Updated on April 11, 11:11 a.m. (GMT+8): Added new information posted by Riot Phroxzon.
League of Legends Lead Gameplay Designer Matt “Riot Phroxzon” Leung-Harrison posted a preview of LoL patch 14.8.
This is the patch that the Mid-Seasonal Invitational (MSI 2024) will be played on, so expect more changes to competitive play.
The update features system updates to Voidgrubs, Baron attacks. Champion wise, it also includes a big counterplay change to Mordekaiser’s ultimate, Realm of Death.
How Riot Games is thinking about each role in LoL patch 14.8
Riot Phroxzon shared additional information on X about the balance team’s evaluation on each role in League of Legends in their current state on LoL patch 14.8.
Top lane in LoL patch 14.8
The top lane meta is currently quite diverse, featuring a healthy mix of fighters, tanks, mages, and even some ranged champions. This makes champion select interesting and allows for strategic counter-picking. The game dev hopes to keep this up.
While tanks aren’t the absolute strongest class right now, champions like K’Sante, Udyr, Ornn, and Sion can still be very viable picks depending on the matchup. They are aiming to avoid a meta where tanks dominate blind pick situations.
With recent jungle changes that have adjusted grub buffs and their spawn times offset, they hope to see less focus on early objective trading and more emphasis on controlling the top lane.
Jungle in LoL patch 14.8
After the removal of Rell jungle, the game devs believe that there’s opportunity in the meta for more carry picks.
Sylas, a versatile AP option, is a key target alongside classic carry junglers like Graves, Jarvan, and Olaf, who thrives on opportunistic situations.
Mid lane in LoL patch 14.8
Azir’s recent nerfs aim to make his laning phase more challenging in unfavorable matchups. This change aims to diversify the mid lane meta, which currently favors mages a bit too heavily.
Several other champions are receiving buffs to make them more viable mid lane picks. These include as a flex champion, and LeBlanc and Akali to make them more competitive against mages.
After some adjustments, Galio is being nudged slightly upwards in power. A low mastery champion, he’s expected to maintain a healthy win rate.
Meanwhile, Hwei, a ” unique non-hard carry mage” who is “a tad contentious,” is getting a buff to increase his overall play rate, particularly in pro play.
Bot lane in LoL patch 14.8
While Zeri hasn’t received a direct buff, recent changes to her core items have indirectly boosted her power. To ensure a healthy marksman meta with diverse options, we’re slightly toning down Zeri’s strength.
“Otherwise, we’re seeing a good range of early, supportive and late oriented marksmen available, and just trying to open up a few more situational picks with Jhin, Kai’sa and Draven,” wrote Riot Phroxzon.
Support in LoL patch 14.8
Overall, the team believes the support role is sustainable as it supports a variety of champions from different classes.
LoL patch 14.8 champion buffs
- Akali
- Draven
- Galio
- Graves
- Gwen
- Hwei
- Jarvan IV
- Jhin
- Kai’Sa
- LeBlanc
- Olaf
- Ryze
- Sylas
- Thresh
- Viego
- Yone
LoL patch 14.8 champion nerfs
- Azir
- Briar
- Zac
- Zeri
Zac nerfs addresses his laning phase in the top lane which isn’t overpowered — the intent is to ensure that jungle is still his most powerful role.
Zeri is a champion that benefitted the most from crit item changes so she’ll be toned down a bit this patch.
LoL patch 14.8 champion adjustments
- Mordekaiser
- Skarner
Skarner nerfs are intended to even out his power in top lane and jungle. At the same time, the game devs are making adjustments to make him smoother to play.
Mordekaiser is finally receiving the biggest quality of life update he’s had in years: his ultimate, Realm of Death, will not be “QSS’able” from LoL patch 14.8 onwards.
In the first place, players need to remember that QSS was initially put in place as counterplay to his ultimate to prevent him from being a pro play staple.
“He has too much counterplay especially in the higher ranks, and experientially, if you’re picking Morde, you want this portion of his kit to be effective,” Riot Phroxzon explained.
LoL patch 14.8 system buffs
Voidgrubs
The damage and the number of grubs required to get the first grub summon spawn is increased.
“We’re also separating the spawn time from Dragon a bit to make trading less of a reality and to have teams engage in more conflict,” wrote Riot Phroxzon.
Baron attacks
According to the game devs, they’ve assessed that Baron attacks are “a little too unthreatening right now,” which is why they’re buffing them.
While these attacks not meant to be deadly, the balance team doesn’t want to “excessively overload players mindshare when taking Barons” either.
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