The current support meta has seen significant evolution with Nami emerging as the premier pick according to METAsrc’s algorithm. Mobalytics identifies several high-performing support champions who excel in the current patch environment . Meanwhile, the analysis of both win rates AND pick rates reveals which champions are genuinely meta-relevant versus statistical outliers . Let’s examine the champions defining this patch’s support meta.
S+ Tier: The Meta-Defining Picks
Nami has emerged as the highest-scoring support champion according to METAsrc’s algorithm with a score of 95.31, combining an excellent 52.19% win rate with a strong 10.81% pick rate . Her combination of healing, crowd control, and team fight utility makes her an exceptional blind pick that can adapt to any team composition.
Thresh maintains his status as a cornerstone support pick with a METAsrc score of 88.14, featuring a solid 50.50% win rate and an impressive 10.34% pick rate . His lantern utility and crowd control provide unmatched engage and save potential that makes him valuable across all skill levels.
Nautilus demonstrates exceptional tank support performance with a METAsrc score of 85.08, showcasing a 49.37% win rate with a substantial 9.60% pick rate . His engage potential and peel tools make him particularly effective in aggressive team compositions.
Lulu provides exceptional protective utility with a METAsrc score of 82.79, maintaining a 49.91% win rate with an 8.72% pick rate
S Tier: The Reliable Performers
Pyke provides exceptional assassination support with a METAsrc score of 74.24, maintaining a 48.96% win rate while commanding a massive 24.25% ban rate with a 6.96% pick rate . His high ban rate combined with reasonable performance suggests he’s being undervalued by the general population.
Leona offers reliable engage and crowd control with a METAsrc score of 73.47, featuring a 50.99% win rate and a solid 7.52% pick rate . Her straightforward playstyle makes her excellent for players transitioning to tank supports.
Karma demonstrates versatile utility with a METAsrc score of 73.04, maintaining a 50.18% win rate with a 7.65% pick rate
A Tier: The Solid Choices
Bard offers unique roaming and utility support with a METAsrc score of 62.96, showcasing a 50.22% win rate with a 5.75% pick rate
Champion Selection Strategies
Meta-Relevant Blind Picks
When first-selecting support, prioritize champions that combine good win rates with high pick rates:
- Balanced Performance: Nami, Thresh, Nautilus
- Protective Utility: Lulu, Janna, Karma
- Engage Potential: Leona, Nautilus, Blitzcrank
Counter-Pick Considerations
- Against Hook Champions: Morgana, Sivir, Janna
- Against Poke Compositions: Leona, Nautilus, Alistar
- Against Assassin Compositions: Lulu, Morgana, Janna
Win Rate vs. Pick Rate Analysis
High Pick Rate Meta Champions
Champions like Nami (10.81% pick rate, 52.19% win rate) and Thresh (10.34% pick rate, 50.50% win rate) maintain both strong win rates and high pick rates, indicating their consistent effectiveness across various team compositions and skill levels
High Win Rate Specialists
Soraka shows an exceptional 51.93% win rate with reasonable 5.43% pick rate, suggesting she’s genuinely powerful when executed correctly rather than a statistical outlier
High Ban Rate Considerations
Pyke (24.25% ban rate), Morgana (22.41% ban rate), and Blitzcrank (15.12% ban rate) command high ban rates while maintaining reasonable performance, indicating they’re perceived as threats by the community
Support Synergies and ADC Combinations
Aggressive Lane Combos
Thresh synergizes exceptionally well with ADC champions who can follow up on hook engages, allowing for consistent kill pressure throughout the laning phase
Scaling Team Compositions
Lulu and Nami excel in compositions that protect hyper-carry ADC champions, providing the utility and sustain needed for late-game success
Control and Pick Potential
Lux and Morgana provide excellent screen control through their long-range crowd control, making them valuable in compositions focused on pick plays
Lane Management and Trading Patterns
Early Game Priorities
Successful support play in this meta requires understanding optimal positioning and trading:
