Riot Games suddenly release a series of adjustments to Master Yi balancing updates on League of Legends PBE
Master Yi, being one of the first champions to be introduced in the game way back in 2009, is undergoing a sudden change aimed at broadening his build to other items. According to Riot game designer Kevin “Captain Gameplay” Huang, these modifications will go live on the PBE tomorrow.
Master Yi PBE changes
Alpha Strike (Q)
- Damage: 25/60/95/130/165 (+90% AD), reduced by 75% for subsequent hits on the same targets >> 30/60/90/120/150 (+65% AD), reduced by 75% for subsequent hits on the same target
- Crits deal: 60% (+bonus critical damage %) extra damage >> 50 percent (bonus critical damage %) extra damage
- Now applies on-hit effects (on-hits from subsequent hits are also reduced)
- CD refund now scales down with ability haste (so it doesn’t synergize with it)
Wuju Style (E)
- Duration does not decrease during Meditate (W) >> duration does not decrease during Alpha Strike (Q) or Meditate (W)
- Can now cast during Alpha Strike (Q)
Highlander (R)
- Duration does not decrease during Meditate (W) >> duration does not decrease during Alpha Strike (Q) or Meditate (W)
- Can now cast during Alpha Strike (Q)
Ever since the preseason 2021, with the introduction of Lethality and the new Duskblade effects, Master Yi has become a true assassin and a tank-killing machine. His core item stays mostly around Duskblade + Collector ever since, and Riot Games wants to extend his playstyle and his kit to another build path, or, his once old playstyle, on-hit basic attacks.
The damage output, AD, and crit damage of Alpha Strike (Q) have all been decreased. However, the ability now applies on-hit effects and scales with ability haste, implying that it will not synergize with it. These improvements should lessen the effect of Master Yi’s typical Duskblade build, which has been a nightmare for low-elo players in solo queue, making the champion almost untargetable in some circumstances.
On the other hand, items having on-hit effects, such as Kraken Slayer, will be an alternative on Master Yi if the modifications are implemented on the live servers.
In addition to Alpha Strike, the developers are working on improving Wuju Style (E) and Highlander (R). With these modifications, Master Yi will be able to cast Wuju Style or Highlaner during Alpha Strike, giving players greater ways when it comes to combat.
These changes are likely to be released in Patch 12.5.