Aurora, the Soul Witch, has faced several nerfs since her debut in League of Legends, but she remains an unstoppable force in the top lane. Even after the latest adjustments in Patch 14.17, Aurora continues to be a top-tier pick, boasting one of the highest win rates in the game.
Aurora’s Resilience Post Patch 14.17 Nerfs
With the release of Patch 14.17, Riot Games aimed to balance Aurora by toning down her power. Despite these efforts, her dominance in the top lane has persisted, making her a top choice for players in higher ranks. Aurora currently holds an impressive 57.22% win rate in the top lane for players ranked Emerald and above.
This is not the first time Riot Games has attempted to curtail Aurora’s power. Since her release in Patch 14.13, she has undergone a series of nerfs, with the latest focusing on reducing the damage output of her ultimate ability.
However, even with reduced damage, Aurora’s kit remains potent, allowing her to overpower most top lane matchups, especially against melee champions.
Aurora’s Top Lane Domination
Aurora was initially designed as a mid-lane mage, with her Soul Witch mechanics providing powerful zonbing and crowd control.
After several rounds of balancing, her win rate in the mid lane has stabilized at a more reasonable 52%. However, in the top lane, her utility and damage have proven far more impactful, making her a deadly threat to any opponent, particularly melee bruisers.
Key Factors Behind Aurora’s Success
Several aspects of Aurora’s kit contribute to her continued success in the top lane, including:
- Sustain and Zoning: Aurora’s ability to drain life from enemies and control space makes her a nightmare for opponents in sustained fights.
- Crowd Control: Her crowd-control abilities, especially her ultimate, allow her to lock down enemies in crucial moments despite the nerfs.
- Strong Laning Phase: Even after the nerfs, Aurora’s laning remains strong, allowing her to out-trade most opponents in 1v1 scenarios.
Nerfs in Patch 14.17
In Patch 14.17, Riot Games specifically targeted Aurora’s ultimate, reducing the damage she deals when ensnaring opponents. This marks the third consecutive nerf aimed at toning down her power, yet her top-lane performance continues to defy expectations.
- Ultimate Ability Nerf: Reduced damage when encasing enemies, aiming to reduce her overwhelming late-game impact.
Conclusion: Aurora Remains a Top Pick
Despite Riot’s efforts, Aurora’s presence in the top lane remains unshaken. Her resilience to nerfs and ability to dominate both early and late game make her a formidable champion in Patch 14.17.
As players continue to leverage her strengths, Aurora’s reign in the top lane shows no signs of slowing down, cementing her status as a must-pick for those seeking to climb the ranks in League of Legends.
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