11/27 PBE Update: Loot Assets, Skin Bios, & more

The PBE has been updated! As we continue the 9.24 PBE cycle, today's patch includes loot assets, skin bios, and more!
Continue reading for more information!

Table of Contents

• Wukong Update - Progress Report
• Miscellaneous
• Balance Changes
• Context & Notes

Wukong Update- Progress Report!

Here's Riot Lutzburg with a progress report on Wukong changes coming to the PBE soon:

"Hi everyone, 

I wanted to give you all an update on the status of the Wukong changes we've been working on for the last few weeks. When we last spoke about it, the team and I were beginning to dive into the existing work we had started earlier in the year. We regrouped and defined a few key goals for what we wanted to accomplish with these changes, based on the feedback we got from Wukong players. Those goals are: 

1. Give Wukong more tools and agency to make proactive plays during the laning phase
2. Provide Wukong with quality-of-life improvements where possible
3. Shift Wukong's power curve towards early game instead of late game 

Wukong has a very sharp win rate percentage based on game time, getting as low as 42% before Baron spawns to as high as 58% once the game has gone on for 35+ minutes. These changes should help smooth out that curve, so that Wukong feels competitive in the early game without dominating team fights with his innate tankiness and high burst damage. 

For the quality-of-life improvements, I did my best to listen to the fans and focus on the areas you cited as most frustrating- high mana costs and low Passive/R satisfaction. In addition to these upgrades, Wukong is gaining extremely powerful new tools in the form of a free-target dash, more convincing clone deception, and a physical damage shield. 

Here is the change list we're currently working on. Note that these changes are relative to THE LIVE GAME; not the last version you saw on the PBE or on our forums. 

P- Stone Skin:

• REMOVED- Wukong no longer gains resistances for nearby enemy Champions
• NEW- Whenever Wukong is invisible to the enemy team for at least 1 second, he gains a temporary physical damage shield based on his maximum health. After being spotted, the shield disperses after a few seconds

We've been experimenting with a new Passive that grants Wukong a temporary physical damage shield. The idea here is to increase Wukong's lane power and outplay potential while reducing his innate tankiness in team fights. We've been trying a handful of different versions, but here's the most recent. Note that it might change! 

We see this as a tool to reward extended trading patterns, incentivizing Wukong to dip in and out of brushes and use W as a re-engage tool rather than just an escape tool. We're hoping this manifests in some cool top lane brush out-plays! 

Q- Wuju Strike:

• Mana cost lowered to a flat 30 from 40
• CD reduced by 1 sec at all ranks
• NEW- Spell's cost is refunded if it kills a unit

W- Warrior Trickster:

• Now instantly dashes towards the player's cursor instead of a short range blink
• Dash is 350 range and 1200 speed. Can NOT go over walls
• Clone is now treated as a stationary Champion and will attack nearby enemies, prioritizing the last enemy Wukong damaged
• Clone's attacks deal a scaling 50-100% of Wukong's AD based on spell rank and apply on-hit effects
• Clone looks identical to Wukong's animation state on spawn, and animates as if he pressed the "S" key

E- Nimbus Strike:

• Tertiary target range check increased significantly
• Now deals magic damage instead of physical

R- Cyclone:

• Tick rate increased to every .25 sec from .5 (damage halved to compensate)
• Damage ratio increased to 1.25 AD/sec from 1.1
• Bonus movement speed is now a flat 30% instead of ramping up 5-40% over the duration
• E's attack speed buff now pauses while R is active
• Wukong can now cancel R early by casting another ability or recasting R

Hoping these buffs make it more attractive to channel Cyclone for the full duration, rather than always canceling it after the knock-up. 

We're aiming to push these changes to the PBE sometime in December. Based on your feedback, outstanding bugs and a general balance pass, we aren't able to provide an exact release date just yet. We're still exploring some experimental mechanics outside of the update's original scope, which takes extra time we didn't initially account for. I understand this news will frustrate some of you, but I hope this list proves that we're committed to meaningfully improving Wukong's play experience. 

