Rift Herald Receives a Buff in Patch 9.24
League of Legends’ 2020 preseason brought significant changes to dragons, which shifted the focus away from Rift Herald. However, Patch 9.24 aims to bring more attention back to Shelly.
Riot gameplay systems designer Daniel “Rovient” Leaver provided additional information about Rift Herald in yesterday’s Patch 9.24 outline. In a tweet today, Leaver announced that Shelly’s damage to turrets will be increased.
“A small update to yesterday’s 9.24 patch buffs: Rift Herald will now always take at least 2 turret plates when she charges. The second Herald will also do a bit more damage on the charge too,” said Rovient.
This buff is likely a response to the increased emphasis on dragons in recent updates, especially with the introduction of the Dragon Soul. By boosting Shelly, Riot hopes to encourage junglers, top laners, and mid laners to pay more attention to the Rift Herald in the early and middle phases of the game. The additional turret damage from the second Herald may also entice junglers to prioritize this objective.
Although Patch 9.23 attempted to balance the importance of both dragon and Rift Herald, junglers found it easier to solo dragons in the early game, causing dragons to be prioritized over Rift Herald. It is unclear whether these changes to Rift Herald will achieve a more balanced gameplay, but Riot’s intentions seem to be moving in the right direction.
Related Rift Herald, League of Legends, Patch 9.24, Shelly, turret damage, junglers, Dragon Soul