duress – Leaps onto a target, suppressing them.

Amumu

The sad mummy’s got your back if you want a champion who can set up massive team fights without breaking a sweat. Simple, effective, and perfect for beginners looking to learn jungle and team fight mechanics.

Subreddit

• Release Date: June 26, 2009
• Last Change Patch: 14.20
• Class: Tank
• Tier: A

Champion’s Rates

• Pick Rate: 2.74%
• Win Rate: 51.4%
• Ban Rate: 3.21%

Champion’s Abilities

• Passive: Cursed Touch – Basic attacks reduce the target’s magic resist.
• Q: Bandage Toss – Throws a bandage, stuns, and pulls himself to the target.
• W: Despair – Damages nearby enemies based on their max health.
• E: Tantrum – Reduces incoming damage and releases energy, damaging enemies.
• R: Curse of the Sad Mummy – Stuns and damages all enemies around him.

Mid Lane

Annie

Annie is the queen of the beginner mid-lane. She’s got a straightforward kit, making her a no-brainer pick when you’re new and need to focus on fundamentals like positioning and cooldown management. Plus, her bear Tibbers is a crowd favorite.

Subreddit

• Release Date: February 21, 2009
• Last Change Patch: 14.19
• Class: Mage
• Tier: A

Champion’s Rates

• Pick Rate: 2.85%
• Win Rate: 50.9%
• Ban Rate: 0.45%

Champion’s Abilities

• Passive: Pyromania – After casting four spells, Annie’s next spell stuns the target.
• Q: Disintegrate – Throws a fireball and refunds mana if it kills the target.
• W: Incinerate – Emits a cone of fire.
• E: Molten Shield – Shields herself and deals damage back to attackers.
• R: Summon: Tibbers – Summons Tibbers, who deals damage and can be controlled.

Malzahar

Want to shut down assassins with a single button press? Enter Malzahar. His playstyle is about controlling the lane and suppressing enemies until they can’t do much of anything.

Subreddit

• Release Date: June 1, 2010
• Last Change Patch: 14.19
• Class: Mage
• Tier: B

Champion’s Rates

• Pick Rate: 1.78%
• Win Rate: 50.2%
• Ban Rate: 1.58%

Champion’s Abilities

• Passive: Void Shift – Gains a spell shield after not taking damage.
• Q: Call of the Void – Opens two portals, damaging and silencing enemies.
• W: Void Swarm – Summons Voidlings that attack nearby enemies.
• E: Malefic Visions – Infects a target, dealing damage over time and spreading if the target dies.
• R: Nether Grasp – Suppresses and deals damage to a single target.

ADC

Ashe

Ashe’s your classic ADC, offering solid poke, vision control, and the ability to set up kills with her ultimate. Her straightforward kit makes her a popular first choice for new players.

Subreddit

• Release Date: February 21, 2009
• Last Change Patch: 14.20
• Class: Marksman
• Tier: A

Champion’s Rates

• Pick Rate: 10.31%
• Win Rate: 49.6%
• Ban Rate: 3.12%

Champion’s Abilities

• Passive: Frost Shot – Basic attacks slow enemies.
• Q: Ranger’s Focus – Gains attack speed and enhances basic attacks.
• W: Volley – Fires arrows in a cone.
• E: Hawkshot – Reveals the map as it flies.
• R: Enchanted Crystal Arrow – Fires a large arrow that stuns and deals damage.

Jinx

Jinx is about chaos and destruction. You like rockets? Great. You like getting faster as you kill things? Even better. Jinx’s resets and long-range poke make her a thrilling pick for any player.

Subreddit

• Release Date: October 10, 2013
• Last Change Patch: 14.20
• Class: Marksman
• Tier: B

Champion’s Rates

• Pick Rate: 7.29%
• Win Rate: 49.5%
• Ban Rate: 1.76%

Champion’s Abilities

• Passive: Get Excited! – Gains attack speed and movement speed after takedowns.
• Q: Switcheroo! – Switches between minigun and rocket launcher.
• W: Zap: Jinx fires a shock blast in a straight line, dealing damage and slowing the first enemy it hits.
• E: Flame Chompers! – Jinx throws a series of traps in an arc. The traps root and damage enemies who step on them after a brief arming period. They also explode after a short delay, dealing additional damage.
• R: Super Mega Death Rocket! – Fires a global rocket dealing more damage based on missing health.

Support

Leona

If you’re looking for support that dives headfirst into the action and isn’t afraid to take a beating, Leona’s your go-to. She’s the queen of crowd control with stuns for days, making it easy to lock down your enemies while your team follows up.

Subreddit

• Release Date: July 13, 2011
• Last Change Patch: 14.20
• Class: Tank

Champion’s Rates

• Tier: S
• Pick Rate: 4.09%
• Win Rate: 50.9%
• Ban Rate: 1.24%

Champion’s Abilities

• Passive: Sunlight – Abilities mark enemies, and allies deal bonus damage.
• Q: Shield of Daybreak – Stuns the target with the next basic attack.
• W: Eclipse – Gains armor and explodes for damage.
• E: Zenith Blade – Dashes to a target, stunning them.
• R: Solar Flare – Stuns and slows enemies in an area.

Soraka

Soraka’s the healer that never stops giving. She’s all about keeping her team alive at the cost of her own health, making her a fantastic choice if you want to support your team without needing to engage enemies directly.

Subreddit

• Release Date: March 21, 2009
• Last Change Patch: 14.20
• Class: Enchanter
• Tier: B

Champion’s Rates

• Pick Rate: 3.18%
• Win Rate: 49.7%
• Ban Rate: 0.51%

Champion’s Abilities

• Passive: Salvation – Gains movement speed towards low-health allies.
• Q: Starcall – Heals Soraka if it hits an enemy.
• W: Astral Infusion – Heals an ally at the cost of her health.
• E: Equinox – Silences enemies in an area; roots if they stay inside.
• R: Wish – Heals all allies globally.

