Reign of Gaming

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Bruisers:

Tier 1:  Shen, Malphite, Olaf, Udyr, Yorick, Jax, Riven, Lee Sin, Renekton

Tier 2:  Irelia, Jarvan IV, Nautilus, Wukong, Darius, Shyvana, Singed, Nidalee, Galio, Skarner, Cho'Gath

Tier 3: Warwick, Gangplank, Nocturne, Fizz, Trundle, Nasus, Dr. Mundo, Tryndamere, Talon

Tier 4:  Pantheon, Poppy, Blitzcrank, Volibear, Garen

Change Log:

Jarvan IV moved up to tier 2 - I believe I had him too low for what he's capable of. He's still a pretty damn good top lane that I underestimated a bit since his nerfs.

Galio moved down to tier 2 -I think some other's are starting to out shine him so I am moving him down to let some others take their place in front of him.

Yorick moved up to tier 1 - You know there was that argument that Yorick can be countered by Trundle (heal passive) and Nasus (free farm with Q) in lane but even then who even picks that stuff in competitive play top lane anymore? And even then how much does it really counter him? I think personally Yorick would still dominate Nasus early laning phase and combined with a gank he could destroy a Nasus. I only see the one true counter to him top which is Trundle because he literally gives him health on every ability making him the ultimate counter to Yorick but EVEN THEN there's a time and a place for a Trundle pick and who says it's always going to be the right match up and who says Yorick won't simply 2v1 you bot lane? I think he's overall still very strong and even with these counters he still crushes almost every lane. I believe him to be tier 1 worthy and I should of never moved him out of tier 1.

Wukong moved up in tier 2 - Monkeys been impressing me in tournament play with what he can do top lane. He's also a counter to a lot of AP's top most noticeably the ever popular Vlad pick, and when fed he dishes out oh so much damage. I feel good in moving him up as a competitive pick.

Gangplank moved down to tier 3 - He's not even on the radar anymore it seems.. No competitive top laner wants him. I've talked to lots of top laners and they all say he's been too nerfed, too weak and granted I am not a top lane playing player when I have seen GP's in solo queue they just seem to be out done by the other current stronger top lanes. I'll have to check more into this but the general consensus of the pro scene right now from the information I've got is that he's not so good anymore. I do however think he's not as bad as people say he is so I am only moving him down to tier 3.

Nidalee moved down in tier 2 - Moving champs around so the tier list looks better is all. I feel she needs to be moved down a bit.

Malphite moved up to tier 1 - Even though I've been very biased vs Malphite in the past I cannot deny his power top lane. He's so incredibly good top lane and I think a lot of pro's just starting realizing this as well. He's been getting more and more popular recently in the competitive scene and it's for good reason. He just completely counter's any AD damage on the enemy team. His E spell combined with Frozen Heart he can almost completely stop the auto attacks from enemy AD champions which is something that was overlooked for a long time in the competitive scene. That along with his quite strong laning phase due to his Q spam, passive shield, and movement speed buff when he Q's something it makes him hard to gank as well. I think tier 1 suits him quite nicely. It seems I had him completely pegged wrong.

Cho'Gath moved down in tier 2 - Just like Nidalee. Moving him around to make a better looking list.

Jax moved up in tier 1 - Make it to late game and Jax OP. Not the mention his early and mid are also quite strong. A fed Jax is OP and there's ways of making sure that happens like camping top lane, and letting Jax free farm. It's really that simple.

The definition of a bruiser:

- Often a tanky champion who can absorb a lot of punishment but also dish out a lot of damage.

- A champion with high survivability who's also a melee champion. (Nidalee is the exception as she's hybrid)

- Bruisers often solo top as they have high survivability and top lane is the easiest lane to die in. These champions can also be played middle lane or even sent to 2 v 1 bot when running different strategies but predominantly they will be top lane.

- Champions like Wukong, Talon and a few others can be played mid lane and completely counter a lot of enemy AP carries. Bruisers can be played mid from time to time and should be considered when looking at the bruiser tier list.

Don't see a champion listed in the tier list who you consider a good competitive bruiser? It's probably because I don't and other competitive teams don't value them as competitive picks. Want to raise an argument for why a certain champion should be considered for the competitive list just post below and let me know why in a constructive way!

