The Mid Season Invitational Tournament (MSI) Patch is finally here, and while there are still a few teams left to lock their spots in Playoffs (Looking at you LEC), we already have confirmed teams for LCK, LCS, and LPL. So before getting too excited about the possible epic encounters, like Knight vs Chovy in the mid lane, let's look at all of the balance changes coming in this Early 13.8 Balance Patch Notes A.K.A the MSI patch.
Riot has always been reluctant to make big changes before any international event, probably to avoid situations like the Juggernaut one back in Season 5 Worlds. Despite that, these changes will for sure make a difference in a smaller scope for this MSI (Especially the Rakan and Malphite nerfs).
On a side note, the Solo Queue changes are more significant. Buffs to champions that are less taken care of, such as Kog'Maw and Urgot, and the Nerfs to OP picks in the Jungle, plus Aurelion Sol getting even more nerfs.
Champion Buffs for LoL Patch 13.8
There are a lot of stats improvements to champions instead of impactful buffs that would shake up the game. Although, the Poppy changes seem pretty good, as well as the Lillia ones for the jungle.
Data suggests the Minotaur is rising in power, these changes may be the last "push" for success
Alistar
More power to the cow. After recent changes in the previous patch, Riot felt that Alistar still needed an extra push. Unbreakable Will (Ultimate) duration is going from 7 seconds to 8.5 seconds. Base armor going from 19 to 22. Attack Speed per Level increased from 5% to 6%. Quick Update: These changes were pulled.
Ezreal
The Prodigal Explorer is getting some love (Ahead of MSI). Base Attack Damage is going from 60 to 62. Not that big of a deal, but at least it will make Ezreal more of an attractive pick counter engage comps in the current meta.
Garen
The Might of Demacia's early game will be stronger. Garen's Base Attack Damage is going from 66 to 69, and his Base Armor is going from 36 to 38. So expect him to have more priority in those early AD matchups.
Janna
Big changes are coming to Janna in patch 13.8. First of all, Zephyr (W) damage is increased from 70/100/130/160/190 to 80/110/140/170/200 and the AP Ratio is increased from 0.5 to 0.6. The last change is to her Eye of the Storm (E) Decay Delay, instead of taking 1.25 seconds for the AD buff to go away it is now 2.5 seconds.
Kha'Zix
After the intended buffs to Kha'Zix in patch 13.7 didn't go as planned, Riot is doing a follow-up to help out the cockroach from the void. Taste Their Fear (Q) Pre-evolved Base Damage is increased from 60/85/110/135/160 to 70/95/120/145/170. Base armor increased from 44 to 47. Base HP increased from 670 to 685.
Kog'Maw
After many ADCs nerfs and buffs, it's finally the turn for Kog'Maw to get some well-deserved love. Icathian Surprise (Passive) damage is increased from 125-550 to 140-650 (Do not dare to dive him). Caustic Spittle (Q) cooldown is reduced from 8 seconds to 7 seconds, and the last change is to Void Ooze (E), the mana cost is reduced from 60 to 100, and the slow is going fromLeona
Leona's laning is getting stronger, with this buff she's going to be in a much better spot against the other engage supports. Eclipse (W) Bonus armor and magic resistance are increased from 15/20/25/30/35 to 20/25/30/35/40. Damage is increased from 45/80/115/150/185 to 55/90/125/160/195.Lillia
Huge buffs to Lillia Jungle and improvements/nerfs to her AP ratio healing (it's now worse in the early game). Dream-Laden Bough (Passive) Monster damage cap is increased from 50-150 to 70-150 (based on level). Healing from monsters adjusted from 24-75 (+5.4% AP) to 39-54 (+15% AP), and Healing from champions adjusted from 6-120 (+18% AP) to 6-90 (+30% AP)Nidalee
Extra armor for the Cougar. Nidalee's Base armor is increased from 28 to 32. Armor per level is increased from 4.7 to 5.Poppy
Poppy's Hammer Shock (Q) target's max HP ratio is increased from 8% to 9%. Steadfast Presence (W) Bonus armor and magic resistance are increased from 10% (20% under 40% HP) to 12% (24% under 40% HP). What can I say? She was quite strong so I expect these changes are going to make her more viable in both Top and Jungle.
Champion Nerfs for LoL Patch 13.8
Unlike previous LoL Patch 13.7, this patch is leaning towards small nerfs to ensure balance in the Mid Season International (MSI), still the changes to Rakan, Jarvan IV, and Malphite may impact Pro Play a little bit, but to be honest, they are looking to impact the Solo Queue Tier Lists more.
"Mr. Rock" is being shattered
Aurelion Sol
Again... the Celestial Dragon is getting another set of changes. HP per level is reduced from 95 to 90. Armor per level reduced from 4.3 to 4.
Jarvan IV
The King (Prince?) of Solo Queue is finally getting nerfed after dominating many patches, although these changes aren't going to dethrone Jarvan IV completely, for sure they are going to make him more bearable to stand against. AD per level reduced from 3.4 to 3. And Dragon Strike (Q) damage is reduced from 90/130/170/210/250 to 80/120/160/200/240.
Kayn
Kayn is one of those champs that has not been performing quite well overall. His Rhazz form is not having much success, while the Shadow Kayn is, on the contrary, performing well and that's why he's getting the unexpected nerf hammer. Shadow Assassin Shadow (E) is getting the Cooldown increased from 8 to 10, and his bonus movespeed is being reduced from 80% to 70%.
Malphite
The Solo Queue king of the Top Lane, Malphite, is finally getting nerfs. Thunderclap (W) empowered attack damage is reduced from 30/45/60/75/90 to 30/40/50/60/70, also his Empowered attack cone damage armor ratio is reduced from 20% to 15%.
Rakan
For the last set of nerfs, Rakan holds the final spot. After dominating Pro Play for many patches, Riot wants to continue tuning down the Charmer. Base armor is reduced from 32 to 30, and his Armor scaling per level is reduced from 5.1 to 4.9.
System Adjustments
Cosmic Drive has been on the cusp of becoming a popular AP item again but failed to do it so. For that reason, Riot Dev Team has something prepared to turn this item to be an option for the mid lane itemization again.
Cosmic Drive AP is increased from 90 to 100. New passive: Dealing damage generates a stack of 2.5% MS every 1.5 seconds for the next 5 seconds, up to 10% at 4 stacks. At max stacks, gain an additional 10% MS (20% total).In an additional note, Riot Phroxzon stated that you only need two instances of damage to fully stack the item.
System Nerfs
The last change is towards Warden's Mail. The Rock Solid maximum reduction passive is getting reduced from 40% to 20%.Update: Changes were pulled from the patch.
Do you think these changes are going to shake up the League of Legends meta for MSI? From my point of view, probably not but at least Solo Queue is going to be more interesting with Jarvan IV not being GIGA OP. The only thing we can do regards MSI is to wait until it starts on May 4th, to watch if patches 13.7 and 13.8 are going to shake up the tournament.
You can check below Riot Phroxzon's Tweet to read the original tweet where all of this info was taken from.
