League of Legends’ Newest Champion Won’t Be at Worlds 2023
League of Legends’ latest champion, Briar, is already causing chaos for players in their solo queue games. But will she have the same impact in the pro stage? The short answer is “no.”
Why Briar Won’t Be at Worlds 2023
With the release of a new champion so close to Worlds, it’s unlikely for Briar to jump straight into pro play and disrupt the esports meta. Riot has policies in place to prevent this from happening during the most important time of the pro LoL season.
Will Briar Be Available at Worlds?
Similar to previous champions released near the start of the League World Championship, like Lucian in 2013, Ornn in 2017, and Yone in 2020, Briar won’t be making an appearance at this year’s tournament.
Riot’s policy states that new champions must be enabled for playoffs in all four top regions in order to be playable at the next international tournament. Since Briar hasn’t played in any domestic playoff games in China, Korea, North America, or EMEA, she doesn’t qualify for Worlds.
It’s unfair for players to experience new champions for the first time at the most important tournament of the season. This policy also prevents balancing issues, like the Juggernaut champions dominating Worlds in 2015.
Although pro players can adapt to new additions within a month, Briar’s absence from any pro games between her release and Worlds is the main reason why she won’t be available at the event.
If you’re excited to see Briar on the pro stage, you’ll have to wait until the start of the 2024 season.
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