LeBlanc, traditionally known for her dominance in the mid lane, is making waves in a surprising new role: support. With the latest patch updates, she has emerged as a strong pick in the bottom lane, catching opponents off guard with her explosive playstyle.
A New Meta Shift: LeBlanc in the Support Role
As players adapt to the new changes in League of Legends‘ patch 14.16, LeBlanc has proven to be a standout selection in the support role. Known as “The Deceiver,” LeBlanc has always been a powerful presence in the mid lane, but recent nerfs aimed at curbing her impact there have led to her finding success in an unexpected position.
LeBlanc’s Strengths as a Support
LeBlanc’s utility in the support role lies in her high burst damage and mobility, making her an excellent choice for aggressive, playmaking strategies. Her ability to poke and harass the enemy ADC from the early stages of the game gives her team a significant advantage in the laning phase.
Key abilities that make LeBlanc a formidable support include:
- Sigil of Malice (Q): Allows LeBlanc to poke enemies from a safe distance, applying additional pressure in lane.
- Distortion (W): Provides mobility to engage or disengage, enabling quick trades and escapes.
- Ethereal Chains (E): Offers crowd control that can secure kills or prevent the enemy from advancing.
LeBlanc’s Current Performance and Meta Impact
In the current patch, LeBlanc boasts a win rate of 51.42% among players ranked Emerald and above, placing her in the S-tier for supports. Despite her lower pick rate, her ban rate is the highest among supports, sitting at an impressive 33.1%. This indicates that players recognize her potential to dominate the lane and are preemptively banning her to avoid facing her in matches.
Why LeBlanc is Thriving as a Support
LeBlanc’s success as a support can be attributed to several factors:
- High Burst Damage: Even in the support role, LeBlanc retains her ability to dish out significant damage, making her a threat throughout the game.
- Mobility: Her Distortion (W) allows her to maneuver around the battlefield, making it difficult for enemies to pin her down.
- Early Game Pressure: With her poke and harass potential, she can zone out the enemy ADC and create opportunities for her team to secure kills.
- Versatile Build Path: LeBlanc’s itemization as a support remains similar to her mid-lane build, focusing on items that enhance her burst potential and survivability.
How to Play LeBlanc Support Effectively
To maximize LeBlanc’s impact in the support role, players should focus on:
- Aggressive Harassment: Use Sigil of Malice (Q) and Distortion (W) to consistently poke the enemy ADC and pressure them out of lane.
- Crowd Control Utilization: Proper timing of Ethereal Chains (E) can set up kills for your ADC or prevent ganks from the enemy jungler.
- Map Awareness: Leverage her mobility to roam and assist other lanes, turning fights in your team’s favor.
Conclusion
LeBlanc’s emergence as a strong support pick in patch 14.16 has added a new dimension to the meta, offering an alternative to traditional support champions. With her high burst damage and mobility, she provides a unique playstyle that can turn the tide of games when played effectively.
Whether you’re looking to climb the ranks or simply want to try something new, LeBlanc support might just be the surprise pick you need.
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