Top LoL Worlds 2022: Most Popular Champion Picks!

Hey guys! Worlds 2022 was an absolute blast, wasn't it? We saw some insane plays, unexpected upsets, and, of course, a whole lot of champion diversity. But, as always, some champions stood out from the crowd and became the go-to picks for pro teams looking to dominate the Rift. So, let's dive into the most picked champions of LoL Worlds 2022 and break down why they were so popular.

Aatrox: The Darkin Blade

Aatrox, the Darkin Blade, was a dominant force at Worlds 2022. This should come as no surprise to anyone who's been following the pro scene, as Aatrox has been a top-tier pick for quite some time. His kit offers a fantastic blend of damage, sustain, and crowd control, making him a versatile pick in various team compositions. During the tournament, Aatrox was often seen in the top lane, where his strong laning phase and ability to snowball made him a nightmare for opposing teams.

One of the main reasons for Aatrox's popularity is his ability to impact team fights significantly. His ultimate, World Ender, grants him increased size, damage, and healing, allowing him to dive into the enemy team and disrupt their formation. With the right build, Aatrox can become incredibly difficult to kill, making him a constant threat in extended engagements. Furthermore, his The Darkin Blade (Q) provides excellent wave clear and poke, allowing him to control the lane and set up ganks for his jungler. Aatrox's consistent performance and adaptability solidified his position as one of the most contested picks throughout the tournament. Teams often prioritized picking or banning him to avoid facing his immense power on the Rift.

Moreover, Aatrox's synergy with various team compositions added to his appeal. Whether paired with engage-heavy supports or scaling carries, Aatrox could seamlessly fit into different strategies. His ability to act as both a damage dealer and a frontline bruiser made him a valuable asset in diverse game plans. The flexibility in his item builds also contributed to his popularity. Teams could opt for a more damage-focused build to maximize his carry potential or a tankier build to enhance his survivability and utility. This adaptability allowed teams to tailor Aatrox's playstyle to match their specific needs and counter their opponents effectively. His consistent presence in the pick and ban phase underscored his importance as a key champion to watch out for during Worlds 2022.

Maokai: The Twisted Treant

Maokai, the Twisted Treant, surprised many by becoming one of the most picked champions at Worlds 2022. While he wasn't always a meta staple, buffs and meta shifts leading up to the tournament made him a powerful pick, especially in the jungle and support roles. His kit revolves around crowd control and tankiness, making him an excellent choice for teams looking to lock down opponents and protect their carries.

In the jungle, Maokai's Saplings provided excellent vision control and ganking potential. By placing them strategically, he could scout out enemy movements and set up ambushes. His Twisted Advance (W) allowed him to quickly close the gap on enemies, while his Bramble Smash (Q) knocked them back, disrupting their positioning. These abilities, combined with his ultimate, Nature's Grasp, which roots enemies in a line, made him a formidable ganker and team fight initiator. Maokai's tankiness also allowed him to soak up damage and peel for his carries, making him a valuable asset in drawn-out engagements. As a support, Maokai excelled at protecting his ADC and disrupting the enemy team. His Saplings could be used to zone enemies and provide vision, while his Twisted Advance and Bramble Smash could peel for his ADC or engage on the enemy. His ultimate provided a massive amount of crowd control, allowing his team to follow up with damage and secure kills. Maokai's versatility and ability to thrive in multiple roles made him a highly sought-after pick at Worlds 2022.

Teams often drafted Maokai to provide a solid frontline and reliable crowd control, especially in compositions that lacked engage or needed additional protection for their carries. His ability to adapt to different game states and team compositions further solidified his popularity. Whether the team needed an aggressive initiator or a protective peel, Maokai could fulfill either role effectively. His tanky nature allowed him to withstand significant amounts of damage, making him a resilient force in team fights. Furthermore, Maokai's point-and-click engage with Twisted Advance offered a reliable way to lock down priority targets, enabling his team to capitalize on opportunities and secure advantages. The combination of crowd control, tankiness, and versatility made Maokai a consistent and impactful pick throughout the tournament.

