Legends of Runeterra set to introduce impactful changes to some of the strongest cards

It's been almost a month since the release of Legends of Runeterra, giving the players more than enough time to develop a metagame and build decks which proved to be the most effective in climbing the ranked ladder.

Some players prefer control decks, others rely on aggressive cards and then there are the third kind of players, who like to experiment and enter their games with unconventional builds. That said, there are some decks which are more popular and more successful than others, namely because they take advantage of some overpowered cards that have been terrorising the LoR ranked ladder.

While imbalance is a part of any game that features ranked play, the overpowered elements tend to get weakened fairly quickly with nerfs, and LoR cards are no exception for that rule. Ahead of 0.9.0 LoR patch, Riot Games unveiled a list of cards, which will receive significant nerfs and buffs in a bid to shake up the meta and usher players to build new decks to climb the ranked ladder.

Legends of Runeterra Patch 0.9.0 changes:

The 0.9.0 will bring with it the first card update for open beta, along with tweaks to XP and rewards which players earn through Expeditions.

NERFS:

It should not come off as a surprise, Riot Games decided to introduce nerfs to Shadow Isles and Ionia cards.

Perhaps the most welcomed are nerfs to Rhasa and Ledros who will now cost additional mana to play, as they have proven to be too strong to counter. This in return means players using those cards will have to survive for one more round, which should bring some balance to the game. Furthermore, Wraithcaller will no longer be Fearsome, meaning the defending players will be able to block the 4/3 card with some weaker units.

Besides the changes to the Shadow Isles, Ionia cards will also be hit with some substantial nerfs. Much like Rhasa and Ledros, Deny will also have its cost increased from three to four, meaning it will no longer be castable with just the spell mana pool. Inspiring Mentor which was a crucial card in any 1-drop Elusive burn deck has also been hit with a nerf, and will from now on only grant +1/+0 to units instead of +1/+1. To compensate the nerf, riot Games will make him a 1/2 card instead of 1/1, however, it's hard to see that as a huge change.

Perhaps the biggest change to Ionia cards will come in the form of a nerf to Kinkou Lifeblade, which was a crucial card for Ionia decks when trying to survive aggro decks. The elusive follower will have its stats nerfed and will no longer be a 2/3 card, but instead a 2/2, which is quite a substantial nerf, given that Kinkou Lifeblade will no longer be as useful in mirror match-ups.

BUFFS:

Lux and Yasuo are both set to receive buffs in the upcoming patch, as they were deemed too weak by the LoR balance team.

Lux will receive buffs to her basic stats, turning her from a 3/4 card to a 4/5. Riot Games explained her low stats made it too difficult for players to utilize her as a "build around me" card. By buffing her stats, Lux will have a significantly easier time sticking around ultimately turning her into a real threat on her own. Due to the buffs to her base stats, Level 2 Lux will no longer be a 4/5 card, but instead a 5/6.

Yasuo is the second LoR champion who will receive a significant buff. LoR balance team noticed Yasuo suffered collateral damage from the changes aimed at elusive and handbuff decks, because both Inspiring Mentor and Deny played a pivotal role in protecting him. With the nerfs to Deny and Inspiring Mentor, however, Yasuo will receive a buff by changing his level up quest.

Quest: "You Stun or Recall 6+ units" has been changed to "You Stun or Recall +5 units".

With this change, we could see a resurgence of Yas/Zed and Yas/Katarina decks. Both decks were mediocre since the beta launch, as they were no match for other midrange decks, however, with the recent changes that could change.

ALL CARD CHANGES:

Champions:

Lux: Base stats increased from 3/4 to 4/5 (Lvl 2: 4/5 to 5/6).

Yasuo: Quest changed from You Stun or Recall 6+ units to You Stun or Recall +5 units.

Followers & Spells:

Back to Back: Cost increased from 5 to 6.

Arena Battlecaster: Health increased from 1 to 2.

Crimson Curator: Health increased from 2 to 3.

Deny: Cost increased from 3 to 4.

Inspiring Mentor: Health increased from 1 to 2; stats gain to other cards reduced from +1/+1 to +1/+0.

Jewelled Protector: Base stats changed from 3/3 to 4/4.

Kinkou Lifeblade: Health reduced from 3 to 2.

Commander Lederos: Cost and power increased from 8 to 9

Blade of Ledros: play text changed from "Cut enemy Nexus health in half" to "Cut enemy Nexus health in half, rounded up".

Rhasa: Cost increased from 7 to 8.

Scuttlegeist: Added Fearsome effect.

Tortured Prodigy: Power increased from 3 to 4.

Wraithcaller: Removed Fearsome effect.