Here’s something that caught my attention immediately: four champions are getting banned in nearly every draft phase - Loong, Augran, Arke, and Lam. When heroes hit ban rates that high, it’s telling us something important about their power level. But here’s the thing - you can’t rely on getting these picks consistently, which is why I’ve dug deep into the alternatives that can still carry games.
Understanding Solo Queue Meta in Honor of Kings
Season 10 has completely shifted the champion hierarchy, and frankly, it’s been a wild ride to track. Sustained damage dealers and utility-focused supports have basically taken over the meta, which surprised me initially. But when you think about it, it makes perfect sense - these champions adapt to whatever team composition gets thrown together in solo queue while still maintaining individual threat levels.
The balance changes this season have been particularly interesting. Take Milady, for example - her robot control improvements weren’t massive on paper, but they’ve absolutely skyrocketed her effectiveness. I’ve been watching her climb the tier lists, and it’s mainly because those mechanical minions can now target buildings directly. That kind of tower pressure translates into objective control that solo queue teams desperately need.
SS-Tier Solo Heroes: The Ultimate Carries
Yixing - The Chess Master
I’m putting Yixing at #1, and here’s why this isn’t even close. His damage output is insane, sure, but what really sets him apart is that passive ability that prevents you from getting one-shotted. Can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen players survive impossible situations because of this mechanic.
The chess piece placement is where skill expression really shines. Those passive explosions can completely turn team fights when positioned correctly. For builds, you’re looking at magic power and cooldown reduction as your core priorities. Start with Skill 1 upgrades - trust me on this one. The mana management and lane clearing efficiency you get from maxing this first will keep you in lane longer and farming more effectively.
Dyadia - Anti-Engagement Support
Dyadia earned her #2 spot through sheer utility value. Her single-target healing is genuinely game-changing, and that momentary lockdown against assassins? It’s saved more ADCs than I can count. What I love about her positioning is that you’re always in the backline, providing consistent protection while having the tools to shut down enemy carries.
Build-wise, forget about pure damage. You want magic power for healing effectiveness, health points for survivability, and cooldown reduction to maintain healing uptime. The key is staying alive long enough to keep your team functional.
Dolia - Aggressive Support Enabler
Here’s where things get interesting. Dolia’s ability to reset teammate abilities while controlling lanes aggressively makes her incredibly unique in the support role. Early game strategy revolves around using Skill 1 to pressure enemy ADCs - but don’t sleep on helping clear lanes and securing jungle camps when possible.
Her synergy with burst champions like Daji and Marco Polo creates some absolutely devastating combinations. When coordinated properly, you can eliminate priority targets before team fights even develop.
S-Tier Heroes: Proven Solo Performers
Augran - Sustained DPS Warrior
What makes Augran special is his flexibility. Fighter or Jungler - doesn’t matter, he performs in both roles consistently. His kit gives you everything: high-speed mobility through Skill 1, group slowing and healing via Skill 2, plus shield and healing from his Ultimate.
For builds, I recommend attack speed and health stacking with tanky items. This creates sustained engagement potential that most enemies can’t match. Skill order is crucial here - max Skill 2 first, then Skill 1. The healing and utility from Skill 2 will keep you in fights longer than enemies expect.
Loong - Late Game Powerhouse
That ultimate ‘Infinite Vastness’ is absolutely broken when used correctly. 4.5 seconds of aerial mobility with increased attack speed and range? Plus the ability to switch Dragon Souls mid-flight? The tactical flexibility is unmatched.
Early laning is all about short trades. Use that built-in sustain to win exchanges gradually. Late game positioning becomes critical - stay behind frontlines and use your ultimate defensively for escapes or to bait enemies into overcommitting.
Lam - Backline Assassin
Lam’s assassination potential makes him perfect for eliminating those high-priority targets that win team fights. His ‘Death From Below’ ultimate is satisfying when executed properly - throwing that dagger, sprinting in, dragging enemies, and dealing massive damage.
Timing is everything with Lam. You need patience until enemies burn their crowd control abilities. Build attack damage and penetration for maximum burst, but maintain enough mobility items for escape routes. Getting caught out as Lam usually means death.
Role-Specific Solo Hero Analysis
Best Solo Junglers
Dian Wei absolutely dominates jungle environments, and it’s not particularly close. His camp clear speed is exceptional, survivability is top-tier, and chase potential is superior to most alternatives. What I’ve noticed is that his kit enables aggressive invades and counter-jungling while maintaining healthy clear patterns.
The catch? His effectiveness depends heavily on your positioning skills and map awareness. Master these fundamentals, and Dian Wei becomes an absolute menace.
