League of Legends is a game that is constantly changing. Every two to three weeks, developers at Riot Games release patches that tweak the balance of champions, items, and even mechanics. For those who are into esports betting, these updates can be a real challenge. After all, they determine how teams will perform and which strategies will take priority.

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How do patches change the meta?

Updates in League of Legends are not just cosmetic touches. Strengthening one champion or weakening another can turn the balance of power in the professional scene upside down. For example, if a character like Azir gets an attack range increase, teams start using him more often in combination with aggressive tactics. This directly affects the odds of favourites and underdogs. Few people think about it, but even a minor change like increasing mana regeneration can sometimes make a hero key to the meta and therefore to betting.

In addition, patches affect not only champions but also game objects. Increased rewards for Baron or changes in the power of dragons force teams to rethink their priorities. One team can suddenly become a convenient opponent for another, which complicates predictions. A rhetorical question arises: how can you predict the outcome if yesterday’s leader is no longer relevant today?

Impact on teams and players

Each team in League of Legends has its own style. Some rely on early aggression, while others wait for the late game. Patches can play a cruel joke on such established approaches. Let’s say that Caitlyn’s buff gives an advantage to teams that like to dominate the lane. But teams that are geared towards long matches risk being left in the shadows. Surprisingly, even star players sometimes lose their grip if their signature heroes are nerfed and their stats are weakened.

History knows examples when patches ruined entire seasons. In 2022, the update before Worlds changed the balance of Seraphine and Sona, which unexpectedly brought the Korean team DRX to the top. Those who bet against them based on past results ended up losing. Experts note one subtlety: adapting to a patch is not only a matter of player skill but also the speed of the team’s analysts.

Live betting: trap or opportunity

Updates are especially noticeable in real-time betting. The start of the match is when teams reveal their cards: the choice of champions and the first bans. If the patch strengthened Lee Sin and one of the sides banned him, this is already a hint at the strategy. Experienced bettors keep an eye on such details, as they provide clues about how the game will develop. In fact, live betting after patches becomes a real field for intuition.

However, there is a catch. The new balance can lead to unexpected twists. A team that seemed to be the favourite on paper suddenly loses because of an unfamiliar meta. Outsiders, on the contrary, sometimes shoot up, having mastered the latest changes faster. Is it worth taking risks in such conditions? The answer depends on how deeply a person is immersed in the analysis of patch notes and official descriptions of updates.

Practical steps for bettors

To avoid getting lost in the chaos of patches, you need to keep your finger on the pulse. Regularly reading patch notes is the first step. They are published on the Riot Games website and give a clear idea of what has been strengthened and what has been weakened. The second point is watching training matches. Professional teams often test new metas in streams, and this is an invaluable source of information.

By the way, don’t underestimate statistics. Websites like League of Graphs show how the win rate of champions has changed after a patch. If Yasuo suddenly starts winning more often, it’s a signal to bet on teams that have masters of this champion. The result is sometimes surprising: yesterday’s mediocrity turns into a threat thanks to one successful tweak.