Bilgewater's Best: My 2026 Ranking of League of Legends Champions

In 2026, Bilgewater still feels like the beating, barnacle-encrusted heart of Runeterra. I have spent years sailing through League of Legends lore, and no region has ever grabbed me the way this sunken, lawless port does. It is a rusted compass that always points toward trouble: pirates, smugglers, gamblers, and monsters who wear human faces. With Riot continuing to support League through new seasons and the fighting game 2XKO bringing champions like Illaoi to a wider audience, Bilgewater's rogues remain some of the most vivid characters in the entire franchise. Below is my personal ranking of the eight best Bilgewater champions, from the tidal trickster to the saltwater scourge.

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8. Fizz — The Tidal Trickster

Fizz looks like a bottle rocket fired into a funeral. He is bubbly, amphibian, and almost cute, yet he belongs to one of the grimiest underworlds in Runeterra. I love that contrast. Sailors and pirates in Bilgewater know never to cross him. His Seastone Trident and Chum The Waters ultimate summon a shark to devour prey, which is a terrifying reminder that his childish appearance is a mask. In 2026, Fizz remains a solo queue menace and a perfect example of how Bilgewater can make even a playful champion feel dangerous.

7. Miss Fortune — Lady Luck

Miss Fortune captures the aesthetic of Bilgewater better than almost anyone. Her looks deceive; her justice is brutal. After watching her parents murdered in front of her, she dedicated her life to vengeance against Gangplank. Their rivalry is one of League's best. I appreciate how every part of her lore feels refined, from her twin pistols Shock and Awe to her Bullet Time ultimate. She is the kind of pirate Bilgewater residents know to avoid, and in 2026 her story still feels like a loaded gun on a poker table.

6. Nautilus — The Titan of the Depths

Nautilus is an iron goliath, huge and terrifying. Much of his lore is shrouded in mystery, but I like that. He is driven by an ancient, forgotten betrayal that still fuels his rage. Bounding across ocean floors, his infamy travels throughout Runeterra. Although he is mainly a support, his Dredge Line hook is a weapon he wields well. Nautilus represents the deep, dark horrors that lie in Bilgewater's wake. When I play him, I feel less like a champion and more like a sunken cathedral deciding to walk.

5. Graves — World's Most Wanted

Graves is a famed bounty hunter, mercenary, degenerate, and criminal. He is one of the most iconic characters representing Bilgewater. From his western-inspired shoulder cloak to his double-barrelled shotgun, Destiny, his visual and gameplay design are excellent. His lore links tightly to Miss Fortune, Gangplank, and Twisted Fate. Many want to hire him, fight beside him, or end him. I love that his kit lets him play dirty with Smokescreen while defending himself with Collateral Damage. He is hardened by Bilgewater, and he learned to make the most of it.

4. Illaoi — The Kraken Priestess

Illaoi is a character who perfectly complements Gangplank while adding dimensions to both of them. She is the prophet of the Great Kraken, yet she is not detached from humanity. She is controlled by vice, love, and genuine hope. Not only did she save the infamous Gangplank, but she was also his lover. Their feelings still linger in the lore, yet she is incredibly strong on her own. Her Tentacle Smash and Leap of Faith show that her strength comes from faith. With her presence in 2XKO in 2026, Illaoi is reaching a new audience, and I think she deserves it. She is a multi-dimensional character who elevates Bilgewater as a whole.

3. Twisted Fate — The Master of Cards

Twisted Fate completely screams Bilgewater. From his cardshark debonair design to a kit built around his cards, he embodies the side of Bilgewater that lets a charming swindler take advantage of anyone who gives him the time of day. His relationship with Graves makes him the brains of the operation. He brings in cash while Graves protects him from whatever poor soul has been swindled. Still, it would be unfair to say Twisted Fate cannot defend himself. With Wild Cards and Stacked Deck, he becomes a menace in the mid lane. He is a sleight of hand made flesh.

2. Pyke — The Bloodharbor Ripper

Pyke has a tragic story, one of the best designs, and a place as one of the most feared entities in Bilgewater. Slaughtered while harpooning at his dock, he was devoured by a gargantuan Jaull-fish. Yet even in the literal jaws of death, nothing could stop him. He is almost a protective, brutal angel roaming Bilgewater, punishing those who would let others suffer as he did. He stalks through the air and disappears into mist with Ghostwater Dive. His Bone Skewer is brutally effective. Pyke is a debt collector made of seawater and spite, and that is why he stands out.

1. Gangplank — The Saltwater Scourge

The best character to come from Bilgewater, without a doubt, is Gangplank. His brutal unpredictability, cruelty, and blatant disregard for anyone else represent the very essence of Bilgewater. He has crossed countless characters for his own gain, like a true Bilgewater resident. He stole Swain's ship, ransacked a temple belonging to Zed, and murdered Miss Fortune's parents. He is as evil as he is iconic. Although he is one of League's main antagonists, his evil nature is also visible in other stories. Gangplank represents the dark side of Bilgewater, and he unabashedly adores every aspect of it. He causes havoc with Parrrley and Powder Kegs, and he enjoys the occasional orange. He is a lit match in a gunpowder magazine, and I would not have him any other way.

Final Thoughts

Bilgewater remains a perfect backdrop for unique characters because it lets heroes and villains be morally ambiguous. In 2026, these champions still feel fresh. Whether I am playing Fizz's trickery, Miss Fortune's vengeance, or Gangplank's chaos, I keep returning to this lawless port. If Riot ever brings more Bilgewater stories to League or 2XKO, I will be first in line. For now, my ranking stands: Gangplank at the top, Pyke close behind, and the rest of Bilgewater's rogues ready to stab anyone who disagrees.