ARAM Clash, Map Changes, Balancing updates, and more!
2023 Aram Changes - Everything You Need to Know
The Riot developers have finally decided it is time to show our beloved game mode ARAM some love. We will find ourselves in preseason in only a couple of days, and already then, the first changes will have been implemented. Here is everything you need to know about ARAM's upcoming changes and the ARAM Clash Tournament.
ARAM has been around since 2012 and has become the favorite game mode for many players. The game mode is a 5v5, random pick, one-lane mode, where the first team to take down the enemy nexus wins.
Not only does the game mode offer a break from the everyday struggle that is the Summoner's Rift, but it can be the perfect mode to have some fun with your friends.
What Changes Can We Expect in Aram?
Riot Games has big plans for preseason. Not only will we see significant changes in the jungle role and items in the Rift, but we will also witness one of the biggest changes ever to happen in ARAM. We will see a couple of adjustments to the map and several balancing updates, roster-wide and champion-specific. So without further ado, let's take a look at all the ARAM changes coming our way.
You're A Tryhard If You Play These Champions
ARAM Balancing Update
I think we all know at this point that the various champions in ARAM are not very balanced. Some champions have a great advantage, whereas other champions are close to impossible to play. This is an issue that has been bothering players for a long time, and Riot Games is finally making some changes roster-wide and champion-specific to make our lives a little bit easier.
It is important to note that the following changes are just the first batch, and we will likely see some additional changes after the developers have gotten a chance to experiment with the upcoming balancing changes.
Riot's main goal is to have more long-term balanced champions, so players have a chance to enjoy each champion without feeling that some champions aren't possible to play.
Roster-Wide Changes
These roster changes mainly focus on reducing some of the common ARAM struggles we all know. The main focus this time is on long-range poke champions (I am talking to you, Kai'Sa) to shine a little bit less, and also ADCs will have a harder time healing health back from only one wave of minions.
- Omnivamp and Lifesteal against minions reduced by 50%
- Change in long-range damage modifier: Until now, damage dealt by champions over 1000 units away is reduced by 15%. The upcoming changes take the reduction of the damage based on the additional distance even further. Now, the reduction will scale from 15% to 30% based on being 1000-2000 units away. This nerf will not affect ultimate abilities and will rather target champions, like Kai'Sa, that have long-range abilities that are too repeatable.
- Bonus Magic Resist for Melee Champions will be increased from 10 to 15.
Champion-Specific Changes
Where the past ARAM changes have been overall changes to balance a massive roster of champions, the Riot Games developers have realized that not every champion fits into that box and needs some extra care and attention to be adequately balanced. This is the reason why Riot will now expand their balancing tools and give the whole balancing system some nuance.
Energy Regeneration
ARAM is often a constant 5v5 fiesta which creates an issue for our energy champions whose abilities are to be used for quick engages and escapes. In order to make these champions a little more accessible in ARAM, Riot Games will add the following changes:
- 20% Bonus Energy Regen for the following champions: Akali, Kennen, Lee Sin, and Zed.
Tenacity
Being a squishy melee champion can mean doom when hit by a single CC spell. This is why Riot is giving some of the champions bonus Tenacity, so they actually have a chance to survive.
- 20% additional Tenacity for the following champions: Akali, Ekko, Elise, Evelynn, Fizz, Kassadin, Katarina, Kayn, Kha’Zix, LeBlanc, Pyke, Qiyana, Rek’Sai, Rengar, Talon, and Zed.
Ability Haste
One word: Ashe. Until now, our Freljordian commander has found a single purpose in ARAM, which has been to buy Imperial Mandate and spam her map-wide ability, Volley. This means that the past damage nerfs haven't really affected her. This is why Riot is now giving Ashe special treatment:
- Ashe will receive -20 Ability Haste.
When Will the Balancing Changes Be Implemented?
- Roster-Wide Changes: Patch 12.23
- Champion-Specific Changes: Patch 12.22
Map Updates in Howling Abyss
What can they possibly change in a single-lane map, you might ask. Well, it looks like Riot Games has some tricks up its sleeves. The map changes will be added to the game in patch 12.23.
Icy Hexgates
One of the aspects that makes ARAM such a fun game mode is the constant 5v5 fiesta, making wombo combos and constantly poking the enemies. To make the fighting aspect even more intense, Riot is looking to add Hexgates to help with your FOMO and get you back in the action faster.
- Enjoy preseason with the LG UltraGear Gaming Monitor!
Hexgates will be u from the beginning of the game and will teleport you from your nexus to the outer turret. Now, if you lose your outer turret, it is not the end of the world. The Hexgate will then link to your team's inhibitor tower instead and stay there for the rest of the game.
You can use your own Hexgates, as well as the enemies' Hexgates. This can set up your team for some juicy flanks and backdoors.
More Bushes
It looks like the Riot Games developers thought the already exciting brushes weren't enough, and we will be treated with another one on the opposite side of the two brushes in the middle of the map. Have fun, Maokai.
Falling Turrets
For the upcoming changes, fallen turrets will leave behind a pile of rubble, creating a new obstacle in the Howling Abyss. Riot's goal with these changes is to create some nuance to the one-lane map and break away from the usual straight line we find in ARAM. This will give you some additional choke points to create some crazy plays.
Battle Boost & Champion Select Changes
We love a generous king/queen spending RP on giving us a free skin for one ARAM match. However, sometimes you already have a skin you know and love that you would rather want to play with.
The new changes will avoid "last second" boosts such that players have time to react and choose their skin of preference before the game begins.
We will now also be able to see which champions can grant you a Hextech Chest if you achieve grade S. This will give players another reason to choose some other champions than they usually would.
One-Time ARAM Clash
If you weren't hyped enough for the new changes already. We will be treated with the first-ever ARAM Clash on December 10 and 11, 2022!
This Clash will be free-to-enter and have an 8-team bracket where each team gets to play 3 matches. In addition, each player will receive 2 rerolls per game.
Registration for the event will begin on December 5, 2022. Everyone participating in the event will receive a limited-time, exclusive ARAM clash icon. So, will we see each other on the Howling Abyss for the big tournament?
Want to learn more about preseason? Check these articles out: