Arena to receive major updates in upcoming patches

This was announced by Riot’s lead gameplay designer, Matt “Phroxzon” Leung-Harrison, on Twitter. He outlined the changes coming in Patch 14.14, specifying which champions and items would receive buffs or nerfs.

Notably, Phenomenal Evil and Urf’s Champion are among the Augments that will be significantly strengthened in the next patch, while Duskblade and Prowler’s Claw are slated for nerfs. Champions that have been particularly dominant in Arena, such as Garen, Naafiri, Pyke, Zed, and Master Yi, will also be targeted for nerfs.

Looking ahead to Patch 14.15, Riot designers Riot Rogue Fool and Riot Twin Enso have been teasing new Augments over the past week. Some of the new additions include Fire Sale, which allows players to sell all of their non-quest items for 100% of their worth, and Ultimate Roulette, which replaces the “Flee” summoner spell with a random Ultimate spell.

Another new Augment, Fruits of your Labor, enhances the healing effect of flowers. Although only a few Augments have been revealed so far, there is still a long way to go until their release on July 31 as part of League Patch 14.15.

Riot has been making continuous efforts to improve the Arena game mode and potentially make it a permanent fixture, providing an alternative to the regular 5vs5 Summoner’s Rift. Currently, only ARAM has maintained its place as a permanent game mode, while other alternative modes like Twisted Treeline and Dominion have been either replaced or removed.

With these ongoing updates and improvements, Riot aims to keep the Arena mode fresh and engaging for players, ensuring it remains a popular and exciting option within the League of Legends ecosystem.

LoL players are currently urging Riot Games to consider bringing back the long-gone game mode, Twisted Treeline. However, many fans admit that the mode would require a significant update to meet modern standards.

This call for the mode’s return has become a recurring theme among the League community since its removal in season 9. Players on social media are vocal about their desire for the mode to “come back,” especially as more community members shift away from ranked play in favor of more casual gaming experiences.

The recent discussion on July 4 was filled with nostalgia, with players sharing fond memories. Some said the memories made on Twisted Treeline were iconic, and others mentioned they used to warm up for solo queue matches with quick 3v3 games. Some fans even threatened to quit the game entirely if forced to continue playing only on Summoner’s Rift.

Not everyone is in favor of the mode’s return, though. Many pointed out Riot’s original reason for discontinuing Twisted Treeline: it wasn’t popular enough. Riot never shared the exact player numbers towards the end, but it was generally believed that only a few thousand players queued for the mode at any given time. I remember long queue times whenever I tried to play in 2019.

Hopeful League players suggest that a modern update could solve these issues. Some proposed simply closing off the top half of Summoner’s Rift, while others want Riot to give Twisted Treeline the same attention as League Arena. The success of Arena in its various reruns and the introduction of League’s new Swarm mode show that Riot is willing to experiment with new concepts.

The big question is how much time it would take for Riot to update Twisted Treeline. Riot has not addressed this yet. Additionally, the developers would need to tackle the infamous funnel metagame and work on mode-specific balance if Twisted Treeline were to return.

Fans of the Netflix series Arcane were introduced to this formidable fighter, and from what we’ve seen in Arcane Season 2 trailers, she is poised to play a much more significant role in the upcoming season. However, she won’t just be a key character in the television series; she’s also being transformed into a brand-new champion for League of Legends. So, what kind of champion will she be?

League of Legends: Ambessa Medarda as a Champion

Ambessa Medarda gives off strong top lane vibes. She looks and feels like a top lane brawler, and nothing else makes sense when considering her character from the first season of Arcane.

It’s known that Ambessa Medarda is a skilled melee combatant who prefers using weapons like a push dagger. This fighting style would fit well with melee juggernauts similar to Darius, Garen, or even Illaoi. Therefore, we could envision her wielding short daggers in close-quarters combat.

Ambessa has also demonstrated quick reflexes and agility, which suggests that her kit could include at least one dash or spacing ability to close gaps when facing ranged top laners. In the latest Arcane Season 2 Teaser Trailer from June 2024, we see Ambessa donning a golden uniform, hinting at her potential appearance on Summoner’s Rift. This could imply that she will be able to withstand a decent amount of damage.

