Get ready, gamers! Riot Games has just announced the next patch for League of Legends, and it’s bringing some significant changes to your favorite champions. Our resident gaming expert, Spezzy (Ivan Lovre Marusic), breaks it all down for you.
TL;DR:
- Upcoming patch focuses on Zeri, Azir, and Annie
- Zeri’s shield-stealing passive ability is nerfed
- Azir’s tower-building passive and W ability are buffed
- Annie’s shield gets a reduction in size and increased cooldown
- Tanks may see a resurgence due to Zeri’s adjustments
Champion Changes: The Main Targets
The upcoming patch primarily affects the Mid and Bot-Lane champions, with the most notable changes for Azir, Zeri, and Annie.
Azir: Tower-Building Buffs
After receiving adjustments in the last patch, Azir will see his abilities further enhanced. His passive ability allows him to build towers with increased longevity and range. Additionally, his W ability gets improved, providing more strategic options.
Annie: Shield Downsized
Currently feared on the European pro-level, Annie will undergo some modifications in this patch. Her shield will be smaller and have a higher cooldown, potentially reducing her presence in-game.
Zeri: Nerfs Galore
Zeri, the tank destroyer, is receiving several nerfs in the upcoming patch. After recent changes to her favorite item, Bloodthirster, and a reduced shield, Zeri will now have 5 less health per level. The developers also adjusted her passive ability to steal enemy shields, reducing it from 60% to 50%.
Why Zeri is the Tanks’ Nightmare
Zeri, the newest ADC in the Bot-Lane, brings unique mechanics and can become a significant problem in the late game. With her passive ability, Zeri absorbs enemy shields and gains a portion of the shield plus bonus movement speed.
Her primary damage comes from her Q ability, which launches a volley of 7 projectiles at the first enemy in front of her. This ability counts as an auto-attack, interacting with in-game items, leading to Zeri rapidly defeating opponents with high health bars.
Zeri’s in-game mobility is also a major concern for tanks, as many struggle to close the distance to their opponents. Consequently, Zeri can inflict massive damage from a distance.
LoL in Numbers
For context, here are some interesting facts about League of Legends:
- In 2020, the game had over 115 million monthly active players worldwide (Statista)
- Riot Games, the developer of LoL, was acquired by Chinese tech giant Tencent in 2015 for $400 million (Business Insider)
- “League of Legends is a game that’s always evolving, always changing.” – Marc Merrill, co-founder of Riot Games (Forbes)
Conclusion
As an experienced gaming journalist and League of Legends enthusiast, Spezzy believes these changes will shake up the meta, providing players with new challenges and opportunities. Keep an eye on the champion adjustments and how they impact the game, and don’t be afraid to experiment with new strategies to gain an edge over your opponents.
Remember, League of Legends is a game of constant evolution, so embrace the changes, adapt, and let the battles begin! ?
