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Patch 5.14 hits the pro scene

Riot·8/4/2015, 9:00:02 PM·0 votes·19,103 views

You've been leading the charge on the Rift throughout Bilgewater: Burning Tides, and now the changes that accompanied the event in Patch 5.14 are coming to the pro scene. As we sail into Playoffs, let's see how this patch's treasure trove of changes to champions and items could alter the competitive landscape.

Strut it on stage

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While we don't expect the AD priority picks to shift away from Corki and Sivir anytime soon, Miss Fortune's makeover could allow her to throw her hat in the ring alongside second-tier carries like Kalista, Tristana, Vayne, and Jinx.

MF's newly acquired ability to use Impure Shots (W) to activate her passive, Strut, will give her much more freedom in lane. She'll be able to escape ganks with greater ease as well as chase down trades going in her favor, especially now that Make It Rain (E) grants a 40% slow at level one.

Look out for a Janna/MF bot lane combination, as Miss Fortune will still need some help in the peel department, and Janna's passive, Tailwind, synergizes well with Miss Fortune's movement speed bonus.

In addition to Miss Fortune's update, Gangplank's back with fresh abilities and opportunities too. His robust new kit allows him versatility to be built as a tank or a devastating split-pushing damage dealer. Depending on the situation, teams can chain together his Powder Kegs (E) to set up explosive trades or use his Cannon Barrage (R) to finish the job, even from across the map. 

Anyone here like damage?

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Zeke's Harbinger is the newest item addition in 5.14 and has carries the world over scribbling it on their support's shopping list. As Aidan "Zirene" Moon mentioned in the Patch 5.14 Rundown, the power spike of a Zeke's plus Infinity Edge could lead to some serious teamfight potential, particularly for Jinx's area of effect autos from Fishbones (Q). Don't forget that supports with Zeke's can also change up who they want to link to throughout a game, allowing for even more strategies depending on who could benefit the most in any given situation.

Odds are pro supports will be hesitant to stray from their core build, but should they get an early advantage in lane, we may get a chance see Zeke's Harbinger enter competitive play and allow for teams to make big comebacks or further push their leads.

No, you belong in a museum!

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See you later Runeglaive Ezreal. Runeglaive's on-hit area of effect now only applies to neutral monsters, meaning that AP Ezreal is as enticing as he was pre-5.12. Those teams that rode the Runeglaive Ez hype train over and over may be at a bit of a disadvantage, as those hours of practice and game time experience have paid their last dividend.

Another champion that received a slight blow in 5.14 was Ryze. It wasn't the one hit knock-out punch that AP Ezreal received, but with his overall damage and passive stack duration toned down, we may see him drop down a notch in the priority pick/ban list.

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When two champions suddenly disappear from the metagame, it leaves a void that needs filling. The fact that both these champions brought massive AP damage to their team, combined with the recent AP item overhaul, means we may see some fresh faces in top and mid.

AP mages like Brand, Karma, and Zyra all make good use of the newly adjusted items like Liandry's Torment and might be called into action. The most likely scenario is that popular picks that haven't been affected will become even more important. Expect AP Kog'Maw, Vladimir, and Rumble to be treated like royalty in the draft -- given the highest priority or removed altogether.

Into the woods

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Too long has she sat on her throne as undisputed Queen of the jungle. I am speaking, of course, of Rek'Sai. When she first entered the fray, Rek'Sai would hear only stories, mere myths, of the once mighty Elise. With Rek'Sai's attention focused on shutting down the likes of Gragas, Lee Sin, Evelynn, and Nidalee, she paid little heed to tall tales of a transfiguring human spider.

Back from her vacation in the Shadow Isles, Elise is ready to reign once more with faster clears and increased dueling potential. Plus, the new 1.6 second stun at level one for her Cocoon (E) could give the Spider Queen what she needs to get back on top. And now that she's able to max Cocoon last, it means more damage out of Volatile Spiderling and Skittering Frenzy (W).

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In an era where the jungle has shifted largely to tanks building Cinderhulk to increase late game effectiveness, the early game has been a bit of a no-man's land for certain junglers. Yet Rek'Sai was in the advantageous position of having both a good early game and an effective late game when building tanky. She has, however, received a steady stream of nerfs -- both to her damage and the ease with which she's able to knock up her foes. Now that she's well rested and packs a punch, Elise will be the early game jungler that Rek'Sai wishes she was, though the Spider's late game potential still leaves something to be desired.

Nevertheless, the League is ready for the return of its original jungle Queen, and we may see Elise make an impact immediately in the competitive scene. Should she be given priority, we might also see Lee Sin return to prominence. He hasn't received any buffs, but if teams begin to lean more towards early game pressure, then he could very well be the monk they turn to.

