The one map variant that’s survived over the years while the rest folded is our beloved League of Legends All Random All Mid (ARAM), which also got ported over to Wild Rift on mobile.
It’s highly unlikely that Riot Games will ever bring back the buggy Summoner’s Rift winter map that the community begs for every year, so we are left to contend with the frigid temperatures on Howling Abyss.
Significant balance changes are coming to the Murder Bridge, which will reduce poke and sustainability, while enhancing other classes that haven’t been flourishing on this map, namely assassins. New map features are being added as well, the Modes Team shared in their latest dev post.
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Everything you need to know about ARAM 2023 changes in a nutshell
1. Sustainability and poke nerfed, melee champions made a little tankier
Since the dawn of ARAM, hardcore players have created special accounts to play this mode that only contains poke mages, AD carries, and healer supports. There’s no recalling, hence anything that helps you stay out in the field or dish out continuous damage without getting hit yourself has been overpowered.
In 2023, all that will change. Marksmen will no longer be able to lifesteal off one wave back to full health. Melee champions are getting tankier, while long-range spells hurt less.
Currently, damage dealt by champions over 1000 units away is reduced by 15%. The update will reduce damage dealt anywhere from 15 to 30% based on being 1000 to 2000 units away.
This means that super long-range abilities will deal even less damage than ever — with the exception of ultimate abilities. So Varus’ Piercing Arrow and Kai’Sa’s Void Seeker will feel the nerf, while Xerath’s ultimate Rite of the Arcane and Ziggs’ Mega Inferno Bomb will not.
- Omnivamp and Lifesteal against minions will be reduced by 50%
- Changing the long-range damage modifier
- Bonus Magic Resist for Melee Champions will be increased from 10 to 15
2. Energy champions are getting buffed, while select champions will receive additional Tenacity
Riot Games is reducing overall damage across the board in ARAM, and this hits certain classes more than others. The game developers recognize that many assassin champions do not possess sufficient damage to remain viable.
As such, they are looking to make these “characters’ patterns a little more accessible and friendly to team fighting” by increasing their energy regeneration.
In the same vein, they are also helping squishy melee characters survive better — which includes assassins — by increasing their tenacity. In turn, this reduces the chances of them blowing up from a single crowd-control spell.
- Increased 20% bonus Energy Regen on ARAM: Akali, Kennen, Lee Sin, and Zed
- Gain 20% Tenacity on ARAM: Akali, Ekko, Elise, Evelynn, Fizz, Kassadin, Katarina, Kayn, Kha’Zix, LeBlanc, Pyke, Qiyana, Rek’Sai, Rengar, Talon, and Zed
3. Imperial Mandate Ashe will no longer be that oppressive… we hope
“Her ability to build Imperial Mandate and simply spam Volley to slow a whole team has meant that she hasn’t reacted much when we nerf her damage,” Riot explained. “We’re nerfing her Ability Haste specifically to reduce how often she can cast her team-wide slow and mark spell.”
- Ashe will receive -20 Ability Haste in ARAM
4. Hexgates will be available throughout the game
Hexgates can be accessed from spawn, and they’ll teleport players directly from the Nexus to the outer tower. They function just like the Hexgates present on Summoner’s Rift when Hextech Drake spawns and changes its terrain.
Once the first tower is destroyed, you’ll be teleported to your inhibitor tower, where it’ll remain for the rest of the game.
Just like those on the Rift, you can also use your opponent’s gates. They are free for all!
By making these changes, the game developers hope to see more flanks, crazy backdoor plays, and more action overall.
5. New terrain in the form of fallen towers and a new bush
When towers are destroyed, they won’t just disappear from the Howling Abyss. Instead, they’ll now leave behind a pile of rubble which becomes new terrain.
“Our goal with falling towers is to create more interesting situations on the map that break away from the usual straight line of ARAM,” Riot Games wrote. “Now you’ll have new choke points to think about and terrain you can experiment with to create new plays!”
Qiyana mains, it’s time to show your Supreme Display of Talent.
ARAM players will also notice that a new, smaller brush has sprouted on the bottom side of the bridge. The Modes Team confirmed that it’s just big enough to fit five champions, which will most certainly lead to many more surprise plays.
The full ARAM 2023 preview can be found here. Follow ONE Esports on Facebook and Twitter for more LoL news, guides, and highlights.
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