Hey guys! Let's dive into a nostalgic trip back to the League of Legends (LoL) gameplay of 2019. It's always fun to reminisce about how the game has evolved, right? 2019 was a pretty significant year for LoL, bringing in some changes that shaped the game we know and love today. We'll be covering everything from the meta, champion reworks, item updates, and overall feel of the game. So, buckle up, and let's get started!

The Meta in 2019: What Was Hot?

In 2019, the League of Legends meta was a fascinating blend of bruisers, mages, and marksmen duking it out on Summoner's Rift. What exactly defined the meta? Well, it was a constantly shifting landscape, influenced by patches, champion buffs and nerfs, and of course, the strategies employed by pro players in the League of Legends Championship Series (LCS), League of Legends European Championship (LEC), and other regional leagues.

Top lane was often dominated by champions who could either split-push effectively or engage in team fights with devastating impact. Think champions like Jax, Irelia, and Renekton. These bruisers brought a mix of damage, durability, and mobility, making them formidable opponents in the early to mid-game. They could apply pressure on side lanes, forcing the enemy team to respond, or they could teleport into team fights and disrupt the backline.

Jungle saw a variety of playstyles. Lee Sin and Elise were popular picks for their early-game aggression and ability to gank lanes effectively. Meanwhile, champions like Sejuani and Gragas offered strong engage and crowd control, setting up plays for their team. The emphasis was on securing early leads and snowballing advantages, with junglers playing a crucial role in dictating the pace of the game. Objective control, particularly securing Rift Heralds and Dragons, was paramount.

Mid lane was the domain of mages and assassins. Champions like Leblanc, Azir, and Syndra were frequently seen, offering a mix of burst damage, wave clear, and control. Assassins aimed to roam and pick off vulnerable targets, while mages focused on scaling into the late game and providing sustained damage in team fights. Control mages, such as Orianna and Viktor, were also viable, offering zone control and utility to their teams. The mid-lane matchup often dictated which team had control over the river and could influence skirmishes around objectives.

Bot lane, as always, was a critical role. Marksmen like Ezreal, Kai'Sa, and Xayah were popular choices. Ezreal provided safe and consistent damage, Kai'Sa offered burst potential and mobility, and Xayah synergized well with her partner, Rakan. Supports like Thresh, Nami, and Braum were commonly picked, offering a mix of engage, peel, and sustain. The focus was on protecting the ADC and ensuring they could scale into the late game, while also providing vision control and setting up ganks.

Overall, the 2019 meta favored proactive playmaking and early-game aggression. Teams looked to secure leads through ganks, objective control, and lane dominance. Snowballing advantages were crucial, and teams that could effectively coordinate and execute their strategies often came out on top. Team composition diversity was also a notable aspect, with different regions and teams favoring different styles and approaches.

Champion Reworks: Fresh Faces on the Rift

2019 wasn't just about the existing champions; Riot Games also rolled out some significant champion reworks that breathed new life into older, less-played characters. These reworks aimed to make these champions more viable, fun, and relevant in the ever-evolving meta. Let's take a look at some of the notable champion reworks of 2019:

• Kayle and Morgana: These sisters received a dual rework that updated both their kits and their lore. Kayle's rework made her a late-game hyper-carry, transforming her into a ranged powerhouse as she leveled up. Morgana's rework focused on enhancing her supportive capabilities and streamlining her abilities. The visual updates also brought them more in line with modern League of Legends aesthetics. Kayle's transformation mechanic was particularly impactful, shifting her gameplay from a vulnerable early game to a dominant late game. The rework also emphasized her role as a righteous, celestial being, visually and thematically distinct from her fallen sister, Morgana. The dynamic between the sisters was further explored, adding depth to their characters and their interactions on the Rift. Morgana's rework, while less drastic than Kayle's, made her more reliable as a support, enhancing her crowd control and utility. Her Black Shield became even more crucial for protecting carries, and her Soul Shackles provided strong engage potential in team fights. The overall goal of the dual rework was to modernize both champions, making them more appealing to players while retaining their core identities. The success of these reworks was evident in their increased play rates and their impact on the competitive scene.
• Pantheon: Pantheon's rework was extensive, overhauling his abilities, lore, and visual design. The rework transformed him from a simple, point-and-click champion into a more complex and strategic fighter. His new kit emphasized his role as an unyielding warrior, with abilities that rewarded aggressive play and strategic positioning. The Aegis Assault (Q) became a versatile tool for both poking and engaging, while the Comet Spear (W) provided reliable damage and crowd control. The Shield Vault (E) allowed Pantheon to block incoming damage and reposition himself in fights, and the Grand Starfall (R) provided global presence and engage potential. The visual update made Pantheon look more imposing and battle-hardened, reflecting his lore as a fearless warrior. The rework also delved deeper into Pantheon's backstory, exploring his struggles against the Aspect of War and his determination to forge his own destiny. This narrative depth added another layer to his character, making him more relatable and compelling to players. The rework significantly increased Pantheon's play rate and viability, with players appreciating his newfound complexity and strategic depth. He became a popular pick in both solo queue and professional play, showcasing the success of the rework in modernizing his gameplay and revitalizing his character.

