Classic League of Legends was recently released by Riot Games, bringing back an era that many players, both new and old, were eager to experience. This version of the game resembles what players may have grown up playing.
However, along with the nostalgia, players quickly realized the differences in the old game. Towers fall much quicker, snowballing is back, and strategies that are now less effective in the modern game.
This has sparked an interesting idea. Could old strategies, like the ones Fnatic and the EU LCS excelled at in 2015 with lane swapping, make a comeback? Back in the day, these tactics were used to dominate lanes, secure CS advantages, take down towers effortlessly, and build massive gold leads for hyper-scalers. Here’s a classic clip for reference:
Riot Considers Bringing Back Lane Swaps and Old School Strategies
During a hands-on session with League Classic, we had the chance to ask Riot representatives about the possibility of old pro strategies making a return. Specifically, we inquired about strategies like lane swaps and top and jungle co-farming, considering the differences in tower defenses and gameplay mechanics between then and now.
“Are there any balance concerns that old, pro strategies may come back? Like lane swaps with towers having drastically lower defensiveness than live, top and jungle co-farming, etc.” – Me
The response from Riot was intriguing. They expressed a fondness for the idea of reintroducing old philosophies and gameplay mechanics that made the game fun in the past. The presentation highlighted the nostalgia of crazy builds, strategies, and memorable moments from that era.
Regarding how lane swaps could work in Classic, the key lies in the fragility of towers. Without the defensive buffs, tower platings, and defensive items present in the current game, coordinated map movement and strategic wave management could lead to towers crumbling quickly.
If a team can execute a classic version of a lane swap effectively, it could indeed be a viable strategy. The Riot representative seemed open to the idea, emphasizing that players should feel free to experiment with such strategies on the Season 3-like towers.
On a more practical note, the global development and balance team also expressed support for keeping classic elements in the game. However, they emphasized the importance of maintaining balance to ensure that the gameplay remains enjoyable for all players. The goal is not perfect balance but allowing players to explore different strategies without disrupting the overall fun of Classic.
The Likelihood of Old Strategies Resurfacing
While there is a possibility of degenerate strategies influencing LoL Classic, especially in organized competitions like Go4LoLs, the casual nature of Classic mode may prevent these strategies from becoming dominant. The game mode is more about fun than serious competition, so the impact of old strategies may be limited.
It will be interesting to see how Classic handles potential game-warping strategies without compromising the essence of the mode. The player community and the tribunal voting system may play a crucial role in maintaining a balance between preserving classic elements and preventing the game from becoming too unbalanced.