Best Mid Laners To Climb With in League of Legends Season 16

Climbing ranked from the mid lane in Season 16 is all about impact, tempo, and knowing how to influence the map beyond just winning lane. Mid laners have the most control over the game’s pace, with access to roaming, objective fights, and constant skirmishes that can swing matches early. Whether you prefer control mages, assassins, or scaling carries, picking the right mid laner makes a huge difference in how consistently you win. In this article, we’ll break down the 10 best mid laners to climb with in League of Legends Season 16, focusing on champions that perform well in solo queue, punish mistakes, and can carry games even when things don’t go perfectly.

#10: Swain

Swain is a solid mid lane pick for climbing in Season 16 thanks to his durability, sustain, and teamfight presence. He’s not about flashy one-shots, but instead wins games by outlasting opponents and punishing poor positioning. Swain performs especially well in messy solo queue fights, where enemies tend to overcommit and group up, allowing him to drain-tank through fights with his ultimate. His wave clear is reliable, his scaling is strong, and he stays useful even when slightly behind. If you want a mid laner that’s forgiving, hard to kill, and always impactful in skirmishes and teamfights, Swain is a great pick to start this list.

#9: Vex

Vex is an excellent mid laner to climb with in Season 16, especially against the high-mobility champions that dominate solo queue. Her kit is designed to punish dashes and reckless engages, making her a nightmare for assassins and aggressive roamers. Vex has strong wave clear, reliable burst damage, and a game-changing ultimate that lets her influence fights across the map. She’s easy to execute compared to other burst mages and stays impactful even when behind. If you want a mid laner that controls space, shuts down mobility, and thrives in chaotic fights, Vex is a very strong choice for climbing.

#8: Naafiri

Naafiri is a strong climbing pick in Season 16 because she brings assassin pressure without the usual mechanical overload. Her kit is straightforward, letting you focus on smart roaming, target selection, and timing instead of complex combos. Naafiri excels at punishing immobile carries and snowballing side lanes once she hits level 6, which is huge in solo queue where vision and coordination are often weak. She also has solid wave control for an assassin, making it easier to push and move first. If you want an aggressive mid laner that’s easy to execute and rewards good decision-making, Naafiri is a great choice to climb consistently.

#7: Xerath

Xerath is a powerful mid laner to climb with in Season 16 if you enjoy controlling fights from long range. He excels at poking enemies down before fights even start, which is incredibly effective in solo queue where players often misposition. Xerath’s wave clear is strong, letting him farm safely and apply pressure without risking close combat. His ultimate also gives him global influence, allowing him to finish kills or impact skirmishes without leaving lane. If you’re confident in your skill shots and want a mid laner that dominates through range, pressure, and consistency, Xerath is a great pick for climbing.

#6: Twisted Fate

Twisted Fate is one of the best mid laners to climb with in Season 16 if you understand map play and tempo. While his raw damage isn’t the highest, his strength comes from controlling the game through constant pressure and global presence. Once he hits level 6, Twisted Fate can impact every lane, turning small advantages into big leads with well-timed ultimates. His point-and-click stun makes setting up kills simple, especially in solo queue where positioning mistakes are common. If you enjoy winning games through smart roams, vision control, and macro decisions rather than pure mechanics, Twisted Fate is an excellent climbing pick.

#5: Anivia

Anivia is a top-tier mid laner to climb with in Season 16 if you like controlling space and dragging games in your favor. She’s incredibly strong at wave control, objective defense, and shutting down enemy pushes with her zone control. Anivia punishes bad positioning hard, and in solo queue, that happens a lot. Even when she falls behind early, her kit keeps her relevant through utility, slows, and game-changing walls. If you enjoy a slower, more methodical playstyle that wins through smart positioning and map control, Anivia is one of the most reliable mids you can pick to climb.

#4: Zoe

Zoe is a high-impact mid laner in Season 16 who can completely take over games by punishing poor positioning. Her burst damage is deadly, especially in solo queue where players often face-check or walk through unwarded areas. Zoe excels at getting picks before fights even start, turning objectives into free wins if she lands a single bubble. While she takes some practice, her playstyle rewards patience, map awareness, and smart angles rather than nonstop fighting. If you enjoy controlling the game through picks, pressure, and explosive damage, Zoe is one of the best mid laners to climb with this season.

#3: Qiyana

Qiyana is one of the most dangerous mid laners to climb with in Season 16 if you’re confident in your mechanics and decision-making. She thrives in solo queue because of her insane burst damage and ability to punish even the smallest positioning mistakes. Once she gets a lead, Qiyana can completely take over the map by roaming, securing picks, and dominating skirmishes around objectives. Her ultimate is especially powerful in tight areas, often winning fights instantly when used well. If you enjoy a high-risk, high-reward playstyle and want a champion that can hard carry games through aggression and precision, Qiyana is a top-tier choice for climbing.

#2: Talon

Talon is one of the most consistent solo queue mid laners to climb with in League of Legends Season 16 because of how quickly he can take over the map. His wave clear lets him shove lanes fast and roam nonstop, which is extremely powerful in ranked where side lanes often struggle. Talon excels at punishing squishy targets, creating constant pressure through picks, and snowballing early leads into objective control. Even if lane is even, his mobility allows him to stay relevant by influencing fights elsewhere. If you like fast-paced games, aggressive roaming, and winning through map control rather than pure lane dominance, Talon is an excellent pick for climbing.

#1: Kassadin

Kassadin takes the top spot as the best mid laner to climb with in League of Legends Season 16 because of how unstoppable he becomes once he hits his power spikes. While his early game requires patience and smart positioning, his late-game carry potential is unmatched in solo queue. Kassadin thrives in chaotic games, using his mobility to dodge danger, hunt backlines, and clean up fights with ease. Once he reaches level 16, he can completely control the pace of the game, punishing overextensions and turning losing situations into wins. If you’re willing to play safely early and trust your scaling, Kassadin is one of the most reliable champions to climb fast and hard in Season 16.

Conclusion

Climbing from the mid lane in League of Legends Season 16 is all about choosing champions that can consistently influence the game, whether through roaming, teamfight control, or late-game carry power. The mid laners on this list each shine in solo queue by punishing mistakes, creating pressure across the map, and staying impactful even when games get chaotic. Instead of constantly swapping champions, sticking to one or two of these picks and mastering their strengths will lead to far more consistent results. With good fundamentals, smart decision-making, and the right mid laner, Season 16 offers plenty of opportunities to climb fast and take control of your ranked games.