League of Legends Tanks: A Comprehensive Guide to the Best Tank Champions in the Game

League of Legends is a multiplayer online battle arena game that has been around for over a decade. One of the most important roles in League of Legends is the tank role. Tanks are champions who are designed to absorb damage and create space for their team. They are often the first ones to engage in team fights and have abilities that allow them to disrupt the enemy team.

Tanks are an essential part of any successful team composition in League of Legends. They have the ability to soak up damage and protect their teammates, which is crucial in team fights. Tanks are also able to initiate fights by using their crowd control abilities to lock down enemy champions. This allows their team to follow up with their own abilities and secure kills.

There are many different types of tanks in League of Legends, each with their own unique playstyle. Some tanks are better at engaging fights, while others are better at peeling for their teammates. Some tanks have abilities that allow them to deal damage, while others focus solely on disrupting the enemy team. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each tank is key to playing the role effectively.

Understanding League of Legends Tanks

League of Legends (LoL) is a popular multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game that involves two teams of five players each. One of the most important roles in LoL is the tank. Tanks are champions who have a high amount of health and defensive stats, and their primary role is to soak up damage and protect their team.

Role of Tanks

The role of tanks in LoL is to initiate fights and absorb damage. Tanks are often the first champions to engage in a team fight, and they use their crowd control abilities to disrupt the enemy team and protect their allies. Tanks are also responsible for peeling, which means using their abilities to protect their carries (champions who deal high amounts of damage but have low health) from enemy champions.

Key Attributes of Tanks

Tanks in LoL have several key attributes that make them effective at their role. These include:

• High Health: Tanks have a high amount of health, which allows them to absorb a lot of damage before dying.
• Defensive Stats: Tanks have high defensive stats, such as armor and magic resistance, which reduces the amount of damage they take from physical and magical attacks.
• Crowd Control Abilities: Tanks have a variety of crowd control abilities, such as stuns, slows, and knock-ups, which allow them to disrupt enemy champions and protect their allies.
• Initiation Abilities: Tanks have abilities that allow them to initiate fights, such as gap-closers and area-of-effect (AOE) abilities.

In conclusion, tanks are an essential part of any LoL team. They provide a frontline for their team, absorb damage, and protect their carries. Understanding the role and key attributes of tanks is crucial for players who want to excel in this role.

Popular Tank Characters

League of Legends has a variety of tank characters that players can choose from. These champions are designed to absorb damage and protect their team from enemy attacks, making them essential in team fights. Here are some of the most popular tank characters in the game:

Alistar

Alistar is a melee tank champion who is known for his ability to initiate fights and disrupt enemy teams. His ultimate ability, “Unbreakable Will,” gives him increased resistance to damage and crowd control effects, making him even more difficult to take down. Alistar is a great pick for players who want to control the battlefield and protect their allies.

Amumu

Amumu is a tank champion who excels at initiating fights and locking down enemies with his crowd control abilities. His ultimate ability, “Curse of the Sad Mummy,” can stun multiple enemies at once, making him a valuable asset in team fights. Amumu is a great pick for players who want to control the battlefield and set up their team for success.

Leona

Leona is a melee tank champion who is known for her ability to engage and lock down enemies with her crowd control abilities. Her passive ability, “Sunlight,” allows her and her allies to deal bonus damage to enemies she has recently hit with abilities. Leona is a great pick for players who want to control the battlefield and set up their team for success.

Malphite

Malphite is a tank champion who is known for his ability to initiate fights and disrupt enemy teams with his crowd control abilities. His ultimate ability, “Unstoppable Force,” allows him to charge forward and knock up all enemies in his path, making him a valuable asset in team fights. Malphite is a great pick for players who want to control the battlefield and protect their allies.

Shen

Shen is a tank champion who is known for his ability to protect his allies with his crowd control abilities. His ultimate ability, “Stand United,” allows him to teleport to an ally and shield them from damage for a short period of time. Shen is a great pick for players who want to protect their allies and control the battlefield.

Overall, these tank champions are popular picks for players who want to control the battlefield and protect their allies. Each champion has their own unique abilities and playstyle, so players should experiment with different champions to find the one that fits their playstyle the best.

Tanks’ Impact on Game Strategy

Tanks are an essential part of any League of Legends team composition. They are tough melee champions who sacrifice damage in exchange for powerful crowd control. Tanks’ main role is to disrupt the enemy team and make way for their own team. Their impact on the game strategy can be divided into three phases: Early Game, Mid Game, and Late Game.

Early Game Strategies

In the early game, tanks should focus on farming and building up their defensive items. They should also be aware of the enemy jungler’s movements and try to control the vision around the river. This will help their team to avoid ganks and secure objectives like the Scuttle Crab and Dragon.

Tanks can also be aggressive in the early game by using their crowd control abilities to set up kills for their team. They can also roam to other lanes to help their teammates secure kills and objectives.

Mid Game Strategies

In the mid game, tanks should continue to build up their defensive items and focus on controlling the vision around the objectives. They should also be aware of the enemy team’s power spikes and adjust their playstyle accordingly.

