League of Legends Patch 5.16 Means Drastic Changes for Players

Huge transformations are hitting League of Legends with Patch 5.16, one of the more unique patches to ever hit the server.

Sure, it might be because the ever-so-coveted Academy Skins are arriving for some of your favorite champions--or it might even be the sheer number of new developments that will hit the game before the World Championships take place later this year.

Either way, it's a hefty patch. It boasts nearly 22 champion changes, and some brand new items, along with a bunch of item changes and champion reworks.

Inevitably, that means there will be a shift in meta and gameplay once the patch is actually implemented.

For example, champions like Garen, Skarner, Darius, and Mordekasier are being reworked so that they're more viable. These four champions are part of the "Juggernaut" group, which means they're bulky and act as the main tank in a team composition.

Except, nowadays, there are tanks that can deal damage outside of just soaking up damage, which made the likes of Garen, Skarner, Darius and Mordekaiser completely obsolete.

These four tanks are each being given a long overdue buff and the changes span from completely new abilities to increased damage output. One of them even gets a pet dragon.

Alongside the Juggernaut changes are two new items designed to compliment tanky champions--Sterak's Gage and Titanic Hydra, the latter of which is designed for melee attacks only.

You can check out the rest of the changes here.

Check out GameSpot's coverage of the LCS, Worlds, and more over at G|League.