The new patch 8.5 of League of Legends (LoL) brings a new ADC and changes existing champions. We show you what’s happening.
With the new update 8.5, the developers bring a few minor changes to League of Legends. This update could entice some champions that have been gathering dust. We show you why downloading patch 8.5 is worth it in this overview that consists of exactly 6.5 points.
1. Kai’Sa, the daughter of the Void joins League of Legends
Patch 8.5 introduces the ADC “Kai’Sa” as the first new champion in 2018. If you had to compare Kai’Sa with an existing LoL champion, it would probably be Vayne. She uses stackable attacks with a trigger that deals percentage health damage. This works similarly to Vayne’s Silverbolts. Kai’Sa can also briefly become invisible to reposition herself.
We have introduced Kai’Sa’s abilities in League of Legends here
2. Open groups – Bring on the teammates
The option for open groups will be activated during patch 8.5. Once activated, open groups will be enabled by default.
The advantage of these open groups is that friends on your friends list can see your group right away. There will also be information on which queue you are in and how large your current group is. With one click, friends can then join you – it works completely without an invitation.
So if you like playing with people from your friends list, use the open groups as a general invitation to anyone.
3. Command Banner no longer brings Super Mutants
The command banner worked well with the Baron buff. And by that, we mean: it was quite OP! Especially in high-ranked games, you saw the interaction between the command banner buff and the Baron buff. The additional damage that cannon minions dealt to towers was cumulative and led to the absolute destroyer minions.
Unfortunately, with patch 8.5, that is over. The banner buff no longer accumulates with the same effect as the Hand of the Baron on siege minions.
4. A new skin for Illaoi – WOOHOO!
It was about time. Since release, Illaoi has had only two skins (Standard + Void Bringer) available. After two years, this will change with patch 8.5. Riot let the community vote on which Illaoi should come. The majority chose “Resistance Illaoi,” which is now making its way to League of Legends.
Other skins coming with this patch are: Bullet Angel Kai’Sa (cover image) and Chromas for Resistance Illaoi, Rocket Hunter Kai’Sa and Battlecast Cho’Gath.
5. Adjustments for Rengar and Swain
Swain received his long-awaited rework this year. A few adjustments have also been made to Rengar. However, the popularity of both champions has not been very good lately. Therefore, the developers have stepped in and made further tweaks to both.
- Rengar’s ferocity now decays after eight instead of just six seconds. His ultimate ability “Hunting Fever” has also received a minor adjustment. The absolute vision on a target now lasts until Rengar lands his jump. Previously, the vision expired when Rengar started the jump. His Q ability “Brutality” also deals more base damage and now scales better.
- Swain is boosted with a few buffs. The cooldown on his Q ability “Death’s Grasp” is reduced at the first levels. With his General’s Insight (W), you can now hit targets more easily as the radius has been increased. His E ability “Nevermore” also receives a higher radius.
You can find the complete patch notes for patch 8.5 on the official LoL website
6. Zoe gets strength back
With her one-shot debut in League of Legends, she didn’t make it easy for the community. Riot addressed her “overwhelming” strengths in a later patch. However, in certain situations, she is supposed to have more power again. The coupling of Q “Star Surge” and her passive ability will be separated. As a result, Q no longer deals the Spark damage on the first target hit. Q also deals less AOE damage but now has increased base damage.
Additionally, the range of her normal attacks and her W ability “Spell Thief” has been increased.
Let’s briefly remember Zoe’s beginnings:
6.5. Increased tower damage, Hooray!
Towers now deal more damage to minions. After Riot removed the additional damage from champions to minions in patch 8.4, some champions had issues with last hitting under the tower. With patch 8.5, towers deal 45% of the maximum health of a melee minion instead of 43% of the maximum health of a melee minion when attacking.
In doing so, they also “fixed” a bug. Towers had previously indicated that they dealt 45% damage to minions, although the value was 43%. Now the number is correct again.
So now, give it your all in LoL with the new changes. Otherwise, you’ll get criticized like the Schalke coaches, who considered their team’s performance a total disgrace.
