Exciting Changes Coming to LoL

It is no secret that the members of GamerDating are in to League of Legends. It is one of the most added games to libraries and we talk about it pretty regularly. The other day, Riot released an update for the community about the changes coming to LoL before the next season. There is a lot of information to slog through, so we will give you the highlights and if you want to know more details, give Riot’s update page a read.

Preseason

An overhaul of masteries, “adding a more refined, but impactful, set of choices that change the way you play.” They are diversifying marksmen with new item options and kit changes as well as updates to vision, support and starting items. There is also a new monster near the top lane.

New Champion Select

The new system asks you what roll you like to play (top, jungle, mid, carry or support or “fill” which means you’re flexible) and then fits you into a team. There is a pick and ban phase which sorts the team into a picking order and then allows the the three last players in the queue to ban a champ each before everyone chooses their champion.

Hextech Crafting

This one really excites us. Through this new system, there are two goals Riot hopes to accomplish: to create a way to pick up randomized loot at large discounts and to allow players to earn their way toward champions or skins. Earn - not pay for - earn. Judging by some of the comments on the site, we aren’t the only ones who fear for our pocket books every time we look at LoL. 

League Friends App

You can probably sort out for yourself what this is. The bigger story is how hard Riot is working to make LoL a real group activity with clubs and parties. This app syncs your team conversations from any device, keeping you in constant contact. 

League Client Update Alpha

It has been six years with the current client and Riot are almost ready to show us a work-in-progress for our comments. You have to be a level 30 and priority will be given to players with good behavior records. Signups will open around the turn of the year. For any of you out there who were also wondering - the new framework does not use Adobe Air. According to a commenter on the Riot site who seems to be moderating, the new client uses HTML/JS/CSS for the UI and C++ for the core functionality. It will be a more stable and responsive client.