Biggest Changes in LoL Patch 14.4

On February 14, the overview for patch 14.4 was announced on twitter by Riot Phroxzon. The update isn't holding back, with significant changes hitting champions like K'sante, Rek'Sai, and Smoulder, alongside notable system adjustments for support items and Lethal Tempo. So, what are the standout shifts in this patch? Let's dive into the key highlights of Patch 14.4.

 

 

 

System and Champion Adjustments in Patch 14.4

Let's kick off the patch 14.4 update with major overall system and champion changes. Some of the system changes in the upcoming patch aren't clear-cut buffs or nerfs; their impact will only become evident once the patch is live. However these are the most notable adjustments for patch 14.4:

K'Sante:

Addressing K'sante's overperformance, Riot has introduced counterplay elements by removing slows, increasing cooldowns, and reducing dash speed. However to balance the change, K'sante is going to get partial compensation through base stat changes. This is aiming for a more nuanced and fair gameplay experience. These changes aim to maintain K'sante's viability while at least addressing his never-ending dominance in the meta.

• Health: 570 >> 625
• Mana: 290 >> 320
• W Armor/MR Ratio: 50% >> 85%
• All Out Q no longer slows
• All out W no longer has a faster CD or cast time
• E dash speeds reduced to 20-40%

Smolder:

As the newest addition to champion line ups, these Quality of Life changes for Q and R were expected. The initial rank of the W ability has been toned down, shifting focus to amplify the explosive damage for champions opting for the Shojin AP build. This tweak aims to fine-tune the strategic choices and impact of the ability in a more accessible manner.

• Q Target dying while missile is in flight still grants Smolder a stack
• Q 125 Stacks # of Missiles: 2 + 1% Dragon Practice Stacks >> 1 + 1.5% Dragon Practice Stacks
• W Cooldown: 13-11 >> 14-10
• W Base Damage: 70-150 + 25% total AD + 35% AP >> 50-170 + 25% bonus AD + 20% AP
• W Explosion Damage: 25-85 + 65% AP >> 25-85 + 25% bonus AD + 80% AP
• R will still cast even if Smolder dies during the cast time

Rek'Sai:

Rek'Sai was listed on the set of champion adjustments, however the adjustments are intended to be buffs. Riot Phroxzon included in his notes the following changes:

• Passive healing, tunnel dash speed, and tunnel cooldowns buffed
• W knock-up buffed
• Damaged Nerfed
• Changes are meant to be a buff

There aren't any direct specifications listed however they are meant to shift Rek'sai towards a fighter role, and less of a one-shot Assassin. Also it was mentioned that the AOE knock-up is going to be cautiously returned along with some damage types shifting towards magic.

Support Items:

Riot mentioned that they are happy with the direction support is going, and they are going to do a few adjustments for the over performing and under performing aspects. Starting with the first and second stacking charges earlier while slightly reducing the charge rate has multiple aims: improving melee wave dynamics for the initial waves, discouraging non-support item starts for support champions, and mildly nerfing the completion time of the first support item.

• Charge Rate: 18s >> 20s
• First Charge: 2:08 >> 1:50
• Bloodsong ranged amp: 6% >> 5%
• Solstice Sleigh health: 120 >> 7% Max HP
• Solstice Sleigh MS: 90, decaying over 4s >> 30%, decaying over 3s
• Zaz'Zak's Damage: 50 + 15% AP + 3% Max HP >> 20 + 20% AP + 4%

Champion Buffs in Patch 14.4

Ahri:

In the aftermath of losing Everfrost, Ahri is undergoing recovery with a restoration of HP. This change is strategically targeted to empower midgame aggression and reward impactful moments. Additionally, the intention is to boost Ahri's waveclear capabilities and enhance her potential for effective roaming on the Rift.

• Health Growth: 96 >> 104
• Q AP Ratio: 45% AP >> 50% AP

Jayce:

Patch 14.4 will bring a re-scripted Jayce E for more consistent functionality. Riot Phroxzon added that: "This should help resolve some of the "opponent dashed, while he was E'ing and went a weird direction" things.

