LoL “Luden’s Companion” item is losing its identity from players

The mage-oriented item known as Luden’s Companion has undergone a notable shift in its identity within League of Legends, leading to widespread dissatisfaction among players who find it lackluster compared to alternative options.

Luden’s Companion is just not a good item

Image via Riot Games

Introduced at the onset of League of Legends Season 14, Luden’s Companion replaced its predecessor, Luden’s Tempest, aiming to serve as a staple first-buy item for numerous mage champions. Providing boosts in AP, ability haste, and mana, this item caters to burst mages seeking to maximize their damage output during strategic engagements.

Although the item has undergone minor adjustments in subsequent patches following its debut, its core mechanics have largely remained unchanged.

Despite its intended purpose for burst mages, players have expressed disappointment with its generic nature and perceived lack of impact during gameplay.

A recent Reddit discussion highlighted the prevailing sentiment among players, with many dubbing Luden’s Companion as an uninspiring and “unsatisfying” item choice.

Comparatively, alternatives like Malignance and Seraph’s Embrace have garnered favor among the player base due to their more gratifying power spikes and additional effects that complement champions capable of fully using their abilities.

Image via Riot Games

While Luden’s Companion boasts the highest base AP at 95, players often opt for alternatives due to their perceived superiority in providing meaningful contributions to gameplay. Some players lamented that Luden’s Companion feels like a default rather than a choice, chosen out of necessity rather than enthusiasm.

Criticism has also been directed towards it’s passive mechanic, which accumulates Shot Charge stacks over time but is frequently underutilized, particularly when clearing minion waves. This inefficiency further compounds players’ dissatisfaction with the item’s overall efficacy.

Image via Riot Games

Moreover, statistical data from League of Items indicates that Luden’s Companion consistently exhibits the lowest win rate among first-pick mage items, corroborating players’ experiences of its underwhelming performance on the battlefield.

In summary, the diminished appeal and perceived ineffectiveness of Luden’s Companion underscore the need for reevaluation and potential adjustments to restore its viability and relevance within the League of Legends itemization landscape.