5 Best Mid Laners in League of Legends Patch 9.8

The best mid laners in League of Legends Patch 9.8 is an interesting list because it's been an up-and-down 12 months for mid laners in League of Legends. From playing Taric mid for funnel comps to ruling the world on assassins and carries to spamming a mix of Galio, Sion and Urgot to living their lives on Lissandra.

Now it seems that there's a return to some of the staple burst and control mages with a side dish of assassins. Here are the five best mid laners in Patch 9.8.

5. Syndra

Syndra is a quintessential mid laner with damage, crowd-control, utility and burst. Though very reliant on mana throughout the game and not the most versatile in roaming or split-pushing, Syndra is tough to pin down and even better at engaging thanks to her Scatter the Weak (E) ability. Though tricky to pilot, she'll serve well for any player familiar with her kit.

4. Taliyah

Taliyah enters the Top 5 for the first time off a shifting metagame which begins to see more priority towards the top-side of the map. Her excellent roaming and monstrous damage output coupled with great utility sees the Stoneweaver surf to the number four spot.

3. Ryze

Changes to the metagame sees Ryze drop a bit from his lofty first place in the previous Top 5. While likely to see more play towards the top lane than mid, adept players capable of managing his demanding early-game mana tax will see him flourish as a late-game powerhouse.

2. Zoe

Zoe is a bit like a cockroach; pretty much everyone hates her, she disgusts many people with her simple existence, and she never seems to die no matter how often she gets stamped on. Despite repeated nerfs since release, Zoe remains a strong pick with her versatile skillset and extraordinary potential damage output.

1. LeBlanc

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who's the best mid laner of them all? Currently it's LeBlanc the Deceiver, but it's not first by much. A lot of her matches are the result of skill match-ups more than direct counters, but she secures the number one spot with her excellent roaming and split-push potential that are better suited to 1-3-1 or 1-4 compositions. A good enough reason to invest in her upcoming black-and-white feathery cloak.

Photos courtesy of Riot Games