• AD: 57 >> 59
• mW Mana Restore: 10/12/14/16/18/20 >> 15/17/19/21/23/25
• mW Damage/tick: 35/50/65/80/95/110 >> 40/55/70/85/100/115
• mE: Mirrors Lee Sin R knockback functionality

Renekton:

Dealing with the challenges of Sundered Sky, making careful power adjustments to address the struggle without going overboard in terms of lane dominance. The aim is to find a sweet spot that enhances performance without creating an imbalance during the laning phase. Riot Phroxzon noted: "We're avoiding giving him too much power in lane, but improving his throughput later in the game"

• Q Champ Healing: 12-36 (+ 15% base AD) >> 12-44 (+ 17% base AD)
• E Cooldown: 16-12 >> 16-10
• R Bonus Health: 250-550 >> 300-700

Thresh:

The buffs for Thresh are general improvements to outputs without over-indexing in any specific area. This season Thresh hasn't been shining, hopefully these changes will put Thresh in a more dominant position.

• Armor: 28 >> 31
• E Damage: 75-235 >> 75-255
• R CD: 140-100 >> 120-80

Volibear:

Riot Phroxzon mentioned that they are giving cautious buffs to address low-quality gameplay patterns, especially in the jungle. Focusing on giving power while reducing it in less impactful areas of his kit.

• Q movement speed: 8-24% >> 12-32%
• E CD: 13 >> 12
• R Turret Disable: 3-5 seconds >> 2-4 seconds
• R CD: 160-120 >> 130-100
• R CC immunity removed (still unstoppable)

 

Champion Nerfs in Patch 14.4

Aurelion Sol (ASol):

After a quick post-micropatch, there's a light nerf to address the Aurelion Sol's ongoing dominance. The goal is to keep the mojo for proactive plays in the lane while making sure things stay fair and square.

• Q Bonus Magic Damage per 1s: 60-100 (+ 35% AP) >> 55-95 (+ 30% AP)

Bard:

Incentives for the AP build have been enhanced, specifically addressing the champion's overperformance when opting for tank builds. This adjustment aims to create a more balanced and diversified set of strategic choices for players, encouraging a more nuanced approach to itemization and playstyle.

• Armor growth: 5.2 >> 5.0
• Attack Speed: .625 >> .658
• Passive Damage 35 + 14/5 Chimes + 30% AP >> 35 + 10/5 Chimes + 40% AP
• Q Damage: 80-260 + 65% AP >> 80-240 + 80% AP

Illaoi:

Illaoi has been an absolute unit this season, welcoming all ganks and afk shoving while dragon is up. A modest step back is in order due to the champion's overperformance in the previous patch.

• Tentacle Damage: 9-162 + 115% Total AD >> 9-182 + 100% total AD

Maokai:

With Maokai still overperforming and being a consistent strong pick and pro play, this was a change that is pretty standard. With his power and durability in fights, this Nerf is aiming to bring the champion's power level more in line with the desired balance.

• Armor: 39 >> 35
• Q Damage: 70-270 +2-4% Max HP >> 65-265 + 2-4% Max HP
• R Root Duration: 0.8 - 2.6 >> 0.75 - 2.25

Item Buffs (LoL Patch 14.4)

Black Cleaver:

For Black Cleaver (and also Terminus) they are decreasing the stack counts needed to reach the maximum value. Especially now that they are distinct from other penetration items.

• Shred cap: 24% in 6 hits >> 25% in 5 hits
• Kindlegem + Long Sword >> Warhammer + Ruby Crystal
• Passive MS now applies even if the damage is mitigated
• Passive MS now full power for ranged

Ravenous Hydra:

One last bit of information we want to add to this list of major changes for patch 14.4 is a new feature to Ravenous Hydra. Being the token life steal item it has been for many seasons now, the add feels very appropriate. Essentially adding life steal scaling to the items active ability.

• [New]: Active benefits from 150% of your life steal

 

You can read all the upcoming changes in patch 14.4 in Riot Phroxzon's tweet attached below:

Credit: League of Legends // Riot Games

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