"No one, not even pros, can presume to know everything. Whether they promote or discourage a character is subject to debate at all times. These debates are encouraged in a respectful manner as we're trying to create the best tier lists possible for your enjoyment." Stonewall - Elementz

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Bruisers:

Tier 1:  Shen, Olaf, Udyr, Riven, Lee Sin, Renekton, Galio (no change and reason listed), Jax,

Tier 2:  Irelia, Nautilus, Nidalee, Cho'Gath, Yorick, Darius, Malphite, Shyvana, Singed, Wukong, Skarner, Gangplank,

Tier 3: Warwick, Jarvan IV, Nocturne, Fizz, Trundle, Nasus, Dr. Mundo, Tryndamere, Talon,

Tier 4:  Pantheon, Poppy, Blitzcrank, Volibear, Garen

Change Log:

Riven moved up in tier 1 - I feel even in the competitive scene she's stronger then where I had her on my tier list. She's completely annoying in solo queue with the spam dash's and shield and it translates over into competitive play I feel. I had her a bit too low so now I am moving her on up.

Nautilus moved up in tier 2 - I think Nautilus top is pretty good but I am not seeing a lot of competitive teams pick it up yet so I am sort of hesitant on moving him up to tier 1. I like him but I could be just biased in thinking he's better then he really is if no other competitive teams are using him so the top of tier 2 is where he can stay for now.

Gangplank moved down in tier 2 - This champion pretty much is never seen in the competitive scene at all anymore. Makes me kinda sad because I really liked him and I don't think he's as bad as the community can make him out to be. I do feel that a lot of those champions in tier 2 out shine him though so because of that I am moving him down.

Irelia moved up in tier 2 - Had her placed too low. She's still seen a lot of competitive play and has a lot of success still. Simply had her too low.

Malphite moved up in tier 2 - Now I generally HATE Malphite as a champion and I think he's a trash jungler (just imo) but I do feel he is a pretty rock solid top (;3) He's super tanky, got a lot of harass, and setting up ganks with your jungler is very easy with a Malphite in the lane.

Warwick moved down to tier 3 - Now I had him in tier 1 because I felt his lane sustain was great (it is) and his tankyness is awesome (it also is) but there's a big concern about having him top lane that really does lower him down. He can't push his lane very well. He's a single target auto attacker and clearing the wave can take forrrrever sometimes. Yes you can get items like Ionic Spark or Sunfire but even then they don't really fit into WW's build that well. He's not like Shen where he can just AFK in the lane and slow push it in because Warwick doesn't have a global presence and Shen can pop over to any team fight at any time which makes him an excellent split pusher despite not pushing fast. Now Warwick is pretty good in lane but I still feel there are better champions then him for the top lane spot and the added fact that his pushing is really terrible when you're trying to add pressure to a lane. So with all that combined I am moving him down to tier 3.

Darius added to tier 2 - I feel that he's actually not a bad bruiser top lane because of the damage he can dish out early game and the basic "Free kills" as soon as your jungler shows up top lane. His damage out put is CRAZY high and you don't even need to build him super DPS heavy. You can go almost full tank and still dish out a lot of damage, and using your ultimate to finish off anyone who's low. I think he's pretty good so I am playing him into tier 2.

 Question: Why didn't you move Galio down from tier 1 Bruiser Elementz?

 Answer: I don't feel that he isn't a great Bruiser in fact I think he's a great Bruiser. You all assume Bruisers have to go top lane to be viable and that's not the case. Galio's in competitive play a lot of the time build tank and go mid lane so they can have a safer laning phase. They'll throw a Kennen, Vlad, Swain, etc.. Top to be their AP carry while Galio will fulfill the role of the "Tanky DPS" which is exactly what a bruiser is. Yes he can also be played as an AP carry and also goes middle lane but Galio can also take a lot of top lane matches up when being played as a Bruiser. His ability to tank, cc, and dish out damage when built as a tank is still very good so I consider him a bruiser and I think he's definitely tier 1 worthy.

The definition of a bruiser:

- Often a tanky champion who can absorb a lot of punishment but also dish out a lot of damage.

- A champion with high survivability who's also a melee champion. (Nidalee is the exception as she's hybrid)

- Bruisers often solo top as they have high survivability and top lane is the easiest lane to die in. These champions can also be played middle lane or even sent to 2 v 1 bot when running different strategies but predominantly they will be top lane.

- Champions like Wukong, Talon and a few others can be played mid lane and completely counter a lot of enemy AP carries. Bruisers can be played mid from time to time and should be considered when looking at the bruiser tier list.

Don't see a champion listed in the tier list who you consider a good competitive bruiser? It's probably because I don't and other competitive teams don't value them as competitive picks. Want to raise an argument for why a certain champion should be considered for the competitive list just post below and let me know why in a constructive way!

"No one, not even pros, can presume to know everything. Whether they promote or discourage a character is subject to debate at all times. These debates are encouraged in a respectful manner as we're trying to create the best tier lists possible for your enjoyment." Stonewall - Elementz

Hey if you liked the tier list update hook me up with an upvote to help me spread the word! TY!