Shurima Reshuffled

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Don't worry, Azir's still going to be pulling off crazy combos and poking from afar, but with his 5.14 changes, his opponents will at least have a chance to fight back. The Emperor of the Sands' most impactful change was to his Shifting Sands (E), which no longer knocks up enemy champions. He's still a terrific pick competitively, but this means that his all-in, Shurima shuffling, E behind his enemies, and ultimate them towards your friends now has some counterplay.

Here we go!

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Perhaps the biggest change in 5.14 was the newly updated HUD. It won't have any effect on the meta, but it's worth noting that pros will be using it in competitive play. Like a new dashboard in a racecar, the driver will have to get used to finding the information they need quickly and efficiently in the new layout.

Which changes have you found are the most impactful after 5.14 and how do you think the pros will respond? Are there any champion picks you think will rise to popularity for the conclusion of the 2015 Season? Check out all of the Patch 5.14 changes here, then let us know in the comments below!

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44 Comments

TurquoiseYoshi8/4/2015, 9:50:23 PM8 votes

Excuse me Riot? Is Kalista now a 2nd tier ADC? I thought she was the #1 ADC overall because of her vision, epic monster control, mobility, a save/knock-up, and item synergy, but apparently she's on the same level as Tristana and Vayne.

Generalist8/5/2015, 6:55:35 AM5 votes

patch 5.14 a new hud that no one asked for and no one likes very much

3588/5/2015, 8:11:11 AM5 votes

Does anybody else absolutely hate this current afk farm meta? ... i mean if pro's just start farming kayle/shyvanna/yi/xin, we're in for some boring games...

Vaylene8/5/2015, 5:05:30 PM4 votes

Here's my problem with these updates and constant changes. You guys don't allow for the pros to figure their own way through the meta. Yeah, Runeglaive Ez was strong but he wasn't an instant win. Players adapt around him and figure out ways to counter him. Instead of letting the meta evolve through normal means, you take matters into your own hands and beat the old meta to death with a nerf bat and yell out "HEY WE WANT YOU GUYS TO PLAY THESE CHAMPIONS NOW". You can buff champions without completely taking champions like Runeglaive Ezreal out of the game. I think Season 3 worlds was the closest to a natural meta as there was. Now it's in such a constant state of flux that it's hard to establish any sort of identity as a team.

Taig48/4/2015, 11:48:45 PM4 votes

hahah well written riot! especially the part between Reksai and Elise. That rivalry! only makes me wanna play some more now xD

MealReadytoEat8/5/2015, 4:25:24 AM4 votes

"Another champion that received a slight blow in 5.14 was Ryze." Apparently, a 10% drop in win rate is a slight nerf, cause its only the SECOND largest drop in win rate from a single patch (Diana wins this one with 12%, but it was largely reverted the next patch.) To put this in perspective, the legendary Olaf nerf hit his win rate 6-7%.

IdbangKatakuri8/5/2015, 11:21:31 PM3 votes

How does this ashe have 100,152 gold at 13 minutes. Reported.

51638219DEL18/4/2015, 10:48:43 PM3 votes

My queen will show Rek Sai what a true queen she was in her prime.

I love tap water8/5/2015, 3:27:10 AM3 votes

Still waiting to hear about Yorick rework that is probably never going to come........Yorick item 3070

OHminus8/5/2015, 2:50:44 PM3 votes

Sorry Riot. The new HUD was never broken. You don't have to fix what's not broken. Please work instead on fixing that sated devourer that is both cancer when it is on my team (jg thinks he can afk farm until sated) and the enemy team (the shyvana was just wrecking 1v5, tyvm).

Master Absolute8/4/2015, 10:18:54 PM2 votes

FCK YOU RIOT WITH YOUR NEW HUD IT WILL FOREVER FCK ME UP. Jk but I really don't like it, that's just my opinion.

NGC Kysuke8/5/2015, 5:31:28 PM2 votes

Everyone talkin' about some mainstream stuff and i am just sitting here, asking myself how the Ashe can have 100k g at level 7 but well.. That's none of my buissnes. Ashe summoner 31 Found a cute poro...

bleeditrough8/5/2015, 5:58:25 PM2 votes

Wait whoa that Ashe in the HUD picture has 100152 gold at level 7 with 2 cs what the heck happened there

SymonSayz8/5/2015, 8:57:42 PM2 votes

Hey Riot Wints, how often do you do articles on lolesports.com

paulsworldohya8/8/2015, 12:55:34 AM1 votes

where is the FPS counter at in the new HUD? Maybe that will be the biggest change in the LCS O.o

liclic38/5/2015, 2:06:15 PM1 votes

Pour moi, il y a un gros manque, c'est Akali. Il faudrait réfléchir pour la up sans que cela ne la rende op car actuellement elle ne sert à rien./ You should think to up Akali without moving her into godlike mode because now, she is useless.

UrAssIsMine8/6/2015, 8:26:03 PM1 votes

i still hate yasuo