5 Best Bot Lane Duos in League of Legends Patch 9.8

Image courtesy of Riot Games
Image courtesy of Riot Games /

Last year's lead-up to the Mid-Season Invitational saw all the hype focused around the bot lane. This year's MSI instead sees much of the focus around the top lane as the meta looks to shift towards the islander carries and tanks.

That said, never let it be said that there is any more secure damage-dealer than late-game marksmen decked out in items, and the silent supporting stars who make sure they get there. Here are the five best bot lane duos in League of Legends Patch 9.8.

5. Varus and Tahm Kench

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Image courtesy of Riot Games / MinuteMedia

Varus is one of the most powerful laners in the game and has exceptional poke range and damage with his Piercing Arrow (Q). His main weakness is his lack of mobility, which Tahm Kench can help address by Devouring (W) him if he falls under pressure. Varus's strong laning also gives Tahm Kench more opportunities to roam early and help build advantages.

4. Sona and Taric

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Image courtesy of Riot Games / MinuteMedia

Sona and Taric bully their way into the Top 5 by virtue of their teamfighting power and while they're certainly unconventional and disruptive, their strength cannot be denied. If they or the team falls behind in gold or the match extends too long, then this lane will become a detriment to their team compared to powerful marksmen, but if played correctly then the game will end before that with their obscene utility provided to other carries on the team.

3. Ezreal and Braum

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Image courtesy of Riot Games / MinuteMedia

Ezreal remains as potent as pick as ever with his slippery agility and safe poke and damage output. Braum is one of his premier counters but can also serve to help set up Ezreal with his Winter's Bite (Q) ability as well as provide more cover to poke with his Unbreakable (E). Ezreal can also help Braum slip away by using his Arcane Shift (E) to give Braum escape routes with his Stand Behind Me (W)

2. Vayne and Nautilus

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Image courtesy of Riot Games / MinuteMedia

If ever there was a bully lane that output enormous damage and pressure, it'd be this one. Vayne outputs exorbitant damage straight out the fountain and only gets more and more extreme from there. Nautilus provides big damage early and can serve as a potent tank later in the match. Finally, both can output enormous kill-pressure with their crowd control abilities. If this lane matches against yours, pray your jungler comes to help bail you out.

1. Kai'Sa and Galio

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Image courtesy of Riot Games / MinuteMedia

Galio is a powerful early-game engage support with some tanking power late-game. Kai'Sa has weak laning but grows increasingly in strength to end as one of the best hyper-carries in the game. In particular, Kai'Sa's Killer Instinct (R) ultimate pairs well with Galio's Hero's Entrance (R) to provide truly obscene chase as well as dodging and peeling. If played well and with good jungler support, then this lane will smash open the match.