League of Legends: 10 Best AP Top Laners

AP top laners have become incredibly popular due to their effectiveness in filling team composition gaps. When your team leans heavily into AD damage, having an AP top laner can bring much-needed balance. Riot has addressed this need by introducing AP bruisers who excel in the top lane, making it easier for players to adapt and counter the enemy team effectively.

With so many strong AP champions available, it can be overwhelming to decide which one to pick. In this article, we’ll highlight the 10 best AP top laners in League of Legends, perfect for climbing the ranked ladder and securing victories. Let’s dive in!

#10: Rumble

Rumble is a versatile AP top laner who brings excellent teamfight utility and lane pressure. His Flamespitter (Q) deals consistent damage, making him a nightmare in extended trades. Combined with The Equalizer (R), which lays down a wide area of damage, Rumble excels at zoning and forcing enemies into unfavorable positions. He’s particularly effective in skirmishes and objective control, where his damage can turn the tide of a fight. Rumble’s overheating mechanic adds a unique layer of skill, rewarding players who can manage it effectively for bonus damage. If you’re looking for a champion who scales well into teamfights while dominating the lane with sustained pressure, Rumble is a solid pick.

#9: Kayle

Kayle is a late-game powerhouse who transitions from a fragile early game to an unstoppable force. As an AP top laner, her hybrid scaling makes her versatile and adaptable to team compositions. Her Righteous Fury (E) provides ranged attacks and splash damage, allowing her to farm safely and poke enemies from a distance. Once she reaches level 11 and 16, Kayle becomes a hyper-scaling threat with incredible damage output and survivability. Her Divine Judgment (R) is perfect for saving allies or enabling her to dive into fights fearlessly. If you’re patient and skilled at navigating the early game, Kayle’s unmatched late-game presence makes her a rewarding choice.

#8: Singed

Singed is a classic AP top laner who thrives on chaos and disruption. His Poison Trail (Q) allows him to deal consistent damage over time while kiting enemies, making him excellent for sustained skirmishes. Singed’s Fling (E) can disrupt opponents by throwing them into unfavorable positions, while his Mega Adhesive (W) provides crowd control to root or slow enemies. Paired with his Insanity Potion (R), Singed becomes incredibly tanky and mobile, allowing him to wreak havoc in team fights or split-push effectively. He’s a solid pick for players who enjoy unconventional playstyles and outsmarting their opponents with strategic movement.

#7: Akali

Akali is a versatile AP top laner who excels at outplaying enemies with her mobility and burst damage. Her Assassin’s Mark (Passive) and Five Point Strike (Q) allow her to poke enemies and sustain in lane. Her Twilight Shroud (W) grants invisibility and movement speed, making her incredibly slippery and hard to pin down, especially in 1v1 duels. With Shuriken Flip (E) and Perfect Execution (R), Akali can dive into the backline and eliminate squishy targets with ease. Akali’s playstyle requires precision and skill, but in the right hands, she’s a devastating force capable of carrying games.

#6: Teemo

Teemo is a classic AP top laner known for his unmatched lane harassment and map control. His Toxic Shot (E) and Blinding Dart (Q) allow him to chip away at enemies’ health while negating auto-attack-based champions during trades. What makes Teemo stand out is his Noxious Trap (R), which can be placed strategically to control objectives, jungle paths, and choke points, dealing significant damage over time and slowing enemies. His Move Quick (W) enhances his mobility, making it easier to kite opponents or escape ganks. While Teemo can be annoying to face, his utility and consistent damage output make him an effective AP top lane pick in many situations.

#5: Ryze


Ryze is a high-skill AP top laner with immense scaling and map presence. His Overload (Q) combined with Rune Prison (W) and Spell Flux (E) creates a devastating combo for burst damage and sustained DPS. Ryze’s ability to output significant damage while applying crowd control makes him a versatile pick. His Realm Warp (R) gives him unique team utility, enabling strategic rotations and game-changing plays. Ryze thrives in extended skirmishes, where his scaling mana-based damage shines. While he requires precise management of his abilities and positioning, mastering Ryze can lead to dominating performances in both lane and team fights.

