Optimal Best Champions Bans At Each Division - Patch 6.8 April List

Here at Nerfplz, we take user input seriously and try and accomplish as much as possible in the time available. For instance, I know there are a few items on the to-do list such as the 3s tier list, a potential item tier list, and a few FOTM reports (I keep a running tally). They're in progress, but somewhat on the backburner.

Meanwhile, I've received quite a few messages and comments over the last few patches regarding what are optimal champion bans for each division, which is definitely something I can quickly go over, and would love to discuss.

Since the majority of you are already used to the tier list format from solo queue and FOTM tier lists over the last five years, I'll start off with the same just for familiarity.

The purpose of this list is to discover optimal bans, with the knowledge that enemy teams will likely ban the ones at the top of the list.

SEASON 6 - PATCH 6.8 BAN LIST

"Problems"

Preface Chatter

Here at Nerfplz, we take user input seriously and try and accomplish as much as possible in the time available. For instance, I know there are a few items on the to-do list such as the 3s tier list, a potential item tier list, and a few FOTM reports (I keep a running tally). They're in progress, but somewhat on the backburner.

Meanwhile, I've received quite a few messages and comments over the last few patches regarding what are optimal champion bans for each division, which is definitely something I can quickly go over, and would love to discuss.

Since the majority of you are already used to the tier list format from solo queue and FOTM tier lists over the last five years, I'll start off with the same just for familiarity. 

The purpose of this list is to discover optimal bans, with the knowledge that enemy teams will likely ban the ones at the top of the list.

Banning Thought Process

1. Which champions could the enemy team pick that would really screw my team over?
2. Which champions could the enemy team pick that would really screw ME over?
3. Which of the champions above is the enemy team likely going to pick if it's not banned?
4. Which of the champions above is the enemy team probably going to ban?

After considering these items, it's time to hit the ban phase.

Optimal Bans

 Diamond+

God Tier [Likely/Should Bans]: Kindred, Nidalee, Soraka, Ekko, Taric, Zed
Good Bans [Popular Strong Champions]: Ahri, Janna, Maokai, Fizz, Azir, Gragas, Ryze, Yasuo

Meh Bans [Probable But Unnecessary Bans]: Graves, Malphite, Master Yi, Alistar

Platinum

God Tier [Likely/Should Bans]: Kindred, Soraka, Taric, Nidalee, Ekko, Zed

Good Bans [Popular Strong Champions]:  Ahri, Janna, Blitzcrank, Fizz, Maokai, Jhin, Irelia

Meh Bans [Probable But Unnecessary Bans]: Master Yi, Darius, Leblanc, Malphite, Graves, Poppy

Gold

God Tier [Likely/Should Bans]: Ekko, Taric, Kindred, Soraka
Good Bans [Popular Strong Champions]:  Maokai, Janna, Sivir, Fizz, Nidalee

Meh Bans [Probable But Unnecessary Bans]: Zed, Master Yi, Malphite, Darius, Graves, Alistar, Leblanc, Yasuo

Silver

God Tier [Likely/Should Bans]: Ekko, Malphite, Taric, Kindred, Soraka
Good Bans [Popular Strong Champions]:  Fizz, Blitzcrank, Ahri

Meh Bans [Probable But Unnecessary Bans]: Zed, Master Yi, Darius, Yasuo, Leblanc, Alistar, Graves, Jax

Bronze

God Tier [Likely/Should Bans]: Ekko, Taric, Malphite, Yasuo
Good Bans [Popular Strong Champions]:  Xin Zhao, Ahri, Blitzcrank, Fizz, Soraka

Meh Bans [Probable But Unnecessary Bans]: Zed, Master Yi, Darius, Leblanc, Graves, Kindred

Methodology

To do this list, I first start with whichever statistical compilation site I have available (my personal preference is leagueofgraphs.com). Afterwards, I check the most banned champions and separate them into either "God Tier" or "Meh Bans" based on win rate and popularity, sometimes subjective reasoning (in which case I'd do a write up).

Last I do an analysis of both the win rate and the popularity by division and add in good bans for that division based on such.

Some people may note that most sites don't distinguish between "Platinum Only" and "Platinum and Higher". However, this generally doesn't make much of a difference as a result of the way the overall player distribution is between the ranks. Bronze and Silver make up the highest percentage of error, but generally run similar to each other.

Explanations

• Ahri [Good Ban - Silver/Bronze] - Despite being an extremely skillshot reliant champion, Ahri makes for a great show in all divisions, even silver and bronze. The reason for this is more for her defensive capabilities than her ability to body champions. By utilizing her triple jump and speed boost, even an amateur level Ahri can get out of many otherwise sticky, and difficult situations. Additionally, since her W and her ultimate both deal AOE auto-targeted damage, she can pick up multiple assists and prevent tower diving executions without meaning to.
• Azir [Good Ban - Diamond] - Despite rocking a sub-50% win rate at all divisions including Diamond, Azir is still a decent ban at this division if nobody on your team wants to play him. The reason for this is that he's an extremely popular pick, and quite good in the hands of an experienced player. If anything, he's good to ban if just to potentially throw an enemy one-trick-pony off balance.
• Blitzcrank [Good Ban - Bronze] - Surprisingly, Blitzcrank isn't banned all that often in Bronze compared to other champions. However, I would argue that he should be a borderline must-ban. His play rate is by far the highest out of all the supports with positive win rates (other than the new Taric), and by banning him you're much more likely to get a Thresh on the enemy team.
• Ekko [God Tier - All Divisions] - As a must-ban in all divisions, never ban Ekko first on your team. generally, leave him open unless it's the very last ban (meaning the enemy team has first pick).
• Gragas [Good Ban - Diamond] - At a perfect 50% win rate, Gragas may not seem like much of a ban potential type of champion. However, if you're trying to keep a God Tier champion open to pick up for your team, it's not a bad filler spot as one of the more popular junglers on the rift at the moment with decent amounts of utility.
• Kindred [Meh Ban - Bronze] - Despite being nearly a must-ban in all other divisions, Kindred tends to fall off in Bronze divisions (despite still being quite strong). Since they are generally banned otherwise, it might be worth leaving Kindred open just to see if someone is forced to play them against their wishes on the enemy team.
• Nidalee [Good Ban - Gold] - The difference between high division Nidalee players and average Nidalee players is quite stark. Where Nidalee is a priority ban at Diamond+, Gold players can pick their poison when it comes to Nidalee, as her popularity isn't all that high anyway. If the enemy mains one of the "Meh Ban" champions, it might still be worth a guess over Nidalee.
• Soraka [Good Ban - Bronze] - Soraka surprisingly almost never gets banned in Bronze, probably because she doesn't have high kill potential and all online advice says not to play passive supports in Bronze. Meanwhile, she still has a respectable 52% win rate and decent play rate, so it may still be worth a ban depending on your lane match-up.
• Xin Zhao [Good Ban - Bronze] - Xin Zhao is surprisingly one of the most popular junglers in Bronze for some reason. and is definitely extremely powerful right now (at all divisions). Maybe it's just a lucky guess, but if they're picking him, you should probably ban him.
• Yasuo [Good Ban - Diamond] - Similar to Azir, his success rate isn't all that high, but if you have a hunch that someone on the enemy team might be a Yasuo main, feel free to ban him.
• Zed [Meh Ban - Gold] - Like Nidalee, this high skill requirement champion does great at higher divisions but not so good at average divisions. Again, it might be worth skipping over this champion as a ban and guess at who the enemy team mains might be.

What do you think about this new list? Agree? Disagree? Comment below!