LoL patch 14.6 focuses on resolving Smolder balance concerns, addressing the state of ADC, and balancing these four top lane champions

League of Legends Lead Gameplay Designer Matt “Riot Phroxzon” Leung-Harrison has recently unveiled a tantalizing glimpse into the highly anticipated LoL patch 14.6. This eagerly awaited update brings forth a multitude of improvements and adjustments to various aspects of the game. First and foremost, the patch aims to address the current state of ADCs, focusing on enhancing their viability and impact in matches. Additionally, the strength of support champions will be carefully evaluated and adjusted to ensure a healthy and balanced gameplay experience for all players. Furthermore, the issue of early lane snowballing, which often leads to one-sided matches, will be tackled head-on. The aim is to create a more dynamic and competitive environment where comebacks are possible and strategic decision-making plays a pivotal role. The presence of Voidgrubs, a potential disruption in gameplay, will also be addressed in this update. Measures will be taken to ensure a smoother and more enjoyable experience for players, eliminating any unintended disturbances caused by these entities.

Moreover, the patch introduces significant changes to the Smolder mechanics, providing a fresh perspective and potential strategies for players to explore. These modifications aim to enhance the overall balance and diversity of gameplay options. Lastly, the top lane tank champions will undergo careful evaluation and adjustments to ensure their effectiveness and contribution to the game. Balancing their strengths and weaknesses is crucial in maintaining a healthy and engaging meta. With all these exciting improvements and adjustments in store, players can look forward to a thrilling and immersive experience in the ever-evolving world of League of Legends. Stay tuned for the full release of patch 14.6 and prepare to embark on thrilling battles in the Summoner’s Rift.

State of ADC in LoL patch 14.6

Crit item buffs

• Infinity Edge
• Navori Quickblades
• Lord Dominik’s Regards
• Mortal Reminder

According to Riot Phroxzon, the delicate balance between supports and ADCs presents a unique challenge in LoL’s meta. The strength of supports has reached a point where buffing ADCs risks reverting back to a dominant “bot lane” meta, where ADCs dictate the game’s outcome. However, Riot Phroxzon is not turning a blind eye to the concerns of ADC players. In an effort to promote diversity and competitiveness, Riot has chosen to focus on buffing critical strike items. Four prominent items, Infinity Edge, Navori Quickblades, Lord Dominik’s Regards, and Mortal Reminder, are receiving adjustments to make them more appealing and competitive against the popular on-hit and lethality builds.

These buffs aim to provide ADCs with an alternative playstyle and itemization path, allowing them to compete on equal footing with other champions and strategies. Riot acknowledges the importance of maintaining balance while striving to address the community’s feedback and concerns. By carefully tuning these critical strike items, Riot hopes to create a healthier and more varied landscape in the bot lane without disrupting the delicate equilibrium between supports and ADCs. Players can look forward to exploring new possibilities and adapting their strategies to these changes in the ever-evolving world of League of Legends.

Supports hit by nerfs in LoL patch 14.6

Riot Games is implementing a series of nerfs to supports in an effort to maintain balance and fairness in League of Legends. These nerfs primarily target the gold income of supports, aiming to address their current power level and prevent them from becoming overly dominant in the game. One of the adjustments includes reducing the gold income from various sources, ensuring that supports have a more balanced economic advantage compared to other roles. Additionally, specific items like the Solstice Sleigh will receive further nerfs to align their power level with the intended gameplay dynamics. Moreover, Riot is making changes to Doran’s starting items by making them unique when paired with support income items. This modification aims to prevent support players from stacking Doran’s items for excessive gold generation, thereby maintaining a more balanced and strategic itemization process.

While these nerfs may impact the early-game strategies and gold acquisition for supports, the overall goal is to create a more even playing field and encourage diverse gameplay strategies across different roles. Riot Games remains committed to fine-tuning the game’s balance and ensuring that all champions and roles have equal opportunities to shine. By implementing these adjustments, Riot Games aims to foster a healthy and competitive environment where players can engage in fair and exciting gameplay experiences. Players can expect these changes to contribute to a more dynamic and strategic meta, enhancing the overall enjoyment of League of Legends.

LoL patch 14.6 sees more Smolder balance fixes

The recent hotfix nerfs served as an initial response to address some of the overpowered aspects of Smolder, but the upcoming patch will go further to rebalance the champion and bring him back to his previous power level. Riot Phroxzon, in explaining the current state of Smolder, acknowledges that the champion is currently causing frustration among players. However, they believe that the frustration stems primarily from Smolder’s overall power level, rather than any specific unbalancing factor such as true damage or scaling. This suggests that the key to addressing the issues lies in adjusting Smolder’s power level rather than making fundamental changes to his abilities or mechanics.

