How much impact will these nerfs have?
LoL Patch 13.16: Assassins' Favorite Item Will Be Nerfed
In League of Legends, there have always been items designed for a specific group of champions or for a specific role. When they get used by other champions, it's pretty easy to realize tht they're overpowered. Exactly this happened with the Duskblade of Draktharr, which was originally designed for Assassins.
In a case like this, some nerfs or other changes are needed to balance the item. The best thing to do in a situation like this is to update the item to bring back it's original purpose. In Duskblade's case it means making changes to git the item back onto assassin's and away from other champs.
LoL Patch 13.16: Duskblade Of Draktharr Changes Announced
Well, I guess every experienced or long-standing League of Legends player knows this item. The item has been in the game for years having been added back in Season 6 in Patch 6.3. The item has always been set for assassins.
- Enjoy the League of Legends ingame atmosphere with the Logitech G733 Wireless Gaming Headset
Throughout the last couple of years the item has seen quite a few changes and gained new passives and stats. And now it will be changed again. The reason behind Riot's decision is pretty easy to understand. The Duskblade is simply too good and currently gets used by all sort of champions. And let's be honest here, nobody wants to face a Darius with this item.
So, for Patch 13.16 some nerfs are coming in. Riot's goal is clearly to weaken the item, focusing on the damage and the cooldown on the Nightstalker effect, which renders the champion untargetable and invulnerable after scoring a takedown.
Regarding the cooldown nerf, the cooldown time will be increased from 10 seconds to 30 seconds. This is of course a massive change to the item's ability and will make tower dives and teamfights more challenging.
Also, the maximum damage will get reduced from 20% to 18%, this regards the increased damage you will deal, based on the target's missing health. So it will be harder to fight against tanks and bruisers.
Conclusion – Duskblade Changes Are In Dire Need
Well, changes like this were much needed, especially for an item that will make you untargetable and invulnerable after killing an enemy. It was just too common for AD bruisers like Darius or Jarvan IV to buy Duskblade, gank a lane or tower dive, score a kill and get away without being able to get touched by the tower or anyone else.
- Take a look at the best Gaming Headset around, the Razer Blackshark V2 Esports Headset
It was already annoying enough with Assassins, but these guys can be oneshotted at least, after coming out of the item's ability. So it will be interesting to see the impact that these changes might have on the meta. Maybe the Duskblade will be still too strong and might need some more nerfs in the future patches.
With the other buffs for Lethality-Items in Patch 13.16, the return of the classic Assassins might be upon us. So a nerf for the Duskblade might not even be bad for them. But only the future will show, if squishy champions are in a much safer or worse position now.
Of course, we will keep you up-to-date, if more nerfs for items are getting announced. For more LoL related content, read:
- LoL Patch 13.16 Patch Notes: All Changes On The PBE Server
- LoL Arena Mode: This Is Why You Can't Surrender