In League of Legends there are over 170 champions, and some of them have been around for many years. To give these champs a new lease on life, Riot releases reworks. Sometimes the visuals or gameplay are adjusted, and sometimes even both. The last rework came in March 2026, but some players are not happy about it.
Which champ is it about? The jungler Shyvana has existed since 2011, so for 14 years, in League of Legends. Already in 2022, Riot was aware that Shyvana might need a rework (via leagueoflegends.com). During a voting, where 5 champs were up for selection, Shyvana came in second and had to make way for the champ Skarner. He received his rework in 2024.
According to Riot, Shyvana is a champion who could not fulfill the thematic promise before the rework. The developers wanted to truly bring to life the fantasy of a “warrior who transforms into a fire-breathing dragon”. However, the transformation into a dragon is a point of criticism after the rework finally became reality in March 2026.
Without a dragon, Shyvana is just a minion
What are players criticizing? In the subreddit for LoL, a post has emerged that criticizes the new Shyvana. The Reddit user writes among other things: “Her gameplay hasn’t changed at all. She jumps in and dies immediately. Without her ultimate, she is nothing.”
How does Shyvana’s ultimate work? By dealing damage, Shyvana builds rage. If the rage bar is full, she can use the ultimate and transform into a dragon. As a dragon, Shyvana gains new functions for her abilities, making them stronger.
However, this is almost exactly the same ultimate that Shyvana had before the rework. Only the effects for the other reworked abilities have changed, and there is a small debuff that causes enemies to flee.
Of course, an ultimate is supposed to be powerful and crucial in the right moments for a fight, but the gameplay mechanic that Shyvana has to build her ultimate with rage is a major problem for players.
What do other players say about it? The problem with the ultimate is also recognized by another Reddit user, who writes that Shyvana without her dragon form is actually just a cannon minion, i.e., an NPC warrior of the team.
Even the top comment with over 1,500 upvotes (as of April 16, 2026, at 1:30 PM) refers to the rather unsuccessful rework of the gameplay. It states: “Most of the work went into the visuals, gameplay was more of an afterthought.”
Riot wants to take a new direction with League of Legends in 2027. The game is set to be revamped and will receive technical and gameplay improvements. The problem is, however, that there will be less content in 2026 for this. Riot prefers to focus on the updates in 2027: LoL will only bring one new champ in 2026, but massive changes are coming soon
Your opinion is important to us!
Do you like the article? Then let us know!