First Patch Update of the 2018 Offseason
The World Championship is over, and now it’s time for the first patch update of the 2018 offseason.
Changes in Patch 8.22
Although Patch 8.22 doesn’t bring a lot of changes, it does address some much-needed nerfs to powerful champions and masteries in the current meta. Patch 8.22
Nerfs to Akali
The current queen of the mid lane, Akali, received a set of nerfs. Her Twilight Shroud’s cooldown has increased in all ranks except the last one, and her Perfect Execution ultimate has shifted in power from early to late game. Additionally, Akali has lost her four-last hit assistance, making it more challenging to secure farm. Riot Games hopes these changes will make Akali work harder for an early advantage.
Nerfs to Viktor
Viktor, who saw a massive rise in popularity during the World Championship, has received base damage and ratio nerfs to his Siphon Power and Chaos Storm ultimate. Lately, Viktor has become a top lane monster, able to out-sustain and duel champions like Aatrox with a Kleptomancy mastery build.
Nerfs to Pyke
Pyke, although not as prominent in the World Championship, has been running rampant in solo-queue as a tanky but deadly menace. Riot has nerfed Pyke’s entire ability kit, except for his bone Skewer Hook. The most significant change is the nerf to Pyke’s Gift of the Drowned Ones passive. Having his grey health baselined at 80 rather than at 25 percent max health will make it harder for Pyke to become extremely tanky.
Nerfs to Time Warp Tonic
Lastly, Patch 8.22 also includes nerfs to one of the most popular masteries for mid and top lane—time warp tonic. Previously, when paired with the corrupting potion, time warp tonic gave champions like Viktor an excessive amount of sustain. With these changes, champions will no longer be able to make potions and elixirs last longer, reducing the nuisance of time warp tonic during the early phases of the game.