Whether you are new to League of Legends or have been playing before, you know that there are tons of melee champions. Some aren’t that popular because players seem to favor their ranged alternatives. Others, however, have many fans, meaning you face them very often.
Learning to counter melee champions in League of Legends can be very beneficial, no matter the patch. It is true that some champions are much harder to counter than others, but once you learn the basics, you should be a lot more successful than before. Speaking of the devil, this League of Legends melee champions guide will show you everything you need to know.
Keep in mind that some of the things you will see will usually work better in the lower ranks. Others, however, are applied even by some of the best LoL players, so you can definitely put them to the test.
Contents
Slow Pushing in the Laning Stage
Once you start playing against League of Legends melee champions, one of the first aspects you can focus on is the laning stage. Of course, there will be differences depending on the lane and the specific champions, but one of your goals should be to focus on slow pushing.
The idea is to get at least a couple of waves and then push and harass your opponent. Some melee champions will be able to deal with the big wave, but most do not have the needed abilities.
Once you push like that, your opponent can’t fight you because he will have to deal with all those minions. On top of that, he will be under-leveled, which will give you an even more significant advantage in case of a fight.
This tactic should work against pretty much all melees, including Irelia. That said, the latter can be more dangerous because she can heal fast, so keep that in mind.
Try Harassing Your Opponents When Ranged Creeps Can’t Aggro You
Regarding how to counter melee champions in League of Legends, people have to try to harass them as much as possible. This is often one of the first mistakes that many players make because they give their opponents too much space. Once they start harassing them, however, they can easily annoy even a League of Legends melee adc.
For better or worse, harassing an enemy is easier said than done if you want to make the most of it. From our experience, when fighting a melee, it is best to lure him in a position that will allow you NOT to aggro his range creeps. Doing this will give you the following advantages:
- You won’t tank any unnecessary damage
- Your creep wave will not push
Generally speaking, you should always try to harass your opponent when possible. We can’t stress enough how important it is to do that if you are using a ranged champ. Leaving the opponent’s melee champion to free farm is never a good idea, and it will not end well.
Keep an Eye on Your Melee Opponent When he Gets Level 3
Most of the League of Legends melee champions will get a huge power spike when they hit level 3. Depending on the champion, it is very likely for the enemy player to try and dive you, regardless of the ranged champion you are using. Therefore, you must be extra careful when that happens and ensure you are not out of position.
When talking about being careful, you need to be able to predict when your opponent will hit that level 3 and take action beforehand. In other words, you need to be in a position allowing you to retreat or strike (depending on the situation).
Take Advantage of the Fact That Your Opponent is missing
When talking about the League of Legends melee vs ranged duel, it is very likely for the melee champion to go missing. Sometimes people do it because they can’t lane against you, but some players will want to pressure other parts of the map to make up for their poor laning stage.
If you are playing a ranged champion and see this happening, try to take full advantage of the situation and push your lane. Doing this will allow you to do more damage and maybe even clear some neutral camps. This will pressure the opponent’s melee champion, and he will have to come back to defend.
Buying Necessary Items
Those who wonder how to counter melee champions in League of Legends have to pay attention to their items. Having the correct items can make a huge difference in every match, regardless of your opponent. This is especially true when facing specific types of melee champions.
For example, people who play against tanks should try to get things like Blade of the Ruined King, Lord Dominik’s Regards, and others. When facing assassins, you can get options like Edge of Night, Zhonya’s Hourglass, and more.
It’s worth remembering that every LoL game is different, so you must adapt. The fact that something works in a given matchup does not mean it will do the same in another one. Always analyze the LoL melee champion of your opponent, his item build, team, and more.
Closing Thoughts
Countering League of Legends champions melee is not as complicated as it seems, especially when you know what you are doing. People who implement the tips here will notice a substantial improvement in their performance, especially in the lower ranks. Players do not know what to do in these situations, and you should take full advantage of them.
In terms of the best LoL champions to pick against melees, it all depends on your position. For example, names like Teemo and Vayne are incredibly powerful in the Top lane. On the other hand, Ashe and Jhin do wonders in Bot. Lux and Anivia can be excellent picks for Mid and Nunu, and Sejuani are great for Junglers. In terms of Supports, names like Lulku and Janna are among the first options that come to mind.