I could imagine her being a champion who doesn’t use mana, instead relying on her health, similar to Dr. Mundo, or building up an energy bar akin to Sett. She would most likely be an AD champion, scaling off AD or health in some manner like most bruisers.

Ambessa Medarda is expected to be released in November, alongside Arcane Season 2, so players will need to be patient until she joins Summoner’s Rift.

The introduction of League of Legends’ 168th champion, Aurora, a charming Vastaya bunny mage from the Freljord, might be the last instance for a while where players encounter such a heartwarming character with a sweet appearance on the Rift.

In discussing how Aurora became a beloved project for the League development team, lead champion producer Lexi Gao provided a sneak peek into the future additions to the game in an interview with Dot Esports. Gao mentioned that the upcoming champion releases would feature much “darker” themes compared to the latest champions like Aurora, Hwei, and Smolder.

Although Gao didn’t elaborate further, League players have started speculating about which champions she might be referring to.

Earlier this year, Riot Games confirmed that Ambessa Medarda from the animated series Arcane will soon be joining the League roster to celebrate the release of the show’s second season on Netflix this November.

While details about the warlord’s abilities are scarce, her Noxian background and possible storyline in Arcane’s second season suggest she will be a ruthless champion. It’s anticipated that her abilities might be comparable to those of Darius or Katarina.

The League universe is vast and filled with intriguing characters, making it exciting to explore some of the more sinister and eerie concepts. The possibilities include inhumane celestials, deepwater horrors, ghostly spirits, or even bloodthirsty demons. These are just a few examples of the dark inspirations Runeterra offers to the League development team.

While recent champions have their unique themes, they are not as dark as older champions such as Fiddlesticks. Riot tends to create more humanoid figures as they are easier for players to relate to, but there is still a rich pool of cruel human characters in Runeterra that could be transformed into horror-like champions.

Arcane Season 2

Arcane has introduced many viewers to the League of Legends universe. Season 1 attracted a large audience, turning many into fans of the franchise. Whether you’re familiar with the games or new to the universe, everyone has enjoyed Arcane.

However, like all good things, the series will conclude with Season 2. Riot Games has confirmed that this season will be the show’s last, as they had a specific ending in mind. The new sneak peeks and trailer highlight the ongoing conflict between Zaun and Piltover, which will be a central focus. How the season will wrap up remains largely speculative.

Although it is ending, this does not signal the end of the creative partnership between Netflix, Riot Games, and animation studio Fortiche. During a League of Legends Dev Update on June 11, Arcane’s co-showrunner Christian Linke confirmed that there will be more projects set in the League of Legends world of Runeterra in the future.

“Arcane is just the beginning of our larger storytelling journey and partnership with the wonderful animation studio that is Fortiche,”

The official trailer for Arcane Season 2 arrives just four days after an earlier teaser that hinted at new heroes, another possible time skip, and Vi’s new costume.

The latest trailer suggests that a war is brewing between the wealthy, progressive city of Piltover and the poorer, underbelly district known as Zaun. With Jinx now regarded as Piltover’s public enemy number one following her terrorist attack on the city’s council, everyone – including Vi’s new ally Caitlyn – is out for revenge.

It seems that Vi will reluctantly accept Caitlyn’s offer to join the hunt for Jinx, who is her sister, as one of Piltover’s new Wardens. This will likely test Vi’s loyalty to both her sister and her friend, who may also be a potential love interest, throughout much of Season 2.

Arcane Season 2 is set to premiere in November 2024 on Netflix.

Riot Games shared this new Arcane teaser trailer across multiple social media platforms. The teaser shows Vi standing next to Caitlyn, who is dressed in what seems to be an enforcer’s uniform. This outfit closely resembles her splash art in League of Legends, featuring a belt in the middle and a pink frill on the side.

While fans were quick to admire the new looks of Vi and Caitlyn in Arcane 2, another detail caught their attention. A girl with ginger hair standing to the right looks remarkably similar to Marcus’s daughter from the first season. This resemblance sets up a potentially intriguing storyline.

