Every League of Legends patch brings balance changes — buffs, nerfs, and reworks. But somehow, there are always a few champions that slip through Riot’s “balance net” and completely take over both solo queue and pro play.
In this article, we’ll break down the top 5 most broken champions right now, based on win rates, pick/ban rates, pro play presence, and how oppressive they feel in the current meta (Patch 15.21). Whether you’re looking to climb ranked fast or understand what makes the current meta tick, this list covers everything — strengths, weaknesses, and why Riot can’t seem to keep these picks under control.
⚔️ 1. Briar — The Blood Frenzy Jungle Menace
Briar has been wreaking havoc since her release, and despite multiple “adjustments,” she remains one of the most broken junglers in the game.
Why She’s Broken:
- Insane sustain: Her healing from Q and passive allows her to full-clear without dropping below 80% HP.
- High tempo pressure: Her ultimate Certain Death lets her force fights on demand, even when she’s behind.
- Low skill floor, high payoff: Even new Briar players can snowball with little jungle pathing knowledge.
Stats (Patch 15.21):
- Win Rate: 53.9% (Platinum+)
- Ban Rate: 44% in solo queue
- Pick/Ban in Pro Play: 60%+ combined
Best Builds:
- Items: Eclipse → Black Cleaver → Death’s Dance
- Runes: Conqueror, Triumph, Legend: Tenacity, Last Stand
Verdict:
If she gets ahead, she stays ahead. Riot’s nerfs have yet to truly balance her — she’s still a nightmare for squishy comps.
🔥 2. Akali — The Assassin Who Never Stays Nerfed
Akali always finds her way back to the top. After a series of buffs to energy regeneration and base damage, she’s thriving in both mid and top lane.
Why She’s Broken:
- Unfair mobility: Shroud + double dash makes her uncatchable for most champs.
- Burst and outplay potential: One mistake and Akali deletes you in under a second.
- Item synergy: Hextech Rocketbelt and Shadowflame amplify her already ridiculous burst windows.
Stats (Patch 15.21):
- Win Rate: 52.3%
- Pick/Ban in Pro Play: 70% combined across LCK and LPL
- Mid–Top Flex: Strong counterpick into squishies and short-range fighters
Best Builds:
- Items: Hextech Rocketbelt → Shadowflame → Rabadon’s Deathcap
- Runes: Electrocute, Sudden Impact, Eyeball Collection, Ultimate Hunter
Verdict:
No matter how much Riot tweaks her numbers, Akali thrives in metas that reward mobility and burst. She’s overperforming again — especially in skilled hands.
🧠 3. Aatrox — The Lifesteal Monster of Solo Lanes
Once again, Aatrox has become a top-lane king. Recent item buffs to Sundered Sky and Death’s Dance made him nearly immortal in skirmishes.
Why He’s Broken:
- Sustain through everything: His passive and itemization make him a 1v2 monster.
- Synergy with current meta: Bruisers and sustain-based duels are thriving.
- Low counterplay: Mistime one dodge, and he heals back full HP mid-fight.
Stats (Patch 15.21):
- Win Rate: 54.7% (Diamond+)
- Pro Play Priority: Pick/ban in 80% of LCK matches
- Solo Queue Dominance: Nearly unmatched in extended trades
Best Builds:
- Items: Sundered Sky → Death’s Dance → Sterak’s Gage
- Runes: Conqueror, Triumph, Legend: Tenacity, Last Stand
Verdict:
When bruisers dominate, Aatrox reigns supreme. Unless he gets a direct nerf next patch, expect him to remain the number one blind pick top laner.
💨 4. Kai’Sa — The Queen of Scaling and Burst
Kai’Sa has survived every meta — and now she’s back on top thanks to adaptive build flexibility and AP hybrid scaling buffs.
Why She’s Broken:
- Insane item flexibility: Can build full crit, hybrid, or full AP depending on enemy comp.
- Unfair mid–late game power: Evolves faster than most champs hit their first spike.
- Mobility + burst: Once she gets Killer Instinct, she can assassinate from fog of war.
