The 14.19 patch in Valorant has brought a wealth of changes to the game’s meta, with item adjustments playing a pivotal role in shaping how champions perform across all roles. In this article, we’ll be exploring the updated tier lists for each role in solo queue, diving into the major changes and their impact on gameplay.
What’s New in Valorant Patch 14.19?
This patch primarily focused on item changes that have shifted the balance of power across various champions. Players are experiencing stronger scaling champions and tanks, while fighters and assassins have taken a hit. If you’re serious about improving your performance, learning how to master your champion can boost your win rate by a remarkable 9%. At SkillCapped, challenger-level experts provide targeted guides and commentaries to help you elevate your gameplay, making this patch an ideal time to refine your approach.
Top Lane Changes: Tanks Take the Lead
In the top lane, the patch has resulted in a rise in tank champions. Fighters, on the other hand, have lost a lot of power due to the nerfs to their core items. Let’s take a closer look at two champions that embody the changes happening in this role.
Nasus – A Strong Contender in Patch 14.19
Nasus has emerged as a major winner in this patch. Although many fighters were affected by item nerfs, Nasus escaped relatively unscathed because of his tank-heavy build. His go-to item, Trinity Force, combined with defensive items like Frozen Heart and Spirit Visage, means Nasus benefits from the reduced damage in the game, allowing him more time to stack up his Q and become an unstoppable late-game force. Due to these advantages, Nasus is now ranked in the OP tier.
Garen – A Fall from Grace
In contrast, Garen has seen a sharp drop in effectiveness. His core items—Stridebreaker, Phantom Dancer, and Mortal Reminder—lost significant gold value, which translates to a major loss in power. As a result, Garen has fallen down the rankings and is now considered a B-tier pick. It’s clear that the damage reduction in this patch does not favour Garen’s playstyle, and his reliance on burst has made him less viable.
Jungle: Skarner Moves Up, Amumu Moves Down
Just like the top lane, tanks are becoming more dominant in the jungle. Champions that can take advantage of extended fights and scale well into the late game are performing better.
Skarner – Rising in the Jungle Tier List
Skarner has benefited from the changes in Patch 14.19, particularly with the introduction of Unending Despair. This item has allowed Skarner to thrive while other junglers suffer from their core items being nerfed. His strong scaling and tanky setup mean that he can excel in extended skirmishes, making him one of the strongest jungle picks in the S-tier.
Amumu – Post-Hotfix Nerf
Despite dominating the early part of Patch 14.19, Amumu received significant nerfs in a hotfix that reduced his W damage per second and the damage on his E ability. These nerfs have hurt Amumu’s mid-to-late game, causing him to fall out of the OP tier and into the S-tier.
Mid Lane: Mages Dominate
In the mid lane, Mages are the clear winners. With less burst damage from AD carries and fighters, champions that can dish out consistent DPS over extended periods are thriving.
Swain – A Top Pick for Consistent Damage
Swain’s ability to deal steady damage has seen him rise to the top in Patch 14.19. The longer fights favour Swain, who can sustain himself and contribute throughout a skirmish. For mid-lane players, Swain is now an OP-tier pick, ideal for the slower pace of fights in this patch.
Kassadin – Rising Again
Kassadin has seen a resurgence in this patch due to his impressive scaling. With games lasting longer and less damage present overall, Kassadin is able to hit his key power spikes at levels 11 and 16. As a result, Kassadin has moved from the A-tier into the S-tier for mid-lane picks.
ADC: Draven and Kalista Rise in Strength
Patch 14.19 has not been as kind to Lethality ADCs, but champions that can abuse the reintroduction of Lethal Tempo have found success.
Draven – Thriving with Lethal Tempo
Despite the reduced damage in Patch 14.19, Draven has surged in strength. Lethal Tempo has proven to be a better choice for Draven than Press the Attack, and his reliance on Bloodthirster, which wasn’t nerfed, means that he can still dominate in solo queue. Draven has moved into the S-tier for this patch.
Kalista – A Surprise Success
Kalista is another ADC that has benefited from the return of Lethal Tempo. The additional attack speed allows her to jump around more rapidly, making her far more effective in fights. This has led to a noticeable increase in her win rate, moving her up from the C-tier to the B-tier.
Support: Braum and Rell Shine
Support has been the role least affected by Patch 14.19, but there are still a few noteworthy changes.
Rell – An S-Tier Support
Rell has emerged as one of the strongest supports in Patch 14.19. Her ability to utilise Trailblazer has made her an excellent choice for skirmishes that last longer. This patch favours champions who can sustain fights, and Rell’s ability to peel for her ADC makes her a valuable pick.
Braum – Thriving in Extended Fights
Braum has seen an uptick in win rate thanks to the reduced burst damage in the game. His ability to proc his passive in extended fights means he can peel for his team more effectively, making him one of the best support picks in the S-tier.
FAQs
Q: Which top lane champion benefited the most from Patch 14.19?
A: Nasus is the top performer in Patch 14.19, as his tanky build and strong late-game scaling make him a formidable champion.
Q: What happened to Garen in Patch 14.19?
A: Garen’s core items were nerfed heavily, reducing his effectiveness. He has dropped to the B-tier as a result.
Q: Why is Skarner strong in Patch 14.19?
A: Skarner’s item build wasn’t hit as hard as other junglers, allowing him to thrive with the new Unending Despair item.
Q: Which ADCs have improved in Patch 14.19?
A: Draven and Kalista have both risen in strength thanks to Lethal Tempo and the reduced focus on Lethality items.
Q: How has the support role changed in Patch 14.19?
A: Supports like Rell and Braum, who excel in extended skirmishes, have seen improvements in their win rates.
