League of Legends 14.17 Patch Update: Comprehensive Changelog

As the highly anticipated League of Legends World Championship 2024 draws near, the game’s development team has taken proactive steps to support players and ensure a smooth tournament experience. Matt “Riot Phroxzon” Leung-Harrison, the Lead Gameplay Designer for League of Legends, recently took to social media to share the latest updates. In his announcement, Phroxzon confirmed that Worlds 2024 will be played on Patch 14.18, the final patch of the season. However, the team has also released Patch 14.17 as a precursor, giving players the opportunity to prepare and adjust their strategies in anticipation of the big event. This approach is aimed at providing a well-balanced and competitive tournament environment. By giving players access to Patch 14.17 ahead of time, the development team hopes to allow teams to explore the meta, experiment with new champions and compositions, and refine their gameplay before the high-stakes Worlds tournament. The release of Patch 14.17 as a precursor to Patch 14.18 is a strategic move by the League of Legends team. It demonstrates their commitment to ensuring that the Worlds 2024 tournament is a true showcase of the game’s highest level of play. By giving players ample time to adapt to the changes and test their skills, the developers are working to create an event that is both exciting for the players and engaging for the global audience.

Furthermore, this decision aligns with the League of Legends community’s desire for a well-balanced and competitive tournament. Players have long advocated for the developers to provide a stable and predictable environment for the Worlds tournament, and the release of Patch 14.17 as a precursor to Patch 14.18 is a step in that direction. Overall, the League of Legends development team’s proactive approach to preparing for Worlds 2024 is a testament to their dedication to the game and its competitive scene. By providing players with a pre-tournament patch to experiment and refine their strategies, the team is setting the stage for an unforgettable Worlds experience that will showcase the very best that League of Legends has to offer.

As for the shooters

As the highly anticipated League of Legends World Championship 2024 rapidly approaches, the game’s development team has been hard at work, preparing the competitive landscape for this prestigious event. With the tournament set to kick off on September 25th, players will have a limited window of time to adapt to the changes introduced in Patch 14.17, which is designed to serve as a precursor to the final Patch 14.18 that will be used during the tournament. In a recent announcement, Matt “Riot Phroxzon” Leung-Harrison, the Lead Gameplay Designer for League of Legends, shed light on the team’s strategic approach to the upcoming Worlds. Phroxzon confirmed that Patch 14.18 will be the final version of the game used during the tournament, but the release of Patch 14.17 ahead of time is a deliberate move to give players the opportunity to prepare and refine their strategies. One of the most notable changes in Patch 14.17 is the focus on bolstering the marksman (ADC) role. Through a series of targeted adjustments to items, runes, and experience gains, the development team has significantly increased the damage output of marksmen, especially those played in solo lane positions. This shift is likely to have a significant impact on the meta, potentially shaking up the traditional bot lane dynamic and creating new strategic possibilities.

Phroxzon’s announcement has sparked considerable discussion within the League of Legends community, with players and analysts alike weighing in on the potential implications of these changes. Many have noted that the increased power of marksmen could lead to a more diverse champion pool and a more dynamic pick/ban phase during the tournament. However, the changes are not without their critics. Some players have expressed concerns that the marksman-centric adjustments could lead to an overly one-dimensional meta, where the role’s dominance overshadows the contribution of other positions. There are also questions about how this will impact the overall balance of the game, particularly in the context of solo queue and ranked play outside of the professional scene. To address these concerns, the development team has also incorporated other notable changes in Patch 14.17. The patch notes indicate that previous nerfs to powerful items like Blade of the Ruined King (BORK), as well as individual champions like Corki and Lushen, have proven to be effective. Additionally, bottom lane staples such as Ashe and Ezreal have been targeted for nerfs, suggesting a more holistic approach to balancing the meta.

