User blog comment:Odisseas25/Why does the AP go to mid?/@comment-69.206.240.248-20130210031813

Because there are disadvantages to lane swapping.

Also, AP heroes tend to be heavily item dependent, meaning that they require adequate farm. A solo lane is the most appropriate for this. Being in the middle also gives them easy access to blue buff, which AP heroes benefit the most from as everybody has already stated.

Bottom lane has just been designated the lane for duos. You see lane swaps all the time in tournament play, with ADC+support going top lane or even sometimes the mid lane. And do you know why you sometimes see them at mid? Because the pressure of a 2v1 is too great. It's possible and certain heroes have an easier time, but, generally speaking, it's very difficult to go against 2 heroes as just 1 person. Especially when you have something like AP mid, which is often very squishy relative to the top laner (tanky bruiser, most often.) that is typically designated for a 2v1 lane swap. It's very easy to get zoned out since AP mids tend to take way too much damage, especially in the early game and especially when the ADC has a support that helps babysit them as they farm, putting on further pressure.

That's why it's also generally (generally being the key word, as it is not always the case) better to have the duo go against the duo and the solos go against the solos. Especially when it's something like solo/duo ranked where you're not familiar with your other team mates, there are too many associated risks for both teams to lane swap.

The lanes "defined" are because this meta has been shown to be the most effective way of progressing through the game. It simply works the best. Solo top can farm their lane and get the gold needed to build however they do. Same for the item dependent AP carry in the mid lane. As for the bottom lane, supports are defined as heroes that do not need as much gold to thrive as others do. They also serve to babysit the ADC and allow them to farm and buy items for the late game, where the AD carry thrives.

Surprises can work, but remember that those are gimmicky, meaning that they can go very well for you, or very terribly. You can say the same thing for just playing the meta, but there are far less risks associated with it, coming more down to player skill than anything when excluding the possibility of lag on certain players and such. And I mean that as in 2v2 and 1v1 would come down more to player skill in a more level playing field.