1/16 PBE Update: Esports Summoner Icons & Balance Changes

The PBE has been updated! As we continue the 9.2 PBE cycle, today's patch includes esports summoner icons for 2019 and even more tentative balance changes!
Continue reading for more information!

Table of Contents

• Esports Summoner Icons
• Miscellaneous
• Balance Changes
• Context & Notes

Esports Summoner Icons

Tons of new summoner icons were added to the PBE:

Miscellaneous

• Loading screen changes are testing on the PBE as noted by Meddler:

Aatrox
[Changelist]

• The Darkin Blade (Q) first swing AD ratio lowered from 64/68/72/76/80% to 55/60/65/70/75%
• Umbral Dash (E) recharge time increased from 24/20/16/12/8 to 26/22/18/14/10

Jax
[Changelist]

• Base AD lowered from 69.67 to 68
• Leap Strike (Q) damage lowered from 80/120/160/200/240 to 65/105/145/185/225

Context & Notes

1) Here's Maple Nectar with a changelist for Ornn in today's update:

"Hey Ornn players, We're going to be getting some small buffs in to help you out in the lane phase in 9.2. These won't have gone to the PBE yet, but they'll be in the next release. 

Base Health :: 565.64 >>> 590
Base Armor :: 33.04 >>> 36"

2) Here's Meddler's quick gameplay thoughts for January 16, including balance plans for 9.3, loading screen changes in 9.2, and more:

"Hi folks, 

Usual Disclaimers 

These posts will often contain talk about future work we're doing, or planning to do, that isn't yet guaranteed to ship. The nature of the work could change or, depending on what we discover, projects mentioned may get delayed or even stopped. If you'd like to see a Tweet whenever a new one of these posts goes up: https://twitter.com/RiotMeddler 

Why some stuff planned for 9.2's changed 

Wanted to share our thinking on why some things that we talked about for 9.2 and/or were on the PBE but won't be shipping have changed. Each of these cases is a potential candidate for change in 9.3 instead still.  

• Akali - Work needs more time.
• Camille - We're still discussing whether or not to pull the trigger on a change to Camille's E where it only CC champions (not monsters). On one hand it's likely to significantly reduces Camille's early jungle power, which we think is likely needed. It is a pretty heavy change that potentially pushes her out of the role entirely or in large part however, hence the caution and extended testing.
• Irelia - Will have some changes in 9.2, also planning on further work in 9.3 or 9.4 to put some power back in to her ability to engage in longer fights (versus current skew towards strength in shorter, burst versus burst, fights).
• Mundo and Shen - Are both going to be beneficiaries of the buff to Sunfire Cape in 9.2. It's a fairly small buff, but enough that we don't want to double down on champion and systemic change unnecessarily.
• Relic Shield - Pulling back on the removal of the Relic + Dematerializer interaction. Biggest reason is to see how the combination of recent enchanter item buffs and upcoming crit item changes affects the bot lane ecosystem. Second reason is suspicion the change is potentially both unclear while not being that impactful even in the targeted context of hard pushing in pro play.
• Viktor - Holding off on any nerfs at present, not currently convinced there's enough evidence they're needed.
• Zoe - As with Mundo and Shen, we want to see where systemic changes (nerfs to Ignite and Oblivion Orb/Morello's) leave Zoe, then reassess both whether she still needs a nerf and where best to take power if so. Belief is both of those nerfs will hit her a bit more than the average user. 

Some Loading Screen Changes in 9.2 

As we talked about a little while back and as has been in testing on the PBE we've got an updated version of the loading screen coming. The first version of that should be in 9.2 and will include things like a revised layout, work to support the ranked 2019 changes and some performance improvements. Thanks to everyone who gave feedback on it, it's helped us tweak some stuff during the extended PBE cycle. 

Other features, including text chat and premade voice chat during the loading screen are still planned, they just won't be in 9.2. We figured was better to get some improvements out earlier and others later, rather than waiting until everything was done. 

Crit item changes and assessment of overall damage 

Crit item changes will hopefully be in 9.3. Should be able to talk with some certainty as to which changes we are/aren't going with later next week. 

In terms of overall amount of damage in the game and how we're assessing that, which cases we think are/aren't appropriate etc, should have some detailed thoughts to share soon. Might be late this week, might also be next week."

He also provided a changelist for Aatrox in today's update:

"We're currently testing:

• Q damage :: 10-70(+64/68/72/76/80%tAD) >>> 10-70(+55/60/65/70/75%tAD)
• E recharge :: 24/20/16/12/8 >>> 26/22/18/14/10 

Think it's very possible he needs additional work down the line. Having said that he's too strong in regular play too, not just pro, so possible we just need to cut power full stop as players in both contexts continue to get better at him."

As well as a Jax changelist and context:

"We're looking at reduced base AD (69.9 to 68) and reduced Q base damage (80-240 to 65-225). While some match ups are less favorable to Jax we believe overall he's a bit strong. Curiously how he's too strong changes by MMR. In Bronze/Silver he's out of line as a jungler, in Diamond plus especially he's a problem in top lane by contrast."

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 !

• 1/8 PBE Update: Sylas, the Unshackled, Lunar Revel & Valentines Skins, and more!
• 1/9 PBE Update: Tentative Balance Changes
• 1/10 PBE Update: More Tentative Balance Changes
• 1/11 PBE Update: Lunar Revel 2019 Login Theme
• 1/14 PBE Update: Splash Tweaks, Skin BIos, & Tentative Balance Changes
• 1/15 PBE Update: More Tentative Balance Changes