How to play Solo-Top

[quote=Alissera]Heyy guys, Im playing Ranked-Matches for a while now. My favourite position is the Supporter. Last game I was the lastpick and had to play solo (first time). I dont really know what gear I have to buy or about the strategy. I heared that [[Tryndamere]], [[Irelia]] and [[Shyvana]] are good Solo-Laner. Please post some tips for strategy. Ty, Alissera =)[/quote]

[quote=The Overmyynd]OK, the most important thing you can learn how to do as a top laner is to freeze the creepwave where you want it. Namely, between your side of the river and your turret. This means that the enemy laner is extended and open to ganking, and you get all the CS you want, since your creeps are out of range of the turret. Past that, good solo top champs include: [[lee sin]] [[irelia]] [[olaf]] [[gangplank]] [[yorick]] [[nassus]] [[shen]] [[vladimir]] Im sure there are more but these are the ones that stand out in my mind. Tryndamere is never seen in competitive play because he is such an easy counter, and shyvana is a much better jungler, so thats where she stays. [[udyr]] is a good solo top too, but again, considered better in the jungle.[/quote]

[quote=Buranri]Is there any way to practice running a solo top? I'm only level 17 so I rarely see enemy junglers, thus top is usually 2v2 or 1v2. Does that change as you get closer to 30?[/quote]

[quote=animorte]Usually it begins to change with higher Elo, not higher level. If you are level 87 and still inhale vigorously, you will be grouped with other people that fail as well. This is referred to as Elo Hell, something I don't believe in. With more levels generally comes more experience, thus overall making you better at the game. Answer to your question: Indirectly, yes.[/quote]

[quote=Dakirokor]I had this entire post written out about the general items that different champions build and when I looked over it I could think of a different build that would work perfectly on that champion and put them in a completely different build category. So really the only item advise that I can give is when in doubt (and you are planning an AD based champion) get a [[wriggles lantern]]. It will give you a little armour to take hits, a little damage, some lifesteal to keep you in lane, which when not playing a super agro solo champ it is key that you stay in lane as long as possible, and the free ward should keep you safe from ganks since and soon as the ward goes away you can up it right back up again. Again the strategy for playing top depends on the champion that you are playing and how comfortable you are with that champion. If you are just starting to solo top I would recommend a farming champion that has to potential to fight like [[udyr]] or [[irelia]] but again it all comes down to how you like to play that champion. For example you can go super agro with [[udyr]] at about lvl 4 when your [[tiger stance]] really begins to pick up in damage or you can just farm and harrass them when they come in melee range.[/quote]

[quote=Somalie]Don't be ganked, or at least don't be killed if you get ganked -> Ward. As it is a 1v1 situation, you have to understand which position on the lane is safe, if you can push or not, etc. Being good at last hit, solotop is here to farm and become a monster. Learn every hability of common toplaners, being surprised is bad for you. Never assume "X is good vs Y because of what I saw or what I understand from knowing what each can do", different players in solo, jungle and even mid roles can change what's happening in toplane, no matter what the pick looks like. If you saw a bad X being raped by a good Y, that does not mean that Y > X. Have good runepages, some matchups depend a lot of that. Never underestimate the other top, the champ or the player. When you chose your top, try to balance the lanepower and the utility for your team. Never think "that game i'll play that champ". Care about picking your top before the other team does, that's the best way to have a hard time being counterpicked.[/quote]

[quote=A Chubby Baby]wards. care for ganks. buying wards is your solution. abuse your power at the right time. engage for kills. farm like a boss. win.[/quote]