Kalista: The Spear of Vengeance

Kalista, the Spear of Vengeance, made a significant impact at Worlds 2022, proving her viability in the ADC role. While she requires precise mechanical execution and strong communication with her support, her unique kit offers unparalleled mobility and damage potential. Kalista's passive, Martial Poise, allows her to hop after each auto-attack, making her incredibly difficult to catch and allowing her to kite enemies effectively. Her Rend (E) provides a significant damage spike, especially against targets with multiple spears embedded in them. And let's not forget her ultimate, Fate's Call, which allows her to reposition her support and initiate engages.

One of the main reasons for Kalista's popularity at Worlds 2022 was her synergy with engage supports like Alistar and Leona. By pairing her with a support who could reliably lock down targets, Kalista could easily Rend them for massive damage and kite away to safety. Her mobility also allowed her to avoid ganks and reposition in team fights, making her a difficult target to pin down. Furthermore, Kalista's Fate's Call provided a unique engage tool, allowing her support to dive into the enemy team and disrupt their formation. This could create opportunities for her team to follow up with damage and secure kills. Kalista's high skill ceiling and reliance on team coordination made her a risky pick, but the rewards were well worth it for teams that could execute her effectively. Her ability to shred tanks and kite carries made her a valuable asset in various team compositions.

Teams often drafted Kalista to exploit her high damage output and mobility, particularly in compositions that revolved around snowballing early leads. Her ability to quickly take down objectives and pressure the enemy team made her a potent threat in the hands of skilled players. Kalista's kiting potential allowed her to thrive in extended engagements, where she could continuously deal damage while remaining relatively safe. Her reliance on communication and coordination with her support demanded a high level of synergy, but the payoff was immense when executed correctly. The Fate's Call ultimate provided a unique and versatile tool for initiating fights, peeling for teammates, or disengaging from unfavorable situations. Kalista's presence in the meta highlighted the importance of mechanical skill and team cohesion in competitive play, showcasing her potential as a high-risk, high-reward pick.

Sejuani: The Fury of the North

Sejuani, the Fury of the North, was a consistent presence in the jungle at Worlds 2022. Her reliable crowd control, tankiness, and engage potential made her a valuable asset for teams looking to control the pace of the game. Sejuani's Arctic Assault (Q) allows her to dash forward, knocking up enemies in her path. Her Winter's Wrath (W) deals damage and applies frost stacks, while her Permafrost (E) stuns enemies with maximum frost stacks. And, of course, her ultimate, Glacial Prison, is a massive AoE stun that can turn the tide of a team fight.

Sejuani's popularity stemmed from her ability to consistently deliver impactful ganks and initiate team fights. Her Arctic Assault provided a reliable engage tool, while her Permafrost guaranteed a follow-up stun. Her tankiness allowed her to absorb damage and protect her carries, making her a valuable asset in drawn-out engagements. Furthermore, Sejuani's Glacial Prison could single-handedly win team fights by locking down key targets and allowing her team to follow up with damage. She synergized well with various team compositions, providing a blend of crowd control, tankiness, and engage that many teams found invaluable. Her consistent performance and ability to impact the game at all stages made her a popular pick throughout the tournament. Sejuani's strength in the jungle role allowed teams to control objectives and dictate the flow of the game.

Teams often drafted Sejuani to provide a stable and reliable presence in the jungle, particularly in compositions that needed a strong engage and crowd control. Her ability to secure objectives and control vision made her a valuable asset in dictating the flow of the game. Sejuani's tankiness allowed her to withstand significant amounts of damage, making her a resilient force in team fights. Her Glacial Prison ultimate provided a game-changing tool for locking down priority targets and turning the tide of battles. The combination of crowd control, tankiness, and engage potential made Sejuani a consistently impactful pick throughout the tournament, solidifying her position as a top-tier jungler.

Ending

So, there you have it, folks! The most picked champions of LoL Worlds 2022. These champions stood out for their versatility, impact, and ability to thrive in the high-pressure environment of professional play. While the meta is constantly evolving, these picks highlight the importance of adaptability, team synergy, and mechanical skill in League of Legends. Worlds 2022 gave us great memories. I hope to see you in the next competition!