Galio and Azir to Receive Nerfs in Patch 8.5
Galio and Azir, two champions in League of Legends, are no strangers to balance changes. Due to their impact in professional play, they have undergone numerous adjustments over the past year. And now, they are once again being nerfed in Patch 8.5, according to the current PBE cycle. However, this news is not good for their fans.
Implications for Amateur Gameplay
While Galio and Azir have a significant impact on the pro stage, they are not known for dominating solo queue. These nerfs will have a detrimental effect on the vast majority of players, making them feel overpowered. As a result, Galio and Azir’s presence in amateur gameplay will likely suffer even more.
Azir, for instance, has one of the lowest winrates in North America for mid lane champions at 48 percent, according to League stats site Champion.gg. He is a challenging champion to play, requiring coordinated team gameplay at the highest level. Unfortunately, solo queue lacks this level of coordination, and Azir’s mastery curve is steeper compared to other champions. The upcoming nerfs in Patch 8.5 will make it even harder for players to succeed with him.
Tough Times Ahead for Galio
In contrast, Galio has been performing relatively well as a mid laner in NA solo queue. His 51 percent winrate is a sign of success, although it’s still lower compared to top-tier champions. However, his good times may soon come to an end with the nerfs in Patch 8.5. His primary damage source, the Winds of War, will receive cooldown and mana cost increases. This change will have a significant impact, especially for players in lower elos who struggle with managing resources.
While these changes may not entirely ruin Galio for non-pro players like Azir, they will likely drop him further down the mid lane tier list. Unfortunately, this seems to be Galio’s fate.
Revisiting the Changes
If these changes negatively impact amateur gameplay, Riot may reconsider and make adjustments more focused on the pro stage where Galio and Azir are overpowered. In that case, nerfs to their ultimate abilities and utility would be on the table. But for now, players can expect the weaker versions of Galio and Azir when Patch 8.5 arrives next week.