Thank you for your patience, 

-Lutzburg

Miscellaneous 

• Loot asset added - "Sett's Calling Card"

• "Gained by impressing Sett. Openable on January 14th, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. PT."

• Night and Dawn 2019 Orb description updated to note: "Open to reveal a guaranteed random Skin Shard with a chance to obtain bonuses like a Night & Dawn 2019 Jackpot, Gemstone, or Mythic Skin permanent. Gemstone and Mythic Skin permanent drop rates multiplied by 1.5. Jackpot drop rate increased from 4% to 8% compared to previous events, the value of jackpot reduced."

• Night and Dawn 2019 Jackpot description updated to note: "Open to reveal one skin shard of 975 or greater value. Jackpot drop rate increased from 4% to 8% compared to previous events. Gemstone and Mythic Skin permanent drop rates multiplied by 1.5."

• Skin bios added:

• Skin Lines added:
• Nightbringer
• Dawnbringer
• Bloodstone

• Hextech Swain: "The hextech artificer known as Jericho Swain is an almost legendary figure among Piltover's growing upper crust. Though he professes not to meddle in city affairs, he has been quietly integrating various hextech components into his own body... and with them, unparalleled access to the eyes and ears of thousands of artificial creatures."
• Dawnbringer Soraka: "A child of the gods born when chaos slew order, Soraka contains within her the powers of both Riven and Yasuo. To end the conflict of the gods, she has embraced the light to pierce the darkness, drawing on the powers of dawn to bring order to the chaotic world."
• Dawnbringer Karma: "Charged with governing the cosmic cycles of death and rebirth, Karma fights to protect the wellspring of souls as they journey to reincarnation. More so than the other cosmic beings, she cares for the mortal souls she shepherds, striving to create a more structured world."
• Dawnbringer Nidalee: "Nidalee rules over the restorative calm of the natural world, guarding the land's remaining peaceful places. She fights to protect the land and living things, bringing light and order to the mortal creatures under her care-- even taking the form of a celestial beast."
• Nightbringer Soraka: "A child of the gods born when chaos slew order, Soraka contains within her the powers of both Riven and Yasuo. To end the conflict of the gods, she has embraced the darkness to soothe the blinding light, drawing on the powers of night to create chaos and change in a too-static world."
• Nightbringer Lee Sin: "Lee Sin thrives in the heat of combat. An embodiment of passion and fury, he rules over the raw, chaotic emotions of the heart. While his siblings fight for various ideals, Lee Sin fights for the thrill of battle itself, striking with power and unpredictability."
• Nightbringer Vladimir: "The chaotic king of the night, Vladimir exists as the personification of uncertainty and revelry. He thrives in the unknown shadows, feeding on the life essence and darkness found in mortal hearts."
• Nightbringer Aphelios: "Separated at primordial birth, Aphelios, a fiend of chaos, and Alune, an archoness of order, were created as enemies. Yet, drawn each night to wander by shared visions of the moon, they found each other. Abandoning their natures, they struggle to show creation that darkness can shine, even as other divinities endlessly war..."
• Sugar Rush Braum: "No one knows how Braum manages to never get candy stuck in his majestic mustache. Everyone knows how the great defender stands stalwart for everyone, from the smallest gumdrop to the strongest candy king."
