In preparation for the 2024 season, League of Legends is set to make significant updates to its primary map, Summoner's Rift. These updates will involve visual and gameplay changes to monsters, as well as modifications to the terrain and other gameplay elements.
The upcoming changes to the Rift are expected to be influenced by the Void, leading to substantial aesthetic and gameplay alterations to Baron, jungle camps, and the Rift Herald. Additionally, a new type of monster will be introduced as part of these updates.
As well as a visual update that provides him with hands for the first time, Baron Nashor is receiving three new forms that will give him additional abilities and transform the terrain around the Baron pit. Hunting Baron will keep the pit unchanged but give him a lightning blast ability, Territorial Baron will create a small wall in front of the pit and allow him to use his new hands to pull champions towards him, while All-Seeing Baron will turn the pit into a tunnel and add a Void Rift ability that causes damage over time.
The Rift Herald is also undergoing a Void-inspired visual update, along with a minor gameplay update that will enable players to ride on its back and control it for a short period. Players can use the Herald to attack and knock up enemy champions, and if the Herald has a champion on its back when charging a turret, it will deal more damage than usual.
At the 5-minute mark, a new monster known as Voidgrubs will take the place of the first Rift Herald, disappearing at 14 minutes. Players who defeat Voidgrubs will receive the stacking Hunger of the Void buff, providing a damage boost against structures. Accumulating five or six of these buffs (six being the maximum in each game) will allow players to summon Voidmites to aid in destroying structures.
The Void's influence will extend to jungle camps, with the Blue Sentinel and Red Brambleback respawning as Voidborn Sentinel and Voidborn Brambleback at the 20-minute mark. These new void-infused monsters will be more challenging to defeat, but will bestow their buff upon all living members of the player's team upon being vanquished. Additionally, at the 20-minute mark, the Scuttler will appear as the Voidborn Scuttler, providing an enhanced Scryers Bloom effect when defeated.
The map update will modify the terrain around the river on the Rift, aiming to create greater symmetry between the red and blue sides and reduce side-based advantages. Additionally, Mythic items will be removed from the game in order to shift power from items to the champions, providing players with more flexibility in their item builds for the 2024 season.
These changes will come into effect at the start of Season 2024, coinciding with the beginning of next calendar year. The new Rift is live now on the PBE for testing ahead of its full release.
Editor's P/S
As a hard fan of League of Legends, I am incredibly excited about the upcoming changes to Summoner's Rift. The Void has always been a fascinating and mysterious part of the game's lore, and I can't wait to see how it transforms the battlefield. The new Baron Nashor forms look amazing, and I can't wait to try out the new Rift Herald mechanic. I'm also intrigued by the new Voidgrubs and Voidborn monsters. These changes will add a lot of depth and strategy to the game, and I can't wait to see how they play out in competitive matches.
Overall, I think these changes are a great way to keep the game fresh and exciting. It's clear that the developers are putting a lot of thought and effort into these updates, and I'm confident that they will be well-received by the community. I can't wait to see what else the future holds for League of Legends.