One of the most popular roles in the game is the assassin, who specializes in quickly eliminating high-priority targets such as enemy carries. With so many assassins to choose from, it can be difficult to determine which one is the best for your playstyle. In this article, we will take a look at the top assassins in League of Legends.
What is an Assassin in League of Legends?
Before we dive into the best assassins in League of Legends, let’s define what an assassin is. An assassin is a champion who specializes in quickly taking down high-priority targets such as enemy carries, mages, or supports. They are typically very mobile and deal high burst damage, allowing them to eliminate their targets before they have a chance to react.
Top Assassins in League of Legends EVER
- Zed
Most Popular Position: Mid
Builds: https://www.op.gg/champions/zed/mid/build
Zed is considered by many to be the best assassin in League of Legends. He has incredible mobility and damage potential, allowing him to quickly eliminate even the tankiest of targets. Zed’s ultimate ability, Death Mark, allows him to mark an enemy champion and deal massive damage to them after a short delay. If the target dies while marked, Zed can even teleport back to his starting position.
- Katarina
Most Popular Position: Mid
Builds: https://www.op.gg/champions/katarina/mid/build
Katarina is another popular assassin in League of Legends. She excels at taking down multiple targets at once thanks to her ultimate ability, Death Lotus, which deals massive AOE damage to all nearby enemies. Katarina’s passive ability, Voracity, also allows her to reset her basic abilities after getting a kill or assist, making her incredibly dangerous in team fights.
- Talon
Most Popular Position: Mid
Talon is a highly mobile assassin who excels at roaming and ganking. His ultimate ability, Shadow Assault, allows him to turn invisible and deal damage to all nearby enemies. Talon also has high burst damage and can quickly eliminate squishy targets with his abilities.
- Akali
Most Popular Position: Mid/Top
Akali is a versatile assassin who can be played both in the mid lane and top lane. She has incredible mobility and can quickly dash to her enemies with her ultimate ability, Perfect Execution. Akali also has high sustained damage and can quickly eliminate her targets with her Q and passive abilities.
- Fizz
Most Popular Position: Mid
Fizz is a unique assassin who excels at diving in and out of fights. His playful/trickster ability allows him to become invulnerable while jumping over enemy abilities, making him difficult to pin down. Fizz also has high burst damage and can quickly eliminate his targets with his ultimate ability, Chum the Waters.
- LeBlanc
Most Popular Position: Mid
LeBlanc is a deceptive assassin who can quickly burst down her targets with her abilities. She has incredible mobility and can easily deceive her enemies with her clone ability. LeBlanc’s ultimate ability, Mimic, allows her to cast one of her basic abilities again, making her incredibly versatile in fights.
- Kha’Zix
Most Popular Position: Jungle
Kha’Zix is a unique assassin who evolves his abilities as he gains levels. He has incredible mobility and can quickly jump to his enemies with his Leap ability. Kha’Zix also has high burst damage and can quickly eliminate his targets with his Q ability, which deals bonus damage to isolated targets.
- Nocturne
Most Popular Positions: Jungle
Builds/Runes: https://www.op.gg/champions/nocturne/jungle/build
Nocturne is a unique assassin who excels at diving onto enemy carries. His ultimate ability, Paranoia, allows him to become untargetable while diving onto his target. Nocturne also has high burst damage and can quickly eliminate his targets with his Q and passive abilities.
| Champion | Pros | Cons | Essence Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zed | High burst damage, good mobility, strong split pushing | Requires good positioning, high skill cap | 6300 BE |
| Katarina | High damage potential, resets on kills/assists | Easily shut down by crowd control, weak laning phase | 3150 BE |
| Talon | Strong roaming potential, high burst damage | Relies heavily on early game success, weak in team fights | 3150 BE |
| Akali | High mobility, good sustain, versatile | High skill cap, weak early game | 6300 BE |
| Fizz | High mobility, good burst damage, can dodge enemy abilities | Weak laning phase, can be countered by defensive items | 4800 BE |
| LeBlanc | High burst damage, good mobility | Requires good decision-making, falls off late game | 3150 BE |
| Kha’Zix | Strong isolation damage, versatile evolution choices | Relies on enemy team making mistakes, weak in team fights | 6300 BE |
| Nocturne | Good dueling potential, strong ultimate for engaging/disengaging | Limited mobility, relies on ultimate for engaging | 4800 BE |
How to Choose the Best Assassin for You
Now that we’ve gone through some of the top assassins in League of Legends, you may be wondering how to choose the best one for your playstyle. Here are a few things to consider when selecting an assassin:
- Mobility: Assassins rely on their mobility to quickly get in and out of fights. Consider champions with abilities that allow them to quickly close gaps, jump over walls, or become invisible.
- Burst Damage: Assassins excel at quickly eliminating high-priority targets. Look for champions with high burst damage that can quickly take down enemy carries.
- Versatility: Some assassins are more versatile than others. Consider champions with abilities that can be used in a variety of situations, or those that can be evolved or reset for increased versatility.
- Playstyle: Finally, consider your own playstyle when choosing an assassin. Do you prefer champions that can quickly dive onto enemy carries, or those that can take down multiple targets at once? Consider your strengths as a player when selecting an assassin.
Conclusion
Assassins are an exciting and powerful role in League of Legends. With so many champions to choose from, it can be difficult to determine which one is the best for your playstyle. Consider factors such as mobility, burst damage, versatility, and playstyle when selecting an assassin. Remember, the best assassin for you is ultimately the one that you enjoy playing the most.
FAQs
- What makes an assassin different from other champions in League of Legends? Assassins specialize in quickly taking down high-priority targets such as enemy carries. They are typically very mobile and deal high burst damage, allowing them to eliminate their targets before they have a chance to react.
- Are assassins difficult to play in League of Legends? Assassins can be difficult to play due to their high skill cap. They require good positioning, timing, and decision-making to be effective.
- Which assassins are best for beginners? Assassins such as Katarina and Fizz are relatively straightforward and can be good options for beginners. However, they still require practice to master.
- Are assassins viable in competitive play? Assassins are a popular pick in competitive play due to their ability to quickly take down high-priority targets. However, they can be countered by teams with good communication and coordination.
- How can I counter assassins in League of Legends? Assassins can be countered by champions with crowd control abilities or high defensive stats. Additionally, staying grouped with your team and avoiding isolation can make it difficult for assassins to find an opening.
