Riot to test ban prevention in champion select

by | Sep 15, 2025 | News, Popular News

Summarize with AI

Riot Games is preparing a major change to champion select that could reshape how bans work in League of Legends. The system, called ban prevention, will first roll out as a test on select servers over the next few patches before Riot decides if it should stay.

How ban prevention works

Currently, if you try to ban a champion that one of your teammates has hovered, the game gives you a warning but still lets you lock in the ban. With this update, you will no longer be able to ban hovered champions at all. The system will display a message saying the champion can’t be banned because a teammate has signaled they want to play it.

You will still be able to ban your own hovered champion if you change your mind or want to block it from the enemy team, but the warning will remain in place.

Why Riot is making the change

According to Riot, this system is meant to reduce frustration and keep games from starting off on a negative note. Right now, one of the most discouraging interactions in champion select is when an ally bans the champion you hovered. Riot believes that prioritizing the agency to play your chosen pick is more important than allowing unlimited ban freedom.

By blocking teammates from banning each other’s picks, Riot hopes to lower dodge rates, reduce reports, and improve player trust. They plan to monitor dodge numbers, report behavior, and community feedback closely during the test period.

The problem with new champions and broken picks

One concern with the new system is how it will handle newly released or reworked champions. These champions usually have the highest ban rates because players feel they are too strong or because people don’t want to play against something unfamiliar. If both teams hover a new champion, it could mean that nearly every ranked match features that champion since bans won’t work.

The same problem applies to champions considered overpowered. If a champion like Akali, Zed, or Yasuo is seen as too strong, and both teams hover them, neither side will be able to ban them. This could give first-pick teams an advantage.

Is this a good or bad change

The system sounds good in theory, since having your pick banned by your own team is one of the most frustrating experiences in League. At the same time, it could create new frustrations when an overpowered champion slips through bans because a teammate hovered it but never locked it in. Riot still has to figure out how to handle these edge cases, especially around new champions.

For now, ban prevention will be tested over the next few patches, and Riot will adjust based on player reaction.

For more League of Legends news, updates, and changes, visit LoLNOW.gg

Source: Remina

FAQ

What is ban prevention in League of Legends

It’s a new system where you cannot ban a champion that your teammate has hovered in champion select.

Can I still ban my own hovered champion

Yes. You can still ban your own hovered champion if you choose, though a warning will appear.

Why is Riot testing this system

Riot wants to reduce frustration when teammates ban each other’s picks and improve champion select interactions.

What about new or broken champions

This is still being discussed. Currently, the system would stop you from banning a new champion if both teams hover it, which could make those champions appear in nearly every game.

When will ban prevention be added

It’s being tested in upcoming patches on select servers before Riot decides whether to keep it permanently.

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    Henriette Kahlert

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    Henriette Kahlert is a marketing management graduate with a passion for gaming. When she's not crafting strategies, she's deep in the worlds of Overwatch 2, World of Warcraft, or Genshin Impact. At lolnow.gg, she brings her love for competitive games and sharp insights to the forefront.

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