League of Legends’ Season 13 is drawing to a close, and with it comes the pivotal Patch 13.24. This update is set to make significant changes to the game’s balance, tweaking various champions to ensure they adapt smoothly to the upcoming season’s alterations.
Here’s a detailed look at the most crucial adjustments in the patch scheduled for release on December 6, 2023.
Champion Adjustments Overview
New Champion – Hwei:
- Introduction and Performance Evaluation
Champion Buffs:
- Azir: Regaining power post-adjustments to make Nashor’s Tooth not a mandatory purchase.
- Braum: Strengthened to increase popularity and fun in gameplay, while reducing damage output on both sides.
- Galio: Basic pattern adjustments for more enjoyable gameplay, moving away from monotonous rotations.
- Gragas: Revisions of past nerfs to enhance the fun in playing him.
- K’Sante: Post-change improvements aimed at regular gameplay without excessively impacting the competitive scene.
- Leona: General improvements to match or surpass current alternatives like Alistar and Nautilus.
- Lucian: After moving away from the forced synergy with Nami and removal of Windforce, now receiving buffs to rebuild his early aggressive playstyle.
- Mordekaiser: Quality of life changes and adjustments for better alignment with AP items over tank items.
- Pantheon: General improvements due to low participation in the current meta.
- Qiyana: Adjustments to reduce playing burden and simplify mastery for average players.
- Vel’Koz: Quality of life changes aimed not at power increase but at facilitating gameplay.
- Zeri: General improvements due to her perceived weakness and limited presence in professional play.
Champion Nerfs:
- Briar: Adjustments to balance between lethality and builds that balance damage and resistance.
- Ivern: Power reduction due to strong and persistent meta presence.
13.24 Preview!
With the game changing pretty significantly next patch, we're looking to make improvements to champions that will persist through the item changes. These include things like fixing champion role skews, QoL improvements, reshaping of power budgets and feel… pic.twitter.com/T6ycX7gByw
— Matt Leung-Harrison (@RiotPhroxzon) November 28, 2023
Significant Implications for Gameplay
These changes are expected to shift the game’s dynamics significantly. Matt “Phrozxon” Leung-Harrison, the lead gameplay designer at Riot Games, emphasizes that these tweaks aim to correct role mismatches, enhance gameplay quality, and redistribute power budgets.
The patch reflects Riot Games’ commitment to maintaining a balanced and enjoyable gaming experience. As champions like Azir and Braum receive much-needed buffs and others like Ivern get dialed back, players can anticipate a fresh gaming landscape as they head into the new season.
Strategic Implications and Meta Evolution
The alterations in this patch are set to significantly influence the meta. Champions like Braum and Leona are expected to see increased play, impacting team strategies around objective control and team fights. The nerfs to Ivern might lead to a shift in jungle priorities, opening doors for other jungle champions.
Final Recommendations
Players should adapt their strategies and champion pools in response to these changes. Embracing the new dynamics can provide a competitive edge, especially in ranked play. Continuous adaptation and skill development remain key in the evolving landscape of LoL.