Lol support champions - the backbone of every team
In the world of League of Legends (LoL), every successful team relies not just on damage dealers, but on the supportive players who make their efforts possible. LoL support champions play a crucial role in maintaining map control, ensuring their AD carry survives the laning phase, and contributing to team fights with heals, shields, crowd control, and vision.
What Makes a Good Support Champion?
The best support champions in League of Legends are those who can influence the laning phase and late-game team fights without needing to rely heavily on gold. They typically excel at one or more of the following:
- Peeling for carries
- Engaging or disengaging fights
- Healing or shielding allies
- Providing crowd control
- Granting vision to control objectives
Types of Support Champions
Support champions fall into several gameplay archetypes. Understanding these helps players pick what fits their playstyle and the team's needs.
Enchanters
Enchanters are supports that focus on protecting teammates with shields, heals, and buffs. Champions like Soraka, Lulu, and Janna shine in this role. These champions typically stay in the backline and ensure their teammates stay alive and effective during fights.
Tanks
Tank supports are durable frontliners who initiate fights and absorb damage for the team. Notable examples include Leona, Nautilus, and Thresh. With strong crowd control, they’re experts at engaging and disrupting opponents in team fights.
Mages
Mage supports deal magic damage and offer ranged poke or utility. Popular choices like Zyra, Brand, and Lux can dominate lanes with aggressive harass and burst, while still offering crowd control or area denial in team fights.
Catchers
Catchers specialize in catching opponents out of position using hooks or other long-range abilities. Champions such as Blitzcrank, Morgana, and Pyke are perfect for those who like high-risk, high-reward plays that can turn the tide of battle with a single pick.
Why Support Role is Important
The support may not always top the scoreboard, but their contribution is felt throughout the game. From placing wards and denying vision to peeling for carries and setting up plays, supports are essential in winning both the early and late stages of the game.
Map Control
Vision control is one of the most vital responsibilities of a support. By placing wards in key locations and clearing the enemy’s vision, supports help their teams secure objectives like Dragon and Baron Nashor.
Laning Partner
During the laning phase, supports work closely with the AD carry to gain lane dominance. Whether protecting the carry, harassing the enemy, or zoning them away from minions, a skilled support can heavily influence the early game outcome.
Team Fight Enablers
In later stages of the game, team fights decide the outcome. Support champions provide the glue that holds team compositions together - saving allies, locking down opponents, and creating opportunities for teammates to shine.
Choosing the Right Support
Choosing the best support champion depends on the team composition, enemy draft, and personal playstyle. Players who enjoy protecting others might lean toward enchanters, while those who prefer aggressive or disruptive plays may opt for tank or mage support champions.
Additionally, staying current with the game's meta and updates is key. Champion strength can shift with patches, so regularly checking resources like tier lists and guides can be very helpful.
Conclusion
Support champions are often unsung heroes in League of Legends, but their impact is undeniable. With a deep pool of champions providing a variety of playstyles and strategies, the support role offers a rewarding and essential part of every team’s success. Whether you're new to the game or a seasoned player, mastering the support role can elevate your team's effectiveness and your personal performance.