Pantheon hasn’t been played at high elo or in pro plays since Season 11, when he was mostly used in the jungle and flexed as top, mid, and support
With patch 12.7 arrival, Riot Games enhanced three of the champion’s skills, including his ultimate, in this pre-MSI 2022 patch, while lowering his base health regen to even them off. While these enhancements appear huge for him, they are unlikely to have an effect on his pro play pick rate in the current meta.
- Base Stats: Health Per 5: 9 >> 7.5,
- Comet Spear (Q): Tap Q Length: 550 >> 600 Tap Q Width: 150 >> 120,
- Aegis Assault (E): No longer slows Pantheon when moving backward,
- Grand Starfall (R): Now falls 0.25 seconds faster.
The elimination of Aegis Assault’s slow allows him to disengage more quickly, and his faster ultimate is somewhat more dependable on ganks. Pantheon‘s only poke ability is Comet Spear, and its range has been increased while its breadth has been reduced. Due to the additional 50 units, he enjoys an even greater advantage during the laning phase against melee champions.
Despite these accolades, expert Nick “LS” De Cesare is skeptical that this will reintroduce him to the competitive play, especially in MSI.
During his League of Legends Patch 12.7 rundown, LS explained that the buffs isn’t quite as big in order for him to have enough damage in the game, while the compensation of the decrease of his health regen makes him more vulnerable.
“He doesn’t have enough damage or durability even with Aegis Assault to reliably engage upon opponents.”
“His dependency on items is so much greater than other champions who are supposed to be on a faster famine playstyle. Even when Pantheon is feasting, he’s not really feasting.”
To demonstrate his argument, LS used Talon and Qiyana Jungle, two champions that don’t require as many things to kill a champion. Pantheon, on the other hand, does since his whole combo does not have the same potential. Furthermore, he is less mobile than these assassins and hence more easily countered.
Overall, his base stats and equipment do not suit him in the current meta, therefore these modifications may result in making him somewhat stronger in solo queue but missing out some stats in competitive play.