Kled

Kled is really two champions bolted together by his passive, Skaarl, the Cowardly Lizard. While he rides, Skaarl acts as a second health pool that soaks up damage. Once it runs out, Kled falls off, his abilities shift, and he hits champions for less damage until he restores Skaarl’s nerve and climbs back on, often in the middle of a fight. That split makes the top laner harder to kill than he looks. Opponents who strip the mount’s health frequently end up facing a full-health Kled who is still swinging.

On the mount, Kled’s main crowd-control is Bear Trap on a Rope. It snags an enemy champion, and if the chain stays attached, he reels them in with bonus physical damage, which is his best way to stop targets from escaping a skirmish. Violent Tendencies gives him a large burst of attack speed over four swings, with the fourth hit dealing amplified damage. Jousting is a dash in two directions: it deals damage on the way in, and he can recast it to fly back through the target, which gives a fighter surprising agility in duels.

His ultimate, Chaaaaaaaarge!!!, is among the strongest engage options in the top lane. Kled and Skaarl barrel across the map, leaving a trail of speed that pulls nearby allies along, grants him a shield, and slams into the first enemy champion they reach. It lets him lead flanks and counter-engages like a pack leader.

This champion rewards players who enjoy all-in brawling and never retreating. The mount-and-dismount cycle requires commitment, because a dismounted Kled has to keep fighting to get back on rather than fall back. Juggling that two-stage health system is what earns him a difficulty rating of 7.