Rotating game mode queue now live!

Riot·5/26/2016, 9:46:02 PM·4 votes·33,821 views

From the original clone-tastic One For All to the sand-strewn battlefield of Ascension, featured game modes provide unique spins on the classic League formula. It’s time to kick things off with the next game mode in the rotation: Definitely Not Dominion is now live!

Welcome to the newest mode to join the rotating roster.

We've given the old Dominion some fairly heavy surgery. Originally designed to be a long-term engagement experience as a permanent queue, we've shifted into a short-term experience more befitting a rotating game mode. While this isn't the same as original Dominion (definitely not), it still holds the essence of 'capture and hold' gameplay Dominion was iconic for, but with a lot more punch! Let's get into the new stuff.


Changed map:

We've removed the bottom two towers from play, making a total of 3 capture points around the map. Relegating two players to an eternal 1v1 while a 4v4 kinda happens across the rest of the map wasn't working. We sealed a wedge along the bottom behind walls and a fountain-style laser will zap you if you go near those points. This means each team will ALWAYS hold at least 1 point for minion spawning. The new map layout looks something like this:


Storm Altar:

The center Storm Runes have been replaced with an altar you can capture for a temporary combat buff. The Nimbus Storm buff gives you 3 charges that do 4/5/6% max HP true damage on any spell or attack. While controlling the altar, all allied team members also generate a free charge of the Storm Nimbus every 4 sec while in combat. Great for siege breaking and uprooting enemy teams that are dug-in on a point.


Ultra Minion Relics:

Near the sealed bottom two points are two Ultra Minion Relics, one for each team. Capturing the enemy team's Ultra Minion Relic will summon an Ultra Minion for your team in the next minion wave. These are serious minions. They capture much faster than any 1 champion, definitely deal out punishment and are extremely tanky.

Backdooring to capture these still feels good if successful, but the defending team doesn't need to go through the “chore” of “recapping” anything now. These Ultra Minion relics are capture and forget, respawning again a short time later.


Trinket change:

All players now have a Seer Stone trinket which provides a short range burst of vision. On the Crystal Scar with so many bushes and face-checks, this can be very handy for scouting Ultra Minion relics or staying safe as a squishier champions.


Minion spawn & pathing changes:

Minions used to disappear after capturing a point and it could feel really bad to spend your time pushing a big wave up to a point for capture, only to have it disappear afterwards and not continue on. Minions now spawn from ONLY the bottom 2 points, and walk clockwise or anti-clockwise respectively around the map. If they capture a point, they will KEEP ON GOING to the next point. This tug-of-war wave style for minions feels more satisfying for wave pushers and captures.

As in any rotating queue game mode, we’ve specially tuned Champion Mastery so you can earn points in the mode. You’ll also be able to earn keys for your wins and loot chests for your (or your premade’s) S­-, S, and S+ games.

Definitely Not Dominion is now available and lasts through the evening on Sunday (we’ll shut it down very early Monday morning--usually between 1:00 AM and 3:00 AM).

We’ll be trying out different things with the rotating game mode queue over the next few months, such as potentially turning it on longer depending on how popular it is, changing the mode cadence or what modes are available. We’re looking for your feedback as we go, so let us know. GLHF!

126 Comments

Vialythen5/27/2016, 7:20:35 PM85 votes

Hey Riot, I'm not really sure where the best place to post this is, so I'm just gunna leave this here. What are the chances of Black Market Brawlers being added to the rotation? This has to be my favorite mode and would really like the opportunity to play it again!

LvL 96 Lucario5/27/2016, 7:36:35 PM18 votes

Doom bots?[slayer-pantheon-thumbs]

burdman875/27/2016, 7:28:38 PM14 votes

Instead of just running them for the weekend, why not extending a little bit so it runs from say Thursday to Monday night. Or Friday normal time until Tuesday.

Rebonack5/27/2016, 9:54:21 PM10 votes

After running a few games: Too snowbally. Next time around, consider easing back a bit on champion kill xp/gold.

If you guys are feeling a little more daring, I would suggest moving the Storm Alter to the middle of bottom lane and put some new objective Mid. Open up the map a bit more and add a few new things to do.