This delicate balance of buffs and nerfs suggests that the League of Legends team is striving to create a more diverse and competitive environment for Worlds 2024. By shaking up the meta in the final weeks leading up to the tournament, they aim to foster an unpredictable and exciting tournament experience, where teamwork, adaptability, and individual skill will be the key factors in determining the ultimate champion. The short timeframe before the tournament begins will undoubtedly put immense pressure on players to quickly adapt to these changes and develop effective strategies to counter the anticipated marksman dominance. Teams will need to carefully analyze the impact of Patch 14.17, experiment with new compositions, and refine their gameplay to be fully prepared for the high-stakes competition at Worlds 2024. Beyond the immediate competitive implications, the changes introduced in Patch 14.17 also have broader ramifications for the overall health and longevity of the League of Legends ecosystem. By proactively addressing balance concerns and providing players with a precursor patch, the development team is demonstrating their commitment to ensuring a thrilling and meaningful tournament experience for both players and viewers.

This approach is in line with the League of Legends community’s longstanding desire for a well-balanced and predictable tournament environment. Players have often advocated for the developers to maintain a stable meta and avoid drastic changes in the weeks leading up to major events, as such shifts can create an uneven playing field and diminish the overall quality of competition. The League of Legends team’s decision to release Patch 14.17 as a precursor to Patch 14.18 is a testament to their dedication to the game and its competitive scene. By giving players ample time to adapt to the changes and test their skills, the developers are working to create an event that is both exciting for the players and engaging for the global audience. Furthermore, this proactive approach aligns with the broader trend of esports organizations and game developers prioritizing the player experience and competitive integrity of their tournaments. In an industry that is constantly evolving, with new technologies and gameplay mechanics emerging, the ability to maintain a stable and fair competitive environment is crucial for the long-term success and growth of the esports ecosystem. As the countdown to Worlds 2024 continues, the League of Legends community will undoubtedly be closely monitoring the impact of Patch 14.17 and eagerly anticipating the final showdown on Patch 14.18. The development team’s strategic decision to release a precursor patch is a clear indication of their commitment to delivering a thrilling and memorable tournament experience, one that will showcase the very best that League of Legends has to offer.

What about the supports?

Matt, the game analyst, explained that the numerous changes made to various aspects of the League of Legends game have had a significant impact on the relevance and viability of ranged support champions. At the start of the year, ranged supports were kept relevant thanks to the changes introduced in Patch 14.10. However, the more recent adjustments to the bot lane on the red side of the map, as well as changes to the overall ganking and roaming dynamics, have substantially reduced the value and impact of the healing abilities that ranged supports provide.

“The meta has shifted in a way that has really diminished the power of ranged support champions,” Matt noted. “Their healing just doesn’t carry the same weight as it used to, especially with the changes we’ve seen in the bot lane and across the map with increased gank pressure.” Despite these challenges, Matt revealed that the development team is still carefully considering a variety of potential adjustments to help rebalance the meta. This includes looking at aspects such as Celestial Opposition, Aftershock, Warmog’s Armor, and the individual power levels of certain champion picks. “We recognize that the support role has become a bit skewed towards melee champions lately, so we’re exploring ways to bring ranged supports back into the fold,” Matt explained.

“That said, we have to be cautious and thoughtful with any changes, as we don’t want to overcorrect and create an imbalance in the other direction.” Matt did note that the team has already started addressing a couple of specific champion cases, such as Senna and Seraphine. These adjustments, he believes, will help improve the overall balance between ranged and melee support options.

“Our goal is to create a support meta that feels diverse and dynamic, where players have meaningful choices between different styles and archetypes,” Matt stated. “It’s an ongoing process, but we’re committed to finding the right solutions to keep the support role healthy and engaging for the player base.” Overall, Matt’s insights highlight the delicate balancing act required to maintain competitive viability across the various support champion classes in League of Legends. As the game continues to evolve, the development team must carefully navigate the shifting meta trends to ensure a well-rounded and diverse support ecosystem.

Champion Buffs in Patch 14.17

• Caitlin
• Graves
• Kindred
• Rise
• Varus

Champion Nerfs in Patch 14.17

• Ash
• Aurora
• Brand
• Ezreal
• Katarina
• Kennen
• Le Blanc
• Lilly
• Pike
• Rumble
• Senna (AP)
• Seraphina
• Silas

System Weaknesses in Patch 14.17

• Absorb Life
• Cut Down
• Fleet Footwork