Ryze has had a troubled history in League of Legends, with numerous reworks and an inability to find a stable place in the meta. Vars takes us on a journey through Ryze’s rework retrospective, examining the changes made to the champion over the years and the reasons behind them.
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Key Takeaways:
- Ryze has undergone multiple reworks in an attempt to balance his gameplay and make him more viable in the meta.
- Version 1 and Version 2 of Ryze were simple point-and-click champions, relying on stat-checking and lacking depth in gameplay.
- Version 3 introduced more complexity and skill expression with the addition of conditional bonuses and a chain reaction mechanic.
- The latest rework simplified Ryze’s gameplay and brought him back to a more basic combo-based playstyle, but he lacks uniqueness compared to other mages.
The Rise of Ryze: Version 1 and Version 2
Ryze’s journey begins with his initial versions, which were simple point-and-click champions. These iterations relied heavily on stat-checking and lacked depth in gameplay. Ryze’s main damage spell, Overload, was a point-and-click ability that granted passive cooldown reduction. Rune Prison, another point-and-click ability, rooted the target. Spell Flux reduced the target’s magic resistance and could bounce to nearby enemies. Ryze’s gameplay revolved around these abilities and there was little nuance to his gameplay.
The Complexity of Version 3
In an attempt to add more complexity and skill expression to Ryze’s gameplay, Version 3 introduced conditional bonuses and a chain reaction mechanic. Overload no longer gave a shield, Spell Flux dealt bonus damage on the next application, and Rune Prison had a longer root duration. This version required more thoughtful execution and had a higher skill ceiling, but it also made balancing Ryze a challenge.
The Fall and Simplification of Ryze: Version 3.5
Due to Ryze’s dominance in professional play and his inconsistency in solo queue, Riot made a series of nerfs to bring him in line. These nerfs gradually stripped away the complexity of Version 3 Ryze, reducing his shield value, damage, and cooldowns. Version 3.5 simplified Ryze’s gameplay further, making him more accessible but less tactically demanding. While these changes stabilized Ryze’s win rate, they also made him less unique compared to other mages.
The Current State of Ryze
Ryze’s current iteration retains the same basic combo of EQ or EWQ, with small numbers adjustments being made to balance his gameplay. However, he lacks the distinctiveness and charm of his previous versions and struggles to stand out among other mages. Many players miss the old Ryze and believe he could use another rework to bring back his unique gameplay.
Ryze’s rework journey in League of Legends has been a tumultuous one, with attempts to balance his gameplay and make him more viable in the meta. From his simple point-and-click origins to his complex conditional bonuses, Ryze has undergone numerous changes. However, he currently lacks the uniqueness and appeal that he once had, leaving players wondering if he will receive another rework in the future.
