This is a strange patch, indeed. It seems Riot has enabled the champion changes and new runes slated for this patch, but Ahri and the Snowdown Showdown skins won’t be in the game until tomorrow.

I’m not sure how I feel about the numbers on the new runes, with the exception of the hybrid penetration runes. Those seem fine. The spell vamp and lifesteal quints come in at 2 percent a piece, which means players can start the game with as much as 12 percent lifesteal with the added health from a Doran’s Blade or 9 percent spell vamp. Honestly, I think the lifesteal will just contribute to the current sustain problem on bottom lane. Giving a ranged carry 12 percent lifesteal on top of a healer will just be insane. Now, it could potentially help the non-sustain supports become a bit more viable, but I would bet non-sustain versus sustain will still be a losing battle.

The gold-per-10 seals grant .25 GP10, for a total of 2.25 from seals. It’s now possible to get 5.25 GP10 from runes alone. With another 2 GP10 from the utility tree, support characters can pull 7 GP10 at level one. That’s a serious amount of gold. By the 20-minute mark that’s almost 800 gold for just standing around.

Check back later today for a gallery of the Snowdown Showdown skins.