On Monday, Riot Games previewed certain changes coming to League of Legends in Patch 11.9. This patch will be used at the Mid-Season Invitational’s, meaning it will determine the diversity of pro play at the international event.
Former League of Legends lead game designer Mark “Scruffy” Yetter highlighted changes in the patch, with buffs and nerfs to certain champions and items. Hecarim, Rumble, Morgana and Gragas are among the champions getting nerfs, whereas patch 11.9 will also nerf the Turbo Chemtank and Deadman’s plate. These plans should create a reduction in the Turbo Chemtank Hecarim build.
11.9 Patch Preview
This is the MSI patch so we’re hoping to add a bit of diversity to the pro meta. Also we have a few solo Q outliers (and overbuffs from last patch) that we wanted to tone down. pic.twitter.com/Irna1CD41K
— Mark Yetter (@MarkYetter) April 19, 2021
The patch will change 19 different champions and five items in total. Lead designer Jeevun “Jag” Sidhu confirmed the possible changes being considered for Hecarim on Reddit. The ultimate plan involves pushing his tank builds into fighter builds.
Riot will also nerf Rumble, but only in mid lane. In Patch 11.8, Riot decreased Rumble’s base magic resist and magic resist growth alongside his passive overheating. All these changes were made to improve Rumble in top lane. This new patch could make Rumble more vulnerable in the lane phase against mages.
Meanwhile, Morgana and Diana, who were buffed in Patch 11.8 to improve their roles in the jungle, will now receive nerfs. In addition, jungle champions like Kindred and Trundle will also receive buffs.
League of Legends patch 11.9 will be live on April 28 according to the patch schedule. With MSI beginning on May 6, teams will have approximately one week of practice on the tournament’s patch before the competition begins.
