Bug/Exploit in Rune Combiner

MetaBytes·Nov 12, 2013·1 votes·2,175 views

So, the game is designed so you that can not access tier 2 runes in the store until level 10, and tier 3 is locked until level 20. However I was messing around on a lower level account I use to play with friends who are new to the game and discovered an issue with this. If you buy 25 tier 1 runes, you can use the Rune Combiner to melt them into 1 Tier 3 rune. That you can then use in your rune page. Obviously there Riot has a reason for denying access to tier 3 until level 20, so if they intend to keep it that way the Rune Combiner needs to be fixed. Just thought I would post here in case they were not aware yet.

12 Comments

RiotDannamothNov 13, 20132 votes

I believe the game won't take the stats from T3 runes account if you are not level 20+ even if you place them in a rune page. The validation is done by the game server, not by the air client. If the air client validated it, the system would be much more hackable.

GonseaNov 13, 20131 votes

Thx for the clarification

eKatSSNov 12, 20131 votes

Since you have no control over which rune you get, I don't see how this is a problem at all.

It costs ~30 ip for a tier 1 rune, so 750 for 25 runes. This is either more or less expensive, depending on what rune you wanted, than the tier 3 runes. For it to be cost-effective, you need to be lucky enough when you combine the runes so that you get the runes you want.

I just tested this out by buying the lowest price (15x25=325ip) t1 runes, and I got a mana regen/ lvl seal; I actually lost 110 ip by combining runes. You very rarely get what you want by combining runes, so the system is ok as it is.

MetaBytesNov 12, 20132 votes

The lowest cost tier 1 rune is 15 ip. So try 375 ip for a rune ranging from 205 ip - 2050 ip. Also of the 98 tier 3 runes available, only 17 are 205 ip. So you have 81/98 chance of not only saving money, but of getting a rune much stronger then the ones you can actually buy. Riot has a reason for denying access to high level runes to low level players for a reason, this is a way around that. Something I doubt was intended, which is why I posted it.

eKatSSNov 12, 20131 votes

That only works if you assume that the probability to get each rune is the same. Unless you have proof that this is indeed the case, your argument is not valid. Plus, lower level players have less ip than higher levels, because they are still buying champions while defining the role they want to play in games.

*Edit: *If the rune combiner wasn't potentially cost effective, there wouldn't be any real advantage to it anyways.

MetaBytesNov 12, 20131 votes

Disregarding cost effectiveness and usefulness of the rune combiner.

(However, if you are interested a 100k ip test of the Rune Combiner and the results can be found here: http://www.reddit.com/r/leagueoflegends/comments/1na0wa/i_combined_100k_ip_into_the_rune_combiner_here/ )

The point I'm trying to make is this an exploit for players who know about it, over those who don't, and probably not intended by Riot. Regardless of which rune you get, it is twice as effective as a tier 1 rune of the same type.

Drunk Old ManNov 12, 20131 votes

I'm going to agree with you on this. I noticed this a while back, when my account was still low-level. While I did think (like the person above) it wasn't a big issue because of price, I've found that over time it becomes a bit of a problem.

Sure, by the time they get a full rune page they will likely be at least level 20, but a few tier 3 runes can greatly offset the balance of matches between that person and others of their level/mmr.

TL;DR; It's an eventually harmful exploit, and it should be fixed.

MetaBytesNov 12, 20131 votes

One test is not enough to validate your point. If you check my other reply below, a fellow dumped 100k into the Rune Combiner and saved thousands of ip. However, I am not here to argue the Combiner is broken in terms of potential savings, just that in can be used to access things earlier than intended and give an advantage over others of a similar level.

eKatSSNov 12, 20131 votes

I tend to agree with you for this, as I had already seen that huge 100k test. The fact remains that one low level player does not have the resources to make the whole rune combiner endeavour profitable, if you don't factor in luck.

The question at hand was "Is it unfair to similar, lower level players?". Not really, since you still need to be extremely lucky to get the runes you awant for the position you play in. Also, the runes mostly give an early game advantage.

Keep in mind that I still understand the point that you're trying to make, but I do not find it unfair at all. You pay more to get what you want, but gamble for a chance to save money. Unless you already have 1-2 useful t3 rune pages available, it's not really advantageous to gamble for runes. Hence it is mostly useful for higher level players (20+) who already have a couple of useful runes and want to further enhance their rune collection.

Question: I would like to know if it is possible to get a 10th copy of a rune though the combiner. That would make it increasingly worthwhile for a higher level player to get the runes he/she wants.