Riot Games to Expand Champion Pool in League of Legends Jungle
The developers at Riot Games have a new project in the works for the jungle in League of Legends. They aim to bring more champions into the roaming role’s meta pick pool, adding more variety to the “off-role” experience, similar to what mid and top lane players enjoy.
League designer Tim “Truexy” Jiang expressed enthusiasm for the idea, stating, “We think it’s cool when other champs can jungle.” This initiative is part of the title’s extensive preseason overhaul update scheduled for 2023.
In a recent TikTok video, Jiang highlighted the wide range of champion options available for solo lanes. Top lane offers bruisers, tanks, juggernauts, and even engage characters, while mid lane players can choose from assassins, mages, roaming champions, and enchanters. Riot Games hopes to expand the jungle’s meta pool similarly.
Jiang explained, “As long as we can support it, there’s no reason jungle cannot be like mid lane, top lane, where there’s all these different archetypes.”
Expanding Possibilities for Jungle Champions
While not every champion is suitable for the jungle role, Riot Games is determined to find those that work effectively. Camille, for example, does not fit well as a jungle pick due to her dominance in the early game and her explosive mobility. Jungle companions are among the new additions to help mold the role and open up opportunities for fringe junglers.
Morgana’s emergence as a viable choice in the jungle role has pleased the Riot devs, and Neeko serves as another example of what they hope to achieve. In the upcoming 2023 preseason update, players will have access to companions that replace old jungle items and evolve throughout the game. These companions will provide more clearing power and increase the viability of casters and enchanters in the jungle.
Current Jungle Meta and Future Changes
In the current ranked playlists of League of Legends, the jungle meta revolves around champions like Graves, Viego, and Hecarim, with pick rates exceeding 10 percent according to Lolalytics. Powerhouses like Bel’Veth, Fiddlesticks, and Olaf are considered “s-tier” choices in the jungle.
When the 2023 preseason update launches on November 16th, junglers will have the opportunity to utilize companions that offer unique benefits. The green Salamander provides defensive capabilities, the blue Fox enhances mobility and movement speed, and the red Cat delivers slows and additional damage.
As Riot Games continues to diversify the jungle role, players can expect more champion choices and a richer meta in League of Legends.
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