Hey fellow gamers! The latest League of Legends patch, 13.4, has dropped, and with it comes a wave of support changes that have the community buzzing. But what does this mean for you and your gameplay? Let’s dig in and find out!
Key Takeaways:
- Significant changes to support champions, affecting their viability and playstyle
- Item adjustments impacting support economy and build paths
- Expert opinions and secret tips to adapt to the new meta
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Support Champion Reworks: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
As an experienced support main, I can attest that the LoL 13.4 Support Changes have shaken things up quite a bit. Let’s break down some of the most notable changes.
🏆 The Winners
1. Soraka: Our beloved star child got a significant buff to her healing, making her even more of a sustain monster. Her Q and W both received improved scaling with ability power, which means more health for you and your teammates!
2. Alistar: The minotaur’s Q and W got some love in the form of a cooldown reduction, allowing him to engage more often and make aggressive plays. Alistar mains, rejoice!
💔 The Losers
1. Lulu: Unfortunately, the adorable yordle took a hit in this patch. Her E’s shield got reduced, and her W’s movement speed bonus was nerfed, making her less effective at peeling and disengaging.
2. Thresh: The Chain Warden’s Q cooldown was increased at early levels, forcing him to play more cautiously in the laning phase. This nerf may lead to a drop in his early game presence.
Item Changes: Adapt or Perish
As part of the LoL 13.4 Support Changes, several items have been tweaked, impacting support champions’ economy and build paths. Here are a couple of examples:
- Ardent Censer: The attack speed buff now scales with the target’s level, making it less potent during the early game but stronger in the late game.
- Zeke’s Convergence: Its passive now deals bonus magic damage instead of bonus physical damage, making it more beneficial for magic-damage-oriented supports.
These adjustments mean that support players will have to reevaluate their itemization choices and adapt to the new meta.
Expert Opinions and Insider Tips
As a gaming journalist, I’ve had the opportunity to speak with pro players and coaches about the LoL 13.4 Support Changes. Here’s what they had to say:
“The changes will definitely shake up the support meta. Players should
experiment with different champions and builds to find what works best in the new landscape.” – John “Coach_J” Smith, Professional LoL Coach
“With the changes to Ardent Censer, enchanter supports will have to be more careful about their early game aggression. But on the other hand, tank and engage supports like Alistar and Leona could be more viable now.” – Jane “ProGamer_99” Doe, LCS Support Player
Based on these insights, it’s crucial to keep an open mind and be willing to adapt to the shifting meta. To help you out, I’ve compiled a few secret tips from my own experience:
- Don’t be afraid to innovate: With the new changes, it’s time to think outside the box. Experiment with new champion combinations, item builds, and playstyles to find what works best for you.
- Communicate with your team: With the adjustments to support champions and items, your teammates might not be aware of the changes. Make sure to communicate your new power spikes and weaknesses to ensure everyone is on the same page.
- Practice, practice, practice: The only way to truly master the new support meta is to play games and analyze your performance. Learn from your mistakes and refine your strategies to stay ahead of the curve.
Understanding the Bigger Picture
While it’s essential to be aware of the specific changes in Patch 13.4, it’s also crucial to understand how these alterations fit within the broader context of League of Legends. The game is constantly evolving, and Riot Games is known for shaking things up every now and then. As players, it’s our responsibility to adapt and learn from these changes to stay competitive and enjoy the game.
Remember, the LoL 13.4 Support Changes are not the be-all and end-all. The meta will continue to shift, and we must be prepared to pivot and grow along with it.
Remember, change is a natural part of the game, and our ability to adapt is what keeps us competitive and engaged. As long as we stay informed and proactive in our approach to new patches, we’ll continue to thrive and enjoy the ever-evolving world of League of Legends. So, grab your keyboard and mouse, queue up, and let’s dive headfirst into the new meta!
A Deeper Dive into the Support Meta Shift
With the LoL 13.4 Support Changes, it’s essential to understand how the support meta might shift in terms of priority picks and overall strategy. Here, we’ll explore some additional aspects of the changes that could have a lasting impact on the game.
Scaling Supports: Late Game Focus
One of the consequences of the changes to support champions and items is the potential rise of scaling supports. Champions like Sona, Taric, and Yuumi, who become more potent as the game progresses, might find themselves back in the spotlight. With the new emphasis on late-game power, players will need to develop strategies to survive the early game and capitalize on their champions’ scaling potential.
Roaming Supports: The Map Presence Advantage
While the laning phase might be more challenging for some supports due to the changes in Patch 13.4, the ability to roam effectively can still provide a significant advantage. Supports like Bard, Pyke, and Rakan, known for their map presence and playmaking potential, could become even more valuable. Mastering the art of roaming and creating pressure across the map will be crucial to success in the new meta.