Bruisers:

Tier 1:  Shen, Olaf, Udyr, Lee Sin, Renekton, Warwick, Riven, Galio (no change and reason listed), Jax,

Tier 2:  Nidalee, Nautilus, Cho'Gath, Yorick, Gangplank, Shyvana, Singed, Irelia, Wukong, Malphite, Skarner,

Tier 3: Jarvan IV, Nocturne, Fizz, Trundle, Nasus, Dr. Mundo, Tryndamere, Talon,

Tier 4:  Pantheon, Poppy, Blitzcrank, Volibear, Garen

Change Log:

Udyr moved down in tier 1 - Don't think he's fit to sit on the throne that is the top of tier 1 so I am moving him down a bit in tier 1. He's still awesomesauce just not the king of kings.

Shen moved up in tier 1 - Now this guy right here is the awesomesauce I was talking about. Granted Udyr is better then him in a few area's the area's Shen excels in make him a lot better in terms of a competitive pick. The ability to taunt up to 5 enemy champions and be able to teleport across the map at anytime is such an amazing tool to have in competitive play. When you can split push "safely" and also have the kit to make you a very strong tank and great laner you know you a great competitive champ on your hands and that's exactly what Shen is. So because of that I am moving him up to the top of tier 1.

Olaf moved up in tier 1 - The Loaf has been dominating solo top for a while now and has been a great competitive bruiser pick for some time now. His ability to dish out true damage consistently is something not a lot or really any other champions besides Vayne can do. His latest buffs have pushed him up into the powerhouse in competitive play that he is today. He was sitting a little bit too low for my liking so I am moving him up.

Gangplank moved down to tier 2 - Now I know I got a lot of flak for having him that high and when I went and looked at him again from a competitive stand point he's still strong but where I had him before I placed the list in tiers again would of landed him extremely high in tier 1. That's completely inaccurate haha, but again it was my first tier list I have done in a while so please excuse me :p He's good but not that good. I feel tier 2 fits him a lot nicer for measuring his competitive strength.

Yorick moved down to tier 2 - Kinda like Gangplank I had him way too high. He is an extremely strong laner and he can win a lot of match ups but if you pick him too quickly in competitive play he will get countered. He has a lot of counters and can be dominated by a lot of champions so for that reasoning his competitive pick strength should be a lot lower. He's a strong laner but for the most part comp specific or counter pick specific I feel.

Warwick moved up in tier 1 - Feel he needs to be a bit higher then where I listed him.

Fizz moved down to tier 3 - Now I am a fan of Bruise Fizz because A) it's really fun, B) The survivability is crazy, and C) I do believe it actually to be viable vs a lot of champions. Do I think he should be as high as I had him on the tier list though? No, I do not. I think I had him a bit too high so I am moving him down.

Singed moved down in tier 2 - Just slightly, don't get your panties in a bunch :p Subtle changes are needed sometimes and he's only moving down a couple spots for a more accurate looking list.

Irelia moved down to tier 2 - I don't feel she's tier 1 worthy anymore. She's good, she can fill her role as a bruiser but she's not sought after by anyone anymore really and she has a handful of counters that can control her really well in lane.

Trundle moved down to tier 3 - He's a decent solo top but is a bit too high for a competitive tier list imo.

Talon moved down to tier 3 - Talon I am moving down a bit because role he plays is only really as a solo mid bruiser. He can't really top lane vs any of these super bruisers with all that survivability and sustain and he's really just a AP counter middle. So I don't feel his competitive pick strength is worth being tier 2 worthy as he's mostly just going to be picked as a counter pick to a AP carry.

Nasus moved down to tier 3 - He's a decent solo top but is a bit too high for a competitive tier list imo.

Nautilus moved up to tier 2 - Now Naut was another one I had a bit too low for my liking in the tier list and I gave my reasons why I had him so low and you guys gave your reasons why he should be higher. My issue was his DPS falls off and he isn't as much of a threat but when thinking about him in competitive play his CC is so great that if you coordinate with others on your team you can utilize that CC to make plays even if Naut's DPS isn't going to carry you. I think with his ability to dish out good damage early / mid and his utility all game long make him at least tier 2 worthy and you guys were right I had him a bit too low so because of that I am moving him up.

Jarvan IV moved up in tier 3 - J4 is my boy and I've been seeing him coming back into play a lot and I feel I had him a bit too low. I feel he might come back into competitive play with a bang but for now I am just moving him up in tier 3 because I feel he's a bit too low.

