The preseason phase is a crucial period for preparing for the new League of Legends season. It allows players and publishers to test changes while also developing features that fix issues that arise during updates.
Typically, the preseason phase is implemented right after the World Championship concludes, which is around the first half of November. This year, publisher Riot Games is striving towards the goal of: “Attracting new players and providing the best experience for the community.”
Specifically, Riot will implement numerous adjustments aimed at providing utility for players participating in the Summoner’s Rift. Let’s take a look at some of the new features:
The Return of Chemtech Dragon
The Chemtech Dragon soul previously provided resurrection capabilities for players, a feature deemed quite broken as it created excessive pressure and thus did not last long. Now, Riot Games is reintroducing this dragon unit back to Summoner’s Rift.
However, the Chemtech Dragon soul will no longer provide resurrection but instead will enhance power if players are low on health. Additionally, if players defeat each individual dragon, all team members will receive effect resistance stats along with increased healing power and shields.
When the Chemtech Dragon appears, the map will undergo certain changes:
– Blast Seeds will fly twice as far as normal.
– Health Fruits will no longer slow down and will provide shields to players when picked up (still heals).
– Shimmering Flowers will illuminate an area around + a cone in front, increasing movement speed when heading towards enemies and reducing vision ward health to 1.
The Introduction of “Pets” for Jungle Role
Riot will add 3 pet units for jungle players with completely different playstyles:
– Noxian Embercat: Suitable for attack jungle champions, designed to slow down and increase damage output.
– Ixtali Ixamander: Suitable for defensive jungle champions, providing shields for allies. This spirit will grant players shields based on maximum health while also increasing effect resistance.
– Ionian Cloudleaper: Suitable for champions that move a lot around the map, increasing movement speed outside of fights.
Display of Jungle Monsters’ Patience Radius
For long-time League of Legends players, they have become very skilled at leading jungle monsters to increase power progression while conserving health stats. Now, Riot Games will allow the display of the jungle monster patience radius, aimed at helping new players jungle more easily.
Jungle Path Suggestions
Each champion in League of Legends has a different skill set, so the compatible jungle path also varies. Thus, the publisher will suggest tips for players to complete their jungle path better.
Improved Communication Tools
Riot will update the Ping system (communication tool) in the Preseason 2023 phase.
Basic Pings: Retreat, on the way, help me, and enemies lost sight.
New Pings: Push, all-in, hold minions, bait enemies.
Additionally, Riot Games will add new Ping features aimed at controlling vision: Vision denied, enemy vision here, and need vision in this area.
Suggestions for Runes and Summoner Spells
When using a champion, players often have to refer to sources regarding rune and summoner spell usage. In this preseason phase, the publisher will have suggestions to help the community access champions more easily through pre-designed hints.
Changes to Experience Mechanism (Top Lane Support)
Riot Games will adjust the experience calculation mechanism for different lanes to support the top lane in Preseason 2023:
– Solo lane will receive experience at a ratio of: 95% (previously 93%).
– Duo lane will receive experience at a ratio of: 122% (previously 124.73%).
– Mid lane will receive less gold when killing minions before the 14th minute (previously only the cannon minion reduced 10 gold).
