Patch Rundown: Worlds 2016

The road to Worlds has diverted and altered its course throughout the year as League of Legends continues to evolve and redefine itself. Metas have shifted as champions have fallen in and out of favor. The teams who’ve managed to adapt the quickest have one final hurdle to overcome: the Worlds meta.

As the regions begin to mesh and practice with each other, strategies will become more refined and more polished. To break down what's to come, Dash, Scarra, Sheepy, and Zirene have gathered to discuss the patches leading up to Worlds and how Patch 6.18 will manifest on the year’s grandest stage.

The top lane is no longer affected by lane swaps as they have largely been eliminated from the game. The old island is back. As are its duelists.

Junglers have largely stabilized around a couple power picks. With standard lanes making a return, major swings in the early game will revolve around the jungler’s every move once again.

Assassins in mid lane are a thing of the past, but some players still have tricks up their sleeves and bushes to hide in. The overhaul of mages has reintroduced a wide array of champions to the lane. Mid should feature a colorful roster of champions.

While Teleport has been nerfed, bot lane still serves as the prime target for hungry laners and junglers. The duos will have to be just as cautious as ever as the world’s best take their aim.

To see how these changes will come into play, tune into Worlds on September 29 as the best players from around the globe gather in San Francisco’s Bill Graham Civic Theater to kick off the 2016 World Championship.