Sometimes it seems like Riot Games struggles to balance problematic champions like Irelia or Kassadin. They often resort to simply reducing their movement speed by five points, which many players view as a meaningless change. However, Riot developer David “Phreak” Turley has finally shed some light on whether these nerfs actually have any impact or if they are just a long-standing joke.
After it was announced that Zeri, a dominant AD carry in pro play, would receive a five-point movement speed nerf with the upcoming Worlds patch, a curious Redditor dared to ask if this would truly affect the champion. Phreak responded by revealing that such a nerf typically decreases a champion’s win rate by approximately one percent.
Phreak further explained that the last time they implemented a movement speed nerf was earlier this year on Nidalee, resulting in a win rate decrease of slightly less than one percent. He acknowledged that Nidalee’s Pounce ability makes her less reliant on base movement speed compared to other champions, but overall, a one percent reduction is considered acceptable.
Previously, players have witnessed champions like Irelia, Nidalee, and Kassadin receiving similar movement speed nerfs after wreaking havoc in both solo queue and professional play. While many believed these changes had little to no impact on the champions’ power levels, the truth is that movement speed is a crucial stat that can provide a significant advantage over opponents.
To illustrate the value of movement speed, let’s consider AD carries as an example. These champions lack burst damage or hard crowd control and rely solely on their mechanical skills to deal damage through auto attacks. However, during intense teamfights, they must quickly kite enemies. This is where items like Zeal come into play, granting bonus movement speed and allowing players to create distance between themselves and their adversaries.
Movement speed is not only valuable for AD carries but also for other champions. It is an essential yet often overlooked stat that enables players to escape from danger, catch up with enemies, and even reach objectives in time. While it may go unnoticed, movement speed is one of the most critical stats in the game. In conclusion, the minus-five movement speed nerf is not just a meme but a significant adjustment to a champion’s power level.
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Source: DOTESPORTS
