Riot’s removal of LoL’s beloved ward mechanic sparks heated backlash

As a seasoned gamer with over a decade of League of Legends under my belt, I must admit, the removal of ward experience has left me feeling a bit like a champion without their trademark item – lost, disoriented, and not quite as effective.


In simpler terms, the creators of League of Legends have taken away a popular feature that granted players experience points for destroying wards, which has sparked intense criticism and discontent among players.

In simple terms, the developers of League of Legends have rolled out patch 14.19, marking the first significant overhaul for the third segment of the game in 2024. Consequently, some substantial adjustments have been made to the game itself, with reductions (nerfs) applied to multiple items, thereby decreasing the strength they bestow upon champions.

The modifications made to the MOBA significantly prolonged the duration of team battles, setting the stage for the adjustments during the off-season that are due later this year.

Among the less publicized alterations, there was a shift in how wards functioned within the League of Legends gameplay, resulting in significant dissatisfaction among the gaming community.

Ward Experience has been removed from the game

— Spideraxe (@Spideraxe30) September 24, 2024

In the update 14.19, Riot stated that neither Stealth nor Farsight Alteration scouting wards would award the killing champion with experience. Specifically, the Stealth Wards’ 40 experience points and the Farsight Alterations’ 20 experience points have been removed.

The developers noted that this was a subtle, unseen feature which, although seemingly insignificant, could potentially place the character using the ward at a significant disadvantage by allowing opponents to reach level thresholds prematurely.

Although it was disheartening for some due to its removal, there was disappointment expressed over Riot taking out a mechanism that “recognized in-game wisdom.

Nobody ever voiced satisfaction over games being made easier by eliminating mechanics that favored familiarity with the game.” (paraphrased)

As a devoted admirer, I must admit, it’s quite disheartening to discover that so many hidden gems and inside jokes have been removed from this game. It seems others share my sentiment.

As a well-versed gamer, I’ve come to appreciate an underestimated aspect of this game that not every player is privy to. This feature significantly benefited support characters who, unlike many others, wouldn’t let go of experience points in lanes just to help their ADC. Instead, they were the ones usually tasked with clearing away enemy wards.

That was quite enjoyable! As a Support player who often leaves the lane to place wards, I usually lose experience and fall behind. It seemed like this approach offered a subtle yet effective solution to that issue.

It seems highly unlikely that Riot will reverse this modification, given it’s integral to a broader adjustment planned for the upcoming season. However, if players continue to express strong disapproval, it may prompt the development team to reconsider their strategy.

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2024-09-25 09:18