With Ahri’s release, Riot also implemented some sexy new champion screens to the PvP.net client. What are champion screens? You know, those screens you would look at to see who was getting new skins and…nothing else. Honestly, these things have been in need of an update for quite some time, an update that turned out quite nicely.

As you can see from the screenshot, the initial page still includes all of the old information – what archetype the character falls under, the relative strengths and weaknesses, and a brief look at abilities. The more exciting parts of the character screens are on the subsequent tabs. The Abilities tab has videos of each ability in action, and the Tips and Items page makes a nice addition for players ready to try out new champions.

I think the best part of these changes is that it will give players a quick, easy way to learn what they’re up against. As the field of champions grows, it only becomes more difficult for new players to learn the game, and the gap between veterans and newbies grows. This could reduce the barrier to entry, which can only be a good thing.

I would like to see some of the champion abilities used with more context. With Alistar, for example, the Triumphant Roar and Unbreakable videos don’t really show what the skills do. His health bar isn’t showing for Triumphant Roar, and the only numbers the video shows are the mana cost (and it isn’t explicitly clear that the number is the mana cost). The same goes for Unbreakable. I’d like it if the video showed that the skill could break Alistar out of crowd control effects.

I covered the upcoming rune changes in a post the other day but neglected to provide a breakdown of the champion and mastery changes slated for the Ahri patch.

Twisted Fate is getting a little much-needed love. He’ll have better range in lane and his Pick-a-Card will now require target selection. I have to say, I’m excited to see TF again. I can’t help but miss him around this time of year. This is when I started playing LoL and he was the first champion I really loved. Granted, he was OP as all hell, but still fun.

Tryndamere is also getting a small nerf, though I honestly doubt it will be enough. His healing-per-stack on Bloodlust will be reduced in the coming patch. Really, though, Trynd is just too strong in a solo situation. The fact that he has a heal at all gives him more sustain than just about anyone he faces. With the Cleanse change, I think his kit is just too problematic.

Morello also mentioned bringing back Strength of Spirit for Utility mastery lovers. I’m honestly not sure how putting it deep in the tree will make things any better. The tree is just way too focused on a stat that no one really worries about any more: mana. Because of the way blue buff gets passed around, a mana-focused build is only relevant on Singed and Ryze. Beyond that, we don’t need the mana, and the rest of the utility tree is bad enough that even Ryze and Singed would be better off speccing defense.

I’ll be interested to see how the TF buff plays out, but beyond that, I don’t see this patch having much impact on the game.

It looks like the next patch for League of Legends will indeed include the Ahri release. Along with the new champion, Riot is introducing a variety of new rune options. This patch will also see dodge runes headed the way of the Wooly Mammoth (although, I hear those guys may be making a comeback).

Among the new runes will be some gold-per-10 seals. I can’t say I’m excited to see more options for passive play in lane, though it will make my GP10 builds even more interesting. There will also be Lifesteal, Spell Vamp, and hybrid Armor/MR shredding runes.

I’ll be interested to see the numbers on the Lifesteal and Spell Vamp. You’ll notice from the Patch Preview that Morello isn’t worried about the runes becoming sustain problems. I hope that’s truly the case. Personally, I’ve been having a lot of fun with flat AD runes on my carries with the new masteries. I would hate for Lifesteal to suddenly trump that decision.