LEC Summer season Teams Meta is an fascinating matter to theorize about now that the Group Stage is beginning this Saturday, with an enormous bounce in patches from 13.11 to 13.13 – what can we anticipate when it comes to picks and methods?
After a week-long hiatus, the LEC will return this Saturday with the Summer season Group Stage, the place solely the highest 8 groups will proceed the struggle for the Playoffs! Crew Vitality and Astralis has all the remainder of the 12 months to rethink their technique for 2024 (or based on some rumours, promote their spot), however for the opposite contenders, the hardest battles are nonetheless forward of them – what would be the instruments they are going to use to realize their goals after the LEC switches to the newest patch?
The whole lot of the Summer season Common Season was performed on a single patch, particularly 13.11, which has obtained a whole lot of criticism from each followers and gamers. The neighborhood’s consensus is that the patch didn’t change sufficient after the Mid-Season Invitational, and the modifications the patch introduced have been extremely unhealthy and unfun for everybody, such because the Statikk Shiv midlaners. The gamers and the viewers couldn’t look ahead to the Group Stage, because the LEC will change over to 13.13, the present reside patch, which was aimed toward proplay. Whereas the LEC solely adapt the brand new replace this weekend, some leagues, such because the LFL, the LVP SuperLiga and most notably the LCS had quite a few matches of 13.13, so we received a glimpse of what we will anticipate this weekend!
LEC Summer season Teams Meta
Toplane – Tanks are out, Bruisers are in
One of many greatest change to the skilled League of Legends meta was within the toplane, the place Riot Video games tried to finish the reign of Tanks with a view to convey Bruisers again. Whereas that didn’t work 100%, the steadiness crew achieved their purpose partially: the tank vs tank matchups have disappeared, and the odd Ok’Sante and Malphite normally will get picked when the strongest toplaners are banned.
The meta presently revolves round 2 picks: Renekton and Rumble. Renekton has already made his return to the highest LoL leagues such because the LPL, the LCK and the LEC, filling the hole that Ok’Sante was forsaking. Because of his buffs, he’s rather more cell and stronger as nicely, changing into a menace after utilizing his final, Dominus. His laning section may be very robust, and as ADC’s are nonetheless very outstanding, he’s helpful within the lategame, flanking or diving the backline to stun a excessive precedence goal.
Rumble received a mid-scope replace within the 13.12 patch, which tried to shift him from a burst mage to an AP bruiser. Whereas that didn’t work out, he positively turned stronger, and a extremely contested choose for the toplane, which picked or banned in most matches. Picks corresponding to Jax and Fiora have additionally appeared within the LCS, so the lineup of champions is rather more various than earlier than.
Jungle – Vi and Wukong are gone
Two of probably the most outstanding jungle picks, Vi and Wukong lastly obtained sufficient nerfs to go away the meta. The Piltover Enforcer and the Monkey King have been robust because the 2022 World Championship, with Vi having a 100% presence up till the LEC Summer season Common Season, however the modifications focused at proplay lastly had some impact.
Whereas Sejuani and Poppy (who returned to proplay on the 2023 MSI) stayed within the meta, new picks have additionally emerged: Ivern, the Inexperienced Father is without doubt one of the most contested junglers of the LCS because the swap to 13.13, whereas the opposite treant, Maokai is as robust as ever. Some courageous souls picked even spicier characters corresponding to Rell and Nautilus, so whereas the tanks have left the toplane for probably the most half, they discovered new houses within the jungle.
Essentially the most defining jungler of 13.13 will almost certainly be Sejuani, as she works nice with Renekton because of her Permafrost, and generally is a robust 2v2 associate for quite a few midlaners as nicely.
Midlane – In opposition to all odds, Statikk Shiv survived
Keep in mind after I mentioned that Statikk Shiv was some of the hated gadgets within the midlane? There’s an excellent motive for that, because the returning weapon was meant to be picked up by ADC’s, not midlane mages who want a bit extra waveclear than their equipment gives. Gamers and followers alike hated the sight of Ahris and LeBlancs working round with Statikk, one shotting sidewaves whereas gaining heaps of gold because of their unimaginable robust farming.
Whereas Riot Video games nerfed the merchandise, giving it much less AP scaling for the lightning harm, nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient to make it disappear. LeBlancs nonetheless run rampant within the LCS and different leagues which have converted to the brand new patch, alongside Kai’Sas and Ahris.
However there are some new(ish) faces on the midlane as nicely: Tristana is in excessive demand, the Yordle will get picked or banned in virtually each match, whereas Ziggs have made shock appearances, and never simply within the midlane. With the rise of Rumble, one other AD midlaner was wanted, so Jayce is getting picked up once more, whereas Azir solidified his place because the playmaker midlaner in the meanwhile. Neeko additionally stayed, though she’s a bit much less outstanding because of her nerfs, whereas Annie has returned to obscurity, and if she’s picked, she normally will get crushed very badly.
ADC – Aphelios remains to be the perfect, however there are some vibrant spots
Regardless that Aphelios was nerfed in 13.13, the nerfs weren’t sufficient – he’s nonetheless the ADC to select for many conditions within the LCS, and I think about it gained’t be very totally different for the LEC. Whereas his survivability and early buying and selling is down, he remained a monster within the lategame, destroying whole groups with a well-placed final.
Zeri is lastly out, however Jinx is again in if gamers can’t choose Aphelios (both as a result of he’s picked or banned by the opposite crew). Xayah, Varus and Draven additionally see some play as counters to these two, but when they’ll’t stomp the lane, they’re normally outshined by the hyper-carry duo.
There are additionally some new picks, corresponding to Kog’Maw, who pairs up drastically with Braum, Ashe, who received some hefty buffs for her ADC capabilities, and even Ziggs was picked as soon as by Dignitas – though the Hexplosive Professional didn’t convey a lot success.
General, the ADC position feels virtually the identical as in 13.11, however there’s room to experiment – which the LEC groups (particularly G2 Esports) love!
Assist – Enchanters are (largely) gone
Riot Video games tried and tried to take away enchanter helps from the highest of the meals chain, and whereas they succeeded, Lulu nonetheless will get picked generally and Milio remains to be a high choose, who’s normally banned, and when he’s not, he autowins lanes because of his Cozy Campfire and his ult which cleanses everybody round him.
However apart from these two, we see picks like Rell, Blitzcrank, Alistar, Braum and Nautilus, who’re a breath of contemporary air. We even see some picks like Zac within the botlane – however simply because the Ziggs ADC, Zac assist couldn’t win the sport it was picked in. Nonetheless, it’s good to see some variety within the assist position as for the perfect a part of this 12 months, we solely noticed Enchanters.
General, the 13.13 patch managed to shake up the meta, however not as a lot as I feel it will’ve favored. The strongest picks are largely gone, however this simply meant that the much less frequent, however nonetheless very succesful champions simply shot to the highest of the ladder. However, it’s good to see that Riot Video games at the least tries – however the sins of Statikk LeBlanc gained’t be simply forgotten.
The LEC Summer Group Stage kicks off this Saturday at 18:00 CEST with the match between Excel Esports and MAD Lions – be careful for the most recent picks, and don’t overlook to observe ESTNN for all issues League of Legends!