Aphelios is one of the most popular League of Legends characters, a champion notorious for his complexity and high skill ceiling. Many players find themselves overwhelmed by his extensive kit, resulting in challenging games where unlocking his full potential seems daunting. Those of us who’ve played him know how critical the right support can be in amplifying his strengths and covering his weaknesses. When Aphelios doesn’t find the perfect synergy with his support, it can lead to frustrating matches where his damage potential feels untapped. The wrong pairings often render his gameplay cumbersome and defensive, putting your team at a disadvantage. But don’t worry, we’ve got a solution. Our curated list of the best support champions will guide you in forming an unbeatable duo in the bottom lane. Let’s see which champions can help Aphelios shine brightly on the battlefield.
Best Supports to Play with Aphelios – 2025 Tier List
– The situation is different when it comes to playing with Aphelios, and players must choose heroes according to that.
– With the help of these supporters, players have a higher chance of success with Aphelios.
– Understanding the key elements of each support hero will guarantee half of the success for each fight.
S-Tier: The Absolute Best Supports for Aphelios
Let’s start with the champions that mesh perfectly with Aphelios, ensuring he remains both lethal and protected.
1. Thresh – The No.1 Support for Aphelios
– The crowd control abilities of Thresh are what make him the best support hero.
– The move sets of Thresh combined with Aphelio’s attacks will absolutely destroy any enemy.
– The lantern of Thresh has many attacking options that allow players to create combos with Aphelios’ attacks.
Thresh tops the list due to his incredible crowd control capabilities and life-saving lantern (W). His hook (Q) can set up devastating plays, allowing Aphelios to unleash massive damage safely. The best strategy here is to initiate with Death Sentence (Q), then watch Aphelios burst down targets with his potent Infernum or Crescendum weapons.
2. Lulu – The Best Enchanter for Aphelios
– The combination of Aphelios’ attacks and Lulus’ enchanting techniques is deadly.
– Her Whimsy attack enhances the damage of Aphelios’ attacks.
– The wide range of spells that Lulu can use will give players more survivability chances in fights.
Lulu, one of the best supports to play with Aphelios, provides a unique protective bubble with her blend of shields and attack speed enhancements, making Aphelios a terrifying force. Her Whimsy (W) not only boosts Aphelios’s attack speed but also delivers a critical survivability aspect, especially during intense fights. By using E (Help, Pix!), we can poke decisively in the lane while reserving R (Wild Growth) to counter explosive late-game threats.
3. Milio – The Lulu Alternative
– Milio is mostly known as the alternative choice for Lulu in League of Legends.
– Milio is best for crowd control because of her long-range attack design.
– Because of her defensive capabilities, players can attack fiercely with Aphelios.
Milio enters the scene as a viable alternative to Lulu, offering long-range buffs and crucial crowd control cleansing. His Warm Hugs (E) envelop Aphelios in a formidable shield, while Breath of Life (R) cleanses existing stuns. Leveraging Milio’s defensive capabilities allows Aphelios to engage confidently, knowing he can survive complex, crowd-controlled scenarios.
A-Tier: Strong Support Choices for Aphelios
Though slightly below the pinnacle, these supports are formidable when paired with Aphelios, offering substantial utility and strategic depth.
4. Braum – The Underrated Defensive Option
– Braum is designed specifically to add more defense to the strategy.
– Braum has several moves that can help players safely move Aphelios in the arena.
– One of the best things about Braum is that he has many moves that players can combine with Aphelios.
Braum’s defensive toolkit and peel make him an often underrated gem. His Stand Behind Me (W) helps Aphelios with repositioning, while Unbreakable (E) offers unparalleled protection from incoming damage. By strategically utilizing Winter’s Bite (Q) for poke, followed by R (Glacial Fissure) for tactical disengagements or all-ins, we can create safe environments for Aphelios to excel. Braum’s passive, Concussive Blows, synergizes well with Aphelios. Braum’s basic attacks apply stacks of Concussive Blows; once the first stack is applied, ally basic attacks also stack it. As one of the best supports to play with Aphelios, this synergy is crucial. Upon reaching four stacks, the target is stunned, allowing Aphelios to capitalize on the immobilized enemy.
5. Karma – The Meta Pick for Aggressive Lanes
– For players who want to be the most aggressive with Aphelios, Karma is the best choice.
– Her abilities can increase the speed and power of Aphelios’ attacks.
– Karma is a great choice for controlling the lane.
Karma adds an aggressive flair to the lane, perfectly complementing Aphelios’s damage potential. Her Mantra E (Shield + Movement Speed boost) keeps Aphelios nimble, while Q (Inner Flame) effectively harasses opponents. For those of us adopting aggression in our playstyle, Karma provides both the tools and the tempo to control the lane and transition smoothly into the mid-game. Karma’s abilities synergize well with Aphelios, enhancing his damage output and providing protection. This combination allows for aggressive plays and sustained pressure in the lane.
