This was a month of notable happenings and strategic shifts. It saw T1’s remarkable victory at Worlds 2023, introducing new records in esports viewership. The game itself evolved with Patch 13.23, bringing gameplay refinements and fresh cosmetic additions.
On the esports side, the LCS underwent a significant restructure, reducing teams and welcoming Shopify Rebellion, while the LEC and LCK experienced extensive roster changes. Preseason has also hit the PBE servers, and the year of the void is shaping up to be a banger.
While Riot is continuing its efforts to adapt and grow the game, this does pose intriguing questions about the future of League of Legends for players, fans, and the broader esports community.
Worlds 2023 Finale – T1’s Triumph and Esports Milestones
The Worlds 2023 Finals on November 19th presented a legendary clash between T1 and Weibo Gaming. T1, led by Faker, aimed for their fourth World title, while Weibo Gaming, led by 2018 World Champion TheShy, surprised many with their first finals appearance.
The match was anticipated to hinge on strategic drafting and botlane performance, with T1’s dominance in the top and mid-lane countered by Weibo’s strong botlane duo. The emotional narrative of Faker’s quest for a fourth title added depth to the high-stakes match-up, played in T1’s home country of South Korea.
T1’s strategic depth and consistent presence in the semi-finals of Worlds over the years set them as favorites. However, the unpredictability of Weibo Gaming’s playstyle added an element of suspense. T1 ultimately triumphed, sweeping Weibo Gaming 3-0.
Their victory marked a record four Worlds wins for both T1 and Faker. Key moments included T1’s effective early game composition and their ability to convert team fight wins into objectives like Baron. This victory not only underscored T1’s enduring prowess but also signified a historic moment in League of Legends esports history.
LCS 2023: Major Roster Overhauls and Team Restructuring
The LCS in 2023 experienced a period of significant transformation, marked by the reduction of league teams from ten to eight, leading to the exit of Evil Geniuses and Golden Guardians. This change reshaped the competitive scene, as many players found themselves teamless in the wake of these departures.
Amidst these shifts, Shopify Rebellion made a notable entry into the LCS, acquiring TSM’s spot in a major deal, adding a fresh dynamic to the league’s competitive scene for the upcoming season.
In terms of rosters, almost every team in the LCS underwent substantial changes. Key teams like 100 Thieves, Cloud9, and Evil Geniuses saw major departures and signings, reshuffling their line-ups significantly. For instance, 100 Thieves bid farewell to their head coach Reapered, while Cloud9 welcomed Diplex and reinstated Mithy as head coach.
The Month of Streaming – Worlds at Full Swing!
The LoL World Championship featured a diverse group of co-streamers, allowing fans to watch the tournament with their favorite personalities in various languages. Notable North American co-streamers included IWDominate, imLS, Meteos, Sneaky, Doublelift, and Sapnap. Additionally, Riot Games enabled select streamers to co-stream the World Finals directly from the venue at Gocheok Sky Dome.
Meanwhile, Team Liquid, a major esports organization, hosted a special viewing party for the 2023 LoL World Championship on November 19 at District E Powered by Ticketmaster in Washington, D.C.
This event offered fans an immersive experience to watch the championship live as it unfolded in Seoul, South Korea, complete with meet-and-greets with Team Liquid LCS players and a content creator. The viewing party was a culmination of several months of esports programming at District E, highlighting the venue’s role in enhancing the esports community experience.
The Season Start 2024 – A Glimpse into the Void on PBE
The PBE is bracing for an influx of groundbreaking changes with the Season Start 2024 update, poised to redefine the strategic landscape of Summoner’s Rift.
Central to these updates is the ‘Year of the Void,’ introducing unique Void-themed elements:
- Voidgrubs and Voidmites: Nestled in the Baron pit, the new Voidgrubs replace the first Rift Herald. Upon aggro, they unleash Voidmites, offering teams strategic benefits for defeating them.
- Revamped Rift Herald and Baron Nashor: Rift Herald sports a new look, with the ability for champions to ride and control it, enhancing its impact. Baron Nashor, too, receives a visual update and three new forms, each altering the Baron pit’s terrain and offering varied combat challenges.
- Void Camps and Terrain Changes: Post-20 minutes, Blue Sentinel and Red Brambleback transform into their Void counterparts, offering team-wide buffs upon defeat. The Rift Scuttler also evolves, revealing a larger area upon its demise. The jungle and lanes undergo significant terrain changes, adding new walls and altering gank paths, reshaping the dynamics of map movement and strategy.
