TL;DR
- Ryze’s previously removed Zhonya’s Hourglass combo has unexpectedly returned in patch 11.13
- The technique allows safe Realm Warp escapes by combining ultimate with stasis
- This combo was originally removed in 2018 for being too powerful in competitive play
- Ryze currently maintains a sub-48% win rate despite the combo’s temporary availability
- Players should master this quickly as Riot will likely patch it out again soon
League of Legends players have uncovered a surprising development in patch 11.13—the controversial Ryze and Zhonya’s Hourglass combination has resurfaced without any apparent changes to either the champion or the item. This unexpected return baffles the community since neither component received modifications in the latest update.
Content creators recently demonstrated that the infamous escape maneuver is functional again. The timing seems particularly odd given that Riot Games deliberately disabled this interaction three years ago. Most analysts suspect this represents an unintentional bug rather than a planned feature restoration.
Executing this technique requires precise sequencing: activate Realm Warp (Ryze’s ultimate ability) then immediately trigger Zhonya’s Hourglass or use a Stopwatch. Successful implementation grants Ryze guaranteed escape capability since enemies cannot target or disrupt the channel during stasis.
Riot’s game balance team originally determined this combination provided excessive safety and completely disabled it in February 2018. The removal occurred by programming self-stasis effects to automatically cancel Realm Warp’s channeling process.
This strategic nerf significantly impacted Ryze’s kit flexibility. Professional players particularly felt the loss, as it eliminated one of their most reliable disengagement tools during high-stakes matches.
Is Ryze good in LoL?
Since the 2018 adjustment, Ryze has disappeared from regular rotation in both ranked solo queue and professional competitions. While multiple factors contributed to his decline, losing the stasis combo forced players to adopt riskier positioning and escape methods.
Patch 11.12 statistics reveal Ryze struggling with a 47.45% victory rate in mid lane, cementing his status as an underwhelming selection. Even with the temporary combo restoration, his overall performance metrics remain concerning for dedicated mains.
Occasional professional appearances still occur but typically result in Ryze being outclassed by meta alternatives. The combo’s temporary availability might increase his pick rate slightly, though players should temper expectations about long-term viability.
Strategic recommendation: practice this technique in normal games immediately rather than risking ranked matches. The timing window remains tight—activate Zhonya’s within 0.5 seconds of starting Realm Warp for consistent results.
Anticipate Riot addressing this bug promptly since it contradicts established balance decisions. Meanwhile, exploit this temporary power spike for climbing ranked ladders while understanding the inevitable patch correction.
Action Checklist
- Practice the R-Zhonya sequence in training mode until timing becomes consistent
- Test combo viability in normal games before ranked implementation
- Monitor patch notes for expected hotfix removing the interaction
- Adapt playstyle to traditional Ryze patterns once combo gets patched
No reproduction without permission：Games Guides Website » The OP Ryze-Zhonya combo is back in LoL and no one knows why Discover the unexpected return of Ryze's powerful Zhonya combo and its impact on competitive viability