League of Legends news:
It’s that time of year again, summoners, and the champions of the League are out celebrating Snowdown Showdown!
Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Cologne is underway just in time for an early holiday dose of League of Legends competition.
Watch as eight teams from Korea and Europe battle for $50,000 in prizes and points to qualify for the IEM Season VII Final at CeBIT 2013. FnaticRaidCall, SK Telekom 1, Millenium, mouseports, Meet Your Makers, CJ Entus, Counter Logic Gaming EU, and Team Alternate will meet on the Fields of Justice en route to the tournament’s finale, where the top two contenders will face off for a $15,500 prize purse.
Every action-packed moment of the tournament will be brought to you with top-notch play-by-play commentary and expert analysis by Deman, Joe Miller, and ButButButILY.
Tune in here as some of the scene’s top teams vie for a guaranteed slot at IEM’s season final and the title as IEM Cologne’s Champions.
Ah, it’s that very special time of year when we celebrate the holidays by making everything look edible. We set out sugar plums, candy canes, and even the air smells of apple cider and chocolate.
Why is that? What is the appeal of making festive holiday iconography into food? It’s not like a gingerbread Teemo would make any sense...
Oh wait...
Hey guys,
I wanted to take a moment and fill you in on our reasoning behind today’s balance update.
This patch was mostly focused on champion balance and dealing with the biggest hot-button issues. We want people to explore and experiment as much as possible (allowing us to gather feedback over a longer period of time), but we need to make sure the game isn’t damaged by one or two crazy options!
There’s nothing more satisfying than the sounds of your enemies succumbing to an extreme beat-down. Not to Vi, anyway, the newest champion to join the League. Punching, excessive force, and armor-busting brutality are what she’s all about.
A cold chill sets into your bones as you approach a teetering, crystalline fortress of ice and snow. Gusts of wind stop you in your tracks as a billowing shadow greets you at the gates.
- Summoners, I beg of you to help our cause. I am Frost Queen Janna, ruler of the glorious ice fort that stands before you. If you choose to join our fight, enter through the snow gates. We are preparing our defenses against those that strive to ruin fun with fire. 487 RP
- Glacial Malphite is hard at work fortifying our defenses against fiery forces. I could not ask for a more steadfast and powerful ally. 487 RP
- Short in stature but deadly in demeanor, little Frostfire Annie and loveable Tibbers are rolling an armament of snowballs for our defense. Other children spend their snow days seeking out merriment – she is not other children. 487 RP
The Electronic Sports League (ESL) closes out the year in dramatic-fashion with the Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) in Cologne, Germany from December 14 through December 16. Eight teams from Korea and Europe will compete for $50,000 in prizes and points to qualify for the upcoming IEM season finals at CeBIT 2013.
Live from the ESL TV Studios, FnaticRaidCall, ESG, Eclypsia, mouseports, Meet Your Makers, CJ Entus, Counter Logic Gaming EU, and Team Alternate will meet on the Fields of Justice to battle in group stages to advance into the single elimination bracket. The winner of the tournament will automatically qualify for IEM’s season finals in addition to their share of the prize pool.
‘Tis the season for giving, so this Snowdown we wanted to offer you all the opportunity to spread some holiday cheer. In the coming patch you’ll be able to buy champions, skins, and RP as gifts for the significant summoners in your life. The gifting center will only be open for a limited time, so be sure to plan your holiday shopping accordingly.
Welcome to this week’s Pro Player Pick, where we feature one of the best League of Legends players discussing his champion of choice.
It’s that time of year again. The halls are decked, the snow is falling, and there’s a chance of periodic home invasions by an incredibly evil yordle in a red suit sporting a sack full of Dark Matter. But before you install some extra security in your chimney, you should head over to the Snowdown Showdown page to see which champions are filled with holiday cheer this time around.
We have a number of other holiday treats in store for you, so be sure to check out the Snowdown Showdown page to see what you can look forward to this holiday season!
Nidalee’s getting a Visual Upgrade this coming patch, so to accompany her new look, we’ve got a classic Champion Spotlight to give you a glimpse at her model, effects, and animations in action, along with some pro tips.
Summoners!