- Ward Coverage: Establish vision in river bushes and pixel wards
- ADC Protection: Time your crowd control to counter enemy engage attempts
- Roaming Timing: Coordinate with ADC for optimal recall timing
Mid-Game Impact
The current meta emphasizes mid-game team fighting and objective control:
- Group Coordination: Coordinate with your team for major objectives
- Vision Control: Maintain deep wards in enemy jungle for information
- Engage Timing: Coordinate with your team for optimal engage opportunities
Late-Game Scaling
Several meta champions excel at late-game impact:
- Team Fight Carriers: Nami, Soraka, Seraphine
- Utility Focus: Thresh, Lulu, Janna
- Engage Specialists: Leona, Nautilus, Blitzcrank
Itemization Trends
Core Support Items
- Imperial Mandate: Ability haste and damage amplification for engage supports
- Moonstone Renewer: Healing and shielding amplification for enchanter supports
- Zeke’s Convergence: Armor and engage bonus for tank supports
- Redemption: Global healing and damage item for all support types
Situational Picks
- Mikael’s Blessing: Magic resistance with crowd control cleanse
- Locket of the Iron Solari: Magic resistance shield for team protection
- Knight’s Vow: Damage redirection and movement speed for protective supports
- Ardent Censer: Attack speed and on-hit healing for ADC-focused compositions
Meta Analysis and Key Trends
The Enchanter Renaissance
The current meta has seen traditional enchanters like Nami and Lulu return to prominence due to their ability to protect carries in an assassin-heavy environment
The Tank Support Stability
Tank supports like Nautilus and Leona maintain consistent performance due to their reliable engage tools and crowd control that can initiate fights effectively
The Pick Rate Indicator
High pick rates combined with good win rates (Nami 10.81%, Thresh 10.34%, Nautilus 9.60%) indicate genuine meta relevance rather than statistical anomalies
Climbing Strategy Recommendations
For Lower Elo Players (Iron-Bronze-Silver)
Focus on mastering these beginner-friendly champions:
- Soraka: Simple mechanics with strong healing and global presence
- Lux: Long-range safety with strong crowd control
- Morgana: Black shield provides unique anti-magic protection
For Mid Elo Players (Gold-Platinum)
Consider these intermediate champions:
- Thresh: Requires practice but offers excellent utility and save potential
- Nami: Good balance of healing, crowd control, and team fight presence
- Leona: Straightforward engage with reliable crowd control
For Higher Elo Players (Diamond+)
Experiment with these advanced picks:
- Pyke: High skill ceiling with assassination potential
- Bard: Requires exceptional macro understanding and roaming
- Rakan: Complex mobility patterns with excellent engage potential
Advanced Tips for SoloQ Success
Communication and Team Coordination
- ADC Synergy: Communicate your crowd control timings and engage windows
- Jungler Coordination: Time your wards and engages for river objective contests
- Late Game Focus: Communicate when you need to engage vs. when to protect
Adaptation and Flexibility
- Draft Awareness: Adjust your pick based on enemy team composition
- Meta Monitoring: Stay updated on support item changes and champion updates
- Personal Performance: Track your own statistics to identify improvement areas
Conclusion: Mastering the Modern Support Role
The current support meta emphasizes champions that can provide consistent utility and team fight impact throughout all phases of the game. The top-tier supports excel through a combination of reliable crowd control, protective utility, and strategic decision-making
- Champion Mastery: Focus on 2-3 champions from the S-tier that match your playstyle
- Game Awareness: Master vision control and macro decision-making
- Team Coordination: Learn to synergize with your ADC and team composition
Final Rankings Summary
S+ Tier (Meta-Defining): Nami, Thresh, Nautilus, Lulu, Milio
S Tier (Strong): Pyke, Leona, Karma, Morgana, Lux, Blitzcrank, Soraka
A Tier (Reliable): Bard, Seraphine, Yuumi, Braum, Rakan, Janna
May your wards be placed wisely and your crowd control be precise!
