Ever so often we’re presented with a rather extensive patch. More often than not, the large patches deal with mass item changes, changes to the core gameplay such as visibility, and champion reworks, buffs, and nerfs.
League of Legends Patch 4.2 mentions all of these things.
While the highlight of patch 4.2 rests primarily in the rework of Xerath and Skarner, it also presents a number of interesting changes toward pick order and changes that Riot has said are “nerfs.”
Pick Order: This has always been an object of debate. Essentially, patch 4.2 adjusts who has the ability to get first pick. Every player now has an equal chance of getting first pick, and duo line ups have been changed as well.
Vision Changes: Patch 4.2 notes that more vision changes are coming in the near future.
Both Skarner and Xerath see reworks in Patch 4.2
Champion Reworks:
At the end of the day, some of these changes are nerfs, but hopefully you’ll try to understand them (and try them out!) first.
Xerath: Anyone who has ever played mid lane has more than likely had to play against an annoying Xerath. He sits back in safety farming minions and blasting away at you while you scurry about. Riot has decided that Xerath players weren’t playing him to fit his “theme.” Xerath was originally intended to be a “arcane sniper” capable of killing his enemies at a distance. Unfortunately, players chose instead to use his massive spell penetration to spam his spells against whoever was closest. Patch 4.2 now asks that players are more thoughtful in who they target rather than “dumping” all their damage on the man in the front.
Skarner: There was a point in time where Skarner saw a lot of screen time in the jungle, but that has changed as of late. Most players would agree that he’s now dated but patch 4.2 is going to do something about that. Riot has made Fracture more useful while changing up the possible counter-play of Skarner. With his new kit, it’ll be interesting to see who players now play Skarker against.
Notable Champion Changes:
- Ash: Hawkshot has had its cooldown decreased and it gains max level gold at all levels.
- Dr. Mundo: Patch 4.2 tries to separate good Mundo players from great Mundo players. Players no longer receive corporate bonus for a bad cleaver. The attack’s width has also been adjusted.
- Eve: Hate spike has had its missile speed re-adjusted so that it more consistently hits targets.
- Kayle: Players will be disappointed to see that 4.2 introduces a nerf to Kayle. Riot felt that her burst could be “overwhelming,” and as a result, the AP ratio of Reckoning has been decreased by 0.4. Also, Intervention no longer has a mana cost.
- Riven: Like Kayle, Riven has received a bit of a nerf, Patch 4.2 suggests that her gameplay was a bit too safe. Riot felt that Riven players should use her defensive abilities to avoid lane harass. As a result, Riven’s base health regen has took a large hit while her Valor skill has been buffed.
- Rumble: Spell effect update on Flamespitter.
- Thresh: Thresh’s auto-attack range has been lowered.
- Yasuo: More movement is required to generate flow and certain abilities now give less flow.
- Ziggs: Essentially, patch 4.2 grants a nerf to Ziggs’s ability to clear minion waves.
The full, official patch notes can be found here: patch 4.2