Before I mention some champions I feel would work well for your playstyle, I just want to point out that sticking to what you know (defender/peeler playstyle) might be easier, but that doesn't necessarily make it the best choice imo. In terms of diversity and your overall progress as a player, it might be better to play some tanks/bruisers which are commonly used top and to get used to initiating fights, diving into the enemy back line and focusing their squishy carries.
Having said that, two popular top lane champions that come to mind based on your description are Gragas - which you already suggested - and Lulu. Gragas can use his Q slow + E/R knockback to peel while dealing high amounts of damage, while Lulu has a slow and polymorph on top of being able to shield and ult her carry (which adds another knockup and aura slow to the list of ways she has to peel for her carry).
Should you have any questions in terms of their build/playstyle in lane, I'd be happy to share whatever I know. Good luck! :)
Having said that, two popular top lane champions that come to mind based on your description are Gragas - which you already suggested - and Lulu. Gragas can use his Q slow + E/R knockback to peel while dealing high amounts of damage, while Lulu has a slow and polymorph on top of being able to shield and ult her carry (which adds another knockup and aura slow to the list of ways she has to peel for her carry).
Should you have any questions in terms of their build/playstyle in lane, I'd be happy to share whatever I know. Good luck! :)
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Jarvan IV. Not much else to say. Golden Aegis slow, some of the best CC in the game with Cataclysm, turns into a CC LORD and can peel with his Demacian Standard+ Dragon Strike combo.
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Honestly...I say Renekton. User friendly. REALLY easy to play. Safest laner. Can sorta peel with Ruthless Predator. Builds tanky late game. AND...0 skill shots.
For top lane, the champ that best matches your description would probably be Gragas. 3/4 of his skills really help with peeling. His Drunken Rage makes him unbelievably tanky, and Explosive Cask and Body Slam can both be used to initate/engage or escape/disengage.
If you don't mind a really bad early game, I'd recommend Malphite. His Unstoppable Force is an amazing initiate or disruption tool for teamfights, and his Seismic Shard is great for peeling too. The speed boost and slow from Seismic Shard kinda works as a pseudo-escape in small fights.
Maokai would also be really good for this too. Half his skills are used for peeling and Vengeful Maelstrom is an amazing ultimate. Only problem is, his Twisted Advance can only be used as an escape if you don't initiate with it and if there's an enemy/neutral unit behind you.
If you don't mind a really bad early game, I'd recommend Malphite. His Unstoppable Force is an amazing initiate or disruption tool for teamfights, and his Seismic Shard is great for peeling too. The speed boost and slow from Seismic Shard kinda works as a pseudo-escape in small fights.
Maokai would also be really good for this too. Half his skills are used for peeling and Vengeful Maelstrom is an amazing ultimate. Only problem is, his Twisted Advance can only be used as an escape if you don't initiate with it and if there's an enemy/neutral unit behind you.
I completely understand where your coming from. I usually play tanky tops because they can peel or engage for their team with relative ease.And with the recent shift to tanky supports a tanky top would be a good choice. I believe champions like Shen with his amazing sustain, peel, and global presence could be good for you because he can play a supportive role while also peeling for his team and he doesn't have to be a lane bully. He can also shield an ally saving them in fights. If you feel Shen isn't the right choice a champion like Malphite or Singed are also really good! I had my Singed carry me to gold tier because he can peel and engage. I hope this helps you on your ELO climb.
Kayle might be what you're looking for. All the previous suggestions are great and I agree with them as well. Kayle is nice b/c she can be highly offensive or you can switch to a more defensive play style if needed. I thought of her in terms of "peel" b/c although she can't actually pick up a champ and fling em, her ult is very useful in teamfights, especially to protect squishier teammates. Her Q is also useful to do a lot of dmg and slow someone whether to peel or catch. Her w speeds and heals teammates which also adds to the interchangeable offensive/defensive playstyle. It can get someone out of a bad situation fast, or get someone into a fight if they are every so slightly too slow. An all-around great champ, cheap, and strong in the current meta when played correctly, I would recommend her to you :) But ultimately it comes down to whoever you feel the most comfortable with when playing, assuming they are somewhat viable (imo all champs are just some more than others).
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I have try Trundle...
he can be kite so easily.. and "not" a safe pick.
Someone will say that he has good sustain, reality is he lack in-out ability, very close, combat make him die so fast... or just running around watch Kassadin, Lucian, Vayne play hide and seek.
Malphite is safer choice, has lock-on missile ability, has epic teamfight opening, and lot lot lot more tankier especially VS AD champ.
he can be kite so easily.. and "not" a safe pick.
Someone will say that he has good sustain, reality is he lack in-out ability, very close, combat make him die so fast... or just running around watch Kassadin, Lucian, Vayne play hide and seek.
Malphite is safer choice, has lock-on missile ability, has epic teamfight opening, and lot lot lot more tankier especially VS AD champ.
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I'm a fairly new LoL player. Started playing ranked recently and got placed in Silver 3. Trouble is, I've played support in about 90% of all my games so far so I'm pretty damn useless on pretty much everything else and need to practice.
I've got my champs picked for ADC, sup and jungle for now, but I need to figure out who to pick for top lane (not bothering with mid yet - I only get forced to play mid about 1 in 100 games).
The thing is, my preferred role for teamfights is to be the defender/peeler. I find that I generally do a lot better in teamfights on a peeling champion, and whenever I'm not playing a "peeler", nobody on my team is peeling at all.
I don't mind playing a top champ that's not a lane bully - as long as it's someone with decent gank escape and/or decent farm while under turret. As long as the champ turns into a teamfight CC/peel monster, that's fine. Been trying on Alistar. If he survives lane then the teamfights are awesome, but his lane phase really is just horrendous.
Gragas maybe? Trundle?
Suggestions much appreciated :)