Riot Games, the developer behind the popular multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game League of Legends, is planning to make significant changes to one of its oldest champions, Olaf, in the upcoming Patch 14.7.
League of Legends players are used to regular updates and adjustments to keep the gameplay fresh and balanced. However, this time, Olaf enthusiasts are in for a big overhaul. Riot Games aims to shift Olaf’s role from the top lane to his original position in the jungle.
Olaf, also known as the Berserker, has undergone transformations over the years. Initially, he was introduced as a skirmisher in the jungle but later became a powerful lane bully in the top lane. His strong presence and ultimate ability, Ragnarok, made him a formidable force. However, as the meta changed and power-farming junglers became less popular, Olaf’s dominance in the top lane became more pronounced, prompting Riot Games to take action.
League content creator Spideraxe has highlighted the changes being tested in the Public Beta Environment (PBE) for Olaf’s rework in Patch 14.7. These adjustments are designed to bring Olaf back to his original jungle role and reduce his effectiveness in the top lane. Key changes include:
– Undertow (Q): Now deals bonus damage specifically to monsters, improving Olaf’s jungle clear speed.
– Tough It Out (W): The duration of the attack speed boost has been extended, but the mana cost has been significantly increased, potentially limiting Olaf’s sustainability in the lane.
– Reckless Swing (E): Cooldown refund against monsters has been improved, making jungle clears faster.
– Ragnarok (R): Mana cost has been introduced, and bonus Attack Damage adjusted to increase movement speed. These changes aim to rebalance Olaf’s power dynamics and make him more suitable for the jungle role.
These adjustments suggest that Riot Games is actively trying to steer Olaf away from the top lane and back into the jungle. Olaf’s reliance on mana in the top lane has been a persistent issue, and these changes aim to address that while improving his performance in his intended role.
While these changes are currently only being tested in the PBE and are not yet confirmed for live servers, speculation within the community suggests that Olaf’s days as a top lane bully may be coming to an end. Players who have become accustomed to Olaf’s strength in the top lane may need to adapt to his revised gameplay mechanics or explore other champion options.
As League of Legends continues to evolve, its champions evolve with it. Olaf, once a dominant force in the top lane, is now set to return to his roots in the jungle with the upcoming changes in Patch 14.7. The exact impact of these adjustments remains to be seen, but Olaf enthusiasts should prepare for a shift in gameplay dynamics as Riot Games strives to balance the game’s competitive landscape.