Also: why did you guys extend vision so deep into the Jungle? It's much harder to ambush people now.

CH3WiiE5/27/2016, 7:49:14 PM8 votes

Time for: "What is this game mode?" in every lobby. [zombie-brand-facepalm]

Seared Psyduck5/27/2016, 7:37:36 PM6 votes

I love the rotating games each weekend. I feel like those of us that get bored doing the same old Rift&ARAM games have something else to do. I do kind of wish that they last longer. Perhaps a whole week rather than just the weekend? Reset with the new character rotation every week? =D

GodlessZealot5/27/2016, 9:04:55 PM5 votes

I don't like this game type, I'm not sure why but I don't. But what I am sure about is that I am very upset that I don't get any shiny special effects for having this icon.

Neumonyx5/27/2016, 7:45:25 PM4 votes

I like that there is a game mode rotation because it keeps things fresh, but please remove this one from the queue.

This game mode is the least fun or enjoyable mode that I have played.

When will you push the game mode length to weekdays? Something like Fri-Tue would be great so everyone has a chance to play.

BBQroo5/28/2016, 1:44:05 AM4 votes

Ultra minions should have been called Winions.

Yasword5/28/2016, 2:42:48 AM4 votes

Hey Riot, we'r missing Doom Bots mode.

memiux5/27/2016, 7:06:20 PM4 votes

Yay! I wish I could play this kind of game modes a little longer. I won't be able to play tonight because I need to go to a wedding and neither sunday morning.

Gamma Anomaly5/28/2016, 2:58:16 AM4 votes

Am I the only one who thought Black Market Brawlers was a really boring game mode? I understand people had fun on it, but while it was active I personally couldn't wait for it to be over and for Riot to post a new game mode.

Texicant5/28/2016, 10:00:09 PM4 votes

Can I just say...I hate the people playing this mode... They may be the dumbest people I have ever played with

BurnSnake5/27/2016, 10:52:02 PM3 votes

Why didn't you make these changes to dominion instead of removing it entirely?

WavesBlade5/27/2016, 7:47:53 PM3 votes

HIDE AND SEEK IS BACK IN CUSTOM MODE!

ShippoTail5/27/2016, 9:24:10 PM3 votes

If this is Not Dominion, why does it share Dominion W/L and probably MMR as well? The meta is completely different, and a lot of the strategy is different as well. Not to mention they don't have dominion items either...

michaelo05/28/2016, 8:28:56 AM3 votes

I'm enjoying the rotational queues but I definitely think they need to stick around for longer than 3 days. With them being rotational it really doesn't matter if a week of the same gamemode gets old as it wouldn't be back for a long time and it lasting a week, instead of 3 days, gives fans of those gamemode plenty of time to play them.

Rhyvin5/28/2016, 4:20:21 AM2 votes

Can we get Doombots or Black market brawlers or something new in rotation? I know some things were meant as lore events but still. try new modes, new ways to play.

yummyprettybaby5/31/2016, 1:59:15 AM2 votes

Dear Awesome Riot, Can u guys please extend the days of these Game Modes most specially URF, Ascension, Poro King and Hexakill cuz me and my homies usually play those. we're havin fun playin these game modes...

Poofefer5/28/2016, 5:19:37 PM2 votes

can we have hexakill on not shitty twisted treeline one time. i get that the team numbers are convenient but that map really sucks

DankStarChoGath5/27/2016, 7:10:34 PM2 votes

d o m i n i o n b o y s

St0rmThief5/29/2016, 4:23:23 AM2 votes

so you take out dominion because nobody ever played it, then put it back on the que?? I don't get it. How about bringing back a mode we want like doombots?

thee zander5/30/2016, 4:35:07 AM2 votes

Can we one for all mirror mode as well? That is honestly my favorite game mode by far

TrackK5/30/2016, 7:49:55 AM2 votes

Please live the Ascension map & remove it from the rotation queuesummoner 6

UnbentOne5/30/2016, 10:48:36 PM2 votes

I'm sure a lot of people would like to see butcher's bridge too, even if it was an ARAM map.

Large Minivan5/27/2016, 7:45:56 PM2 votes

oh dominion how I missed you...