WASD, Smurfing & More | Dev Update - League of Legends

Summary

In this dev update, Paul (Pabro) and Andre (Meddler) discuss exciting upcoming changes in League of Legends, including the merging of Noxus and Spirit Blossom storylines for Season 3. Xin Zhao will receive a visual update, while new skins, including Prestige skins for Sylas and Mel, are on the horizon. The team also introduces the WASD control scheme, aimed at improving accessibility for new players, and outlines plans for better balance, key bindings, and camera settings. Additionally, updates on smurfing detection, matchmaking improvements, and ongoing efforts to combat game-ruining behavior are shared. Get ready for a mix of fresh gameplay features and important quality-of-life improvements.

Takeaways

• 😀 Season 3 of League will bring characters and storylines from Noxus and Spirit Blossom, with key roles for LeBlanc, Yunara, Atakhan, and Xin Zhao.
• 😀 Xin Zhao will receive a visual update, while his gameplay remains unchanged. His vaulted skins will be re-released for two weeks in patches 25.17 and 25.18.
• 😀 A new Epic Xin Zhao skin will be released later in Act I, and Sylas and Mel will receive Prestige skins in the Mythic Shop.
• 😀 Machine Herald Viktor will be available for free to Viktor players with Mastery 5 or above as of August 4th, with others able to purchase it from the Shop.
• 😀 The Battle Pass will have reduced levels from 50 to 48 to make progression slightly faster, but no rewards will be removed.
• 😀 Doombots will return with new bots, bosses, difficulty modes, and curses, while Trials of Doom will offer unique challenges each patch.
• 😀 WASD controls will be introduced as an alternate control scheme to make League more intuitive for new and returning players.
• 😀 WASD will go live on PBE in the coming patches, with feedback gathered from players to refine it before full release, initially focusing on unranked and then ranked queues.
• 😀 The game will offer more key binding options, including the ability to bind left-click without editing system files, and a new Dynamic Locked Camera feature.
• 😀 Riot is taking action against smurfing, targeting boosting and hitchhiking behavior, with additional punishment for accounts involved in ranked manipulation.
• 😀 True Skill 2, a new MMR detection system, is being tested to improve matchmaking and reduce smurfing, with a focus on correct placements and faster detection.

Q & A

What key storyline elements will be featured in League's upcoming Season 3?

Season 3 will bring together characters and storylines from Noxus and Spirit Blossom, featuring champions like LeBlanc, Yunara, Atakhan, and Xin Zhao.

Why is Xin Zhao getting a visual update, and what does this update entail?

Xin Zhao is receiving a visual update because, despite being one of the most popular jungle champions, his appearance and animations have remained outdated. The update will enhance his base skin visuals without changing his gameplay, which remains untouched.

What changes are happening to Xin Zhao's skins after his visual update?

All of Xin Zhao's skins will be updated, including vaulting older skins for two weeks, with some skins getting additional upgrades, such as Commando and Imperial Xin Zhao, which will also have their prices adjusted.

How will the Battle Pass system be adjusted for future updates?

The Battle Pass levels will be reduced from 50 to 48 to make progression slightly faster without removing any rewards. Additionally, emotes and icons previously exclusive to TFT passes will be added to the Mythic Shop.

What is the new game mode, Doombots, and what makes it different from previous versions?

Doombots pits players against an even more powerful Veigar and his bots, with new bosses, difficulty modes, curses, and missions. It includes new mechanics like Blitzcrank pushing minions and the 'Trials of Doom' challenge, which adds more obstacles and tougher bots each patch.

What is the goal of introducing WASD controls in League?

The WASD control scheme is being introduced to help new and returning players who find the point-and-click movement uncomfortable. It aims to make the game more intuitive without changing the core mechanics of League.

How will the WASD control scheme be tested and rolled out?

WASD will be tested on the PBE first, and after gathering feedback, it will be gradually rolled out through unranked and eventually ranked queues. The goal is to fine-tune the system based on player input and ensure stability before full release.

What balance considerations are being made with the introduction of WASD controls?

The team is focusing on ensuring that WASD controls do not disrupt balance, particularly for high-attack-speed champions. They are keeping a close eye on potential kiting or chasing advantages and will make adjustments if necessary.

What new features are being added to help players customize their experience?

Players will have more control over key bindings, including the ability to bind the left-click function without modifying system files. Additionally, a new Dynamic Locked Camera will be added to provide more flexibility while keeping the simplicity of the locked camera system.

What measures is Riot taking to address smurfing in League?

Riot is tackling smurfing by taking action against boosting and hitchhiking, two common forms of smurfing. They are using improved detection systems and player reports to penalize both the booster and the boosted account. Furthermore, they are enhancing matchmaking accuracy with the True Skill 2 system.