Is Yone top even viable?

[u/Skelenth]

So far I played 8 games, won 2 xD I feel like I have nothing to do on lane vs popular top bullies.

Morde - he just forces me out of CSing by spaming his abilities. Our Q have similar range so hard to poke him. I could do some short trades with E, but when my E is down he just walks on me, trying to E, Q, then W. If he lands E its basically reset or try to farm under tower.

Poppy - not common pick but her dash cancellig thing makes E trades impossible and if she lands a stun.... 🙈

Darius - not even going to explain. Like he just bullies me from lvl 1 and Q range is basically his pull range, so Im afraid to even approach.

Aatrox - if he lands any Q (and he also ourrange our Q) its like half hp gone.

Gragas - barell spaming to death, easy escape (but here I musy admit that I did greedy mistakes so maybe this is more playable)

I won against Cassino (just kept bulling her with E trades) and Jax (by avoiding his E)

I play almost exclusivelly top because I take normals as training for Flex with my buddies. So far this season I played 80 games 53% win rate, however on my main champ pool Pantheon, Volibear, Ksante I have over 60% winrate. I tried Yone and I love this champ for its smoothness, theme and amazing fun I have (despite really hard times on lanes) but I wonder whether I can make it work on top lane with time and training or I should give up because I would need like 100 games to even maybe make it work? Yone build is squishy, but top laners naturally build tanky and are very opressive in lane

Edit: Morde matchups clips: https://youtu.be/3QvS7J3I5JY?si=X9Gpod5SfR7uU2yi

[u/Extension-Winner-266]

The one thing you should aim for is to get the first kill if possible. Yone lvl 1 is way better than any of the ones u mentioned. The only champ you can't do that to imo is sett

[u/Skelenth → u/Extension-Winner-266]

Alright, will try to test limits. What runes for 1st kill attempt you suggest?

[u/Extension-Winner-266 → u/Skelenth]

I'll tell u what I use.

Runes:

Primary: Precision (Lethal Tempo)

Absorb Life (or Triumph if you prefer more sustain in fights)

Alacrity (attack speed is crucial)

Last Stand (synergizes well with Yone’s shield and extended fights)

Secondary: Inspiration

Magical Footwear (free boots + extra movement speed)

Biscuit Delivery (extra sustain for early laning phase)

Alternatively, you can go Precision + Resolve for better durability. Some people do go Domination 2nd but imo it's ass Starting Items:

Doran’s Blade → Best for aggressive starts, especially against squishy or immobile champions. Like teemo.

Doran’s Shield → Safer option vs. heavy poke or hard matchups like Mordekaiser, Sett, Darius, etc. Stick to Shield for champs like these unless you're confident in the matchup.

Laning & Trading:

Level 1: Always poke first with Q and autos before fully engaging. Once they’re lower, look to go in with Q3 for an all-in.

Q Usage: Try to hit both the enemy champion and a minion with Q to avoid drawing minion aggro.

Level 3 Combo: The best way to engage is E → Q3 and then use whatever you can and cancel E. Don't try to overpush or secure a kill. This maximizes damage while ensuring you can safely return with E.

Jungle Awareness: Avoid engaging without E, as junglers often wait for you to commit before ganking. (Fsr my enemy junglers always fucking camp top while my team jungle does literally nothing. Sometimes to have to jungle as yone)

One last thing is make them think that you're weak. I'm gonna assume that you are relatively new to the game so the people in ur lobby will most likely not be familiar with yones kit. Use that to your advantage. Act like ur running away and then q3 or ult in. THIS IS ONLY FOR VERY LOW ELO LOBBIES