Rotating Game Mode Queue Now Live!

[quote=Dash][center][img=http://na.leagueoflegends.com/sites/default/files/styles/wide_medium/public/upload/rgm-banner_1920x1080.jpg?itok=pxpByBgt][/center] From the original clone-tastic One For All to the sand-strewn battlefield of Ascension, featured game modes provide unique spins on the classic League formula. It’s time to kick things off with the next game mode in the rotation: Ultra Rapid Fire is now live! [center][img=http://am-a.akamaihd.net/image?f=http://news.cdn.leagueoflegends.com/public/images/articles/2016/april/RGMURF/4.22.16_URF_NA-EN_FINAL.png&resize=640:][/center] Ultra Rapid Fire is the first mode we’ve made some bigger changes to, so we want to review our philosophy on balance for modes in the Rotating Game Mode queue: Our goal for rotating game modes isn’t to replicate the hyper-competitive environment of Summoner’s Rift, so we generally don’t perform heavy balance passes. However, we draw the line in extreme cases: when a champ can permanently stun an enemy (literally, in the old, non-figurative sense), or when a mode’s fundamental nature makes a champ unplayable. As a couple of examples, Tahm Kench on U.R.F. and Brand in One For All could permastun without changes, and Bard on U.R.F. needs faster chime spawn rates to get to play the same mode as everyone else. Not all champions are expected to be equally viable in all rotating modes. Champions are designed and balanced around SR. In RGMs, there’ll usually be a few over- or under-performers, and we’re comfortable with that given the rotating nature of the queue. Now, let’s jump into exactly what’s changed with Ultra Rapid Fire this year: [size=6][color=#ffffff]Ultra Rapid Fire[/color][/size] [rule] Before we begin: these changes are layered on top of what you saw the last time U.R.F. was around. Buffs, nerfs, and updates have happened since, so we’re adjusting accordingly. First up: slowing down a few cases of perma-CC. [list] [icon=Ryze size=75][size=5][/size] [list] [*]ULTRA RAPID COOLDOWN Spellcasts while [b]overcharged[/b] reduce Ryze’s ability cooldowns by [s]100%[/s] ⇒ 50% of [b]Q - Overload[/b]’s cooldown [*]OVERLY OVERLOADED [b]Overcharged[/b] spellcasts no longer reduce the cooldown of [b]Q - Overload[/b] [/list] [icon=Rumble size=75][size=5][/size] [list] [*]LESS SLOW [b]E - Electro-Harpoon[/b] does not gain Danger Zone bonus while overheated [*]I SAID LESS SLOW [b]E - Electro-Harpoon[/b] slow no longer stacks [/list] [icon=Tahm Kench size=75][size=5][/size] [list] [*]ULTRA RAPID COOLDOWN Q - [b]Tongue Lash[/b] U.R.F. cooldown increased to [s]80% (1.2 seconds)[/s] ⇒ [b]60% (2.4 seconds)[/b] [/list] [icon=Mordekaiser size=75][size=5][/size] [list] [*]RUSTED [b]Passive - Iron Man[/b] shield gain on damage dealt reduced by 25% [/list] [icon=Taric size=75][size=5][/size] [list] [*]BUSTED [b]W - Bastion[/b] shield max health percentage reduced by 50% [/list] [icon=Aurelion Sol size=75][size=5][/size] [list] [*]WHY CAN’T I HOLD ALL THESE [b]Passive - Center of the Universe[/b] star count increased to [b]4/5/6 (at levels 6/13/25)[/b] [/list] [icon=Bard size=75][size=5][/size] [list] [*]EFFICIENCY[b] Passive - Traveler’s Call[/b] meep upgrade requirement reduced to [s]5 chimes[/s] ⇒ 2 chimes [/list] [icon=Corki size=75][size=5][/size] [list] [*]RUSH DELIVERY [b]The Package[/b] spawn timer after use reduced to [s]8 minutes[/s] ⇒ 1 minute (initial spawn unchanged) [/list] [icon=Kindred size=75][size=5][/size] [list] [*]DANCE FASTER [b]Q - Dance of Arrows[/b] cooldown while in [b]W - Wolf’s Frenzy[/b] reduced to 2 seconds ⇒ 0.5 seconds [/list] As in any rotating queue game mode, we’ve specially tuned Champion Mastery so you can earn points in the mode. You’ll also be able to earn keys for your wins and loot chests for your (or your premade’s) S­-, S, and S+ games. Ultra Rapid Fire is now available and lasts through the evening on Sunday (we’ll shut it down very early Monday morning--usually between 1:00 AM and 3:00 AM). Up next is Hexakill: Twisted Treeline next weekend, followed by One For All and the first return of Ascension. If you need to catch up on the rules for any game mode, check back at leagueoflegends.com each Friday, and we’ll give you the lowdown in a quick post like this one. We’ll be trying out different things with the rotating game mode queue over the next few months, such as potentially turning it on longer depending on how popular it is, changing the mode cadence or what modes are available. We’re looking for your feedback as we go, so let us know. GLHF, and we’ll button-mashing alongside you during this ultra rapid weekend![/quote]

[quote=Dash]PS: Wayne and Psiguard are still around, I'm just filling in. I go where I'm needed, much like a unicorn.[/quote]

[quote=Janitsu][quote=Dash89]PS: Wayne and Psiguard are still around, I'm just filling in. I go where I'm needed, much like a unicorn.[/quote] Joined: Jul 28th, 2015 So you haven't been needed much then? :^)[/quote]

[quote=Dash][quote=Janitsu][quote=Dash89]PS: Wayne and Psiguard are still around, I'm just filling in. I go where I'm needed, much like a unicorn.[/quote] Joined: Jul 28th, 2015 So you haven't been needed much then? :^)[/quote] Clearly you don't understand how unicorns work :P[/quote]

[quote=mastrer1000]You both don't know how unicorns work, go read "the last unicorn".[/quote]

[quote=Jovy]Urf was released today because it's Earth day! I figured it all out.[/quote]

[quote=Joxuu][quote=Dash89]PS: Wayne and Psiguard are still around, I'm just filling in. I go where I'm needed, much like a unicorn.[/quote] [img=http://gif-finder.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Ken-Jeong-I%E2%80%99ll-allow-it.gif][/quote]

[quote=Latest Legend]^ Do you actually play League or are you really filling in for a short while?[/quote]

[quote=mastrer1000]aand he's gone[/quote]

[quote=Ekki]Dammit guys, you scared him![/quote]