Phase Rush nerf puts Ryze at lowest win rate in LoL

TL;DR

  • Phase Rush nerfs reduced early-game movement speed and increased cooldown, hitting Ryze and Lillia hardest
  • Ryze now holds the game’s lowest win rates at 42.36% top lane and 44.22% mid lane
  • Lillia’s win rate dropped to 43.69% as her kiting ability diminished significantly
  • Both champions struggle despite Phase Rush remaining their optimal keystone choice
  • Dark Harvest has emerged as Lillia’s primary alternative, though with reduced effectiveness

League of Legends patch 11.10 has created unprecedented challenges for Ryze in ranked play, primarily due to substantial adjustments made to the Phase Rush keystone rune.

The latest update significantly impacted Ryze’s performance despite the champion receiving no direct modifications. Riot Games implemented changes to Phase Rush that extended its early-game cooldown period while simultaneously reducing the bonus movement speed provided. These alterations have severely affected Ryze, who has consistently utilized Phase Rush as his primary keystone for multiple seasons.

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Full patch notes here????https://t.co/q711ZPg9S pic.twitter.com/VGFCRBM2kH

— League of Legends (@LeagueOfLegends) May 11, 2021

Is Ryze good in LoL?

Even prior to the 11.10 update, Ryze faced difficulties with suboptimal performance metrics across both top and mid lane positions. The Phase Rush modifications have exacerbated these issues, driving Ryze’s win percentage down to alarming levels of 42.36% in the top lane and 44.22% in mid lane. These statistics position Ryze as the game’s least successful champion, offering minimal incentive for players to select him in competitive queue environments.

Although Phase Rush now provides substantially diminished benefits compared to previous versions, it remains the most effective keystone option for Ryze. This preference stems from Ryze’s dependence on rapid ability sequences that efficiently activate Phase Rush. Being a magic-wielding champion without inherent mobility tools, Ryze critically requires the additional movement speed to maintain safe positioning and execute advantageous exchanges. The extended Phase Rush cooldown during early game phases forces Ryze players to exercise greater caution in engagement selection, as the rune’s protective capabilities have become less reliable.

Advanced Ryze players should consider adjusting their early-game trading patterns to accommodate the longer cooldown windows. Focus on landing E-Q combinations only when Phase Rush is available, and retreat during its downtime. Proper management of this cooldown can mean the difference between successful harassment and fatal overextension.

Lillia struggling like Ryze after Phase Rush nerf

Ryze doesn’t stand alone as a champion severely impacted by the Phase Rush adjustments. Lillia has experienced comparable performance degradation, currently achieving victory in merely 43.69% of matches at Platinum tier and above. These figures represent significant underperformance for the widely-played jungler, who maintained consistent meta relevance throughout most updates following her introduction in July 2020.

Similar to Ryze, Lillia heavily relies on the mobility enhancement granted by Phase Rush. As a fragile melee jungle specialist, Lillia aims to connect her ability sequence then evade opponents using Phase Rush combined with her Blooming Blows (Q) passive effect.

With Phase Rush currently underperforming, the majority of Lillia enthusiasts have transitioned to utilizing the Dark Harvest keystone as an alternative. While this rune provides substantial damage potential, Lillia mains undoubtedly reminisce about periods when Phase Rush represented the superior selection for their preferred champion.

Jungle pathing efficiency has suffered considerably for Lillia players. Without reliable movement speed bursts, clearing camps safely while maintaining health thresholds becomes increasingly challenging. Consider adjusting your jungle route to prioritize safer camps during Phase Rush cooldown periods.

Mastering the new Phase Rush timing windows represents the most critical adjustment for both champions. Ryze players should practice the E-W-Q combo specifically for Phase Rush activation while preserving E-Q for standard trading. This separation of combo purposes helps maximize the limited mobility windows now available.

For Lillia enthusiasts, incorporating Flash more strategically can compensate for lost mobility. Using Flash to position optimal Q strikes followed by Phase Rush kiting creates a powerful engagement pattern that mirrors pre-nerf effectiveness.

Itemization adjustments can provide partial solutions to mobility challenges. Consider building early movement speed items like Boots of Swiftness or incorporating Cosmic Drive earlier in your build path. These items help bridge the gap created by the Phase Rush nerfs.

Common mistakes include overestimating Phase Rush availability and attempting aggressive plays during cooldown periods. Always track the rune’s availability similarly to how you monitor summoner spell cooldowns.

The development team’s approach to addressing Ryze and Lillia’s weakened conditions remains uncertain, though most analysts anticipate compensatory enhancements in forthcoming patches. Historical precedent suggests Riot will implement targeted buffs to base stats or ability ratios rather than reverting the Phase Rush changes directly.

Players should monitor Public Beta Environment (PBE) updates for early indications of planned adjustments. Typically, champions experiencing such dramatic win rate declines receive attention within 2-3 patch cycles.

In the interim, mastering alternative playstyles and rune configurations will be essential for maintaining effectiveness with these champions. Refer to our complete gameplay guide for additional adaptation strategies and meta analysis.

Action Checklist

  • Practice tracking Phase Rush cooldown in training mode
  • Adjust early trading patterns to align with Phase Rush availability
  • Experiment with alternative keystones in normal games
  • Modify item build paths to incorporate movement speed alternatives
  • Study champion-specific guides for advanced positioning techniques

No reproduction without permission:Games Guides Website » Phase Rush nerf puts Ryze at lowest win rate in LoL Analyzing Ryze and Lillia's performance decline after Phase Rush nerfs with practical adaptation strategies