Mid lane has always been the heartbeat of League of Legends, connecting top, jungle, and bot. After Patch 15.3, several balance changes have shifted the mid lane meta, with nerfs to certain assassins and buffs to scaling mages.
In this guide, we break down the Mid Lane Tier List for Patch 15.3, explaining which champions dominate (S-Tier), which are solid (A-Tier), and which fall behind (B-Tier and lower). Whether you’re climbing solo queue or prepping for competitive play, this list will help you choose the best mid laners right now.
S-Tier Champions (Meta Dominators)
Ahri – The Nine-Tailed Fox
- Why S-Tier: Her recent buffs to mobility and sustain make her a safe blind pick. Charm and resets provide consistent playmaking.
- Best Builds: Luden’s Companion or Everfrost into Shadowflame.
- Skill Ceiling: High—great for both solo queue and pro play.
Sylas – The Unshackled
- Why S-Tier: Versatility to steal ults makes him invaluable in any draft. Patch 15.3’s tankiness buffs keep him alive longer.
- Best Builds: Rod of Ages into Zhonya’s.
- Strengths: Excels in skirmishes and scaling teamfights.
Orianna – The Lady of Clockwork
- Why S-Tier: Buffs to AP ratios make her Shockwave deadlier. A safe laner who controls tempo.
- Best Builds: Liandry’s Torment into Rabadon’s Deathcap.
- Why She’s Meta: Provides both waveclear and teamfight control.
Akali – The Rogue Assassin
- Why S-Tier: Despite light nerfs, she remains one of the most consistent assassins due to her shroud and burst.
- Best Builds: Hextech Rocketbelt into Shadowflame.
- Playstyle: Punishes immobile mages heavily.
A-Tier Champions (Strong but Situational)
Viktor
- Why A-Tier: Great scaling and waveclear, but struggles against early pressure assassins.
- Strength: Dominates once upgraded E is online.
Kassadin
- Why A-Tier: Still terrifying at level 16, but nerfs to early mana costs slowed his snowball.
- Playstyle: Weak early, godlike late.
Zed
- Why A-Tier: Popular in solo queue, but falls off in coordinated play due to counterpicks.
- Best Into: Squishy immobile champions like Viktor or Orianna.
Annie
- Why A-Tier: Low skill floor, reliable stuns, and massive AoE burst with Tibbers.
- Strength: Excellent pick for beginners and mid-elo climbers.
B-Tier Champions (Playable but Outclassed)
Lux
- Why B-Tier: Provides utility and long-range poke but suffers against dive comps.
- Strength: Great in poke/siege comps but risky blind pick.
Yasuo
- Why B-Tier: Strong with knock-up synergies but weaker in solo queue without setup.
- Playstyle: High-risk, high-reward carry.
Twisted Fate
- Why B-Tier: Global pressure remains strong, but reduced waveclear slows his rotations.
- Best Use: Strategic play and coordinated team comps.
C-Tier Champions (Struggling in Patch 15.3)
- Ryze: Still weak after nerfs; needs scaling time and team coordination.
- Azir: Mechanically demanding with low reward this patch.
- Galio: Outclassed by Sylas and Annie for teamfight initiation.
Mid Lane Meta Trends in Patch 15.3
- Scaling Mages Rise Again: Orianna, Viktor, and Kassadin are thriving due to nerfs on early-game assassins.
- Utility Mid Picks: Champions like Annie and TF are valued for stuns and global presence.
- Assassins Still Playable: Akali and Zed can dominate in solo queue but need careful execution.
- Safe Blind Picks: Ahri and Orianna are the go-to choices when you don’t know your opponent.
Tips for Playing Mid Lane in Patch 15.3
- Ward Smart: Control river vision for jungle ganks.
- Roam With Purpose: Push wave before leaving lane.
- Adapt Builds: Use AP penetration vs tanks, burst builds vs squishies.
- Focus on CS: Even on weaker picks, farming well keeps you relevant.
FAQs
Q1: Who is the best mid lane blind pick in Patch 15.3?
Ahri and Orianna are currently the safest blind picks.
Q2: What’s the best mid lane for solo queue climbing?
Sylas and Akali—high carry potential if mastered.
Q3: Which champions should beginners play?
Annie, Lux, and Orianna offer easy mechanics with strong utility.
Conclusion
Patch 15.3 has shifted the mid lane meta back toward scaling mages and versatile playmakers, while still leaving room for assassins in solo queue. Champions like Ahri, Sylas, Orianna, and Akali define the S-Tier, while situational picks like Annie or Viktor remain strong alternatives.
Whether you’re grinding ranked or following pro play, understanding this tier list will help you choose the right mid lane champion for the patch—and dominate your opponents.
