Patch Day: Pre-Season 3

The Pre-Season 3 patch is here, and unfortunately there isn't much to see. All of the juicy, exciting changes aren't coming until the Season 3 Patch proper. For now all we have are a large number of bug fixes and a few minor changes.

Elise received very significant buffs to her ratios, and some extra utility on her skill shot stun. These changes seem premature given that it's barely been two weeks since her launch. Particularly with the huge Season 3 upheaval incoming, it's too much too soon. Given the versatility of her kit chances were she would have found a place for herself without this sort of intervention.

Kassadin's Nether Blade got a mixed buff/nerf. It's never been a central part of his playstyle, and that isn't likely to change after this. What makes notable is that it diminishes his ability to sneak Inhibitors, and also makes Attack Speed/AP troll builds more entertaining.

Katarina's base damage on her two principal damage abilities was nerfed slightly. This very marginally reduces her ability to snowball, as level advantages will be lessened. However, the changes are still very minor, and with Season 3 coming soon who will be overpowered and underpowered is anyone's guess.

Ziggs can now do bonus damage to turrets with his passive. This is a surprising change, thematically appropriate and minor as it may seem, as Riot rarely, if ever, increases an AP champion's ability to damage turrets or structures. The explicitness of this change, even as Kassadin lost his ability to deal extra damage to Inhibitors and the Nexus, is striking and unexplained.

All the other champion changes were bug fixes, mana cost adjustments, tooltip alterations, or otherwise not noteworthy enough to mention. If you're a fan of the Twisted Treeline or Dominion there are some item changes that might interest you, but as they don't affect Summoner's Rift (yet?) I won't discuss them here.

When Season 3 does finally hit you can expect extensive analysis on everything from the new items and masteries to the jungle and where the meta will go. It's going to be an exciting time, but for now this is the calm before the storm.