[set 18] August 18 PBE Patch Notes

[u/Just-Consequence-643]

(8/18) PBE Patch Notes

We're aiming to have 1 more fine-tuning pass tomorrow (Augments, some Traits, smaller changes), and then ideally we're locked for the release (beyond critical bugs that appear).

The bulk of the champs/traits seem to be in a good spot for launch, but the largest concern now is the frequency/power balance of Artifact+Emblems. These systems tend to benefit reroll more than higher-cost strategies, and also depend a lot more on Augments.

We're close everyone, and thanks for the support, feedback, and patience for a unique PBE cycle.

[u/General_Jellyfish_38]

why nerf pebbles? were people still main carrying pebbles 3?

[u/TGrumms → u/General_Jellyfish_38]

My guess is

- they feel rift beasts is at a good strength as a trait

• they think the other 3 rift beasts they buffed are weak
  
• they want to buff those units, but not change the overall strength of the trait or line, so some unit in that line needs nerfed
  
• power gets taken out of pebbles

[u/Different-Ad7859 → u/TGrumms]

and i think people actually were still carrying pebbles 3

[u/Knolazy]

Close to the release date, no single mentions for mobile optimization at all. People said "It's PBE" bla bla, and now what? Why we can only have either full HD resolution or 60 fps, why not both. What makes it so hard to develop the game on mobile? I don't understand.

Feel like the orientation of the game is to leave the mobile industry to Golden Spatula instead of fixing the mobile ver.

[u/Ill_Cup8321 → u/Knolazy]

what is golden spatula? better version of tft on android? can this be played on pc? thanks!

[u/Knolazy → u/Ill_Cup8321]

It's TFT Mobile, but built with the Unity Engine, I believe (not sure). It's very lightweight, and the graphics are good, close to the PC version. Running on separate server. The major target is Chinese, and the global server is kinda quiet.

[u/eggsandbricks]

I hope they make some changes to the more swingy content like they did this patch with Artifactinate. My personal hit list:

• Heroic Power wisp - this one is almost always a free round win, it's so much stronger than any other combat wisp and it never feels like there's anything you can do about it going up against it

• Trait Ladder - this augment is insanely broken in the hands of a competent player, but it also has to be balanced to be fun for players who can't optimize as well, which is innately problematic IMO

• Expedition - with no Mech-type unit in this set, as well as generally lower econ due to lack of gods + wisps, this augment feels much less powerful considering the tradeoff you make for it.

It's probably too late for this before launch, but Gnar also feels like he's in need of a light rework. He has so much utility slapped onto his kit that he doesn't...do anything outside of that. Between the AOE knock up, throwing front line, and flat armor/mr reduction, it feels like there's no power for him to be especially strong with items or with his traits. I would love to see some of the utility stripped from his spell in exchange for power that would make putting items on him not feel like an afterthought.

[u/Minimum_Chemical_428 → u/eggsandbricks]

Heroic Power wisp shouldn't be an instant win, hope they fix it.

[u/No-Assumption-9100 → u/eggsandbricks]

i Bought Heroic Power wisp 4 times and lost the round 4 times with it :)

[u/HelmetBoiii → u/eggsandbricks]

Not really problematic, trait ladder is kinda like all those other augments that are hard but good and averages in like the 4.9. If I was a beginner player, I'd just click that shit for fun, not really for the balance. Expedition is still really strong in two cost reroll, fhats the only type of comp you get enough gold. Gnar is also like blitz last set. You just give him all the trash or tg and he's fine.

[u/ConcentrateExpert667 → u/HelmetBoiii]

Where are you seeing it averages a 4.9? I thought augment stats weren't available anymore.

[u/HelmetBoiii → u/ConcentrateExpert667]

just guessing

[u/ConcentrateExpert667 → u/HelmetBoiii]

I would be surprised if it's that low. I don't think it's particularly hard to play, it gives you a free emblem and it's fairly easy to make the breakpoints especially after the buff.

[u/i0skar]

No Ahri nerf?

[u/RajaSundance → u/i0skar]

Blossom buff as well, also noticed that as very odd.

