Meet update 14.21, the main star of which is Swain!

We have thoroughly reworked the arsenal of the Grand General of Noxus to make the champion more self-sufficient and enjoyable to play—especially in solo lanes. This redesign aims to enhance the gameplay experience, allowing players to feel more empowered and strategic in their choices. In addition to these changes, we have updated the bounty system in the Summoner’s Rift and the Howling Abyss. The new rules are more intuitive, providing clearer guidelines for players, while the bounty payouts have been slightly reduced to promote a more balanced competitive environment. You can find all the details about these changes below. Regarding balance adjustments, we’ve made slight modifications to the Blade of the Fallen King and the Deadly Tempo, while also nerfing the Sorcerer’s Shoes. These changes are part of our ongoing effort to refine champion arsenals and ensure that each item serves its intended purpose effectively. We believe these adjustments will lead to a more dynamic and fair gameplay experience.

Furthermore, we have improved the balance in ARAM (All Random All Mid) and the “Book of Absolute Skills.” These formats are vital for fostering fun and competitive play, and we are committed to ensuring that they remain engaging and well-balanced for all players. Additionally, we are excited to announce that we have prepared a special frame for Viego in honor of the 2024 World Championship. To make up for the delay in its release, we will keep it available for purchase a bit longer than usual. This frame will not only celebrate the competitive spirit of the game but also provide players with a unique way to showcase their support for their favorite teams during the championship. As we continue to evolve the game, we appreciate your feedback and support. Our goal is to create an immersive and enjoyable experience for all players, whether you’re a veteran or new to the game. We are committed to making ongoing improvements and look forward to seeing how these changes impact your gameplay. Thank you for being a part of our community, and stay tuned for more updates!

Bounties for Champions

We have completely overhauled the champion bounty system. The primary goal of this update is to make the system more logical and intuitive for players. While we believe that rewarding players for taking down champions who are ahead in the game is a sound principle, the previous methodology for calculating these rewards did not always align with player expectations. Therefore, we are implementing several changes to the rules governing bounties. From now on, only gold will be taken into account when calculating bounties. For those who play champions like Pyke and Gangplank, don’t worry—gold gained from abilities will not be considered in this new system. This means that a champion like Jinx, who may have a score of 0/0/0, can still have a bounty placed on her head if she has accumulated enough gold from minion kills. The same principle applies to champions like Janna, who might have a score of 0/0/15 but has earned significant gold from assisting in takedowns and team fights. If you continually ambush a champion like Jax in the top lane, the rewards for doing so will now be lower than before. This is because, in cases of assists or shared kills, the value of the bounty decreases more quickly than it does for solo kills. Additionally, if a champion like Sion dies to a turret and hands over 100 gold, the Fiora who secured that kill will not receive a bounty of 100 gold.

We have designed this new system to reduce the overall amount of gold in the game, making it more challenging for the winning team to snowball their lead. With the introduction of negative bounties (as detailed below), which no longer reset after the first kill or assist, teams that are falling behind will surrender less gold during team fights. This change provides them with extra incentive to take risks and reduces the frequency of snowball effects. Throughout the past few months, we have rigorously tested the updated bounty system. However, we recognize that unexpected situations can arise in real gameplay, so we will be closely monitoring player feedback and addressing any issues that may emerge promptly. In addition to these changes, we have made several adjustments to champion balance. For instance, we tweaked the Blade of the Fallen King and the Deadly Tempo, while also nerfing the Sorcerer’s Shoes. Various champion arsenals have undergone numerous fine-tuning adjustments to ensure a more balanced gameplay experience overall.

We have also improved the balance in ARAM (All Random All Mid) and the “Book of Absolute Skills.” Furthermore, we are preparing to release a special frame for Viego in the 2024 World Championship. To compensate for any delays in its rollout, we will keep this frame available for purchase a bit longer than initially planned. Additionally, we have been actively working on enhancing the overall player experience. This includes improving our matchmaking algorithms to ensure that players are paired with others of similar skill levels, thus fostering a more competitive and enjoyable environment. We understand that a fair and balanced matchmaking system is crucial for maintaining player engagement and satisfaction. Furthermore, we are also focusing on refining our in-game communication tools.

We want to ensure that players can effectively strategize and cooperate with their teammates, regardless of their language or region. Enhanced ping systems and contextual messages will help convey important information quickly and clearly during matches, allowing for better coordination in team fights and objectives. As we move forward, we remain committed to fostering a healthy and vibrant game community. Regular community engagement, feedback sessions, and open discussions will remain a priority for us. We truly value the perspectives and suggestions of our player base, as they are integral to the ongoing development and improvement of the game. In conclusion, we are excited about the changes we are implementing and believe they will lead to a more balanced and enjoyable gameplay experience. We appreciate your patience during this transitional period and look forward to your feedback as we continue to refine the game. Thank you for being a vital part of our community, and we hope to see you on the Rift!