As the release of LoL Patch 13.17 on August 30, 2023, approaches, we're already getting insight into the upcoming changes for the Duskblade of Draktharr. This item has sparked controversy in the League of Legends community and has undergone numerous modifications over the past few years. While we're all waiting for Patch 13.16, slated for release on August 16, with its anticipated adjustments, the announced changes for Duskblade in Patch 13.17 suggest that this item holds even more significance than previously thought.
Patch 13.16 will bring significant alterations to various items and champions, and one item on the list for adjustments is the infamous Duskblade of Draktharr. Initially designed for assassins, this item has grown in popularity among various champion classes and roles, creating a diverse impact in League of Legends matches.
Yet, a peek into the planned Duskblade of Draktharr changes for Patch 13.17 indicates that Riot Games perceives a more profound issue with the item and anticipates that the upcoming adjustments might not be sufficient to balance its effects. Let's take a closer look at the upcoming changes, spanning both Patch 13.16 and 13.17.
For the imminent Patch 13.16, Riot's Balancing Team is introducing the following adjustments to the Duskblade:
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The cooldown of the item will be significantly increased by 300%, escalating from 10 seconds to 30 seconds. This change will notably deter champions from executing multiple tower dives or engaging in perilous team fights, which they could have survived with the previous cooldown timings. Tanks and bruisers, in particular, will feel the impact of this change.
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Additionally, the maximum damage output from the item will be reduced from 20% to 18%. This percentage reflects the increased damage dealt based on the target's missing health. Consequently, executing one-shots and winning 1-vs-1 fights against tanks and bruisers will prove more challenging in the future.
These are the forthcoming adjustments for Patch 13.16. However, the prominent Twitter user "Spideraxe" has disclosed further planned changes for the Duskblade in LoL Patch 13.17, set to be released in approximately two weeks. These changes will be seen as both a buff and a nerf, likely evoking a mix of joy and frustration among players.
The most significant alteration involves the Duskblade now destroying incoming projectiles upon activation. This mechanic may introduce champions capable of deploying abilities similar to Yasuo's Wind Wall or Samira's deflections. Furthermore, the item will no longer grant immunity to damage already applied to the champion. This means that Damage over Time effects and ignites will finally affect the champion even when the item is active.
The third change addresses the most vexing aspect of the Duskblade of Draktharr. According to Spideraxe, the item will continue to grant immunity to targeted and free-target spells, but it will no longer make the champion immune to turret shots.
In a subsequent post, Spideraxe provided clarification regarding the destruction of incoming projectiles, emphasizing that this change doesn't turn Duskblade into a walking wind wall. On the live version, it renders the target invulnerable and untargetable; the change retains the untargetability while removing invulnerability and introducing measures to handle missiles in flight.
It remains to be seen how these changes will impact the popularity of Duskblade, both after Patch 13.16 and once again following Patch 13.17. It might still remain a prevalent item among assassins, but we may no longer see it commonly used by bruisers and tanks. Only time will reveal if these adjustments suffice to achieve a balanced state for this item.
