Talk:Ryze/@comment-24949352-20140516162702/@comment-5544574-20140517015623

Well, Ryze is played top because he has no tools to counter range, and mid lane often has a lot of range, with the likes of Lux, Ziggs and Xerath now lose. Some of the more flexible mid lane champs can be used to play top.

My friend demonstrated that Cassiopeia - which is Ryze's most painful matchup - can be played to a degree at top and still fill that bruiser-fighter role. However, you can also pick guys like Diana, Kayle, Swain and Zed, who have been good top-picks for a while and have a much easier time vs. Ryze.