• Sugar Rush Evelynn: "In a world where every tooth is sweet, Evelynn's sugary bite is deadly."
• Sugar Rush Ziggs: "The famed Gumball Grenadier, Ziggs, bursts across Candy Kingdom! Everyone knows to enjoy his colorful explosions... from a safe distance."
• Sugar Rush Zilean: "For most denizens of Candy Kingdom, there's never enough time to eat all the sweets. For Zilean, there's never enough candy to fill all the time."
• Bloodstone Lissandra: "Once a powerful sorceress who sought absolute control over her followers, Lissandra transformed into something altogether different when she finally found the hallowed Bloodstone. The magic she drew from it drove her to slay those who once tended to her every whim. To this day she wanders in search of more mortals to sacrifice to her newfound source of power."
• Bloodstone Taric: "Considered to be the most handsome and cunning acolyte of his Bloodstone cult, Taric seized power after the former leader took to the hunt. Now fully in control of his Bloodstone artifact, he uses his powers to maintain his youth and beauty at all costs-- even if it means getting his hands a little bloody."
• Blood Lord Vladimir: "Former leader of a Bloodstone cult, Vladimir took part in a ritual that sacrificed his humanity-- along with the blood of several victims-- to transform the once foppish noble into a terror of the night. To satiate his sanguine cravings, he stalks the urban labyrinth in search of hapless prey."
• Blood Knight Hecarim: "A zealous sycophant to his order, Hecarim unquestioningly serves the will of the Bloodstone. While less subtle than his masters would like, he is nonetheless effective in his purpose of executing enemies in a grisly fashion."
• Bloodfury Renekton: "This blood-crazed killing machine scours the battlefield to sate the Bloodstone. The more he slays, the more he fuels his powers. This in turn feeds his frenzy, creating a never ending cycle of spilt viscera and gore."
• Pirate Ryze: "In another world and time, when the stress of preventing another Rune War was just too much, Ryze left behind his previous life to terrorize the high seas of Runeterra! With his trusty cannon on his back, and magic coursing through his veins like gold through his fingers, Pirate Ryze warps from ship to ship and coast to coast, taking what he will."
• Bilgewater Katarina: "To outsiders, the politics of Bilgewater seem a mean mess of villainous scum and dishonorable thieves. But woven throughout are complex loyalties, solemn codes of honor, and a very specific (if bloody) way of doing things. Cutting through it all is Katarina, a master of the blade. She silences the right tongues at all the right moments... for the right price."
• Kingpin Twitch: "Many in Bilgewater get called a filthy rat, but none deserve the title more than the Kingpin himself. While other crime bosses in the port city may loathe to get their hands dirty, Twitch revels in wading into the filth himself-- crossbow in hand, and a finely aged egg in his pocket."
• Bilgerat Rumble: "When the burdens of invention weigh too heavy on a young yordle's shoulders, there's no better choice than to take to the seas! Nothing like plunderin' and maraudin' to lend Rumble a new lease on life as he terrorizes the coasts."
• Buccaneer Tristana: "Gunners ahoy! Tristana leaps onto the high seas, sailing for new adventures beyond the Bandle borders. The hat's borrowed (stolen) from a pirate she blasted, and the eyepatch is purely for show. But her take-no-prisoner attitude and trusty cannon gun have sunk more ships than most captains in Bilgewater."