Tanks can be a valuable asset in team fights during the mid game. They can use their crowd control abilities to lock down key targets and protect their allies. They can also initiate team fights by engaging the enemy team and soaking up damage.

Late Game Strategies

In the late game, tanks become even more important as the team fights become more frequent and intense. They should be the frontline of the team and use their crowd control abilities to protect their allies and engage the enemy team.

Tanks should also be aware of the enemy team’s positioning and try to disrupt their backline. They can use their crowd control abilities to peel for their carries and prevent the enemy team from reaching them.

In conclusion, tanks have a significant impact on the game strategy in League of Legends. They are essential in team compositions and can make the difference between winning and losing. By following the strategies outlined above, tanks can help their team secure objectives, win team fights, and ultimately, the game.

Building a Tank Character

Creating a strong tank character in League of Legends requires a combination of careful item selection, appropriate rune choices, and mastering the right skills. Here are some tips to help you build a tank character that can stand up to the toughest opponents.

Choosing the Right Items

A tank character’s strength lies in their ability to absorb damage and protect their team. The right items can make all the difference in achieving this goal. Some popular tank items include:

• Sunfire Cape: This item deals damage to nearby enemies and provides armor and health.
• Thornmail: This item reflects damage back to attackers and provides armor.
• Spirit Visage: This item increases health regeneration and provides magic resistance.

It’s important to choose items that complement your character’s strengths and weaknesses. For example, if your tank character lacks mobility, you may want to consider items that provide movement speed.

Understanding Runes

Runes can give your tank character additional abilities and strengths. Some popular tank runes include:

• Grasp of the Undying: This rune provides health and damage every 4 seconds in combat.
• Aftershock: This rune increases armor and magic resistance after using a crowd control ability.
• Demolish: This rune deals bonus damage to structures after destroying an enemy tower.

Choosing the right runes can help your tank character excel in their role as a protector and initiator.

Mastering Skills

A tank character’s abilities are key to their success. Mastering the right skills can help you control the battlefield and protect your team. Some important tank skills include:

• Taunt: This ability forces an enemy to attack you for a short period of time.
• Stun: This ability immobilizes an enemy, preventing them from attacking or moving.
• Shield: This ability provides a temporary shield to absorb damage.

Knowing when to use these skills and how to combo them effectively can make all the difference in a team fight.

By carefully selecting items, runes, and mastering skills, you can build a tank character that can withstand even the toughest opponents.

Tips and Tricks for Playing Tanks

Playing tanks in League of Legends requires a different set of skills than playing other roles. Here are some tips and tricks to help you excel as a tank.

Positioning

Positioning is crucial for tanks. A tank should always be positioned in front of their team to absorb damage and protect their teammates. However, a tank should also be careful not to overextend and get caught out of position.

One effective way to position as a tank is to use terrain to your advantage. Tanks can use walls and other obstacles to block enemy skill shots and limit their movement. This can give your team the advantage in team fights.

Teamwork

Tanks are often the initiators in team fights. Communication with your team is key to ensure that everyone is on the same page. A tank should communicate when they plan to engage and make sure that their team is ready to follow up.

Another important aspect of teamwork for tanks is peeling for your carries. A tank should be ready to jump in front of their carries to protect them from enemy damage. This can mean the difference between winning and losing a team fight.

Timing

Timing is everything for tanks. A tank should be patient and wait for the right moment to engage. Engaging too early can lead to your team being overwhelmed by the enemy, while engaging too late can mean missing the opportunity to catch the enemy off guard.

One effective way to time your engages is to keep track of enemy cooldowns. If the enemy has used their important abilities, it may be a good time to engage. Additionally, if your team has a power spike, such as completing an important item, it may be a good time to engage as well.

By following these tips and tricks, you can become an effective tank and help lead your team to victory.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some good tank top laners in League of Legends?

Some of the best tank top laners in League of Legends include Maokai, Ornn, and Malphite. These champions have high health, crowd control abilities, and can sustain a lot of damage.

Which champions are the best tanks in League of Legends?

In addition to the top laners mentioned earlier, some of the best tanks in League of Legends include Amumu, Leona, and Sejuani. These champions have a lot of crowd control and can soak up a lot of damage for their team.

Why do some players think League of Legends tanks are broken?

Some players believe that tanks in League of Legends are overpowered because they can absorb a lot of damage and still deal significant damage to their opponents. However, this is balanced by their lack of mobility and lower damage output compared to other champions.

What are some tips for playing AD tanks in LoL?

When playing AD tanks in League of Legends, it’s important to focus on building items that increase both health and damage. Champions like Garen and Darius are good examples of AD tanks that can deal a lot of damage while still being able to take a lot of damage.

Are ranged tanks viable in League of Legends?

While ranged tanks are not as common as melee tanks, they can still be viable in certain situations. Champions like Urgot and Rumble have ranged abilities that allow them to deal damage from a distance while still being able to soak up damage for their team.

What is the role of a tank in League of Legends team composition?

The role of a tank in League of Legends team composition is to absorb damage and protect their team’s damage dealers. They are responsible for initiating team fights and disrupting the enemy team’s positioning. Tanks can also peel for their carries and provide crowd control to help secure kills.