League of Legends is nerfing lifesteal in huge Season 11 overhaul
Riot GamesLeague of Legends patch 11.6 could feature big nerfs to lifesteal, as Riot looks to overhaul the stat yet again in Season 11. Almost every lifesteal item in the game is penned for nerfs as the assault on sustain continues.
The Season 11 item rework certainly shook up the League of Legends meta. Mythic items and the introduction of a bunch of new stats has changed the way players approach the game.
While lifesteal wasn’t touched too much in the rework, it did get some updates. New items like Eclipse and Immortal Shieldbow were added, and Blade of the Ruined King was given a hefty overhaul.
Riot GamesHowever, alongside the introduction of extra sustain like Omnivamp, lifesteal has become too much of a crutch for some characters. Bruisers like Irelia and Sett often rush lifesteal items before anything else, and Grievous Wounds has become a must buy in response.
Now, Riot are looking at quietly nerfing lifesteal in League of Legends patch 11.6. At least three items, along with the Ravenous Hunter rune, are all getting cost increases, stat reductions, or both at once.
“In some cases this will be nerfs but in others it will be shifting stats keeping power neutral,” developer Mark Yetter stated on March 5.
Testing round 2 of systemic healing reduction for 11.6
In some cases this will be nerfs but in others it will be shifting stats keeping power neutral
Hopefully this is the last set of these and we can be in a good state where healing is a notable choice and not a baseline pic.twitter.com/MT7NByhZeJ
— Mark Yetter (@MarkYetter) March 5, 2021
Riot has previously highlighted sustain as one of the big issues plaguing League of Legends in Season 11.
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While Grievous Wounds have been buffed, the easy access to Omnivamp for most champs was proving an issue. Drain tanks like Aatrox and Olaf were dominating the meta, as well as the “Moonstaff” combo on enchanters and mages.
Big changes on #LeagueofLegends PBE right now: almost every lifesteal item has been nerfed; either with a gold increase, a stat drop, or both.
These changes could ship in LoL patch 11.6. pic.twitter.com/0qGxjaN2Fe
— League of Legends News (@lol_insider) March 5, 2021
These nerfs to a variety of lifesteal items aren’t excessive.
However, across the board, it’ll have an impact on the build paths and power spikes of bruisers and AD carries, especially those who rely on Blade of the Ruined King or Immortal Shieldbow.
A full list of the lifesteal changes coming in League patch 11.6 can be found below, courtesy of Surrender@20. This varies slightly from Yetter’s list, but it’s accurate of what changes are currently being tested.
Lifesteal nerfs in League of Legends patch 11.6
Items
Blade of the Ruined King
- Lifesteal lowered from 12% to 10%
- Lifesteal lowered from 12% to 10%
- Omnivamp lowered from [1% + 1.7% per Bounty Hunter stack] to [0% + 1.5% per Bounty Hunter stack]
