Riot August recently took to Twitter to express their elation as a year-long endeavor to implement a humorous tweak to the champion Jhin finally materialized in League of Legends Patch 14.8.
August, known for his involvement in the creation of Jhin, has been advocating for a change that would align the champion’s abilities more closely with his lore, particularly his fixation on the number 4.
Jhin, a meticulous Ionian artist whose entire thematic revolves around the number 4, has garnered a dedicated fan following for his unique design. From the number of bullets in his gun to the bounces on his Q ability, the thematic coherence of Jhin’s kit is paramount. Even the cost of unlocking him in Blue Essence, standing at 4444, is a testament to his obsession with the number.
August’s proposed adjustment to Jhin’s Q ability, reducing its damage output by a mere 1 point across all levels, was met with both amusement and anticipation among the League community.
This minor tweak, while seemingly inconsequential in terms of gameplay impact, would introduce meme-worthy numbers such as 69 into his repertoire, adding a playful touch to the champion’s identity.
In Patch 14.8, Riot’s balance team granted August’s wish, implementing the subtle reduction in Jhin’s Q damage alongside a series of buffs aimed at enhancing his overall performance. With his Q now dealing 44 to 144 damage instead of the previous 45 to 145, the champion’s thematic consistency is further reinforced, much to the delight of his dedicated fanbase.
While the numerical adjustment may not significantly alter Jhin’s in-game effectiveness, it serves as a nod to his lore and underscores Riot’s commitment to maintaining thematic integrity within the game. In addition to the damage nerf, he also received substantial buffs to improve his kiting capabilities and enhance the potency of his Bouncing Grenade ability.