The introduction of Riot Games’ anti-cheat software, Vanguard, has led to a noticeable decline in the win rates of several champions in League of Legends. Among the most affected are nine champions who have seen their performance metrics take a hit since the software’s deployment.
The Influence of Vanguard on Champion Win Rates
As the second split of the League of Legends season draws to a close, Riot Games has released an in-depth report detailing how Vanguard has impacted the game. While the software’s arrival sparked controversy and caused issues for some players, it has also provided Riot with valuable data that has shaped the game’s competitive environment.
Vanguard was designed to detect and prevent cheating, but its implementation has had unintended consequences on the win rates of certain champions. Riot’s recent findings highlight the champions most affected by this software, offering a clear view of how it has shifted the meta.
Champions Most Affected by Vanguard
According to Riot’s report, the champions who have suffered the most from Vanguard’s implementation are primarily ADCs (Attack Damage Carries). These champions rely heavily on high actions per minute (APM) playstyles, which have been negatively impacted by the anti-cheat software. The champions with the most significant drop in win rates include:
- Ezreal – 48.77%
- Kalista – 47.48%
- Karthus – 53.75%
- Kog’Maw – 52.29%
- Samira – 49.00%
- Sivir – 49.71%
- Twitch – 50.57%
- Vayne – 48.68%
- Zeri – 45.97%
Understanding the Decline
The drop in win rates can be attributed to Vanguard’s focus on preventing behaviors often associated with bots, such as rapid clicking and excessive inputs.
Champions like Twitch and Sivir, who rely on these mechanics, have seen their win rates decrease by nearly 5% since Vanguard’s introduction. On the other hand, champions like Kog’Maw, who are commonly targeted by cheating software, have experienced less dramatic declines.
Despite the criticism that Vanguard has received, Riot Games maintains that the software is yielding positive results in its battle against cheaters. The decline in win rates for these champions is seen as a necessary trade-off for maintaining the integrity of the game.
Conclusion
Vanguard’s implementation has undoubtedly reshaped the competitive landscape of League of Legends, particularly for champions within the ADC role. While the software’s impact on win rates has been a source of concern for some players, Riot Games continues to refine its approach, aiming to balance fair play with competitive integrity.
As the game evolves, the strategies and champions that dominate the meta will likely continue to shift in response to these changes.