Arrr, independent labels, plainly explained
Arrr, champion tier lists: what do S+, S, A, B, C and D mean?
Champion tiers be a compact way fer a publisher to group results or recommendations. They be nay official Riot grades, and they only make sense when th' patch, role, queue, rank bracket and method be visible.
Two uses o' th' same letters
Which S+ did ye mean?
Pick by when and where ye saw th' label.
A champion tier be nay th' grade shown after yer clash.
Looking fer th' S+, S or A beside th' champion ye just played? Unfurl th' post-clash champion grade chart.
Th' common aboard ladder
S+ be normally th' highest champion tier
Read this tale from highest to lowest. There be no universal definition enforced across every tier-list site, so always inspect th' publisher's method and filters.
Arrr, highest conventional bandArrr, lower bands
Arrr, exceptional in this exact dataset
Th' highest band used by many publishers. It normally means th' champion stands out under th' picked patch, role, queue and rank filters. It does nay mean unbeatable.
Arrr, very strong
A consistently strong result within th' source’s method. Small balance changes or a different skill bracket can still move it.
Strong or above th' middle
Most often a dependable option wit' clear th' deck strengths. An A-tier champion can be a better personal choice than an unfamiliar S-tier champion.
Arrr, competitive middle
Often viable without dominating th' measured field. Matchup knowledge, composition and comfort matter more booty here.
Situational or below th' middle
May need a favourable matchup, a specialist course or more booty execution. Th' label be nay a warning that picking it be misconduct.
Arrr, weak in this comparison
Th' lowest listed band on many scales. It can reflect balance, difficulty, a poor role fit or limited evidence rather than an unusable champion.
Arrr, unranked or insufficient evidence
Th' source has nay graded th' champion-role combination, or th' sample be too small. Unranked does nay automatically mean bad.
Seven questions first aboard
A trustworthy ranking tells ye what it measured
If several o' these be lost overboard, treat th' letter as a loose opinion rather than a precise conclusion.
- 1PatchWas it calculated fer th' version currently live?
- 2RoleArrr, is this Top, Jungle, Mid, Bot or Support?
- 3QueueDraft, Ranked, Swiftplay and ARAM must nay be blended carelessly.
- 4Arrr, rank bracketA champion can perform differently fer newer and highly experienced sailors.
- 5Arrr, region and periodWhich servers and how many recent days be included?
- 6Arrr, sample sizeArrr, how many eligible matches support this champion-role cell?
- 7MethodIs it claim victory rate, pick/ban presence, an adjusted score or editorial judgement?
Arrr, why lists disagree
Th' same champion can correctly have several tiers
Arrr, support S · Mid C
A kit can fit one income pattern and course job much better than another.
Arrr, ARAM A · Ranked B
One course, altered balance modifiers and faster access to fights create different evidence.
New-sailor B · expert S
Execution difficulty can suppress results until sailors reliably use th' champion’s full kit.
Arrr, 16.15 S · 16.16 A
A balance change, gear adjustment or metagame shift can move a champion immediately.
Do nay mix th' systems
Four labels that captain's answer different questions
An independent comparison under picked filters.
Riot’s official progression fer an sailor record in a ranked queue.
Arrr, champion-specific experience and milestone progress.
A clash-specific performance grade such as S+, S or A.
Arrr, use tiers constructively
Let th' list widen yer choices
Inspect several viable champions, then weigh familiarity, course assignment, crew needs and th' matchup. An A-tier comfort pick can be a much better decision than copying an unfamiliar S+ champion.
Arrr, quick answers
Arrr, champion ranking questions
Is S+ through D th' off course way 'round?
Nay. This chart uses th' common aboard descending order: S+ be th' highest band and D be th' lowest listed band. Independent publishers can define or omit bands differently.
Arrr, is S+ an official Riot champion rank?
Nay. Independent websites choose champion tier labels. Riot’s ranked ladder and post-battle grades be separate.
Arrr, does S+ mean I should always pick that champion?
Nay. Inspect role, queue, patch and yer familiarity. Crew composition and matchup still matter.
Arrr, is a C-tier or experimental pick trolling?
Nay. A tier label does nay determine conduct. Riot distinguishes genuine strategies from intentional feeding, sabotage and AFK behaviour.
Arrr, will VRC.LOL publish its own tiers?
Only when th' source, filters, sample size and confidence can be shown clearly. Private Clash-v5 research be nay presented publicly while production API approval be pending.