Renekton moved up to tier 1 - So after much deliberation with a few pros, watching some streams, and playing him again myself I feel that Renekton is indeed tier 1 worthy. His laning phase is great, his team fight is great, and he dishes out some crazy DPS combined with a crap load of survivability if played right. My issue with him is that he falls off if he doesn't get a great laning phase (he does) and that he doesn't scale that well into late game (he doesn't) BUT it is extremely hard to get successful ganks off on Renekton top lane so even if you're camped the jungler is just wasting his time while you continue your laning phase. His late game doesn't scale that well but anyone with an Atma's / Warmogs is going to be a threat and if you've done your laning phase right you'll have a lot more items then that. In fact his early / mid game when he's farmed is incredibly scary. His DPS is MASSIVE and his ability to survive when farmed early / mid is also almost unmatched. If teams utilize his strength when he gets farmed in those phases of the game they can snowball with ease and just take all the objectives, and control the game. He's only in trouble if he makes to super late game but even then he's still a decent threat. So because of all that he's moving up to tier 1.

 Question: Why didn't you move Galio from tier 1 Bruiser Elementz?

 Answer: I don't feel that isn't a great Bruiser in fact I think he's a great Bruiser. You all assume Bruisers have to go top lane to be viable and that's not the case. Galio's in competitive play a lot of the time build tank and go mid lane so they can have a safer laning phase. They'll throw a Kennen, Vlad, Swain, etc.. Top to be their AP carry while Galio will fulfill the role of the "Tanky DPS" which is exactly what a bruiser is. Yes he can also be played as an AP carry and also goes middle lane but Galio can also take a lot of top lane matches up when being played as a Bruiser. His ability to tank, cc, and dish out damage when built as a tank is still very good so I consider him a bruiser and I think he's definitely tier 1 worthy.

The definition of a bruiser:

- Often a tanky champion who can absorb a lot of punishment but also dish out a lot of damage.

- A champion with high survivability who's also a melee champion. (Nidalee is the exception as she's hybrid)

- Bruisers often solo top as they have high survivability and top lane is the easiest lane to die in. These champions can also be played middle lane or even sent to 2 v 1 bot when running different strategies but predominantly they will be top lane.

- Champions like Wukong, Talon and a few others can be played mid lane and completely counter a lot of enemy AP carries. Bruisers can be played mid from time to time and should be considered when looking at the bruiser tier list.

Don't see a champion listed in the tier list who you consider a good competitive bruiser? It's probably because I don't and other competitive teams don't value them as competitive picks. Want to raise an argument for why a certain champion should be considered for the competitive list just post below and let me know why in a constructive way!

"No one, not even pros, can presume to know everything. Whether they promote or discourage a character is subject to debate at all times. These debates are encouraged in a respectful manner as we're trying to create the best tier lists possible for your enjoyment." Stonewall - Elementz

Bruisers: 1) Udyr, 2) Yorick, 3) Lee Sin, 4) Gangplank, 5) Shen, 6) Olaf, 7) Riven, 8) Galio, 9) Jax, 10) Warwick, 11) Irelia, 12) Fizz, 13) Singed, 14) Nidalee, 15) Cho'Gath, 16) Shyvana, 17) Wukong, 18) Malphite, 19) Skarner, 20) Trundle, 21) Talon, 22) Nasus, 23) Nocturne, 24) Nautilus , 25) Dr. Mundo, 26) Jarvan IV, 27) Tryndamere, 28) Renekton, 29) Pantheon, 30) Poppy, 31) Blitzcrank, 32) Volibear, 33) Garen

The definition of a bruiser:

- Often a tanky champion who can absorb a lot of punishment but also dish out a lot of damage.

- A champion with high survivability who's also a melee champion. (Nidalee is the exception as she's hybrid)

- Bruisers often solo top as they have high survivability and top lane is the easiest lane to die in. These champions can also be played middle lane or even sent to 2 v 1 bot when running different strategies but predominantly they will be top lane.

- Champions like Wukong, Talon and a few others can be played mid lane and completely counter a lot of enemy AP carries. Bruisers can be played mid from time to time and should be considered when looking at the bruiser tier list.

Don't see a champion listed in the tier list who you consider a good competitive bruiser? It's probably because I don't and other competitive teams don't value them as competitive picks. Want to raise an argument for why a certain champion should be considered for the competitive list just post below and let me know why in a constructive way!

"No one, not even pros, can presume to know everything. Whether they promote or discourage a character is subject to debate at all times. These debates are encouraged in a respectful manner as we're trying to create the best tier lists possible for your enjoyment." Stonewall - Elementz