DuoChampion synergies in LoL
A synergy in LoL is a pair of champions whose abilities reinforce each other: one creates the opening (crowd control, engage, a shield or vision) and the other takes advantage of it (damage, a finish or scaling). The better the timing fits, the easier it is to win the lane or the fight.
The five types of synergy
Almost every pair that works falls into one of these families. Knowing which one is yours tells you what to do in each phase of the game.
Engage and finish (kill lane)
One starts with a hook, a leap or a stun and the other finishes before the enemy can react. They shine at levels 2 to 6 and demand that you coordinate the first move.
Ahri + EliseMid + Jungle · Difficulty: Medium-HighElise stuns with her cocoon and Ahri charms: the enemy can't escape the gank.
Brand + TeemoBot lane · Difficulty: MediumTeemo poisons and plants mushrooms; Brand burns and stuns with his Q whoever is already on fire.
Caitlyn + MorganaBot lane · Difficulty: MediumMorgana immobilizes from range and Caitlyn punishes trapped targets with headshots.
Camille + HecarimTop + Jungle · Difficulty: HighCamille locks the target down and Hecarim charges: a dive you can't escape.Chained control (wombo combo)
Both players' crowd-control abilities follow each other with no gap: the enemy goes from a stun to a root to a knock-up. They are lethal in team fights and near walls.
Ahri + EliseMid + Jungle · Difficulty: Medium-HighElise stuns with her cocoon and Ahri charms: the enemy can't escape the gank.
Anivia + AmumuMid + Jungle · Difficulty: MediumAmumu stuns and Anivia cuts off the path with her wall and her storm.
Ashe + LeonaBot lane · Difficulty: MediumLeona stuns and roots; Ashe slows and finishes with the crystal arrow.Caitlyn + MorganaBot lane · Difficulty: MediumMorgana immobilizes from range and Caitlyn punishes trapped targets with headshots.Staying power and scaling
Pairs with a lot of health, shields or healing that withstand poke and scale. They win the long game more than the lane.
Cho'Gath + ViTop + Jungle · Difficulty: MediumVi dives onto the target and Cho'Gath knocks them up and silences them: there's no way out.
Jinx + SorakaBot lane · Difficulty: LowSoraka heals and silences while Jinx scales until she wins with her R.
Jinx + ThreshBot lane · Difficulty: MediumThresh protects and controls while Jinx scales and cleans up fights with her R.
Malphite + SejuaniTop + Jungle · Difficulty: MediumMalphite knocks up and Sejuani freezes: a top gank that's hard to dodge.Global pressure
Long-range ultimates that let you join fights away from the lane: landings, teleports, global beams. They require voice chat.
Galio + Jarvan IVMid + Jungle · Difficulty: Medium-HighJarvan locks down with his R and Galio lands beside him with a shield.
Galio + NocturneMid + Jungle · Difficulty: Medium-HighNocturne drops on a champion and Galio lands next to him with a shield for the whole team.
Karthus + SejuaniMid + Jungle · Difficulty: MediumSejuani freezes and Karthus finishes everyone with his R from anywhere.
Shen + NocturneTop + Jungle · Difficulty: Medium-HighShen teleports to Nocturne with a shield and Nocturne throws himself at a champion.Fun synergies
Unconventional combinations for normals, with effects that reinforce each other in ways the enemy doesn't expect.
Brand + TeemoBot lane · Difficulty: MediumTeemo poisons and plants mushrooms; Brand burns and stuns with his Q whoever is already on fire.
Cassiopeia + TwitchBot + Mid · Difficulty: Medium-HighTwitch poisons the enemies and Cassiopeia hits the poisoned instantly.
Tahm Kench + SennaBot lane · Difficulty: MediumTahm Kench soaks damage and Senna heals him: almost impossible to poke.
Veigar + ZiggsBot lane · Difficulty: MediumTwo mages that punish from afar: Ziggs slows with mines and Veigar closes the exit with his cage.How to tell if two champions have synergy
- Look for an ability of one that sets up the other's: a root before empowered damage, a knock-up before an ultimate that needs airborne enemies.
- Check that the power spikes match: ideally both are strong at the same levels (usually 2, 3 and 6).
- Look at the range: if one goes in and the other attacks from afar, check that the second can use the window.
- Think about what fails: without the first ability, does the duo have a plan? The best ones have a second option.
- Practice the combo in a normal game before taking it to ranked.
Synergies by lane
Pick the lanes you'll play and see the synergies for each:
Frequently asked questions
What is a synergy in LoL?
A pair of champions whose abilities reinforce each other: one sets up the play and the other takes advantage of it. They can be pairs in the same lane (bot lane) or in different lanes (mid and jungle).
Which synergies are best for ranked?
The ones that can be executed without too much coordination and still work if one move fails: engage plus finish in bot lane and chained control in mid and jungle. See the lists by lane for the options.
How do you play a synergy best?
By talking before you go in: who starts, at what level and what to do if it fails. Each duo's guide includes the step-by-step combo and the level 6 protocol.
Does a synergy work at any rank?
Yes, but execution matters more at higher ranks. Duos with simple combos are the most reliable for climbing at low and mid elo.
Keep reading
Best LoL duos in patch 26.21
Bot lane duo types: engage, enchanter and poke
In bot lane almost every pair falls into one of three types: engage (go in and kill), enchanter (protect the marksman) or poke (wear down from range). Pick according to what you want to happen in the first levels.
Duo queue communication in LoL: what to say and when
Talk little and with fixed phrases: call before you go in, say which spells you're missing and repeat what each of you sees on the map. A good call is three words, not a paragraph.
How to play against a strong duo in LoL
Against a strong duo, don't accept the fight on their terms: recognize their plan at level 1, save your escape for their moment of entry and ask your jungler for help before they become unstoppable.