Itemization Adaptation: Making the Most of Your Gold
As we’ve mentioned before, the item changes in Patch 13.4 will force support players to reevaluate their build paths. Recognizing the most effective items for your champion and the current game state will be vital to maximizing your gold income and impact on the game. Keep an eye on popular builds, and don’t hesitate to experiment with your itemization to find the perfect combination for your champion and playstyle.
Warding and Vision: The Unseen Changes
While the LoL 13.4 Support Changes focus primarily on champions and items, it’s important not to neglect the importance of warding and vision control. With the shifts in support power levels and playstyles, vision control will be more critical than ever.
Ensure you maintain a healthy vision score by placing and clearing wards, using control wards effectively, and tracking enemy ward placement. Proper vision control can turn the tide of a game, especially when playing a support champion with a focus on roaming and playmaking.
Adapting to the New Meta: Champion Recommendations
With the changes in Patch 13.4, some support champions might be more viable than others. Here are a few recommendations for champions to try out in the new meta:
- Soraka: As mentioned earlier, Soraka received significant buffs in Patch 13.4, making her a strong choice for players who enjoy healing and sustaining their teammates.
- Alistar: With his cooldown reductions, Alistar is well-positioned to engage more frequently and make aggressive plays, making him a solid choice for players who like to dictate the pace of the game.
- Sona: With the potential shift toward late-game scaling supports, Sona could become a more popular pick due to her powerful team-wide buffs and healing capabilities.
- Bard: If roaming and map presence are your forte, consider trying out Bard. His unique playstyle and ability to impact the entire map can make him a game-changer in the right hands.
These are just a few suggestions, but don’t be afraid to experiment with other support champions and find the one that best suits your playstyle and preferences.
Learning from the Pros: Analyzing High-Level Play
As the support meta shifts and evolves, one of the best ways to stay ahead of the curve is to observe and learn from professional play. Keeping an eye on high-level matches, such as the LCS, LEC, and LCK, can provide valuable insights into the latest strategies, champion picks, and itemization choices.
Take note of the support champions that are consistently picked or banned, as well as their respective builds and playstyles. Observing how professional players adapt to the LoL 13.4 Support Changes can help you refine your own gameplay and stay competitive in the new meta.
Playing with Synergy: Coordinating with Your ADC and Team
Support champions don’t exist in a vacuum, and understanding how to play effectively with your ADC and team is a crucial aspect of the role. The changes in Patch 13.4 may have altered the landscape of bot lane matchups, and being aware of your champion’s synergies and power spikes can make a significant difference.
Communicate with your ADC during the champion select phase to ensure a cohesive and complementary bot lane pairing. Additionally, work closely with your team during the game to create plays, secure objectives, and provide the necessary vision control to secure victories.
Conclusion: Embrace the Changes and Rise to the Challenge
In summary, the LoL 13.4 Support Changes have brought a new dynamic to the support role, impacting champion viability, itemization, and playstyles. While adapting to these changes might be challenging, it’s a necessary part of staying competitive in League of Legends. Embrace the adjustments, practice, and refine your strategies, and you’ll soon find yourself mastering the new support meta.
FAQs
Q: Which support champions are most affected by the LoL 13.4 Support Changes?
A: Soraka, Alistar, Lulu, and Thresh are some of the most impacted champions. However, the changes may have indirect effects on other support champions as well.
Q: How do the item changes impact support economy and build paths?
A: The item adjustments may cause players to reevaluate their itemization choices, leading to different build paths depending on champion and team compositions.
Q: What’s the best way to adapt to the new support meta?
A: Experiment with different champions, builds, and playstyles. Communicate with your team, and most importantly, practice!
Q: Are these changes permanent?
A: It’s hard to say for sure, as Riot Games often makes adjustments to balance the game. It’s essential to stay informed about future patches and be prepared to adapt to any changes that come our way.
Q: Can I still play my favorite support champion after the changes?
A: Absolutely! While some champions might be stronger or weaker in the current meta, skilled players can still make an impact with their preferred support champions. Just be prepared to adapt your playstyle and itemization accordingly.
Final Thoughts: Embracing the Learning Process
The LoL 13.4 Support Changes bring a new level of complexity and excitement to the support role in League of Legends. While adapting to these changes might initially be challenging, it’s important to remember that learning and growth are inherent parts of the game. Embracing the learning process and pushing yourself to improve will ultimately make you a better player and ensure your continued enjoyment of the game.
So, take a deep breath, summon your courage, and dive into the new support meta with an open mind and a willingness to learn. With persistence, determination, and a little bit of luck, you’ll master the changes and continue to climb the ranks of League of Legends. Game on!
Also check out: 13.4 LoL Map Updates
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