League of Legends’ main jungling tool, Smite, was set to undergo major changes for Season 14. However, several of these tweaks have been reverted after just one day of testing.
On September 27, League developers introduced a range of jungle changes on the PBE testing realm. These changes included preventing Smite from being cast on minions and pets, reducing its damage to champions, increasing its AoE damage to 100%, and removing the epic monster damage reduction.
While these changes, along with significant nerfs to jungle pets, were intended to be tested for at least a week, Riot quickly decided to revert the most significant change—the inability to target minions and pets with Smite.
The other changes are still active on the testing realm for now, but Riot may choose to modify or remove them at any time.
Although the reversal of the Smite targeting change may not alter the future of the jungle role significantly, it is clear that the role itself is undergoing a transformation. The remaining changes are so drastic that they could render the role unplayable, potentially leading Riot to consider buffs in the near future.
The roaming jungle role in League of Legends has long been considered overpowered, with some arguing that it can never be balanced without a complete redesign. This is particularly evident when one team has a skilled jungler who can single-handedly turn the tide of the game by nullifying the enemy’s advantages. In 2023, it feels unfair that the outcome of the game often rests heavily on the shoulders of one player.
Despite the ongoing changes, it is highly likely that most of the other adjustments will be implemented in the 2024 League preseason. The ups and downs of the jungle role continue to shape the game’s dynamics.
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Source: DOTESPORTS
