Every professional League of Legends player has that one champion they’re remembered for — their signature pick. Whether it’s Faker’s Zed, Uzi’s Vayne, or Doinb’s unconventional Nautilus mid, signature champions define careers, shape metas, and create unforgettable esports moments.
But what exactly makes a champion a signature pick for a pro? Is it dominance in competition, iconic plays on the Worlds stage, or simply a style that fits perfectly with a player’s personality?
In this article, we’ll break down the history and meaning of signature champions, highlight some of the most famous ones, and explain why they matter for both the pros and the fans who cheer them on.
1. What Is a Signature Champion?
A signature champion is the one that fans and analysts immediately associate with a pro player. This doesn’t mean it’s the only champion they can play well — pros are versatile — but it’s the champion they’re most iconic for.
Criteria for signature picks:
- Repeated success across patches and metas.
- Iconic plays remembered by the community.
- Comfort pick in high-stakes moments.
- Style synergy with the player’s personality.
2. Why Signature Champions Matter
Signature champions aren’t just fun trivia — they matter because:
- They influence drafting in pro play (perma-bans against certain players).
- They define narratives around tournaments.
- They inspire fans to pick up and master those champions.
3. Faker’s Zed – The Ultimate Example
You can’t talk about signature champions without mentioning Faker’s Zed. His 2013 Worlds duel against Ryu is legendary. The outplay became a meme, a highlight reel staple, and solidified Zed as Faker’s trademark champion.
Even years later, whenever Faker locks Zed, the crowd erupts.
4. Uzi’s Vayne – The Bot Lane King
Uzi, one of the greatest ADCs of all time, was synonymous with Vayne. His mechanical precision, kiting, and flashy outplays made Vayne not just a champion but a symbol of his career.
To this day, “Uzi’s Vayne” is referenced as the gold standard of ADC mastery.
5. Bjergsen’s Syndra – Control and Precision
In North America, Bjergsen’s Syndra defined mid-lane dominance for years. His ability to consistently carry with Syndra’s burst damage and control style fit his identity as a calm, calculating mid laner.
Syndra bans against Bjergsen were common, even when she wasn’t meta.
6. Doinb’s Nautilus Mid – Breaking the Rules
Doinb is known for unconventional picks, but Nautilus mid became his signature in 2019. At Worlds, he used it to great effect, proving that off-meta picks could succeed on the biggest stage.
It wasn’t flashy mechanics, but it symbolized his unique identity as a pro.
7. Other Famous Signature Champions
- Caps’ Aurelion Sol – Known for his roaming dominance.
- TheShy’s Jayce – Aggressive laning and highlight plays.
- Perkz’s Lucian – A flex pick across mid and bot.
- Clearlove’s Evelynn – Jungle carry potential.
- Ruler’s Ezreal – Consistent, reliable teamfighting.
8. How Signature Picks Influence the Meta
Sometimes, a pro’s mastery of a champion forces Riot or other teams to respond.
- Champs get perma-banned against them.
- They push the meta toward builds or comps centered around that champ.
- Fans copy builds from signature pick performances, influencing solo queue.
9. Signature Champions and Identity
A signature champion often reflects a player’s personality:
- Aggressive players lean toward assassins (Zed, LeBlanc).
- Calculated players prefer control mages (Orianna, Syndra).
- Risk-takers love flashy ADCs (Vayne, Draven).
This connection deepens the storytelling in esports.
10. Can a Player Have Multiple Signature Champions?
Yes. Some pros evolve across their careers, developing multiple iconic champions.
- Faker: Zed, Ryze, Azir.
- Uzi: Vayne, Kai’Sa.
- Caps: Aurelion Sol, Sylas.
Each represents a different era of their dominance.
11. Signature Champions in Fan Culture
Fans immortalize these champions with:
- Fan art.
- Highlight montages.
- Chants in arenas when picks are locked in.
Signature picks are as much about community memory as pro performance.
FAQs
Q: Are signature champions always meta?
A: No. Some champions only became “signature” because the player made them work in non-meta conditions.
Q: Can new players develop signature champions?
A: Absolutely. Rising pros often build reputations through standout performances on specific picks.
Q: Do signature champions influence skins?
A: Yes. Pros who win Worlds often get their team skin line based on their iconic picks.
Conclusion
Signature champions are more than just strong picks — they’re symbols of a player’s style, legacy, and connection with fans. From Faker’s Zed to Uzi’s Vayne, these champions turn ordinary matches into legendary moments that live on in League of Legends history.
The next time you watch a pro game, pay attention: when a player locks in their signature champion, history might be about to repeat itself.
