With the release of LoL Patch 14.2 on the live servers, attention now turns to the upcoming changes in Patch 14.3, as Riot continues to fine-tune the game.
After two patches of adjustments, the impact of the new season changes is becoming evident, with Riot actively addressing overpowered combinations. Despite numerous tweaks, the game hasn’t experienced anything game-breaking, and players have benefited from the adjustments.
The introduction of the latest champion, Smolder, set to hit live servers on January 31, is expected to dominate the spotlight for a while.
A glance at the PBE data mine reveals some anticipated changes for the upcoming Patch 14.3. The official patch schedule indicates that it is slated for release on Wednesday, Feb. 7, marking the third patch out of the 24 planned updates for the year.
How will Patch 14.3 impact the meta? The support item changes in Patch 14.2 are likely to eliminate double support item combinations prevalent in high Elos. It remains to be seen if certain duos remain viable. However, judging the overall meta-shift is challenging due to the limited number of changes.
Tentative Changes in Patch 14.3:
Champion Changes:
1. Illaoi:
- Passive Tentacle Bonus Range: 125 (slightly bigger compared to the past).
2. Smolder:
- AD: 56 + 2.5 ⇒ 55 + 2.3 (uncertain if this will ship as a day 1 hotfix with 14.2).
3. Udyr:
- Ult Hunter is no longer replaced by Relentless Hunter.
- Passive tooltip: Can recast an ability to renew it with “Ultimate benefits” – presumably, his passive now benefits from ultimate effects like ult haste.
4. Yorick:
- Q cost: 25 ⇒ 20.
- Q healing no longer doubled when below 50% health.
- Q now heals for 4%-8% missing health based on spell rank (healing is 50% effective vs minions).
- E cast time: 0.33 seconds ⇒ 0.25 seconds.
- E missile gravity: 7000 ⇒ 14000 (higher visual arc, unchanged travel time).
- R cooldown between mark procs: 2s ⇒ no cooldown.
- R proc target tHP scaling: 3%/6%/9% ⇒ 2%/3%/4%.
5. Zac:
- The r blob healing tooltip was corrected to reflect the passive buff.
Item Changes:
1. Cryptbloom:
- Heal missile should now affect untargetable allies.
2. Echoes of Helia:
- Heal per shard: 20 ⇒ 40.
- Damage per shard: 55 ⇒ 45.
3. Eclipse:
- Damage: 8%/4% max HP ⇒ 6%/3% max HP.
4. Hextech Alternator:
- Damage: 50 – 125 ⇒ 65 flat.
5. Hextech Rocketbelt:
- Damage: 125 + 15% AP ⇒ 100 + 10% AP.
6. Hullbreaker:
- Can now be searched by typing “pirate,” “yarrr,” and “ahoy.”
7. Kraken Slayer:
- AD: 40 ⇒ 45.
- Base damage removed.
- AD ratio: 65% total ⇒ 180% base.
8. Lich Bane:
- Sheen base AD ratio: 100% ⇒ 75%.
9. Luden’s Companion:
- AP: 90 ⇒ 100.
- Damage per stack: 40 + 8% AP ⇒ 45 + 4% AP.
10. Malignance:
- AP: 80 ⇒ 90.
- DoT AP ratio: 6% ⇒ 5%.
- MR shred: 6 – 12 ⇒ 10 flat.
11. Navori Quickblades:
- Can now be searched by typing “crit shojin.”
12. Profane Hydra:
- Cleave AD ratio: 40%/20% ⇒ 50%/25%.
- Active bonus damage against low health targets: 150% ⇒ 130%.
13. Redemption:
- Damage: 10% max HP ⇒ 8% max HP.
14. Statikk Shiv:
- Cost: 3000 ⇒ 2800.
- Champion base damage: 100 – 180 ⇒ 90 flat.
System Changes:
- Clash banners have been relocated to accommodate terrain changes.
- Tier 3 Smites will now also have a static between-cast cooldown.
Upcoming Skins:
With the Chinese New Year approaching, the Heavenscale skinline will be introduced in Patch 14.3.
The list of champions receiving a skin includes Prestige Heavenscale Ezreal, Heavenscale Ezreal, Heavenscale Kai’Sa, Heavenscale Master Yi, Heavenscale Diana, Heavenscale Janna, and Heavenscale Smolder.