Stats (Patch 15.21):
- Win Rate: 52.6% (Platinum+)
- Pick/Ban Rate: 45% across solo queue globally
- Pro Play Presence: 80% pick rate at Worlds 2025 qualifiers
Best Builds:
- AD Build: Kraken Slayer → Phantom Dancer → Infinity Edge
- AP Build: Nashor’s Tooth → Stormsurge → Rabadon’s Deathcap
- Runes: Hail of Blades, Taste of Blood, Eyeball Collection, Treasure Hunter
Verdict:
Kai’Sa’s flexibility is her broken edge. She can fit any team comp, adapt to any enemy draft, and outscale almost everyone.
🐉 5. Naafiri — The Silent Climber’s Secret Weapon
Naafiri is back in the spotlight after several quiet buffs that made her one of the most efficient solo queue assassins. Her simple yet lethal kit makes her perfect for ranked domination.
Why She’s Broken:
- Point-and-click reliability: No flashy mechanics — just consistent burst.
- Waveclear and roaming: Clears mid waves in seconds and pressures side lanes easily.
- Easy snowballing: Once ahead, her pack mechanic keeps enemies perma-zoned.
Stats (Patch 15.21):
- Win Rate: 54.2% (Emerald+)
- Pick/Ban Rate: 39%
- Lane Flexibility: Mid or top depending on matchup
Best Builds:
- Items: Duskblade of Draktharr → Edge of Night → Serylda’s Grudge
- Runes: First Strike, Magical Footwear, Future’s Market, Cosmic Insight
Verdict:
Naafiri’s strength lies in simplicity. She dominates low and mid elo because she requires little precision but delivers enormous burst and map control.
⚙️ Honorable Mentions
- Senna: Hybrid ADC/support scaling out of control with crit itemization.
- Rell: Jungle variant remains surprisingly effective due to CC chain.
- Swain: AP bruiser scaling that punishes melee-heavy comps.
- Zilean: Still a sleeper pick with unmatched tempo control.
📈 Why These Champions Dominate Right Now
The reason these five champions are so strong isn’t just raw stats — it’s meta alignment.
In Patch 15.21:
- Bruisers and sustain builds are extremely efficient (Aatrox, Briar).
- Assassins benefit from mobility and burst windows (Akali, Naafiri).
- Scaling carries like Kai’Sa can thrive due to longer average game times.
These champions fit perfectly into the current power curve — they reach their spikes faster, are harder to punish, and thrive in Riot’s slower, objective-heavy mid-game design.
🔮 Predictions for Patch 15.22
Expect Riot to adjust at least Briar and Aatrox, who are dominating multiple regions simultaneously.
- Briar: Likely healing nerfs or cooldown increase on R.
- Aatrox: Base damage and sustain tuning.
- Akali: Slight energy cost increases.
- Kai’Sa: AP ratios likely reduced again.
Still, even with nerfs, these champions will likely remain near the top due to their scaling and flexibility.
🏆 Final Ranking Summary
| Rank | Champion | Role | Win Rate | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 1 | Briar | Jungle | 53.9% | Sustain + tempo snowball |
| 🥈 2 | Akali | Mid/Top | 52.3% | Mobility + burst |
| 🥉 3 | Aatrox | Top | 54.7% | Lifesteal sustain |
| 4️⃣ | Kai’Sa | ADC | 52.6% | Adaptive builds |
| 5️⃣ | Naafiri | Mid/Top | 54.2% | Reliable burst |
🧠 How to Counter Them
Even the most broken champions have weaknesses — if you know how to exploit them.
Briar
- Counter Junglers: Rammus, Trundle
- Playstyle: Kite her, don’t fight extended.
Akali
- Counter Picks: Lissandra, Annie, Galio
- Playstyle: Force early roams and punish cooldowns.
Aatrox
- Counter Picks: Quinn, Vayne top, Gnar
- Playstyle: Avoid long trades and force poke.
Kai’Sa
- Counter Picks: Draven, Ashe
- Playstyle: Abuse her weak early lane.
Naafiri
- Counter Picks: Anivia, Zed, Malzahar
- Playstyle: Push and roam before she scales.
⚔️ Conclusion
Riot’s balance team might aim for equilibrium, but true balance in League rarely exists. Every patch creates new winners — champions who perfectly exploit item synergies and meta shifts.
As of Patch 15.21, the most broken champions right now — Briar, Akali, Aatrox, Kai’Sa, and Naafiri — are shaping both ranked ladders and professional drafts.
If you want to climb, play them.
If you want to counter them, study how pros adapt and punish their early weaknesses.
In League of Legends, knowledge is your best counterpick.
