New toplane strategy lets players hit level two faster in LoL

League of Legends players have discovered a new early game strategy that could lead toplaners to reach level two on their very first minion wave. The early level-two spike would give instant lane pressure and control, creating a strong snowball potential from the start of the game.

Just yesterday content creator and challenger player KaguraMVP shared the strategy on X, showing players how to take advantage of it on Patch 26.4. Since faster minion’s waves timings were introduced in the new season changes, it makes so these early XP windows more exploitable for League players.

The strategy starts the moment you load into the game. Right after you spawn, instead of walking straight to your toplane, walk to the midlane brush and stand close to the edge of the brush towards mid lane so you are close enough to be in the experience range from the minions. Care not to reveal yourself to the enemy midlaner.

With the help of your midlaner killing the first minion fast, and that the minion wave in midlane hits each other earlier than what the toplane does, it gives you enough time to run through the river before any of the minions in the toplane wave dies. If timed correctly you should’t lose your XP. Once you hit level two first, you should immediately look for aggressive trades and take full priority in the lane with the extra stats and ability you gain from level two. That sets you up to snowball the rest of the lane phase—and even the game.

This strategy works best on champions with a strong level two power spike. Champions like Sett, Darius, Pantheon, Riven, or Trundle can take full advantage because of how much stronger they get at level two. Even champions without huge level two spikes can still use this strategy to take control over the lane, but it won’t be as game decisive as it would on stronger early game champions.

But because this strat depends on opponents caring about level stacking and trading early, it tends to work better in higher skill brackets where players pay attention to level-up timers. In lower elos—where early level timers are less contested—the benefits might be less consistent. Also, your midlaner might not understand how giving you the experience for one minion benefits you more than they, so you should communicate in chat and champion select that you are executing this strategy.

The trick opens up new ways to pressure your opponent early, burning summoner spells, forcing a good trade or securing early lane priority to set up a gank angle for your jungler. When executed properly this strategy can snowball into a good advantage that sets you up for the rest of the laning phase.