Fiddlesticks LoL rework details revealed
It's been nine months since Fiddlesticks was voted as the champion most in need of a rework and it was not until now that Riot Games unveiled the first details about the new-look scarecrow, with new abilities, new visuals and in a way, a new way to play everyone's favourite Harbinger of Doom.
Riot Games announced they're planning on reworking Fiddlesticks as well as Volibear in May 2019, with both receiving visual and gameplay updates in a bid to modernise their kit, which has slowly fallen out of fashion amongst all the newly released champions. Perhaps, the most anticipated rework was that of Fiddlesticks, who had the same kit since its release back in 2009. Since then, the scarecrow champion enjoyed several roles, from mid lane, jungle and even support, all with a reasonable amount of success, however, now, it's time for a new era for Fiddlesticks who will receive some major changes to its slightly outdated kit.
Here we will look at everything you need to know about Fiddlesticks' upcoming changes, his gameplay, visual rework and abilities. Fiddlesticks will also see its skins freshened up with new visuals and splash arts.
ABILITIES:
Although Riot Games made some impactful changes to Fiddlesticks' kit, there are a few abilities that will ring a bell for many who previously played the Harbinger of Doom. In his core, Fiddlesticks will still be as scary as he was, however, with a new spin in form of two completely new abilities, including his new passive – a Harmless Scarecrow.
A Harmless Scarecrow (Passive)
Fiddlesticks' trinket slot will be replaced by a Scarecrow Effigies, which will look exactly like Fiddlesticks himself. The Effigies will grant vision just like regular wards.
Once an enemy approaches an effigy, he activates it and causes effigy to fake a random action (ex. basic attack, casting Crowstorm…), after which the effigy destroys itself.
Fiddlesticks can hold up to two Effigies at once (like wards). Effigy cooldown will decrease and duration increase with Fiddlesticks' level – at level 6, placing an Effigy will also reveal nearby wards for six seconds.
Terrify (Q)
Terrify will have a passive and active effect and will be an upgraded version of Fiddlesticks' previous Terrify ability.
Passive: When out of combat or unseen, if Fiddlesticks' abilities damage an enemy, they become terrified and flee in the opposite direction.
Active: Terrifies the target and damages them based on their current health. If the ability is cast on a recently terrified enemy, they take double damage instead of being terrified again.
Bountiful Harvest (W)
Fiddlesticks drains the souls of all nearby enemies, damaging them over a few seconds while healing Fiddlesticks based on the damage dealt. The last tick both heals and damages based on the target's missing health.
If Bountiful Harvest is fully channelled or if no enemies remain in the proximity to be harvested, the ability's cooldown is partially refunded.
Reap (E)
A completely new ability in Fiddlesticks' kit, Reap will damage and slow enemies in a crescent-shaped area in front of Fiddlesticks. Enemies in the centre of the crescent will also be silenced.
Crowstorm (R)
The iconic Fiddlesticks ultimate will return with no notable changes. Fiddlesticks channels the ability before he blinks to the target location and continuously damages nearby enemies for several seconds.
Fiddlesticks visual update and new skins
Adding to all the changes to Fiddlesticks' kit, Riot Games also decided to give the Harbinger of Doom an updated look, which should evoke more of Fiddlesticks' fear-inducing characteristics.
“We want Fiddle to be the iconic ambush champion, with a kit centered around the concept of fear. This goes deeper than just a point-click status effect, [but] that is staying on the kit,” said Riot Games developers.
Although it is up to debate whether Riot Games achieved their goal to make Fiddlesticks scarier, their Champion Update Trailer – Fiddlesticks: Terror in Demacia did not fail to present Fiddlesticks as a terrifying entity.
When will Fiddlesticks update be released?
As of today, there have been no official announcement from Riot Games regarding Fiddlesticks' release date, neither the date when the rework will go live on Public Beta Environment (PBE). However, with all the abilities already unveiled it's safe to assume we could get a chance to test out the new-look Fiddlesticks relatively soon, at least based on Riot Games' usual approach to those kinds of releases.
The next patch coming to League of Legends is 10.6, which is set to go live in March, with additional nerfs to Aphelios, as well as Wukong rework. Considering Fiddlesticks was not mentioned for 10.6 patch, his rework may come in 10.7, which is set for April 1. Another possible date is the cycle after that, meaning Fiddlesticks rework may hit the Summoner's Rift sometime around April 15.
