Greetings, Summoners! I’m Librarian Husky, here to guide you through the exciting updates brought by Patch 14.23 in League of Legends. As the meta shifts with new balance changes, buffs, and nerfs, it’s the perfect time to refine your strategies and adapt your champion pool. Whether you’re a top-lane bruiser, a jungle assassin, or a bot-lane carry, this guide will equip you with everything you need to stay ahead of the competition. Let’s dive in and explore the key updates that will shape your journey on the Rift!

Top Lane Updates

The top lane meta sees nerfs to key champions, with adjustments targeting overpowered builds and balancing strong picks. These changes aim to level the playing field for a diverse range of champions. Players will need to adapt their strategies, especially when facing tank-heavy compositions. With these shifts, new opportunities emerge for less-played champions to shine.

Tahm Kench Nerfs

Tahm Kench has been a dominant force in both top lane and support roles. His passive AP ratio and ultimate shield AP ratio have been reduced to curtail the effectiveness of AP tank builds. This nerf targets his ability to sustain through extended trades, forcing players to rely more on his core tank mechanics. Despite these changes, his utility and peel potential still make him a solid pick in coordinated play.

Zac Adjustments

Zac has also been a standout performer in the top lane, boasting high win rates despite a low pick rate. The reduction in his Q’s max HP ratio from 4% to 3% seeks to tone down his effectiveness without fully removing him from viability. This adjustment reduces his ability to bully opponents with repeated trades, particularly in sustain-heavy matchups. Even with this nerf, Zac’s crowd control and engage tools ensure he remains a valuable team asset.

Major Changes to Aurora

Aurora receives sweeping changes to balance her power across different skill levels. Her passive no longer provides movement speed, with this bonus tied to her W instead. These updates aim to shift her gameplay style, making her less oppressive in higher ranks while more forgiving for newer players. The longer ultimate duration provides greater flexibility in fights, allowing her team to capitalize on her zoning potential.

Aurora’s Gameplay Adjustments

Aurora’s H ability now has a longer cooldown but deals slightly more damage with increased range. This makes her a bit easier to play while reducing her oppressive laning phase. Players may find her more viable in teamfights, thanks to improved utility and consistency. However, she may struggle against highly mobile opponents who can avoid her skillshots.

Champion Performance Highlights

Several champions receive adjustments to address their performance inconsistencies or dominance. Let’s explore their current standings and potential in the updated meta. With these changes, the champion pool for solo queue and competitive play becomes more dynamic. Expect a shift in priority picks as players adapt to the new environment.

ESS: Balancing Power and Usability

ESS has split the community, with opinions varying between her being overpowered or underwhelming. Recent changes include a longer Q2 cast window and the inability for passive dashes to traverse player-created terrain. These tweaks emphasize more thoughtful gameplay, encouraging players to focus on positioning and timing. Despite these modifications, she remains a strong choice for players willing to master her mechanics.

Popular Builds and Meta Placement

ESS’s builds vary widely, with off-meta and niche strategies often favored by dedicated players. She remains in the B tier overall but rises to the A tier in high ELO. Her ability to counter specific champions keeps her relevant, particularly in skilled hands. For those familiar with her kit, she offers strong outplay potential and game-changing impact.

Jungle Updates

The jungle role sees a mix of buffs and nerfs to maintain balance among key champions. These changes aim to refine the power dynamics while diversifying the pool of viable picks. Jungle players will need to adapt to these updates to optimize their performance in both solo queue and competitive settings. The goal is to create a more even playing field while ensuring every champion retains a unique identity.

Buffs to Master Yi, Rammus, and Rengar

Master Yi gains a 20% attack speed boost on his ultimate at level 6, amplifying his late-game carry potential. This change reinforces his role as a hyper-scaling champion capable of decimating opponents in extended fights. Rammus benefits from a 4-second reduction in his early-game Q cooldown, addressing his early jungle struggles. This adjustment gives Rammus more opportunities to impact the map with faster rotations and improved gank setups. Rengar’s ultimate now provides increased bonus damage and armor shred, boosting his effectiveness in both skirmishes and teamfights. These enhancements solidify his identity as a high-risk, high-reward assassin who can excel when played aggressively. With these buffs, Master Yi, Rammus, and Rengar become stronger contenders in a competitive jungle landscape.

Nerfs to Kix, Shyvana, and Teemo

Kix’s base armor is reduced from 36 to 32, and his evolved W slow is nerfed from 75% to 60%. These changes tone down his dominance without removing his viability. Players who rely on Kix will need to be more cautious during early-game trades and teamfights. Shyvana’s adjustments focus on limiting her scaling by reducing her jungle clear speed, which slows her ability to gain key item spikes. Teemo faces nerfs to his early-game efficiency, which impact his jungle sustainability and overall utility. Despite these nerfs, all three champions retain their core strengths, but they’ll require more strategic play to succeed.

Teo and Scarner Adjustments

Teo’s Monstermod ease ratio drops from 100% to 125%, reducing his jungle efficiency. This adjustment targets his ability to clear camps quickly, ensuring a more balanced experience for opponents. Scarner’s Q bonus HP ratio decreases from 4% to 3%, moderating his durability in extended fights. This nerf ensures Scarner remains a tanky option but limits his ability to dominate prolonged engagements. Both changes encourage players to explore alternative strategies and adapt their builds to maintain effectiveness in the jungle.

Swain’s Resurgence

Swain benefits from increased AP scaling on his W, making him a stronger threat in both mid lane and bot lane as a carry. His improved damage output allows him to secure kills more effectively during teamfights. Swain’s tankiness and high damage output allow him to dominate prolonged teamfights, making him a reliable pick in various compositions. Players utilizing Swain will find his zoning potential and sustain more impactful in key engagements. This resurgence positions Swain as a formidable choice for those looking to carry games with a mix of durability and consistent damage.

Return of Aatrox

Aatrox’s Return to Power

Aatrox reclaims his spot in higher ranks with adjustments boosting his burst damage potential. His ability to swing fights and clean up teamfights makes him a formidable force when played skillfully. The changes to his kit emphasize his role as a high-impact duelist who excels in extended skirmishes. Players who master Aatrox’s combos will find him especially rewarding in coordinated teamfights. His improved power in the late game ensures he remains a reliable choice for players looking to carry from the top lane.

Vex’s Potential

Vex shines against melee dashing champions like Yasuo, exploiting favorable matchups to snowball games. Her high win rates in mid lane reflect her ability to dominate games with proper positioning and aggressive roaming. Vex’s crowd control and burst damage make her a constant threat in teamfights, especially when paired with engage-heavy teammates. Her mobility allows her to capitalize on missteps from enemies, turning small advantages into game-changing plays. With a strong understanding of her abilities, players can leverage Vex’s potential to dominate the mid lane meta.