TL;DR
- Jankos interrupted LEC interview to warn Riot against Sejuani buffs
- Patch 10.3 increases attack speed while slightly nerfing passive
- Current Sejuani already strong with HP buffs enabling Warmog’s rush
- Professional players fear overtuned tanks disrupt competitive balance
- Changes scheduled for February 5 with broader champion adjustments
During a post-match interview following G2 Esports’ impressive victory, veteran jungler Marcin “Jankos” Jankowski made an unexpected pivot from discussing gameplay to addressing Riot Games directly about champion balance concerns.
The accomplished player had just contributed to his team’s flawless 4-0 start in the 2020 LEC Spring Split, coming off a commanding performance against Origen where he demonstrated mastery with Lee Sin. Rather than focusing on his individual achievements, Jankos seized the platform to voice professional apprehensions about upcoming game changes.
Jankos doesn’t want to see Sejuani buffs any time soon
As interviewer Eefje “Sjokz” Depoortere posed questions about the concluded match, the seasoned competitor redirected his attention toward the camera with a heartfelt plea to the development team. With hands clasped in earnest appeal, he urgently requested cancellation of scheduled enhancements for the Frostborn champion.
“I’m begging you, don’t implement those Sejuani improvements. Just hold off completely,” Jankos emphasized. “In her present configuration, Sejuani represents a viable jungle selection. Previous health modifications already enable early Warmog’s Armor acquisition, providing substantial damage output while maintaining exceptional survivability. Additional power increases could push her into overpowered territory, creating meta-game complications for competitive integrity.”
This public statement emerged as direct response to announced Patch 10.3 adjustments. The armored warrior appears among numerous champions slated for rebalancing alongside recent additions like Sett, the magical cat Yuumi, the weapon-artifact hybrid Aphelios, and several others requiring tuning.
Buff to Sejuani’s attack speed coming with patch 10.3
Riot’s development roadmap includes boosting Sejuani’s attack speed capabilities while implementing minor reductions to her passive Frost Armor functionality. The proposed 10% basic attack acceleration at first level promises expedited jungle clearing and enhanced damage application against opponents. Given Jankos’ assessment that her current damage profile remains appropriate—particularly considering her inherent durability—increasing attack frequency could create problematic power dynamics.
Professional analysis suggests that tank champions achieving excessive damage throughput while maintaining defensive superiority often lead to stagnant competitive environments, similar to issues seen in other tactical shooters where weapon balance requires careful calibration.
Jankos brings substantial credibility to these balance discussions based on extensive experience with the glacial champion. Throughout the 2019 LEC Summer Split and particularly during playoff matches, Sejuani frequently represented his preferred selection when team compositions allowed. The current competitive landscape has shifted toward more agile, mobile jungle picks, but impending patch modifications could potentially reintroduce tankier options to the meta.
Understanding champion power spikes and itemization timing represents crucial knowledge for competitive success. The ability to recognize when specific champions transition from balanced to problematic requires deep game understanding that professional players develop through thousands of competitive hours.
Patch 10.3 implementation is calendared for February 5 deployment, giving teams limited adaptation time before professional matches resume. This timing creates additional pressure for balanced implementations that don’t require immediate emergency patches or create must-pick scenarios that reduce strategic diversity.
For players seeking to improve their strategic understanding, studying champion balance philosophy provides valuable insights into game design principles that apply across different competitive titles.
Action Checklist
- Analyze current Sejuani win rates and pick rates in competitive play
- Review patch notes for specific stat changes and scaling adjustments
- Test jungle clear speed variations in practice tool
- Monitor professional player feedback and adaptation strategies
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