The Nightmare Patch that Broke League of Legends

Summary

The video explores the complexities of League of Legends Worlds 2015, focusing on the impact of the Juggernaut patch on champion diversity and competitive balance. Key champions like Mizer and Gangplank dominated bans, constraining the jungle meta to just a few picks. Players had to adapt rapidly to a shifting landscape, with notable performances from stars like Marin and Faker. Despite criticisms of the patch disrupting competitive integrity, many viewers appreciated the unpredictability and variety it brought to the tournament, highlighting a significant moment in esports history.

Takeaways

• 😀 The 2015 World Championship faced significant changes due to the Juggernaut patch, affecting champion balance and picks.
• 😀 Key champions like Mizer and Gangplank were frequently banned, impacting team strategies and drafts.
• 😀 Jungle champion diversity was low, with Elise dominating the meta, having a 97% presence during the tournament.
• 😀 The patch had only six bans per game, giving the blue side a tactical advantage over the red side.
• 😀 Darius emerged as a popular top lane pick, while Fiora showed potential but was less frequently chosen due to her technical requirements.
• 😀 Faker's rise became notable during the tournament, with him achieving a 100% kill participation in key games.
• 😀 Despite being labeled one of the worst balance patches, many viewers found Worlds 2015 to be engaging and dynamic.
• 😀 The patch's influence extended beyond just champion picks; it forced teams to adapt their strategies on the fly.
• 😀 Competitive integrity was questioned as teams faced a different meta than the one they qualified for.
• 😀 The Juggernaut update is considered a pivotal moment in League of Legends history, highlighting the challenges of balancing the game before major tournaments.

Q & A

What major change did the Juggernaut patch introduce before the 2015 World Championship?

The Juggernaut patch significantly altered the champion pool by reworking several champions, including Mizer, Gangplank, and Darius, leading to their heavy bans during the tournament.

How did the bans of Mizer and Gangplank affect team strategies at Worlds 2015?

With Mizer and Gangplank banned, teams had to adapt their strategies, often leading to a limited pool of viable picks, particularly in the jungle where options like Elise and Gragas dominated.

What was the champion pick presence in the jungle during the tournament?

Elise had a 97% presence, while Gragas and Rek'Sai were closely followed, indicating a lack of diversity with only three main jungle picks available.

What imbalance existed between blue and red side teams due to the banning system?

The blue side had an advantage as they could force red side to ban overpowered champions while ensuring they could first pick a strong champion, creating a significant competitive imbalance.

Which mid-lane champion had the highest presence in the tournament?

Lulu was the mid-lane pick of the tournament with a 95% presence, highlighting her effectiveness in the meta.

Why was Fiora less commonly picked compared to Darius despite her strength?

Fiora was considered a more technical champion, and with limited time to learn her mechanics, fewer professional players opted to pick her compared to the more straightforward Darius.

What challenges did players face regarding the patch on which they qualified for Worlds?

Players qualified on a different patch than the one played at Worlds, which meant they had to quickly adapt their strategies and champion pools to new dynamics.

What was the impact of the Juggernaut patch on the perception of competitive integrity?

The patch raised concerns about competitive integrity, as players had to navigate a rapidly changing meta that differed from what they had prepared for, which could affect their performance.

How did SK Telecom T1 perform during the 2015 World Championship?

SK Telecom T1 won the championship, becoming the first team to win Worlds twice, showcasing their adaptability despite the challenging patch.

In what ways did the audience perceive the 2015 Worlds, despite criticisms of the patch?

Many viewers remembered Worlds 2015 fondly, appreciating the diverse champion picks and chaotic games that resulted from the meta shifts, despite it being labeled one of the worst balance patches.