- Infernal Drake Rework: The Infernal Drake now spawns Infernal Cinders across the map, providing adaptive stats and movement speed boosts, adding a layer of dynamic interaction to the Rift.
- Fist Bumps: Adding a touch of camaraderie, Riot introduces an interactive fist bump emote, fostering in-game team spirit.
- Item System Overhaul: The update de-mythicizes the item system, aiming to shift power back to champions and offer more flexible build paths. Noteworthy changes include the removal of Stopwatch, the introduction of new items like ‘Trailblazer,’ and the simplification of item tooltips.
Read more: League of Legends 2024: A Year Brimming with Innovations!
Evolution of Competition
Alongside the transformative gameplay updates in the Season Start 2024, the competitive scene of League of Legends is also evolving with the merger of the Japan League and the Pacific Championship Series to form the Unified Pacific League in 2024. This amalgamation signifies a significant step in the esports landscape, bringing together diverse talents and audiences from across the Pacific region.
This new league aims to elevate the level of competition and create a more cohesive esports ecosystem, enhancing the visibility and growth of League of Legends as a premier esport in the Asia-Pacific region.
Zeri is a Failure!
Riot August, a League of Legends champion designer, publicly expressed regret over the creation of Zeri, labeling her as one of his greatest failures. Zeri, who has been a challenging character to balance, was described as a “pentakill machine” in professional play and a dominant force when wielded by skilled players.
Despite several nerfs and a minor rework that removed some mechanics from her kit, balancing Zeri has remained a complex issue. Riot’s approach has been to keep her significantly weakened, especially to minimize her impact in professional play.
August candidly acknowledged that he made mistakes in designing her, leading to difficulties in making her playable for average players without her dominating the pro scene. He even ranked Zeri as his second-biggest failure, with Gnar being the first, due to its long-standing prominence in pro play.
Read on Meta
The meta, particularly in patch 13.22, highlights several champions excelling in their respective roles. For players below low Diamond, the top picks include Ornn, Nocturne, Swain, Vayne, and Maokai.
Ornn stands out as a reliable tank in the top lane, fitting well into various team compositions. Nocturne shines as a jungler with his high impact and snowball potential. Swain is notable for his ability to carry games with AoE damage and sustain. Vayne remains a strong AD Carry with high single-target damage, and Maokai, as a support, offers significant crowd control and is effective in aggressive lanes.
The upcoming patch 13.24, scheduled for December 6, 2023, focuses on champion adjustments in anticipation of major item changes in Season 14. This patch will include buffs and “feel improvements” for various champions, adjusting them to fit better within the evolving meta. Some champions like Azir, Braum, Gragas, and K’Sante will see specific changes to enhance their viability and balance.
FAQs
Who Won the MVP Award at the LoL Worlds 2023?
T1’s top laner, Zeus won the MVP award at Worlds 2023, showcasing supreme display of talent and precision.
Which Regions Are Represented in the Newly Formed Unified Pacific League?
The newly formed Unified Pacific League, created by merging the Japan League and the Pacific Championship Series, represents regions including Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Southeast Asia, and Oceania. This league unifies teams and players from these diverse geographic areas, bringing together a wide array of talents and audiences under a single competitive umbrella in the League of Legends esports scene.
Will Faker Retire After Worlds 2023?
Faker, the legendary midlaner for T1, has no plans to retire following his victory at the League of Legends World Championships 2023. He confirmed that retirement is not on the horizon for him anytime soon.
What is the Main Problem with Zeri?
Zeri was designed with a unique and dynamic kit that, in skilled hands, proved to be extremely powerful, especially in the pro scene, but in unskilled hands, she’s borderline unplayable.
Will T1’s Roster Change?
Following their performance at Worlds 2023, T1 is expected to undergo significant roster changes. Both Lee ‘Gumayusi’ Min-hyeong and Choi “Zeus” Woo-je, players from T1, have hinted at these upcoming changes. Gumayusi expressed frustration over the team’s consistent near-wins at major tournaments, while Zeus noted a shift in the team’s atmosphere due to repeated struggles, suggesting that Worlds 2023 might be the last tournament with their current lineup.
Conclusion
As 2023 draws to a close, League of Legends continues to evolve, marked by significant developments like T1’s World Championship victory and the promise of the Unified Pacific League. The game’s meta, constantly reshaping with patches and player innovations, keeps the community engaged and on its toes.
Challenges such as champion balancing and roster changes highlight the ever-dynamic nature of the esports scene. League of Legends stands as a testament to the vibrancy of its global community, always moving forward with new updates, champions, and strategies.
The excitement for what’s next in the Rift remains high, as players and fans alike look forward to the adventures 2024 will bring.
