League of Legends Patch 10.20 changes top and jungle

League of Legends Lead Gameplay Designer Mark Yetter unveiled on Twitter the Patch 10.20 preview. Among other changes, it features Varus and Aatrox buffs as well as a Katarina nerf.

Even though Worlds 2020 starts on Friday, the 10.20 patch will not impact the competitive environment. Pro players will still play the game in its Worlds Patch 10.19 variant for six weeks. In order to keep the League of Legends World Championship consistent, Riot Games decided that Patch 10.19 was enough.

Patch 10.20 Preview here.

Full changes should be ready for tomorrow, I'll post more then. pic.twitter.com/9hPls8qtEz

— Mark Yetter (@MarkYetter) September 21, 2020

League of Legends Patch 10.20

Nerfs

Riot Games is basing its nerf list on the more popular champions. The higher the win rate of a character is, the higher players will play that specific champion. Lately, Katarina has been a staple of high ELO play. She is boasting a 6.56% pick rate along with a 52.47% win rate, according to lolalytics. It is no wonder that she was the first in a list of nerfs.

Other nerfs include Kassadin, Maokai, Kled, Lulu, Karthus, and Nunu. The latter two contributed a lot in the jungle so these nerfs lower their survivability while jungling. Though fans disagree with some nerfs, such as lowering Kled’s Magic Resist, Riot wants to lower his presence in mid. Champs like Kled are flourishing in lanes where they shouldn’t be. Katarina also sees a nerf in her attack damage ratio on her passive. But since the champ relies on hybrid builds and early game AD, this nerf hits hard.

10.20 Patch preview with almost final changes.

Samira hotfix will carry over into 10.20, we will reevaluate her state in a few more days. pic.twitter.com/Mlwm06DTd1

— Mark Yetter (@MarkYetter) September 22, 2020

Buffs

To mirror the nerfs, seven characters are also set to receive buffs. Aatrox, Varus, and Ryze are some of the top champions played in high ELO getting buffs. These champs see increased numbers in their late-game scaling for abilities. Aatrox especially sees a boost with his ultimate’s healing.

Image credits to Riot Games

In the jungle, Riot looks to increase playability for Urgot and Sion. Though it’s rare to see those two chosen in off-roles, it’s clear Riot wants to see them in more than just top lane. Finally, Illaoi’s tentacle spawn cooldown is reduced and Braum gets huge buffs to his Q damage and cost.

Despite this patch not having any effect on Worlds, players will still feel its impact, especially in the jungle. The release of League of Legends Patch 10.20 will decide which champions remain strong and who is nerfed to the ground.

Written by Charles FUSTER