Yorick

Yorick fills a role few other top laners attempt: a summoner-fighter whose strength comes less from his spear than from the undead host marching at his side. His Shepherd of Souls passive calls forth Mist Walkers that swarm enemies nearby, and every other ability in his kit either feeds that swarm, steers it, or makes it hit harder.

The cycle starts with Last Rites, which buffs his next attack, restores some of his health, and carves out a grave whenever it finishes off a target or hits a champion or large monster. Those graves are what produce new Mist Walkers. Mourning Mist fires Black Mist that deals damage, slows, strips armor, and tags enemies, after which his summons dash toward the tagged target with extra move speed. Dark Procession then raises a breakable wall around the victim, sealing them in a cage alongside Yorick and his ghouls. That cage is among the most stifling trade patterns the top lane has to offer.

The Maiden changes the map

Eulogy of the Isles brings out the Maiden of the Mist, who boosts Yorick’s attacks against her chosen target and automatically raises Walkers from enemies she kills. Most importantly, the Maiden can be sent off to push a lane alone, so Yorick can apply pressure to two areas of the map at once. That ability to split-push is what defines him as one of the game’s best.

At difficulty 6, Yorick is more about macro decisions than mechanical precision: deciding when to shove, when to send the Maiden away, and when to cage a duelist. He is brutal against enemies who cannot move, yet area damage can wipe out his army and leave him weak in open teamfights. Players who prefer slow, positional pressure over flashy plays will find plenty to enjoy here.