In the realm of League of Legends, the bot lane witnessed a unique oscillation in 2023. Kai’Sa, once heralded as the reigning ADC, encountered turbulence during Worlds. As fans and analysts alike grapple with her fall from grace, it’s imperative to trace the trajectory of this bot lane monarch.
Kai’Sa’s Splendid Year
Kai’Sa commanded the spotlight as the most contested ADC during the Worlds. However, a disheartening win rate of just 31% casts a shadow over her prowess. Her supremacy was often overlooked, even when Xayah’s feathered fury clinched the best performances. Historically, Kai’Sa was the ADC poster child of Season 13. Her dominance remained unchallenged, even when contenders like Zeri, Jinx, and Xayah tried to dethrone her. So, the question lingers: what led to her staggering decline?
Nerfs: The Unseen Adversaries
Scouring through the season’s patch notes provides context. Interestingly, Kai’Sa’s dominance wasn’t deemed problematic. The overpowering strength resided more in the ADC role and certain in-game items than Kai’Sa herself. This probably explains her lack of direct nerfs until patch 13.15.
The tectonic shift was the AP stack of Kai’Sa, which made her a terror in both mid and bot lanes. With items like Statikk granting a lease of life to champions like LeBlanc, Tristana, and of course, Kai’Sa, the item meta’s shift was evident.
Changing Tides in Item Meta
Today, Navori and Kraken reign supreme as the item duo for ADCs. While Kai’Sa can wield them, they don’t harmonize with her as seamlessly as they do with Xayah. But this is just the tip of the iceberg when deciphering Kai’Sa’s underwhelming performance.
The true crux is the power dynamic of other in-game champions. Names like Rumble, Renekton, Sejuani, Maokai, Neeko, Rakan, and Rell have been catalysts, striving to accelerate the game. The evolving game meta, especially around support champions, also plays its part.
The Enchanters Fade and ADC Dynamics Shift
Enchanters in the support role witnessed a decline, throwing Kai’Sa into an unfavorable light. Xayah’s R ability provides her with a strategic edge, enabling her to dodge damage and reposition effectively. Kai’Sa’s R offers similar perks but in a more constrained manner. Consequently, taking down Kai’Sa proves less daunting than Xayah. This dynamic becomes even more pronounced in a meta devoid of mages that can lend support to their allies.
Will Kai’sa improve her performance?
The World’s stage is unpredictable. While Kai’Sa currently grapples with challenges, a strategic ban on Xayah or the introduction of support champions like Renata or Lulu could recalibrate the scales. Aphelios might also make a grand return if champions other than Tresh can offer shields. The bot lane drama unfolds with every game, keeping fans and analysts on the edge of their seats.