Following League of Legends' massive preseason patch (version 4.20), Riot Games has rolled out a follow-up patch. Unlike the past though, Riot isn't being conservative with their changes. The big focus with this patch is systems cleanup and last-minute tweaks to champions.
"Talking about the system changes: while we're happy with how the preseason has progressed, we saw a number of opportunities to address the more egregious problems (snowballing, early to mid game gold flow, jungle balance, Warwick). We know everyone's still getting adjusted to the new preseason, so we'll be watching closely over the next while to see what new Warwicks come bubbling to the surface," Riot explained.
And on that note, here are the changes with patch 4.21:
System Changes
Turret Gold
- OUTER TURRET GLOBAL GOLD REWARD: 100 ⇒ 125
- INNER TURRET GLOBAL GOLD REWARD: 125 ⇒ 150
Turret Shielding
- INNER TURRET SHIELDING WINDOW: 1 second ⇒ 1.5 seconds
Death Timers
- MINIMUM DEATH TIMER: 7.5 seconds ⇒ 10 seconds
- MAXIMUM DEATH TIMER: 50 seconds ⇒ 52.5 seconds
Experience Rewards for Champion Kills
- CHAMPION BASE KILL EXPERIENCE: 55% ⇒ 50%
Minion Gold
- MELEE MINION GOLD REWARD: 19 ⇒ 20
- RANGED MINION GOLD REWARD: 14 ⇒ 15
Minion Health
- MELEE MINION TOTAL HEALTH AT 22:30: About 4% lower in comparison to 4.20 minions. This difference grows slightly larger over time (maybe at about 8% – 9% lower in comparison to 4.20 minions at 50:00).
- RANGED MINION TOTAL HEALTH AT 22:30: About 3% lower in comparison to 4.20 minions. This difference grows slightly larger over time (maybe at about 7% – 8% lower in comparison to 4.20 minions at 50:00).
Summoner's Rift
General Changes
- Summoner's Rift has received new music that changes throughout the game!
- Added an option in the audio menu to switch back to the classic Summoner's Rift music
- We're continuing to optimize performance by making slight graphical adjustments throughout the map
- Improved consistency of river, top and bot lane brush behavior when champions are near brush edges
- Baron no longer loses his out of combat regen if attacked from outside his attack range
- Baron is feeling festive!
Geography Changes
- SMALL RELOCATIONS: Slightly adjusted positioning of Blue/Red buff camps so that area-effect abilities should now consistently hit the same number of monsters in all four camps
- KRUG EQUALITY: Red side Krugs now mirror Blue side (the Ancient Krug is always further away from the base)
Dragon
- I'M CASTING MY FIREBALL: Fireball is now treated as a spell and not an auto attack (also, you can spell shield it)
- SKILLSHOTS ARE HARD: Fireballs track the target like a normal attack or targeted spell
- NO DANCING HERE: Dragon will always finish his attack before switching targets
- BUGFIX: Dragon no longer gets stuck outside his pit when hit with terrain abilities (ex. Anivia's W – Crystallize)
- ALL DRAGONS GO TO: Dragon once again drops a soul for Thresh
Hand of Baron
- DURATION: 240 seconds ⇒ 180 seconds
Dragon Slayer Buffs
- FIRST STACK: 8% Attack Damage and Ability Power ⇒ 6% Attack Damage and Ability Power
- SECOND STACK: Now gives +15% damage to Turrets.
- FOURTH STACK: Now gives +15% damage to minions and monsters.
Jungle Gold
- GO BACK TO YOUR LANE: All jungle camps now give 10 less gold
- THIS IS MY JUNGLE: Hunter's Machete now grants +10 gold per large jungle monster
- UPGRADE EARLY FRIENDS: All tier 2 and 3 jungle items now grant +20 gold per large jungle monster
In addition to these overall system changes, many of League of Legends' champions and items have received tweaks. Head over to the official League of Legends website for the full list of patch notes. Riot also notes that the newly teased champion, Rek'Sai, will be released later in this patch.