Big changes coming to the jungle for League’s 2021 MSI patch

League of Legends enthusiasts can now preview the upcoming patch 11.9 modifications currently undergoing testing on the Public Beta Environment. These adjustments represent Riot’s strategic preparation for the competitive season’s first major international showdown.

This particular update carries exceptional weight as it establishes the competitive environment for the 2021 Mid-Season Invitational. Top professional squads from every region will battle using this specific balance framework. The development team has prioritized champion diversity for elite competition while addressing overpowered picks affecting regular ranked gameplay.

11.9 Patch Preview with the tentative changes:

While doing the Hecarim nerfs we wanted to shift his power so that tank build has notably less damage (but still tanky) making room for a viable damage build.
pic.twitter.com/sAWqdqoAXF

— Mark Yetter (@MarkYetter)April 20, 2021

Gameplay design director Mark “Scuffy” Yetter’s preliminary notes highlight targeted reductions for Hecarim, Morgana, and Diana alongside revitalization efforts for Kindred, Kayn, and Trundle. This systematic approach aims to refresh the jungle role’s strategic depth without completely dismantling established play patterns that professional teams have mastered during recent competitions.

Jungle Meta Evolution for MSI 2021

The spectral cavalry champion Hecarim faces comprehensive adjustments after his prolonged dominance across both professional circuits and ranked ladders. The patch implements direct reductions to his damage output, sustain capabilities, and base attributes across multiple ability categories.

Beyond these character-specific changes, Hecarim encounters additional indirect nerfs through modifications to his core itemization choices. Turbo Chemtank undergoes substantial weakening with its active movement speed bonus decreased by 20%, while Deadman’s Plate receives health stat reductions. These systemic adjustments collectively diminish his previously overwhelming presence in the jungle hierarchy.

Following Hecarim’s anticipated decline, Riot addresses two additional champions that received excessive power in the previous update. Morgana’s Tormented Shadow (W) now deals significantly reduced damage to neutral monsters, dramatically slowing her previously record-breaking jungle clear velocities. This correction acknowledges the unintended strength granted to these atypical jungle selections.

To ensure meaningful meta evolution for the international competition, development teams are enhancing Kindred, Kayn, and Trundle. Kindred appears positioned for the most substantial comeback among carry-oriented junglers, receiving cooldown reductions and damage increases on Dance of Arrows (Q). These improvements could reintroduce the marksman hunter to competitive play when world-class junglers compete at MSI.

Strategic Insight: Professional teams often prioritize champions with reliable early game pressure and consistent scaling. The Kindred buffs specifically address both aspects, making them a potentially versatile pick for various team compositions.

While these changes may not completely overhaul the jungle landscape, they demonstrate Riot’s commitment to competitive diversity. Established power picks like Udyr and Volibear remain untouched and could maintain priority status depending on how the new balance dynamics unfold during the tournament’s group stages.

The timing of these adjustments creates a fascinating competitive environment where teams must rapidly adapt their strategies. The approximately one-week window between patch deployment and tournament commencement demands exceptional flexibility from competing organizations.

Common Adaptation Error: Many teams historically struggle with over-prioritizing newly buffed champions while underestimating the remaining strength of established meta picks. Finding the optimal balance between innovation and reliability often separates top performers at international events.

Advanced players should focus on understanding the nuanced interactions between champion kits and itemization paths. The Hecarim changes specifically encourage experimentation with damage-oriented builds rather than the previously dominant tank approach, potentially opening new strategic dimensions for creative teams.

The jungle modifications in patch 11.9 will undergo extensive PBE evaluation before official implementation. This testing phase allows professional players and coaches to develop preliminary strategies while identifying potential pocket picks that could surprise opponents during the tournament’s early matches.

Patch 11.9 Deployment Timeline and Tournament Integration

Following the standard PBE testing cycle of approximately two weeks, patch 11.9 is scheduled for live server release on April 28 based on the official update calendar. The Mid-Season Invitational commences shortly thereafter, with initial competitive matches beginning on May 6, providing teams limited but crucial adaptation time.

The compressed timeline between patch deployment and tournament start creates intense preparation pressure. Organizations with robust analytical staff and flexible playstyles typically gain early advantages under these conditions. For those interested in the esports betting aspect now that MSI approaches, consider reviewing our comprehensive Weapons Unlock guide to understand champion capability ceilings.

Professional teams face approximately 7-8 days to master the new jungle dynamics before facing international competition. This accelerated adaptation period often reveals which organizations possess the most effective coaching structures and player versatility.

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