B-Tier: Situational Supports for Aphelios
These heroes work best under unique team compositions or strategies.
– Leona offers strong engagement but lacks peel, ideal if Aphelios has ample frontline support.
– Leona’s stun abilities can provide a great help during fights.
– The usage of her Solar Flare attack can leave room for deadly attacks by Aphelios.
– Leona can absorb a lot of damage, which allows her to survive tough battles.
– Yuumi delivers excellent scaling synergy, although Aphelios remains somewhat exposed during early skirmishes.
– Yuumi’s techniques to attach to enemies are what makes her so unique.
– Her Final Chapter attack disrupts the enemy team, which allows Aphelios to land a deadly blow.
– Yuumi’s balance of damage enhancement and healing makes her a good supporter for Aphelios.
– Renata Glasc provides disengage opportunities, and her W (Bailout) could turn Aphelios into a late-game monster, requiring strategic team coordination.
– Using Renata Glasc requires great strategy knowledge, but she can turn Aphelios into a deadly monster if used right.
– She has an Ultimatum move that can immobilize enemies and allow Apehlios to kill them in seconds.
– Renata Glasc can be a great support for Aphelios in the game.
– Nautilus excels in locking down foes but demands precision positioning due to his dive-centric playstyle.
– Nautilus Dedge Line attack mixed with deadly blows of Aphelios can finish enemies quickly.
– Generally, Nautilus is great for preventing enemies from getting too far.
Getting the hang of Nautilus can be tricky, but it will be worth it
How to Choose the Best Support for Aphelios
Deciding on the right support depends heavily on several factors:
– When considering the best supports to play with Aphelios, the choice between Enchanter vs. Engage is crucial: While enchanters like Lulu, Milio, and Karma can augment Aphelios’s passive and scaling abilities, engage supports like Thresh, Braum, and Leona can create playmaking opportunities directly from the lane phase.
– Enemy Team Composition: When opposing high-CC compositions, Milio, Braum, or Renata Glasc are preferred picks. Conversely, for teams needing initiation power, Thresh or Leona hold the upper hand.
– Playstyle Preference: For those who prefer passive scaling, Lulu or Milio are the better choices. A thrill-seeker opting for early aggression would gravitate towards Thresh or Karma.
Unlocking Competitive Potential: Tournova as the Ideal Tournament Support
Just as Aphelios benefits immensely from the right support champion in League of Legends, players and organizers can improve their tournament experience with Tournova’s comprehensive platform. As the article highlights, selecting a support that complements Aphelios’ strengths is crucial for success. Similarly, our platform provides a versatile toolkit for tailoring tournaments to fit diverse gaming communities and formats. Tournament organizers can choose specific rules, formats, and rewards that align with their audience’s preferences, fostering a welcoming and competitive environment.
Moreover, much like Thresh’s lantern offering safe passage for Aphelios, Tournova’s user-friendly interface on platforms like Telegram and Discord ensures easy access and participation. The platform’s token economy ($TNT) further incentivizes involvement, creating opportunities for players to earn rewards and unlock exclusive features. By simplifying tournament management and fostering a lively community, our platform serves as the ideal support for both casual and competitive gamers, enabling them to thrive and achieve their full potential.
Final Words
In the constantly evolving meta of League of Legends, choosing the best supports to play with Aphelios isn’t just about winning the lane—it’s about creating an unstoppable duo that transcends simple mechanics. The dance between Aphelios and his support is intricate, demanding attention to detail and synergy. The right choices make a world of difference, turning a mere team composition into a masterpiece. Embrace these strategies and champions to dominate your next games, and may your adventures in the rift be blessed with victory and honor.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do we adapt to different support pairings with Aphelios in patch changes?
Flexibility is key. Keep up with patch notes to understand buffs and nerfs to support champions. Adapting your playstyle to the meta changes is crucial for maintaining synergy.
2. Can Aphelios succeed with unconventional supports?
Yes, unconventional supports can work if the synergy aligns with team composition and strategy, but optimal results typically arrive with calculated and practiced dynamics.
3. What’s an effective strategy against counter-picks for Aphelios?
Understanding counter-picks is vital. Adjust positioning and itemization to exploit your strengths and minimize the impact of counters, focusing on teamfight positioning and utility.
4. Are there supports to avoid, specifically with Aphelios?
Generally, supports lacking either poke, peel, or engagement can leave Aphelios vulnerable. Choosing champions that offer little assistance in these aspects can make laning far more challenging.
