Patch 14.20 in League of Legends introduces significant champion and item adjustments, aiming to balance the game and improve the overall experience for players. With 18 champions receiving buffs or nerfs, along with several item changes, this patch is shaping up to be a game-changer. Let’s break down the key highlights of this update and explore how these changes will affect the current meta.
Key Item Changes in Patch 14.20
The item changes in Patch 14.20 include buffs, nerfs, and cost adjustments that will impact both item builds and in-game performance for various champions. Here’s what to expect:
- Umbral Glaive Buff: The cost has been reduced significantly from 3,200 to 2,950 gold. However, the attack damage has been slightly lowered from 55 to 50. This change makes Umbral Glaive more accessible early in the game, potentially benefiting champions who rely on vision control and map awareness, like assassins.
- The Collector Buff: Similarly to Umbral Glaive, The Collector’s cost has been dropped from 3,400 to 2,950 gold. Its AD has been reduced from 60 to 50, making it more affordable for AD champions like Caitlyn and Samira. The lowered cost may provide an earlier power spike for these champions, especially considering their synergy with this item.
- Nimbus Cloak Buff: This rune is getting a speed boost, with movement speed increasing from 12-35% to 14-40%, allowing more efficient dodging and chasing, especially for champions that rely on mobility during key moments of a fight.
System Nerfs in Patch 14.20
On the flip side, there are several items and runes receiving nerfs that will tone down some of the most dominant champions and strategies from previous patches.
- Thornmail Nerf: Its armor has been reduced by five points, and the passive bonus armor scaling has dropped from 15% to 10%. However, the base passive damage is up from 15 to 20, meaning that while the item is slightly less effective defensively, its offensive capabilities have improved.
- Luden’s Tempest Nerf: Luden’s Tempest sees a significant nerf, with its passive damage going down from 210 to 150, and the AP ratio reduced from 14% to 10%. This change directly impacts mid-lane mages like Syndra and Vex, who previously benefited from this item in their burst-heavy builds.
- Storm Surge Nerf: Another powerful mage item, Storm Surge, will now offer 95 AP instead of 90. Its passive damage is also reduced from 150 to 125, and the AP ratio on the passive drops from 15% to 10%. This nerf will reduce the burst potential of mages who rely on Storm Surge to secure kills.
Champion Buffs in Patch 14.20
Several champions are receiving buffs to help them become more competitive in their respective roles. Here are the most impactful changes:
- Aphelios Buff: Aphelios gets a health buff, increasing from 580 to 600, and his passive AD scaling rises from 4.5-27 to 5-30. These adjustments will make Aphelios more durable and potent in team fights, giving him a stronger presence in the bot lane.
- Caitlyn Buff: Caitlyn’s attack speed ratio has been slightly increased, and her Q secondary damage is going up from 50% to 60%. Combined with the buffs to The Collector, Caitlyn will likely see a resurgence in Patch 14.20, especially in the late game.
- Lee Sin Buff: Lee Sin’s base AD will increase from 66 to 69, giving him a slight edge in early trades and jungle clears. This buff may lead to Lee Sin becoming a more popular pick in the jungle, especially for players who can capitalize on his early-game pressure.
- Tryndamere Buff: Tryndamere is getting a buff to his attack speed ratio (0.67 to 0.694) and armor growth (4.3 to 4.8). These buffs should enhance his dueling and survivability in extended fights, especially during the laning phase.
Champion Nerfs in Patch 14.20
The nerfs in Patch 14.20 will tone down some of the most dominant champions from the previous patch. Here are the key changes:
- Jhin Nerf: Jhin’s AD growth is being reduced from 4.7 to 4.4, and his R damage is lowered at higher ranks. These adjustments will reduce his ability to snowball through scaling, particularly in the mid to late game.
- Shyvana Nerf: Shyvana’s W movement speed AP ratio is going from 12% to 10%, and her R ground DPS is reduced by 20 damage across all ranks. Additionally, her R AP ratio is dropping from 130% to 80%, which will greatly affect her AP build’s effectiveness.
- Viego Nerf: Viego’s W AP ratio is being reduced, lowering his burst potential. This change will make him slightly less threatening, especially during his resets in team fights.
- Veigar Nerf: One of the more surprising nerfs, Veigar’s W AP ratio is going from 70-110% to 60-100%, reducing his ability to dish out massive burst damage with his event horizon combo. This nerf will likely push Veigar players toward more strategic use of their cooldowns and combos.
How Will These Changes Impact the Meta?
The item and champion changes introduced in Patch 14.20 are set to shake up the meta. Champions that received buffs like Aphelios, Caitlyn, and Tryndamere will likely rise in prominence, especially as their item builds become more viable with the reduced cost of core items like The Collector. Meanwhile, nerfs to champions like Shyvana, Jhin, and Veigar may push them down the tier list, allowing other champions to step into the spotlight.
Mages, in particular, will feel the impact of the Luden’s Tempest and Storm Surge nerfs, which may result in a more balanced mid-lane meta. Champions that previously relied on burst damage from these items will need to adapt to a slower, more sustained playstyle.
Junglers will also experience some shifts, with changes to Fimbulwinter and Leandre’s Anguish, particularly affecting clear speeds and overall jungle pressure. Lee Sin’s buff could bring him back into contention as a top-tier jungle pick, alongside champions like Tryndamere who benefit from enhanced base stats.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Patch 14.20
- What are the biggest changes in Patch 14.20?
Patch 14.20 features buffs for champions like Aphelios, Caitlyn, and Tryndamere, along with significant nerfs to items like Luden’s Tempest and Storm Surge. Champions like Shyvana, Jhin, and Veigar also see major adjustments. - Which items are getting buffed in Patch 14.20?
Umbral Glaive and The Collector are receiving buffs, making them more affordable and potentially more impactful in early-game builds. - How will these champion changes affect the current meta?
Champions receiving buffs, such as Aphelios and Caitlyn, are likely to see more play, while nerfs to champions like Shyvana and Veigar will force players to rethink their strategies. - Will mages still be strong after the item nerfs?
The nerfs to Luden’s Tempest and Storm Surge will reduce the burst damage potential for mages. However, they can still be effective if played strategically. - When will Patch 14.20 go live?
Patch 14.20 will hit live servers on Wednesday, October 9th. Be sure to check out the full patch notes to get a complete overview of all changes.
