Now that League of Legends 14.1 Patch notes are here, we have the biggest takeaways from Season 14 on Summoner’s Rift.
League of Legends Patch 14.1 starts the year fresh with dozens of changes to the game. The biggest change is how the lengthy game update reimagines Summoner’s Rift, expanding the terrain and breaking down jungle paths. Additionally, the void has fully crept its way into the map, introducing the new Voidgrub and Voidmites. Rift Herald and the iconic Baron received a much-needed revamp in this void-touched jungle.
Items also received a major overhaul in Patch 14.1. For one thing, Riot Games has completely scrapped the Mythic item class in an effort to tone down the power levels across the board. And with the addition of new and reworked items, this is uncharted territory for every champion in the rift. It’s one thing to read about all of these changes in the patch notes, but what does this mean for the average player? Here are the biggest takeaways you can expect from League of Legends Patch 14.1.
All Lanes are an Island
The biggest takeaway in the expanded map is how much harder it is to gank the mid and top lanes. The mid lane is much wider, with the side bushes pushed aside. In the top lane, the river entrance is more visible, even removing the long brush on the blue side. But, it’s the addition of a curved rock that protects the red top laner from the common tri-brush ganking spot.
All these changes mean that Mid and top laners can expect relatively safety in the early game. However, keep an eye out for champions like Nunu, Zac, Shaco, and Reksai, who can use the illusion of safety to their advantage. For top laners, prepare for the inevitable comeback of ADC top laners, like Vayne and Varus.
On the other hand, red side bot lane is more exposed as gankers can easily wrap around near the tower. Aside from that, ganks aren’t free now, and junglers have to work for it. Expect more jungle players to take the easy route and farm for their level six power spikes, like with Nocturne, Fiddlesticks, and Evelynn.
Rumble in the Jungle
Riot Games is treating objectives as a steady progression of power, so expect frequent skirmishes in the jungle as a result. The Voidgrub and Voidmite spawn five minutes into the game at the Baron pit. The revamped Rift Herald at fourteen minutes, and finally Baron at twenty minutes. Players are more incentivized to assist the jungler in taking these objectives because of their valuable buffs for doing so. For example, any player who participated in killing a Voidgrub will be given a stacking true damage buff against the enemy turret.
After Baron Nashor spawns, even the Blue Sentinel, Red Brambleback, and Scuttlecrab become another objective worth fighting for. In the case of the first two, taking them down grants their buff to the whole team! One whole team empowered by Red and Blue Buffs means that fights are about to get a lot more explosive. Start treating the upgraded Blue and Red buff as a real objective, and you’ll be on your way to dominating more fights.
Long Live AP
Finally, League of Legends Patch 14.1 went overboard on buffing AP items, causing them to be the undisputed winners of the patch. Early statistics show a meteoric rise of AP champions like Fizz, Singed, Gwen, and Rumble. Items like Riftmaker, Luden’s Companion, and Guinsoo’s Rageblade enable AP damage. It also helps that Amplifying Tome, an important base component for many AP items, is more affordable to buy.
These AP buffs are exacerbated by the overall critical damage nerf and lethality changes. Nonetheless, expect AP-heavy comps for Patch 14.1.
Don’t forget to signup for Repeat League of Legends tournaments while you’re grinding the new season! You can earn cash and prizes just from playing ranked games like you normally would.
