The most effective core build consists of Ravenous Hydra, Trinity Force, and Sundered Sky, which currently holds a 91.7% win rate. Alternatively, a more common build includes Trinity Force, Sundered Sky, and Black Cleaver. You should also prioritize Plated Steelcaps for boots and start with Doran's Blade and a Health Potion.

The recommended rune page uses Conqueror as the primary keystone from the Precision tree, followed by Triumph, Legend: Alacrity, and Last Stand. For your secondary tree, take Resolve with Bone Plating and Unflinching. This specific setup has a 45.5% win rate and is chosen in 33.3% of games.

MonkeyKing Top is currently ranked as a B tier champion in Patch 16.2.1. He has a carry score of 4.5 out of 10, indicating he is a moderate impact pick in the current meta. With a low pick rate of 0.7%, he is largely a niche selection.

MonkeyKing's overall win rate as a Top laner is 49.3% based on 396 games analyzed in Platinum+ ranks. However, players using specific optimized builds can achieve a higher build-specific win rate of 50.3%. His performance is stable but not overpowering in the current patch.

While the data is sourced from Platinum+ games, MonkeyKing has a low difficulty rating of 3 out of 10 which usually favors lower elo play. His straightforward kit as a Fighter and Tank allows for easier execution, though his B tier status suggests he is not a top-tier climber. His low ban rate of 0.7% means he will almost always be available to play.

MonkeyKing is a solid choice for a niche pick but may not be the most rewarding champion to main given his B tier ranking and 4.5 carry score. His low pick rate of 0.7% suggests he is not highly favored by the general player base right now. However, for those who enjoy his playstyle, he offers a reliable 50.3% win rate with correct builds.

His win rate of 49.3% is slightly below the average, likely due to his low carry potential and B tier status. While he lacks dominant individual power, he can find success through specific item spikes like Black Cleaver. His performance is currently balanced, as Patch 16.2.1 introduced no changes to his kit or items.

The best first item statistically is Black Cleaver, which boasts a high 70.0% win rate. It provides essential combat stats that synergize well with his Q-max skill order for early trading. Most players opt for Trinity Force or Ravenous Hydra, but Black Cleaver offers the highest early success in the current data.

You should pick MonkeyKing Top when your team needs a reliable Fighter or Tank with strong engagement potential using Flash and Ignite. Since he is a B tier champion with low difficulty, he is a safe choice when you need a front-line presence. He is particularly effective if you can utilize his 62.1% win rate skill order of Q into E into W.

MonkeyKing spikes early when maxing his Q, especially if he completes Black Cleaver first which has a 70.0% win rate. You should play aggressively during the laning phase using Ignite to secure kills while your Q damage is at its peak. This early pressure is vital since his carry score is only 4.5 out of 10.

MonkeyKing is strongest in the early to mid-game transition where he can leverage his Q-max damage and first core items. His 4.5 carry score suggests that his impact may fall off in the very late game compared to S-tier carries. Focus on winning your lane and securing early objectives with your team to maximize his effectiveness.

MonkeyKing did not receive any direct buffs or nerfs in Patch 16.2.1. Furthermore, there were no changes to his core items like Trinity Force, Sundered Sky, or Black Cleaver. His standing in the meta remains unchanged from the previous cycle.

The standard Conqueror page with Bone Plating and Unflinching is highly reliable for most matchups. While this setup has a 45.5% win rate, you can adjust your secondary Resolve runes if the enemy team lacks crowd control or burst damage. However, the Precision primary tree is essential for his extended combat style.