Item Updates: Gearing Up for Success

Itemization is a crucial part of League of Legends, and 2019 brought some notable changes to the item landscape. These updates aimed to provide more options for players, balance the power of different items, and create a more diverse and strategic itemization process. Let's dive into some of the key item updates from 2019:

• The Removal of Old Items and Introduction of New Ones: Riot Games frequently removes underused or problematic items to make way for new ones that can better serve the game's evolving needs. The items that were removed in 2019 were not very efficient for the state of the game. They created space for new items that provided unique effects, filled specific niches, or offered better synergy with certain champion kits. For instance, new items might be introduced to counter specific strategies, enhance certain playstyles, or provide alternative build paths for champions. The introduction of new items often shakes up the meta, forcing players to experiment with different builds and strategies. It also keeps the game fresh and exciting, preventing itemization from becoming stale or predictable. Riot Games carefully monitors the impact of new items, making adjustments as needed to ensure they are balanced and contribute positively to the game. The constant evolution of the item landscape is a key part of what makes League of Legends engaging and dynamic.
• Changes to Existing Items: Adjusting the stats, costs, or effects of existing items can have a ripple effect throughout the game. Buffing an item can make it more appealing to players, leading to increased usage and potentially shifting the meta. Nerfing an item can reduce its popularity, opening the door for other items to become more viable. These changes can also address imbalances, ensuring that certain items are not too powerful or too weak relative to others. Riot Games uses data analysis and player feedback to identify items that need adjustments, aiming to create a balanced and diverse item ecosystem. The goal is to provide players with a wide range of viable options, allowing them to adapt their builds to different situations and champion matchups. Small tweaks to item stats or effects can have a significant impact on the game, influencing champion win rates, build paths, and overall strategy. Therefore, Riot Games carefully considers the implications of each item change, striving to maintain a fair and competitive environment.

Overall Feel of the Game: Gameplay Experience

How did it feel to play League of Legends in 2019? The gameplay experience was marked by a fast-paced, action-oriented style, with a strong emphasis on early-game aggression and snowballing advantages. Games often felt shorter and more decisive, with teams looking to secure early leads and close out games quickly. The changes to champion kits, itemization, and the overall game balance contributed to this faster pace. Players had to be proactive and decisive in their actions, making quick decisions and coordinating with their teams to secure objectives and gain advantages.

• Pace and Length of Matches: Matches in 2019 were generally shorter compared to previous seasons, owing to various factors such as increased objective bounties, faster tower destruction, and more impactful early-game skirmishes. The average game time decreased, encouraging players to make decisive plays early on. This faster pace made each match feel more intense and action-packed, with less downtime and more opportunities for outplays and strategic maneuvers. Teams had to adapt to the quicker tempo, focusing on efficient rotations, timely ganks, and effective objective control. Snowballing was also more prevalent, as early leads could quickly translate into insurmountable advantages. This meant that the early game was crucial, and teams had to be prepared to fight for every inch of the map. The shorter match times also made the game more accessible to players with limited time, allowing them to squeeze in more matches during their play sessions.
• Emphasis on Early Game: The focus on the early game made the first 15 minutes of each match critical. Securing early kills, controlling vision, and gaining lane advantages were essential for setting up a snowball. Junglers played a vital role in dictating the pace of the early game, ganking lanes, securing objectives, and counter-jungling. The early game was also a time for strategic decision-making, as teams had to decide whether to focus on farming, pushing lanes, or roaming to help their teammates. Communication and coordination were key, as teams had to work together to execute their plans and capitalize on enemy mistakes. The emphasis on the early game made each match feel more dynamic and engaging from the start, as players had to be constantly alert and ready to react to changing situations. The early game also set the tone for the rest of the match, with teams that gained an early advantage often being able to maintain their lead and close out the game.
• Vision Control: Vision control was, as always, a critical aspect of the game. Warding strategic locations, clearing enemy wards, and denying vision were essential for gaining information and making informed decisions. Supports played a crucial role in vision control, placing wards, roaming to assist their junglers, and protecting their ADCs. Vision control allowed teams to anticipate enemy movements, avoid ganks, and set up ambushes. It also provided valuable information for objective control, allowing teams to contest dragons, Rift Heralds, and Baron Nashor with greater confidence. The strategic use of vision could turn the tide of a match, allowing teams to outmaneuver their opponents and secure victory. Vision control was not just the responsibility of the support, however, as all players had to contribute to warding and clearing vision in their respective lanes and areas of the map. Effective vision control required teamwork, communication, and a deep understanding of the game's mechanics.

So, there you have it! A trip down memory lane to the League of Legends gameplay of 2019. It's amazing how much the game has changed, and it's always fun to look back at the metas, champion reworks, and item updates that shaped the game we play today. What were your favorite moments from LoL in 2019? Let us know in the comments below!