You’re staring at the draft screen. The timer is ticking down. Your thumb hovers over that one hero you love, but then you remember your last three losses. Meta shifts in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) feel like they happen overnight. One day you're shredding with a marksman, and the next, a tank-jungle hybrid is sitting on your face before you can even blink.
Honestly, it’s exhausting.
If you want to climb in January 2026, you can't just pick based on vibes. The Mobile Legends tier list for the current Patch 2.1.40 (and the early 2.1.50 adjustments) has completely flipped the script on who actually carries games. We’re seeing a massive resurgence of high-mobility assassins and "utility" frontliners who refuse to die.
The S-Tier: The Heroes You Must Ban or Pick
Let’s get the "broken" stuff out of the way first. These heroes aren't just good; they're fundamentally changing how the game is played right now.
Sora (Fighter/Assassin)
If you haven't seen Sora in your bans yet, you aren't playing in Mythic. She is currently the most contested hero in the game. Her ability to flex between the Exp Lane and the Jungle makes her a drafting nightmare. What makes her S-tier? It’s the sheer mobility combined with burst that shouldn't belong on someone that durable. With a ban rate hovering around 80% in Mythical Glory, she’s basically the gatekeeper of the meta.
Gloo (Tank/Roam)
Gloo is back. Yeah, I know, we thought we were done with the slime, but the recent adjustments to tank items have made him nearly unkillable again. His win rate is sitting at a staggering 56.47% according to recent January stats. He doesn't just soak damage; he creates chaos. If he attaches to your marksman, the fight is basically over.
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Ixia (Marksman)
While other marksmen got hit with the nerf bat recently, Ixia stood tall. Her ultimate, Full Barrage, is the best "get off my lawn" button in the game. In a meta where teamfights happen every 30 seconds over a Turtle or Lord, Ixia’s area-of-effect (AoE) pressure is unmatched. You don't even need to be a mechanical god—you just need good positioning.
The Jungle Kings: It’s Not Just About Farming
The jungle has shifted. We're seeing a weird split between "Utility Junglers" like Fredrinn and "Hyper-Carries" like Hayabusa.
- Fredrinn: Even after multiple seasons, he’s still the safest pick. He has a 53% ban rate for a reason. He’s a tank that deals damage based on how much he’s been hit. It’s a win-win.
- Hayabusa: If you have the fast hands, Haya is your ticket out of Epic. His shadows allow for "in-and-out" plays that most players simply can't react to in time.
- Nolan: Still a menace. His "Spectral Strider" skin just dropped, and Moonton has kept his rift-slicing damage high enough to keep him in the S/A+ tier transition.
Why Your Favorite Mage Might Be Failing You
A lot of players are still locking in Eudora or Nana and wondering why they can't get out of Legend. Look, I love a good burst mage, but the January 2026 meta demands more.
Zhuxin and Yve are currently the queens of the Mid Lane.
Why? Control.
Zhuxin provides that relentless crowd control (CC) that stops assassins like Helcurt or Ling in their tracks. Meanwhile, Yve’s Real World Manipulation remains the premier tool for zone control. If you can't control the space around the Lord pit, you lose the game. Simple as that.
Harith is also making a massive comeback in the mid-lane. He’s being played more like a magic marksman than a traditional mage. With the recent buffs to his shielding, he can dash around a teamfight indefinitely if the enemy doesn't have a hard counter like Minsitthar.
The EXP Lane: A War of Attrition
The Exp Lane is no longer just about sitting there and clearing waves. You need to be a secondary initiator. Lapu-Lapu and Yu Zhong are the old reliables, but Arlott is the one you should be worried about.
Arlott’s ability to chain dashes off CC makes him a nightmare in skirmishes. He’s often paired with roamers like Tigreal or Minotaur. When that combo hits, you’re not just stunned; you’re dead before you hit the ground.
Interestingly, Freya has jumped up the list. Her ultimate's cooldown was recently adjusted to start after the skill ends, and she gained a 50% damage reduction while diving. She’s no longer just a "basic attack bot"—she’s a genuine threat that can dive a backline and survive.
Let’s Talk About Roamers (Because Nobody Else Does)
If you want to win solo queue, stop picking damage roamers. Please.
- Mathilda: She provides mobility that your teammates desperately need. Her Soul Vessels skin "Vessel of Pride" is cool, but her kit is the real star.
- Chip: The newest meta-breaker. His portals allow your entire team to teleport across the map. In high-rank play, global presence is everything.
- Diggie: The ultimate counter to the "CC Meta." If the enemy picks Tigreal, Atlas, or Guinevere, you pick the bird. His ultimate clears all CC and gives a shield. It’s the ultimate "No" to the enemy’s initiation.
Common Misconceptions About the Current Meta
One thing people get wrong is thinking that Granger is still the king of the Gold Lane. He’s not. He recently took a nerf to his Skill 1 (Rhapsody), losing that extra damage against minions and creeps. This slowed down his snowball potential significantly. He’s still A-tier, sure, but he’s no longer the "auto-win" he was three months ago.
Another myth? That Tanks are boring.
Have you played Hylos lately? With the right build (Clock of Destiny into Dominance Ice), you basically just walk at the enemy and watch them melt while you refuse to die. It’s hilarious and incredibly effective for ranking up.
Actionable Steps to Fix Your Rank Right Now
Stop worrying about the "perfect" hero and focus on the Mobile Legends tier list archetypes. If your team has no CC, pick a CC hero. If the enemy has three tanks, pick Karrie or Lunox for that percentage-based damage.
- Master two roles: Don't just be a "Mid or Feed" player. Learn one carry role (Jungle/Gold) and one support role (Roam/Exp).
- Abuse the "Broken" heroes: If Sora or Gloo aren't banned, pick them. Don't be "honorable"—be a winner.
- Watch the map: This sounds basic, but in 2026, the game is faster than ever. If the enemy Jungler shows on the top side, take the Turtle on the bottom.
- Counter-build: If the enemy has healers like Estes or Floryn, buy Sea Halberd or Necklace of Durance immediately. Don't wait for your third item.
The meta is going to shift again when the Valentine's Day event drops in February—rumors say Lancelot and Odette are getting buffs to go with their new skins. For now, stick to the high-mobility and high-sustain picks.
Check your emblems, update your builds, and stop chasing kills into the enemy jungle without vision. You’ve got the list; now go use it.