In the first season, Marcus’s daughter was depicted as a young child, but the girl in the teaser looks much older. This noticeable difference in age strongly suggests a significant timeskip. Such a timeskip could imply that Marcus’s daughter has grown up and possibly joined the enforcers, possibly seeking vengeance against Jinx, who killed her father on the bridge before her devastating fight with Ekko.

A timeskip is just one of many theories that fans are speculating about with each new sneak peek of season two. Another popular theory that gained traction earlier this year is that Vander could return as Warwick.

Fans have speculated that Vander, who was presumed dead, might have been transformed into the monstrous Warwick. Alongside these theories, there’s a growing list of all the League champions rumored to appear in season two.

Vi joining the enforcers, especially after the dramatic cliffhanger of the first season—where Jinx launched her rocket at the Piltover council⁠—raises many questions. This development suggests that the sisters did not reunite during the potential timeskip, and it appears likely that Vi is even leading the effort to capture Jinx.

With unresolved issues from the past and the shadow of Jinx’s actions looming large, the stakes are higher than ever. Arcane’s second season is scheduled to be released on Netflix in November.

Arcane Season 1 took the internet by storm, dominating Netflix and captivating audiences worldwide. Riot Games wasted no time in confirming that Arcane Season 2 is indeed in the works. The show was officially renewed for a second season, which is currently in production following the finale on November 20.

Arcane Season 2

Release Date

Fans of Arcane will be pleased to know that there is now a release window for Season 2. Netflix has announced that the show will premiere in November 2024. While a specific release date has not been confirmed, it’s reassuring to have a timeframe to look forward to.

In addition to this, it is anticipated that Ambessa Medarda, the mother of Mel Medarda, will have a significantly larger role in Season 2. This is particularly exciting as she is set to join League of Legends as a playable champion. Alongside her introduction, there will be a complete rework of a champion who plays a pivotal role in Arcane’s storyline, as well as various Arcane-themed events and goodies.

Although this update provides a general release window, it does not offer a more precise date than November 2024.

Trailer

Shortly after Act 3 went live, Riot released a 30-second teaser for Season 2, featuring dialogue from Caitlyn, Vi, and Jinx. In the teaser, Caitlyn says to Vi, “Every way I slice it, if I go after your sister alone, one of us comes back in a box.” Vi responds, “I can do this myself. No one else needs to get hurt.” Finally, Jinx ominously concludes, “I’m glad it’s you.”

Additionally, a teaser trailer showcasing Singed and Warwick was also released. Although Riot has not officially confirmed that this character is Warwick, the resemblance is unmistakable.

A new poster for Season 2 has also been revealed, which reverses the theme of the previous season by depicting Vi being held by Jinx. While the implications for the story are still unclear, it is evident that the power dynamic between the two sisters has shifted.

Characters and Cast

Arcane Season 2 is expected to continue its narrative in Piltover and Zaun, focusing on the fallout between the sisters Jinx and Vi. This means that the same cast of characters will return in Season 2, picking up the story where Season 1 left off rather than shifting to another region of Runeterra.

Jinx and Vi still have many unresolved issues following their final confrontation in Season 1. Similarly, the relationship between Jayce and Viktor remains complex and fraught with tension. Singed received more screen time in Act 3, hinting at a potential storyline involving Warwick in the final scenes of the season.

The teaser for Season 2 has further built on this, with Warwick all but confirmed to appear in the show, as suggested in the League of Legends Season 2024 preview.

The relationship between Heimerdinger and Ekko could also be explored more deeply, and it’s possible that other characters from Piltover and Zaun make an appearance.

More information about Arcane Season 2 will be released over the coming year. All the content associated with the launch of Season 2 makes the November 2024 release window more likely than ever.

League of Legends is fun again thanks to Arena

Arena has emerged as one of League of Legends’ most successful limited-time modes, having been revived 3 times due to its immense popularity among players. In its current update, the 2v2 team-based mode offers plenty of new augments, items, and arenas, showcasing Riot’s dedication to infusing the game with excitement once again.

Unlike the highly competitive ranked mode, Arena emphasizes the unpredictable and zany elements of League, encouraging players to experiment with various augments and items to create unique builds.

