Aatrox is a S+ tier Top Lane champion in League of Legends Patch 16.5 with a 50.3% win rate in Emerald+ ranked games, according to OP.GG data. The optimal Aatrox build starts with Doran's Blade and Health Potion, with core items being Spear of Shojin, Sundered Sky, Sterak's Gage and Plated Steelcaps. For runes, run Conqueror from Precision with Resolve as the secondary tree. Skill priority is Q > E > W. Aatrox is best played with Flash and Teleport as summoner spells. The most challenging matchup in Top Lane is Anivia (S+ tier, 55.3% win rate).
Source: OP.GG Emerald+ ranked data, Patch 16.5 · Last updated: March 2026 · Meridian Zero Analytics
Best Build — Patch 16.5
Start
Doran's BladeHealth Potion
Core
Spear of ShojinSundered SkySterak's Gage
Boots
Plated Steelcaps
Spells
FlashTeleport
Priority
Q > E > W
Expert Tips
- Use E to reposition and extend Q range; look to proc all three Q hits in a single trade.
- Your strongest window is levels 1-3 and post-6. All-in when you have revive available.
- Against poke matchups, use W to sustain trades and delay enemy rotations.
Top Lane Matchups — Difficulty by Opponent
| Opponent | Tier | Difficulty | |
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S+ | Medium | Analyze → |
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S+ | Medium | Analyze → |
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S+ | Medium | Analyze → |
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S+ | Medium | Analyze → |
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S+ | Medium | Analyze → |
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S+ | Medium | Analyze → |
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S+ | Medium | Analyze → |
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S+ | Medium | Analyze → |
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S | Easy | Analyze → |
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S | Easy | Analyze → |
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S | Easy | Analyze → |
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S | Easy | Analyze → |
Runes — Patch 16.5
KeystoneConqueror
Primary TreePrecision
Slot 1Triumph
Slot 2Legend: Haste
Slot 3Last Stand
Secondary TreeResolve
Secondary 1Second Wind
Secondary 2Overgrowth