Who are the best Champions to Step Up?

And in addition, let’s talk about the champions that are a step up from the beginner-friendly picks. These are the champs you should consider once you’ve got a handle on the basics and want to challenge yourself a bit more. They may require a little more finesse, but they’ll help you hone your skills in new ways. Think of these picks like leveling up from training wheels to a full-speed racing bike.

Yasuo

Yasuo is the epitome of a high-risk, high-reward champion. His wind-powered mobility, shield management, and combo potential can turn him into a terror in the right hands—but mess up, and you’ll be feeding faster than you can say “wind wall.”

Subreddit

• Release Date: December 13, 2013
• Last Change Patch: 14.19
• Class: Fighter / Assassin
• Tier: B

Champion’s Rates

• Pick Rate: 12.11%
• Win Rate: 48.6%
• Ban Rate: 20.78%

Champion’s Abilities

• Passive: Way of the Wanderer – Yasuo gains a shield that activates when moving. His crit chance is doubled, but his crits deal reduced damage.
• Q: Steel Tempest – Thrusts his sword, building stacks of whirlwind that eventually launch enemies airborne.
• W: Wind Wall – Summons a wall of wind that blocks projectiles.
• E: Sweeping Blade – Dashes through enemies, dealing damage and marking them.
• R: Last Breath – Blinks to a target airborne enemy, suspending them in the air and dealing massive damage.

Zed

For players looking to dive deep into the world of assassins, Zed is your entry point. He’s all about quick bursts and getting out before anyone can react. Mastering Zed’s shadows is vital, and making full use of his combos will have you deleting enemy carries like it’s nobody’s business.

Subreddit

• Release Date: November 13, 2012
• Last Change Patch: 14.19
• Class: Assassin
• Tier: A

Champion’s Rates

• Pick Rate: 6.84%
• Win Rate: 51.2%
• Ban Rate: 34.15%

Champion’s Abilities

• Passive: Contempt for the Weak – Basic attacks deal bonus damage to low-health enemies.
• Q: Razor Shuriken – Throws a shuriken, damaging all enemies it passes through.
• W: Living Shadow – Sends out a shadow that mimics his abilities. Reactivating the skill lets Zed switch places with it.
• E: Shadow Slash – Spins his blades, slowing enemies hit.
• R: Death Mark – Dashes to a target, marking them. If they die after a few seconds, Zed reappears at their location, dealing burst damage.

Riven

Riven’s a combo queen, and if you’re looking to flex your mechanical skill, she’s the champ to pick. She demands precision and split-second decision-making with her combos and animation cancels. Once you get the hang of her, you’ll feel like you’re dancing across the battlefield.

Subreddit

• Release Date: September 14, 2011
• Last Change Patch: 14.19
• Class: Fighter

Champion’s Rates

• Tier: A
• Pick Rate: 4.52%
• Win Rate: 50.1%
• Ban Rate: 3.74%

Champion’s Abilities

• Passive: Runic Blade – Riven’s abilities charge her blade, making her next auto-attacks deal bonus damage.
• Q: Broken Wings – Performs a series of three quick dashes, the last one knocking up enemies.
• W: Ki Burst – Stuns and damages nearby enemies.
• E: Valor – Dashes forward and shields herself.
• R: Blade of the Exile – Empowers her sword, increasing her damage and range. Can recast to use Wind Slash, a long-range burst of damage.

Lee Sin

Lee Sin’s a mainstay in the jungle for those who want to demonstrate flawless mechanics. His skill expression comes through ward jumps, intricate combos, and being able to “Insec” (a famous technique where you kick an enemy into your team). If you like the idea of being the playmaker, Lee Sin’s for you.

Subreddit

• Release Date: April 1, 2011
• Last Change Patch: 14.20
• Class: Fighter
• Tier: B

Champion’s Rates

• Pick Rate: 9.82%
• Win Rate: 47.7%
• Ban Rate: 12.23%

Champion’s Abilities

• Passive: Flurry – Gains bonus attack speed for his subsequent two basic attacks.
• Q: Sonic Wave / Resonating Strike – Fires a sonic wave, then can dash to the hit target.
• W: Safeguard / Iron Will – Dashes to an ally or ward, shielding and gaining lifesteal.
• E: Tempest / Cripple – Slams the ground, revealing and slowing enemies.
• R: Dragon’s Rage – Kicks an enemy champion, knocking them back and damaging all enemies hit.

Irelia

Irelia’s blade dancing isn’t just for show—she’s got one of the highest skill caps in the game. Learning how to reset her Q and stack her passive effectively is key to her success. Get it right, and you’ll cut through the enemy team like a hot knife through butter.

Subreddit

• Release Date: November 16, 2010
• Last Change Patch: 14.19
• Class: Fighter
• Tier: A

Champion’s Rates

• Pick Rate: 5.39%
• Win Rate: 49.8%
• Ban Rate: 15.44%

Champion’s Abilities

• Passive: Ionian Fervor – Basic attacks deal bonus magic damage.
• Q: Bladesurge – Dashes to a target, dealing damage and healing herself.
• W: Defiant Dance – Charges and reduces damage taken, then slashes in a direction.
• E: Flawless Duet – Throws two blades that converge, stunning enemies hit.
• R: Vanguard’s Edge – Throws a large blade, disarming and damaging enemies.
• These champions will push you to improve your mechanics and game sense, but they’re rewarding once mastered. If you’re feeling confident and want to step up your game, give these a try!