#4: Gwen

Gwen is a formidable AP top laner known for her sustained damage and ability to shred through tanky opponents. Her Snip Snip! (Q) delivers consistent area-of-effect true damage, making her a menace in trades and team fights. Hallowed Mist (W) offers her survivability by negating attacks and projectiles from outside the mist, allowing her to outplay opponents with precise positioning. Gwen’s Needlework (R) enhances her burst potential and team fight presence with its wide range and scaling damage. She thrives in extended skirmishes, where her empowered auto-attacks and healing through Skip ‘n Slash (E) keep her sustained. Gwen is a solid choice for players seeking a high-damage AP laner with the tools to carry games and outmaneuver opponents.

#3: Kennen

Kennen is a powerful AP top laner who excels in both team fights and poke-heavy laning phases. His Electrical Surge (W) and Thundering Shuriken (Q) provide consistent poke and wave-clear potential, while Lightning Rush (E) enhances his mobility, making him hard to pin down. Where Kennen truly shines is in team fights with his Slicing Maelstrom (R)—an ultimate that deals massive AoE magic damage and stuns enemies caught in its radius. This ability can single-handedly turn the tide of a game, especially when paired with crowd control from allies. Kennen’s versatility as both a poke-heavy lane bully and a team fight initiator makes him one of the strongest AP top laners for players looking to dominate both the early game and late-game skirmishes.

#2: Vladimir

Vladimir is a scaling AP top laner who thrives in extended fights and late-game team battles. His Crimson Pact (Passive) allows him to build health and ability power simultaneously, making him tanky while dealing high amounts of damage. Vladimir’s Transfusion (Q) provides sustain and poke during the laning phase, enabling him to outlast many opponents. Sanguine Pool (W) offers unmatched survivability and utility by allowing him to evade crowd control and reposition during fights. His Tides of Blood (E) can deal significant AoE damage when charged, pressuring both minions and champions alike.

Vladimir’s true power lies in his game-changing ultimate, Hemoplague (R), which amplifies damage taken by enemies and heals Vladimir for a portion of the damage dealt. This makes him a devastating presence in team fights, capable of turning fights in his favor with proper timing. For players seeking a late-game powerhouse who can dominate both solo fights and grouped engagements, Vladimir is an excellent choice.

#1: Cassiopeia

Cassiopeia is a potent AP top laner known for her incredible sustained damage and scaling potential. Unlike most champions, she cannot buy boots, but her passive, Serpentine Grace, grants her bonus movement speed to compensate, allowing her to kite enemies effectively. Her Noxious Blast (Q) and Twin Fang (E) make her a lane bully capable of dishing out consistent damage and maintaining control in extended trades.

What makes Cassiopeia shine in the top lane is her ability to counter melee champions with her zoning capabilities through Miasma (W), which grounds and slows enemies, making it impossible for them to dash or escape. Her Petrifying Gaze (R) can turn the tide of team fights by stunning enemies caught facing her or slowing them if they turn away.

Cassiopeia excels in extended fights where her damage over time can outpace opponents, especially against tanks and bruisers. With the right positioning and timing, she becomes an unstoppable force in both team fights and split-pushing scenarios. If you’re looking for an AP top laner with immense carry potential and skill expression, Cassiopeia is unmatched.

Conclusion

AP top laners offer incredible versatility and utility, making them valuable picks in various team compositions. Whether you’re looking to counter full AD teams, dominate with consistent poke, or deliver game-changing crowd control, champions like Cassiopeia, Vladimir, and Gwen provide unique advantages. These AP top laners excel in dishing out magic damage while offering exceptional scaling, team fight impact, and lane dominance. By mastering these champions, you can adapt to any scenario and give your team the edge it needs to secure victory. No matter your playstyle, there’s an AP top laner in this list ready to help you climb the ranks in League of Legends.