Patch 14.21 for League of Legends marks another significant milestone in the game's evolution, sparking interest among players. Important changes affect several champions, items, and system mechanics, which could drastically impact gameplay. These changes aim to improve balance and provide players with new strategies to achieve victory.
Champion Buffs and Nerfs and Item Meta Changes
Some of the main highlights of this patch include significant buffs for Azir, Corki, and Irelia, enhancing their damage and resilience in the game. For example, Irelia now has a reduced cooldown on her ultimate ability, allowing her to return to battle faster. Corki received a damage boost on his R-ability, making him more dangerous in the late game.
Champions | Buffs |
Azir | Hp regen: 5 -> 7 - Base AD: 52 -> 56 |
Corki | P Damage: 15% -> 20% - W damage: 150 - 450 + 1.5 bonus AD -> 200 - 500 + 2.0 AD bonus AD - 40% of thi damage is gueranteedR damage: 80/160/240 + 70% bonus AD -> AD -> 90/170/250 + 80% bonus AD |
Gangplank | MP regen: 7.5 -> 8 - E recharge: 18-14 -> 17-13 |
Irelia | Q mana: 20 -> 15 - Q coldown: 11-7 -> 10-6 - R no longerreduces coldown by 0.5/1/1.5 secQ damage 5-85 + 6 total AD -> 5-85 + 6 total AD - Q minions damage bonus: 55-265 -> 50-237 |
Kayle | W mana: 90-130 ->75-115 |
Malphite | Base HP: 644 -> 665 |
Nilah | EQ damage projectile: Missile -> instant - Q auto remains empowered if it times out mid swing - R attack lockout 1.1s -> 1.0s |
Qiyana | HP rege: 6 -> 8 - W damage: 8-40 + 1bonus AD -> 8.40 + 2 bonus AD |
Sivir | Base AD: 58 -> 60 - Q damage: 15-75 + 80-100% total AD -> 60-160 + 100% bonus AD - This is a buff level 1 - 12 |
Talon | W return damage: 50 - 170 + 8 bonus AD -> 60 - 180 + 9 bonus AD |
Teemo | W pasive speed: 10-26% -> 12-28% - W active speed: 20-52% -> 24-56% |
Xayah | W bonus damage: 20-25% |
On the other hand, many champions have been nerfed. Nerfs affected popular characters such as Ornn, Camille, and Aurelion Sol. These changes limit their potential and require players to take a more thoughtful approach to using abilities. Additionally, some popular items like the "Blade of the Ruined King" and "Sorcerer's Shoes" have been weakened, significantly altering the item meta for champions relying on attack speed.
Champions | Nerfs |
Aurelion Sol | Base HP: 620 -> 600 - E damage: 50-150 + 8 AP -> 50-150 + 6 AP |
Brand | MP regen: 10.65 -> 9 - P Detonation Damage: 9-13% max health -> 8-12% max health - Q mana: 50 - 70 |
Camile | Base health: 670 -> 650 - W flat damage: 70 - 190 + 6 - E damage: 60-180 + 9 -> 60-180 + 75 R on-hit damage: 5/10/15 + 4/6/8%current HP 0 -> 4/6/8% |
Elise | Armor growth: 5.2 -> 4.5 - Armor: 30-118.4 -> 30-106.5 |
Fiddlesticks | Damage: 6-10% current HP -> 5-9% + current HP - AP ratio and minimum damage unchanged |
Galio | Mana: 500 -> 410 |
Gwen | P damage: 1% + 0.72%/100 AP -> 1% + 0.6%/100 AP |
Hwei | Q-Q damage: 60-180 + 3-7% max HP + 75 AP -> 60-180 + 3-7 max HP + 7 AP - E coldown: 12-10 -> 13-11 |
Kai'Sa | P first hit damage: 5-23 + 15 AP -> 4-24 + 12% AP - P stack damage: 1-12 + 2.5% AP -> 1-6 + 3% AP Maximum flat dmage: 9-71 + 25% AP -> 8-48 + 24% AP |
Karthus | R AP Ratio: 75% -> 70% |
Kassadin | Q AP Ratio: 70% -> 60% - E AP Ratio: 70% -> 65% |
Nasus | P Life Steal: 12-24% -> 9-21% - Q Base Damage: 40-120 -> 35-115 |
Senna | Armor: 28 + 4.7 -> 25 + 4.0 - 28-103 -> 25-93 |
Taric | W bonus armor: 9-13% -> 6-10% |
Viego | Armor Growth: 5.2 - 4.6 |
Volibear | W CD: 12 -> 14 |
Yone | W Damage: 10-50 + 11-15% max HP -> 10-50 + 10-14% Max HP |
Yorick | P Damage: 2-88 + 25% total AD -> 4-90 + 20% total AD - This about 5% less damage at all points in time |
Changes Altering Playstyle and Strategy
Special attention is due to the changes in Swain. Developers have revamped his abilities, and now his primary ability launches a projectile that explodes on impact. This innovation not only changes his damage dealing method but also forces players to rethink strategies for playing Swain, especially in team fights. A significant change is in his healing: it now activates immediately after using abilities, not after they finish, making Swain more resilient in prolonged battles. Overall, these changes make Swain a more flexible champion who can play more aggressively and influence the course of the battle in different stages of the game.
Champions | Adjustments |
Swain | Kit-wide overhaul, Some highlights: E: Return missile speed increased - All damage moved into the explosion - Now woth maxing 2ndR: Can cast Demonflare multiple times - Coldown now starts on-cast instead of end - Healing has a bonus HP ratio Q: Max-range damage increased, min-range damage desreased Overall: AP ratios increased for Q/W/E, decreased for R |
New Horizons for Auto-Attack Champions
It's also important to note the buff to the "Lethal Tempo" rune, which now offers a more significant increase in attack power with each stack—from 5% to 6%, and the maximum attack speed increased from 30% to 36%. This change significantly boosts champions relying on auto attacks, such as Jinx, Kalista, or Warwick, giving them more opportunities to dominate in extended battles. This enhancement will be especially noticeable in the late game, where attack speed plays a crucial role in dealing maximum damage.
System | Buffs |
Lethal Tempo Melee | Attack speed per stack: 5 -> 6% - Max attack speed: 30 -> 36% |
System | Nerfs |
Blade of the Ruined King | On-hit damage:10/6% current HP -> 8/5% current Hp |
Sorc Shoes | Magic penetration: 15 -> 12 |
System | Adjustments |
Champions Bounties | System overhaul. Primary highlights: Minion/monster gold directly contributes to bounties instead of comparing to the average farm of the enemy teamKill bounties are based on gold earned from kills/assists minus gold given away from death , instead of kill/death streaks |
Balance Changes and New Strategies in League of Legends
Patch 14.21 represents a significant step toward improving the balance in League of Legends, opening new opportunities for champions and offering players new strategies for victory. Changes in champion mechanics and attributes, along with updates to items and the "Lethal Tempo" rune, will help diversify gameplay and introduce fresh tactics into matches. Players will need to adapt to these changes and find new approaches to the game, making the current patch especially important for meta development.
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