Arguably, one of the best cardgames to emerge in the genre, Legends of Runeterra is an amalgam of what makes competitive card games fun. With a variety of regions to choose from, each with a distinct playstyle, the joy of Runeterra is finding out what combination of regions works well together. Creating, crafting, and developing fun and unique decks are what make Runeterra such a blast. Combine this with a cast of cards, champs, and effects that create a complex but not overwhelming experience for veterans and newcomers of the genre. Riot's take on the competitive card game genre is bolstered through its use of iconic League of Legends characters, and meticulous combination of some of the best cardgames on the market.
One of the most exciting aspects of online card game titles is the ever-exciting balance patches added throughout a game's lifespan. These occasional updates to a game allow for interesting meta shifts, new cards to rise into usage, and simply evening out the playing field of a competitive landscape. Legend of Runeterra's recent update, patch 1.4, has brought fans of the popular card game title a much-needed balance change. Riot's recent balance adjustments to certain, powerful cards, and underpowered cards, has provided players with a much-needed breath of fresh air. With cards and champions who were, essentially, never used in competitive play finding a decent spot in the changing meta. This guide will illustrate some of the major changes made to some of those previously mentioned underpowered or overpowered cards.
Braum's Major Changes in Legends of Runeterra
Braum is the epitome of an underwhelming champion, in the context of Legends of Runeterra. His previous stats, ability pre-leveled-up, and overall utility were some of the worst in the game. However, with the recent buffs to the character, a variety of new decks and combos with the wholesome champ have become more than viable in the Ranked ladder.
Braum's first, and most drastic change was the improvement of his stats to a 4 mana 1/5. Comparing this to his previous 0/5 stats, it is easy to see how this change has improved him for the better. Allowing the formally defensive one-trick-pony to have some much needed offensive capability. In conjunction with his regeneration Keyword as well, Braum is an extremely powerful threat on board and extremely difficult to remove. Alongside this change, Braum gains access to his level-up ability in his pre-level-up state. Allowing him to summon a powerful 3/3 Mighty Poro every time he survives damage. This is a massive buff to the Poro archetype, and the rather niche Vladimir/Braum combo deck, providing both decks some much needed Board control that they were certainly lacking.
Big Buffs to Burn Decks with Captain Farron's Changes in Legends of Runeterra
Not really a major player in any decks in the meta prior to patch 1.4, Captain Farron occupied a rather strange niche in a Noxus deck. The region is known for hyper-aggressive burn styles of play, or a much more control spot removal style, Captain Farron simply didn't either mold. His previously ability effectively removing any and all important cards in a player's hand has now been changed for the better.
Farron's ability as a late-game beat-stick was never in any dispute, his 8/8 Overwhelm stats were more than enough to solidify the 8 mana unit as a powerful game-ender. On top of his ability to provide his owner with a handful of Decimates, the card was a solid way to close out tight games. However, the major drawback of the card was its conversion of all the cards in a player's hand into Decimates, effectively tossing any important cards for a 4 damage burn spell. Now, with Path 1.4 Farron provides the player with three copies of Decimate, instead of his mentioned ability. Making his placements as a late-game ender a perfect spot for him in the ever-changing meta.
The Nerf to They Who Endure in Legends of Runeterra
One of the biggest problem cards in the meta prior to the 1.4 balance patch was the card They Who Endure. A 6 mana unit who gained 1/1 on top of its existing stats every time a unit died during a match. This is the context of the infamous Kalista/Elise deck running amuck in the meta, allowed this late-game terror to dominate ranked matches. Easily reaching stats like 13/13 equipped with Overwhelm the card alone is enough to win matches, but with cards like Atrocity, They Who Endure was a major problem.
Unfortunately, patch 1.4 left this terror of a card relatively unscathed. With the most minor of nerfs to its mana cost, They Who Endure is still a major threat in a match. However, its increase to 7 mana will mitigate its dominance over the mid-game and place it as an end-game unit.
The Adjustments Made to "Yoink" in Legends of Runeterra
A common point of complaint about many players, the fan-given term for the act of stealing your opponent's cards, "yoinking" received a minor adjustment in patch 1.4. Yoink received a proper in-game term to better identify the action performed in Nab. While many fans of the game wished to see the ability to get crippled, it is in a relatively healthy place in the meta currently. As it fits, tonally, and allows for the play-style to exist in a healthy manner.
From Black Market Merchant, Pilfered Goods, and Yordle Grifter, the ability to steal other player's cards can be a frustrating experience. Especially given how it steals from the top of your opponent's deck, it is a demoralizing feeling to lose to your own cards. However, the major change to the ability is in the creation of Nabbing another player's cards. Rather than stealing from the top of a player's deck, the newfound term steals from the bottom cards of a player's deck. Limiting the player's frustration in having their top cards stolen. However, this is a minor to a powerful playstyle and still allows Nab decks to excel in the current meta.
Legends of Runeterra is available on PS4, App Store, and the Google Play Market