• Diana VFX update comparison video from SkinSpotlights:

Context & Notes

1) Captain Gameplay noted rune changes in 11/26 PBE Update weren't intended:
2) Stashu noted some Aphelios changes for the next build:

"Some small updates for next build: 

The Passive tooltip's gun list now changes its order to reflect the actual order.
R icon now pops when you get a point in it at lvls 6/11/16 as a reminder.
Number of mini chakrams capped at 20.

Crescendum Q range is clamped (so if you cast it far away, you won't walk up and cast it there, you just cast it at its max range from your position)."

3) Here's Riot Orphyre with bugs & feedback threads for chromas and the Prestige Skin this cycle:

Nightbringer Lee Sin Prestige Edition

"Hey everyone! 

We’ve got a new Prestige skin coming out for Nightbringer Lee Sin! He’ll be coming with: 

• New Model and Textures: Fully consumed by the night, embraces his dark palette
• Golden VFX: Gold VFX for all of his abilities 

Nightbringer Lee Sin Prestige Edition is available on PBE! Feel free to leave any feedback or questions you have so far down below! 

Thanks for checking in, hope to hear from you soon! 

Riot Orphyre"

Chromas

"Hey everyone! 

We’ve got new Chromas coming up for Dawnbringer Nidalee, Dawnbringer Karma, Nightbringer Aphelios, Nightbringer Vladimir, Dawnbringer Riven, Nightbringer Yasuo, Sugar Rush Ziggs, Sugar Rush Braum, Sugar Rush Zilean, and Sugar Rush Evelynn! 

Dawnbringer Nidalee:

• New textures:
• Dawnbringer Nidalee (Ruby)
• Dawnbringer Nidalee (Amethyst)
• Dawnbringer Nidalee (Peridot)
• Dawnbringer Nidalee (Paragon)
• Dawnbringer Nidalee (Rose Quartz)
• Dawnbringer Nidalee (Pearl)

Dawnbringer Karma:

• New textures:
• Dawnbringer Karma (Ruby)
• Dawnbringer Karma (Catseye)
• Dawnbringer Karma (Peridot)
• Dawnbringer Karma (Amethyst)
• Dawnbringer Karma (Paragon)
• Dawnbringer Karma (Rose Quartz)

Nightbringer Aphelios:

• New textures:
• Nightbringer Aphelios (Turquoise)
• Nightbringer Aphelios (Pariah)
• Nightbringer Aphelios (Ruby)
• Nightbringer Aphelios (Sapphire)
• Nightbringer Aphelios (Obsidian)
• Nightbringer Aphelios (Pearl)
• Nightbringer Aphelios (Emerald)

Nightbringer Vladimir:

• New textures:
• Nightbringer Vladimir (Pariah)
• Nightbringer Vladimir (Obsidian)
• Nightbringer Vladimir (Tanzanite)
• Nightbringer Vladimir (Ruby)
• Nightbringer Vladimir (Emerald)
• Nightbringer Vladimir (Turquoise)

Dawnbringer Riven:

• New textures:
• Dawnbringer Riven (Paragon)

Nightbringer Yasuo:

• New textures:
• Nightbringer Yasuo (Pariah)

Sugar Rush Ziggs:

• New textures:
• Sugar Rush Ziggs (Ruby)
• Sugar Rush Ziggs (Catseye)
• Sugar Rush Ziggs (Peridot)
• Sugar Rush Ziggs (Aquamarine)
• Sugar Rush Ziggs (Amethyst)
• Sugar Rush Ziggs (Sandstone)
• Sugar Rush Ziggs (Sweet Tooth)
• Sugar Rush Ziggs (Meteorite)

Sugar Rush Braum:

• New textures:
• Sugar Rush Braum (Ruby)
• Sugar Rush Braum (Rose Quartz)
• Sugar Rush Braum (Citrine)
• Sugar Rush Braum (Catseye)
• Sugar Rush Braum (Pearl)
• Sugar Rush Braum (Obsidian)
• Sugar Rush Braum (Peridot)
• Sugar Rush Braum (Sweet Tooth)

Sugar Rush Zilean:

• New textures:
• Sugar Rush Zilean (Ruby)
• Sugar Rush Zilean (Rose Quartz)
• Sugar Rush Zilean (Peridot)
• Sugar Rush Zilean (Aquamarine)
• Sugar Rush Zilean (Citrine)
• Sugar Rush Zilean (Meteorite)
• Sugar Rush Zilean (Sweet Tooth)

Sugar Rush Evelynn:

• New textures:
• Sugar Rush Evelynn (Ruby)
• Sugar Rush Evelynn (Rose Quartz)
• Sugar Rush Evelynn (Amethyst)
• Sugar Rush Evelynn (Sweet Tooth)
• Sugar Rush Evelynn (Obsidian)
• Sugar Rush Evelynn (Jasper) 

The Chroma sets are now available on PBE! We hope you all will enjoy the new sets; as usual, we’re looking forward to hearing your constructive feedback. I’ll do my best to answer and reply to your questions and feedback!
Thanks! 

Riot Orphyre" 

Check out [THIS PAGE] for a comprehensive list of the new content & changes currently on the PBE as a part of this cycle or catch up with the individual update links below !

• 11/26 PBE Update: Aphelios, Twelve New Skins, & Much More