League of Legends’ recent Patch 14.3 has led to significant gameplay changes, prompting Riot Games to issue a swift micro-patch. Aurelion Sol, the Star Forger, has become a focal point due to his dramatically increased win rate following the patch’s release.
Aurelion Sol’s Surge in Power
The changes in Patch 14.3 have notably enhanced Aurelion Sol’s abilities:
- Starsurge (Q): Mana cost reduced by 15 per second, along with increased stacks accumulation on full explosions against enemy champions.
- Celestial Expansion (W): Mana cost reduced by 30 and cooldown decreased from seven to five seconds. Additionally, its percentage damage within Starsurge increased.
These adjustments temporarily transformed Aurelion Sol into one of the game’s most formidable mid-laners, dominating in objective control and pressure.
Riot’s Response with a Micro-Patch
Acknowledging the sudden spike in Aurelion Sol’s effectiveness, Matt “Phroxzon” Leung-Harrison, the head of gameplay design, announced a micro-patch. This update aims to finely tune Aurelion Sol’s capabilities, specifically targeting the W-Q combo (Celestial Expansion and Starsurge).
Adjustments in the Micro-Patch
- Celestial Expansion (W) and Starsurge (Q) Power Reduction: The power of this combo will be decreased by 3 to 7 percent.
Despite these changes, Riot Games does not plan to reverse the mana cost modifications, as they are deemed necessary for Aurelion Sol’s overall balance, as highlighted by David “Phreak” Turley.
League of Legends Patch 14.3: Competitive Play’s Ripple Effect
The Immediate Impact of LoL’s Patch 14.3
This micro-patch represents Riot Games’ commitment to maintaining a balanced and competitive environment in League of Legends. While Aurelion Sol’s recent surge in power demonstrates the dynamic nature of game balancing, the quick response ensures fair play and ongoing strategic diversity in the game.