League of Legends’ New Arena Mode: Shaco’s Underperformance in the Meta
The new Arena mode in League of Legends has only been out for a day, but players are already discovering the developing meta. Among the champions, one stands out as a major outlier.
Shaco is a popular pick in Arena, but his win rate doesn’t match his popularity. With a pick rate of 11.2%, the third-highest in the roster, and a ban rate of 24.0%, the highest among all champions, Shaco is severely underperforming. According to stats from Blitz.gg, his win rate on the first day of Arena’s release is only 23%, ranking him 72nd out of all champions.
While a 23% win rate isn’t terrible compared to some champions in the low teens, it’s still disappointing considering Shaco’s high pick and ban rates.
The Misconception of Shaco’s Power
The high ban rate for Shaco suggests that players believe he is a strong champion. However, his low win rate contradicts this belief. It’s possible that some players in the Arena community consider Shaco a “must-pick” champion, but their perception doesn’t align with reality.
If inexperienced players are picking Shaco based solely on his reputation as overpowered, it’s no surprise that his win rate suffers. This phenomenon has been observed on Summoner’s Rift for years, and it’s likely happening in Arena as well.
Instead of blindly following the trend, it may be wise to avoid picking Shaco until the meta settles.
Heimerdinger: A Champion Deserving of the High Pick/Ban Ratio
On the other hand, Heimerdinger has a high pick/ban ratio that is justified. He has been banned in 21% of games, the second-highest, and picked in 8.3% of games, the seventh-highest. Additionally, Heimerdinger has an impressive win record, finishing in first place in 38% of matches and placing in the top two in 66% of games.
Recommendations and Conclusion
Riot will likely make continuous changes to Arena mode in the future. In the meantime, it’s advisable to avoid Shaco until the meta stabilizes. Players should keep an eye on champion performance and adapt their strategies accordingly.
League of Legends, Arena mode, Shaco, win rate, pick rate, ban rate, Heimerdinger, meta, champion, gameplay, Riot Games