With this understanding, Riot Phroxzon and the development team are committed to finding the right balance for Smolder. The adjustments in the upcoming patch are aimed at fine-tuning his abilities, attributes, and gameplay mechanics to ensure that he remains a viable and enjoyable champion to play, while also maintaining a fair and balanced playing field for all players. The goal is to strike a delicate equilibrium where Smolder can fulfill his intended role and provide a satisfying gameplay experience without overshadowing other champions or creating insurmountable imbalances. By taking a measured and meticulous approach to these adjustments, Riot aims to create an environment where Smolder and other champions can coexist harmoniously, allowing for diverse and strategic gameplay choices. Players can look forward to the upcoming patch, which aims to address the concerns surrounding Smolder and provide a more balanced and rewarding experience for all League of Legends enthusiasts.

Changes to early lane snowballing in LoL patch 14.6

Early lane snowballing occurs when players gain a significant advantage in their lane and capitalize on it by returning to base to purchase their first item, such as a Serrated Dirk or Hextech Alternator. However, this gameplay pattern often discourages players from gradually building up their item components and prolongs the snowball effect. Riot Phroxzon acknowledges that players have become more adept at maximizing their leads, but this can lead to situations where one player dominates the lane and forces their opponent into a defensive position under their tower. This early lane dominance can result in a less enjoyable experience for both parties involved, as it limits the opportunity for strategic comebacks and reduces the overall competitiveness of the game.

To address this issue, Riot Games has taken steps to adjust these early game items, bringing them closer to 100% gold efficiency. This means that the items will provide more value for their cost, making it easier for players who are behind to catch up and stay relevant in the game. Additionally, this change allows players who have gained an early advantage to maintain their momentum and continue to exert pressure on the opposing team. The goal of these adjustments is to promote a more balanced and dynamic gameplay experience. By reducing the early lane snowballing potential, Riot aims to create a more competitive environment where strategic decision-making and skillful play have a greater impact on the outcome of the game. These changes aim to foster a sense of fairness and give players on both sides the opportunity to showcase their abilities and mount comebacks even in the face of early adversity. Riot Games remains committed to continuously refining and improving the game’s balance to ensure that matches are engaging, exciting, and enjoyable for all players involved.

Small buffs to Cho’Gath, Ornn, Shen, Sion in LoL patch 14.6

Cho’Gath, Ornn, Shen, and Sion have seen improvements in their performance due to the changes made to Sunfire Aegis and Heartsteel items. Although these items have reached a satisfactory state, Riot Phroxon mentioned that the champions themselves are still considered weak. In response, the development team has decided to provide a slight buff to each of these champions to enhance their viability and effectiveness. Additionally, players have expressed their desire for more Ornn items, and the development team is actively exploring this feedback. They are considering the possibility of introducing a new system that would expand the range of available Ornn items, providing players with more choices and opportunities to optimize their builds.

Riot Games is committed to addressing the concerns and feedback of the player community. By making these adjustments and considering the expansion of Ornn items, the goal is to create a more balanced and diverse gameplay experience, allowing these champions to shine and remain relevant in the evolving meta. The development team’s dedication to continuous improvement and innovation is evident in their willingness to explore new systems and mechanics to enhance gameplay. Players can look forward to these upcoming changes and the potential expansion of the Ornn item system, which aims to add depth and variety to the game while maintaining a fair and competitive environment.

Changes to Voidgrubs in LoL patch 14.6

After careful evaluation, the balance team has determined that Voidgrubs, the neutral monsters in the top lane, are currently too resilient, making it difficult for top laners who are ahead to take them down. To address this issue and ensure a more equitable distribution of power, the balance team has decided to make adjustments to the Voidgrubs. These changes will make it slightly easier for top laners who have gained an advantage to secure the kills on these monsters, aligning the playing field and allowing them to capitalize on their lead.

It’s worth noting that these adjustments will not only affect the current patch but will also carry over to the next patch, benefiting jungle players as well. By fine-tuning the difficulty level of encountering and defeating the Voidgrubs, the aim is to promote a more balanced and engaging gameplay experience for both top laners and junglers. Riot Games remains dedicated to continuously evaluating and refining the game’s balance to ensure that all players have a fair and enjoyable experience. These changes reflect their commitment to addressing player feedback and maintaining a dynamic and competitive environment in the ever-evolving world of League of Legends.

Summary of LoL patch 14.6 changes

Champion buffs

• Cho’Gath
• Diana (jungle)
• Ornn
• Shen
• Sion
• Tryndamere

Champion nerfs

• Briar
• Gragas (top)
• Karma (mid)
• Senna (ADC)
• Smolder
• Volibear

Champion adjustments

• Galio

Item buffs

• Infinity Edge
• Navori Quickblades
• Lord Dominik’s Regards
• Mortal Reminder

System nerfs

• Epic item stat efficiency
• Solstice Sleigh
• Support item gold income

System adjustments

• Voidgrub shield on death changed to heal on death
• Doran’s items, World Atlas, and jungle egg items are all unique and cannot be purchased together