The Preseason update brought in a lot new changes to items, jungle, summoner spells and masteries. Riot Design team is here to help you navigate these changes effectively.
Summoners!
The Preseason update brought in a lot new changes to items, jungle, summoner spells and masteries. Riot Design team is here to help you navigate these changes effectively.
Our latest featured streamer is pro bot laner and all-round class act Xpecial. Playing support for North American Regional Champion Team Solo Mid, Xpecial is one of the most accomplished players in the League of Legends scene. Renowned for level-headed, constructive play, we interviewed Xpecial at the launch of our own Honor initiative.
- They told me I couldn’t get a garden to grow by Snowdown, that the winter frost would chill the roots and freeze the seeds. But, as you can see, all you need is a little… heat. You don’t recognize me? I’m Wildfire Zyra, and this is my patch of red and green in all this frigid white. 487 RP
- Firefang Warwick saw my blazing bivouac and stopped to admire my work. You can tell by how he struggles against the vines that he didn’t expect I’d use his flames to fuel their rampant growth. 487 RP
- On the other thorn, Volcanic Wukong tried to keep his distance. His monkey business might have misled someone who relies on their eyes, but my plants and I have sharper senses. Now he, too, melts the snow to water the seeds of my labor. 487 RP
Summoners,
Interested in competing professionally in Season 3? Then form your ranked 5v5 teams soon, because any teams created after the December 14th deadline will be ineligible to compete (no exceptions)! For more information on the Season 3 Path to Pro, head over here.
Today the tide rolls in, as Nami, the Tidecaller, the newest support champion, joins the League of Legends.
In this edition of the Champion Spotlight, we’ll show you how Nami, the Tidecaller supports your team with the power of water. As an offensive support, Nami is perfect for aggressively harassing opponents in lane while buffing her allies to keep the fight going. Use her ultimate to initiate or disengage, and chase down retreating foes with the combination of her passive and Tidecaller’s Blessing. Watch as we go through all of her abilities as well as sample runes and masteries, and share a few useful tips you can use to drown your opponents in a massive tidal wave.
Summoners, fire up your rocket-grabs, ‘cuz we’re ready to serve up fantastic fan art, creative cosplay, and more from the community that dares to deliver in this edition of the Showcase.
It’s been a long day, summoner. My team and I have been practicing for the upcoming Showdown. I’m trying to pull this bunch together on short notice, and they haven’t been enthusiastic.
- It’s exhausting for Xin Zhao, especially; he’s the only one who glanced at the manual I instructed them to read. They’re in the middle of chapter three: Building a Fire Together. Come along and I’ll introduce you to the team. 487 RP
- Talon is gathering more tinder, but he’ll be back soon, I’m sure. We all voted and decided that with his swift blades, an armful of dead wood won’t take him long to harvest. 487 RP
- You’ll recognize Twitch. He insisted on handling the cooking, although I’m not convinced the result will be worth the mess. Between us, I can’t help being concerned about the poison, you know? 487 RP
Beyond time and space, a ruthless arbiter has been waiting and watching. The manifestation of all future nightmares, Eternum Nocturne now descends upon the Fields of Justice. This Legendary Skin re-imagines the Eternal Nightmare as a mix of biological themes with a technological frame.
This alternate look for Varus emanates bright power. Rediscover the Ionian warrior just after he embraces the corruption he once guarded, but before the darkness consumes him. New animations and spell effects shine fresh light on the Arrow of Retribution, and you'll hear an uncorrupted treatment of his voice.
To give you a reference for all the new developments coming to items, the jungle, summoner spells, and masteries, we’ve launched the Preseason Update. Here you’ll find information on all the changes, along with links to in-depth analyses of each topic and discussion posts where you can share your feedback with the Design team.
Check out the Preseason Update Site to learn more about all the new changes.
For more context on the changes below, head to the Pre-Season website!
For pro teams, victory comes through the hard work and dedication it takes to master a wide array of champions and team comps. This week, victory has decided your discount. These five champions have proven their mettle in the face of immense odds, overcoming fierce opponents to clinch victory on the Fields of Justice.
- Diana – 487 RP
- Lulu – 487 RP
- Nunu – 130 RP
- Olaf – 487 RP
- Ezreal – 487 RP
