The year is almost over, and Riot Games’ League of Legends is wrapping up with one final micropatch. Patch 11.24b brings some buffs to popular champions, giving them even more playtime in the near future.
In this update, Riot Phlox specifically targets a handful of champions for adjustments. These champions have been highly contested picks in both solo queue and professional play, and their popularity is expected to continue.
For instance, Kai’Sa and Varus, two widely played champions in the bottom lane, are receiving adjustments. Kai’Sa had the highest pick-ban presence of any AD carry champion in season 11, appearing in 50% of games. In the professional scene, she was the most-played champion with a total of 2,589 games, according to Games of Legends.
Varus, on the other hand, had a 34% pick-ban rate among ADCs. While not as popular as Kai’Sa, Varus still made a significant impact in both professional and ranked play.
Olaf, known for his dominance on the battlefield, is also receiving buffs. Despite being one of the most frequently banned champions in pro play last year, Olaf’s quick jungling, skirmishing power, and crowd control immunity make him a favorable choice for many junglers.
Gwen, one of the newer champions in League of Legends, was frequently banned in 2021 due to her burst damage and Hallowed Mist ability, which grants her immunity to crowd control and damage. She maintained a respectable 54% win rate throughout the year.
Lastly, Pyke is receiving buffs after falling out of the meta. Although he was only played 111 times in 2021, skilled players can still make an impact with his abilities, such as Bone Skewer for picking off enemies, Phantom Undertow for stunning opponents, and his ultimate ability for turning teamfights.
Don’t worry about major changes before the new year, as this is just a micropatch. The next significant update will come next month.
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