Top Lane Dominators
Dun remains the undisputed ‘king of Clash Lane,’ and recent balance changes have only reinforced this position. His survivability is genuinely insane, damage output rivals most carries, and crowd control capabilities shut down enemy advances.
What’s interesting is that while other fighters got nerfed, Dun’s kit remained largely untouched. The buffs to fighter builds investing in Physical Damage through second skill modifications have actually made him stronger.
Mid Lane Carries
Milady’s buffs have established her as one of Season 10’s premier mid-lane options. Those enhanced robot control mechanics make minion management significantly easier, and her ultimate targeting buildings directly provides unmatched pushing power.
Daji offers exceptional single-target burst for punishing positioning mistakes. Target high-priority champions like marksmen or mages before team fights develop, and you’ll consistently eliminate threats before they become problems.
Hero Selection Strategy for Different Ranks
Bronze to Gold Recommendations
Lower ranks benefit from straightforward champions with clear power spikes and forgiving mechanics. Hou Yi provides exceptional value through that map-wide ultimate - 3.5 seconds of stunning is absolutely massive at these ranks where positioning tends to be questionable.
Angela offers reliable burst with crowd control through her 1-second Skill 2 stun. The combo sequence is simple: Skill 2 > Skill 1 > Ultimate. Execute this correctly, and you’ll consistently eliminate targets.
Platinum to Diamond Picks
Mid-tier ranks require champions that adapt to improved enemy coordination while maintaining individual impact. Marco Polo’s true damage capabilities bypass shields and defenses, making him particularly effective against tank-heavy compositions that become common in these ranks.
Build lifesteal, penetration, and attack speed for sustained threat levels. The goal is remaining relevant throughout all game phases.
Master+ Considerations
High-rank environments demand maximum skill expression and adaptation potential. The SS-tier and S-tier champions become essential because they can influence games despite coordinated enemy responses.
Team composition awareness and counter-pick strategies gain increased importance here. Understanding enemy champion selections and adapting builds accordingly separates successful climbers from players who plateau.
Essential Builds and Itemization
Core Item Priorities
Mages like Yixing and Daji need magic power and cooldown reduction for ability spam and burst optimization. Marksmen focus on critical chance, attack speed, and lifesteal for sustained damage output.
Fighters and Assassins require balanced approaches. Augran’s attack speed and health stacking creates sustained threat levels, while Lam’s pure damage and penetration focus maximizes assassination potential.
Counter-Build Strategies
Advanced itemization involves actively countering enemy power spikes through strategic item timing. Anti-heal items become crucial against sustain-heavy compositions featuring champions like Augran or Loong.
Understanding item power spikes relative to enemy builds creates significant advantages. Complete your core items before enemies finish their defensive purchases, and you’ll maintain pressure throughout the mid-game.
Common Solo Queue Mistakes to Avoid
Hero Selection Errors
The biggest mistake I see consistently? Selecting champions without considering team composition or enemy picks. Blind-picking champions with clear counters limits carry potential regardless of individual skill level.
Another frequent error involves selecting mechanically complex champions without sufficient practice. Champions like Yixing or Dyadia require extensive mechanical mastery before bringing them into ranked matches.
Gameplay Pitfalls
Overaggression represents a significant issue across all ranks, particularly with assassin champions like Lam or burst mages like Daji. Understanding power spike timings and enemy capability windows prevents unnecessary deaths that surrender early advantages.
Conversely, excessive passivity with scaling champions can forfeit games before reaching power spike timings. Finding that balance is crucial for consistent climbing.
FAQ
What makes Yixing the #1 solo queue hero? Yixing combines exceptional damage with reliable crowd control and built-in survivability through his passive that prevents elimination. His chess piece mechanics enable strategic positioning for maximum damage, while building magic power and cooldown reduction with Skill 1 prioritization creates optimal mana management.
Which heroes have the highest ban rates in Season 10? Four heroes dominate ban rates: Loong, Augran, Arke, and Lam. Their overwhelming impact potential makes them frequently unavailable, requiring alternative meta picks for consistent climbing.
How do I choose between Dian Wei and Sima Yi for jungle? Dian Wei offers superior jungle clear speed, survivability, and chase potential with straightforward execution. Sima Yi provides specialized magic damage countering with lifesteal sustainability but requires maintaining leads for effectiveness.
Which marksman provides the best solo queue carry potential? Hou Yi offers exceptional value through map-wide ultimate stunning lasting 3.5 seconds. Loong provides superior late-game scaling with aerial mobility and Dragon Soul flexibility. Marco Polo’s true damage bypasses defenses effectively against tank-heavy compositions.
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