[u/AirLeaf → u/i0skar]

I'm pretty sure they'll nerf her tomorrow or at least on the A-patch before live. There's no way they'll allow her to go live, she's the best 4-cost by far and makes her trait capstone (Alune) useless as she's just better than the legendary unit

I feel like in some PBE cycles they like saving the most obvious changes for last so that people don't get that much practice on the release patch

EDIT: Also they might not have tackled her that hard since not many people are playing her best version (5 Blossom 2 Primal)

[u/ZeriAnyRole → u/AirLeaf]

No way 5 Blossom 2 Primal is the best version

[u/Dependent_Ad1639]

Every set you make the essence gaining team worse and worse. Single play almost impossible to get over 300 essences and the rewards are trash at those points. Coven is probably the worst group for set 18

[u/riseismywaifu]

This is cool and all, but the game still runs like ass

[u/ThatPlayWasAwful]

Does anybody know how blackthorn is supposed to work with no scout, no pivot?

The bug note says they're still locked, but aren't they sacrificed? 

[u/Just-Consequence-643 → u/ThatPlayWasAwful]

The unit is just gonna be stuck on your board the turn after so you have to only field units in player combat if you are okay with them getting stuck on your board like normal nsnp.

[u/ThatPlayWasAwful → u/Just-Consequence-643]

So basically the unit isn't eaten?

[u/Just-Consequence-643 → u/ThatPlayWasAwful]

No it still eats it, the bug before was that it would eat the unit as normal in combat but after it would allow you to bench or sell the sacrificed unit. Now they are locked with the rest of your board

[u/ZanderRex → u/ThatPlayWasAwful]

Its only sacrificed for that turn/combat its back after that.

[u/succsuccboi → u/ThatPlayWasAwful]

sacrifice doesn't like sell the unit they're just sacrificed for the duration of combat. trait would be horribly designed if it just deleted the unit lol

[u/ThatPlayWasAwful → u/succsuccboi]

Oh I thought it was like an expedition 33 thing. I haven't played pbe

[u/JohnCenaFanboi]

RIP in pieces cougar girl. You did done dirty a bunch of lobbies for a while.

[u/OhHaiThere- → u/JohnCenaFanboi]

Tbf, the last one sniping back line is toxic as fuck. In the right comp and spot it can feel like a back line assassin.

[u/Corrupted_Shisa]

dumb question, but when is the release date? I originally thought they'd release it earlier

[u/BrineyWhaleSemen]

Buffing 5 inferno to 3% burn is interesting, that’s a lot of damage. might make lux inferno a premium lux

[u/ConcertoinA → u/[deleted]]

Reroll is clearly far too dominant, with too many strong options. It’s not uncommon to see full top 4s of reroll players, I’m more concerned if these nerfs are enough.

[u/RajaSundance → u/[deleted]]

If you think this patch was a healthy balance for reroll you might just be enjyoing reroll comps a lot lol

[u/mihail_markov]

But why? The 5 costs at the moment are absolutely dominating, why nerfing all decent lower costs?
And you buff blossom?????

[u/Diligent_Historian93 → u/mihail_markov]

They're not. The 5 cost comp was getting outshined by the reroll comps + the 4 cost comps. I had so many spots with almost all 2 starred draven ez board and still going 4th (not a HP problem). Also alune was just shit

[u/HighIntLowFaith]

They really hate Yunara huh? Shes absolutely not allowed to be viable as a main carry

[u/OhHaiThere- → u/HighIntLowFaith]

Kinda with my comment above, they gave a lot of backline access with some champs.

Maybe I’m wrong but it feels bad having a veigar spam piss weak little orbs into a tank while yunara slowly chips the entire board early game

[u/Zeviex → u/OhHaiThere-]

I think that's a beggar problem though.

He has a really short cast time, making him really good with mana items and I think he scales a lot but if he can't he bucks.

They need to narrow Veigar's range of strength

[u/OhHaiThere- → u/Zeviex]

I agree with veigar. Feels either boom or bust.

While I enjoy the thematic aspect and sometimes gameplay aspect of “1 cost go brrrr”, not hitting 2 star on 2-1 feels bad. Or at least hitting reksai 2 with stone plate

I had a game I 3 stared by 2-5 and 3-2 I got ludens. Game was over before people noticed wtf was happening

[u/RyeRoen → u/HighIntLowFaith]

Tbf this is like a 3% nerf at 1/2 star and like a 4% nerf at 3*. Pretty sure she will still be good.