This departure from the conventional meta evokes nostalgia for an earlier era in the game’s history when players explored unconventional strategies like literal ADC Blitzcrank!

The recent success of Arena underscores Riot’s ability to create engaging and enjoyable game modes tailored to the more casual player base. The developers possess a keen understanding of what makes the game enjoyable and have demonstrated their capability to deliver on this front given the necessary resources and time.

There is speculation that Arena may become a permanent addition to the game, contingent upon player feedback and engagement. If this proves to be the case, it could pave the way for the introduction of additional modes that deviate from the hyper-competitive nature of ranked play.

As Arena continues to undergo refinements with each update, it signifies just the beginning of Riot’s foray into creating more fun-centric game modes. This ongoing evolution suggests that the developers are committed to enhancing the player experience and exploring new avenues for enjoyment within the League of Legends universe.

LoL devs responded to Vanguard “bricking” players PC

Vanguard, which was originally featured in Riot’s Valorant launch, operates at the kernel level and has faced criticism in the past for its extensive access to users’ systems, leading some to label it as spyware.

Despite previous controversy, Riot proceeded to implement Vanguard into League of Legends with the release of patch 14.9 on May 1. Since then, numerous players have taken to social media platforms like Reddit to report that the anti-cheat software is “bricking” their computers or disrupting their internal functions.

Notably, prominent League content creator Nick ‘LS’ De Cesare shared his experience of the anti-cheat system allegedly rendering two of his PCs unusable and cautioned players to approach the update with caution.

However, Riot’s senior anti-cheat analyst, Matt ‘K30’ Paoletti, took to Reddit to refute claims that the technical issues stem from Vanguard’s implementation.

“An issue like this wouldn’t be related to Vanguard. If you haven’t restarted your computer in a while, it could related to an issue with your CMOS battery, since that’s what powers the start-up chain,”

In a comprehensive statement on Reddit, K30 also clarified that Riot has not confirmed the software’s role in causing PCs to malfunction.

“Since 14.9 went live, fewer than 0.03% of players have reported issues with Vanguard. In most cases, these are common error codes such as VAN codes 128, 152, 1067, -81, 9001, or 68 that are easily solved through player support or troubleshooting, and account for the vast majority of issues we are seeing,”

Furthermore, he announced the company’s intention to release a detailed report on the rollout of Vanguard in the near future, offering transparency regarding its impact on players’ systems.

New Mastery Emotes draw controversy across the LoL community

Traditionally, Mastery Emotes served as a badge of honor, allowing players to showcase their accomplishments on the battlefield of Summoner’s Rift. However, the latest makeover has transformed these emblems into something entirely different, drawing inspiration from the mystical realm of Mount Targon and its arcane energies.

According to Evan “Revenancer” Humphreys, the mind behind the redesign, the decision to revamp the Mastery Emotes was motivated by the thematic connection between the journey of mastery and the ascent of Mount Targon.

This narrative influence is evident in the aesthetic of the new emotes, which eschew the elegance of their predecessors in favor of a more celestial and otherworldly appearance. Gone are the steel wings and gem; in their place, players will find diamond-like wings infused with vibrant hues of the cosmic of the Targonian landscape.

Moreover, Riot has expanded the Mastery Emote system beyond its previous limitations, introducing new crests for levels 8-10 and implementing an uncapped progression system. This means that dedicated players can now display their commitment to a specific champion with an endlessly ascending number atop the emblem, symbolizing their unwavering dedication and expertise.

Despite these innovations, not all players are pleased with the new direction of the Mastery Emotes. Some critics argue that the updated designs lack the impact of their predecessors, citing the absence of intricate animations and subtle VFX that once characterized the emotes. Indeed, upon closer inspection, it becomes apparent that certain elements, such as the graceful flourishing of the wings and the radiant afterglow, have been noticeably toned down or omitted altogether.

In essence, Riot’s decision to modernize the Mastery Emotes reflects a desire to infuse the game with fresh themes and aesthetics while simultaneously providing players with new ways to express their mastery and dedication. However, the mixed reception highlights the challenge of balancing innovation with nostalgia in a community as passionate and discerning as that of League of Legends.