Welcome to Patch 14.19, which marks the beginning of the third split

In the pursuit of a more balanced gameplay experience, developers have introduced a sweeping adjustment to almost all legendary items, reducing their effectiveness by 5–12%. This strategic change is expected to address the “snowball effect”—a situation where a small advantage for a player or team quickly grows into an overwhelming lead. With this adjustment, late-game battles should progress at a steadier pace, ultimately reducing the hectic nature of intense encounters that often characterize the game’s final moments. In this balancing effort, the game’s creators have taken a hard look at class-specific mechanics, re-evaluating speed boosts, ability accelerations, and damage output across various classes and subclasses. These adjustments are particularly aimed at those classes that have benefitted disproportionately from these attributes, often overshadowing other roles in terms of power and control during critical gameplay phases. By slowing movement speed, developers are aiming to reduce the fast-paced, sometimes chaotic maneuvers that disrupt gameplay.

The power and acceleration reductions will also moderate the rate at which skills can be activated, preventing some classes from unleashing a rapid succession of powerful attacks. These changes are carefully calibrated to retain each class’s unique strengths while creating a fairer and more challenging playing field. Developers have expressed that their primary intention behind these changes is to foster a gaming experience that encourages strategy and skill over raw item advantage. The reduced power of legendary items will prompt players to rely more on team coordination, tactical maneuvers, and a deep understanding of their character’s abilities. This shift is expected to not only even out the battlefield but also introduce a refreshing level of strategy and decision-making. As the game evolves with these changes, players may find that developing new strategies, understanding class roles, and adapting to a slower, more deliberate pace of play could become essential skills.

Game Update Overview

In our latest patch, we are excited to announce several significant changes that will enhance the gameplay experience. One of the most noteworthy changes is the return of the Deadly Tempo rune. This rune has undergone a major rework: while it no longer provides an insane boost to attack speed in the late game or increases attack range, it now deals additional damage on hit. This adjustment means that players can still rely on Deadly Tempo for consistent damage output, but it’s essential to diversify your sources of attack speed to maximize your champion’s potential. The shift in Deadly Tempo encourages players to think strategically about their builds and play styles. While the rune remains a viable choice for champions focused on sustained damage, players should explore other runes and items that can complement their gameplay. The overall intention behind this change is to create a more balanced competition between champions, where adaptability and strategy play crucial roles.

In addition to the rune changes, we took the opportunity to fine-tune some of the lesser-used runes. These adjustments are aimed at increasing their viability and making them competitive options in various team compositions. By refining these small runes, we hope to encourage players to experiment and discover new strategies that can lead to exciting gameplay experiences. One of the champions receiving a significant update is Elise. We have rewritten her code to improve her overall functionality, making her abilities more responsive and intuitive. Alongside this code overhaul, we have introduced several quality-of-life changes that enhance her gameplay mechanics. These changes aim to solidify her role as a versatile jungler, allowing her to better execute her strategies in both early and late game scenarios. Players can expect a smoother experience when controlling Elise, with improved animations and hitboxes that accurately reflect her abilities.

Another champion undergoing a substantial rework is K’Sante. We have taken a deep dive into his kit, focusing on balance and ensuring that he remains a formidable opponent without being overwhelmingly powerful. The adjustments made to K’Sante’s abilities provide his adversaries with more opportunities to counter him, particularly in one-on-one duels. This change aims to enhance the skill expression involved when playing against K’Sante, making encounters more exciting and dynamic. Players are encouraged to leverage their champions’ strengths to outmaneuver and outsmart K’Sante, creating a more engaging competitive environment. Lastly, we have made considerable improvements to Tristana’s abilities across the board. These enhancements are designed to bolster her effectiveness on the bot lane while ensuring that her mid-lane variant remains unaffected. The goal was to strengthen her presence in team fights and skirmishes without disrupting the balance of her other roles. With these updates, Tristana players can look forward to a more impactful gameplay experience, allowing her to shine in her primary role as a bot laner.

The adjustments will make her more appealing to players looking to maximize their contributions to team objectives. Overall, this patch represents our commitment to creating a balanced and engaging gameplay experience. By reworking the Deadly Tempo rune and making substantial updates to champions like Elise, K’Sante, and Tristana, we are paving the way for exciting new strategies and interactions in the game. We believe these changes will encourage players to explore different playstyles, adapt to new challenges, and enjoy a more dynamic competitive environment. As always, we appreciate your feedback and support as we continue to evolve the game. We are excited to see how these changes will impact your gameplay experience and look forward to your thoughts in the upcoming weeks. Happy gaming!