Riot discusses ranked system updates and Shyvana overhaul in latest dev update
Riot Games has released a new developer update for League of Legends, providing insights into the current state of the game and outlining upcoming changes for the season. The update was presented by Paul “Pabro” Bellezza, Andrei “Meddler” Van Roon, and Ed “Riot Memurr” Zhao, who discussed gameplay balance, ranked system adjustments, and future development plans.
The discussion also highlighted improvements introduced during Season 1 and offered a preview of what players can expect in the next phase of updates.
Season 1 performance and gameplay adjustments
According to the development team, the changes implemented in Season 1 have delivered positive results overall. Riot continues to monitor the performance of systems such as Faelights and the balance between different roles in the game.
Particular attention is being given to the power levels of ADC champions and top lane picks. The team also confirmed that feedback continues to influence decisions about item balance, especially after the return of classic items like Hextech Gunblade and Stormrazor.
Matchmaking improvements have also had a noticeable impact. Riot reported that the average time required to enter a match has decreased by around 30 percent, while the rate of lobby dodging has dropped from 19 percent to just 4 percent.
Ranked system and MMR changes
One of the major topics in the dev update was the ongoing adjustment of the ranked ladder and MMR distribution.
The development team aims to position the Iron tier primarily as a learning environment for new players rather than a long term ranking for experienced competitors. Adjustments have therefore been made to help skilled players progress more naturally into Bronze.
Riot also discovered that the skill gap between Diamond IV and Diamond I is roughly equivalent to the gap between Bronze IV and high Silver. As a result, the upper portion of Diamond has been shifted into Master rank.
Additionally, the MMR range for Master rank has been expanded, and the LP requirements for the highest Apex tiers have increased. The team is also exploring further ranked structure adjustments, including the possibility of adding new divisions or tiers at the top and bottom of the ladder.
Major Shyvana update coming soon
One of the most anticipated announcements in the update concerns a significant overhaul for Shyvana.
The gameplay and visual update is scheduled to arrive in an upcoming patch. Riot confirmed that the rework was developed in collaboration with dedicated Shyvana players to preserve the champion’s identity while improving areas that received consistent feedback from the community.
All existing Shyvana skins will remain available, and a limited time Leg Day Bundle will also be released alongside the update.
ARAM Mayhem continues indefinitely
Another highlight of the dev update is the continued support for ARAM Mayhem, a variant of the popular ARAM mode.
Due to overwhelmingly positive player feedback, Riot plans to keep the mode available indefinitely. The team intends to expand the mode with additional content and ongoing balance adjustments.
Looking ahead to future seasons
During the player Q and A segment, the developers confirmed that Season 1 will not introduce a new champion. However, Season 2 will feature a new champion tied thematically to both seasons.
Riot also showcased community creations and reaffirmed its commitment to improving the player experience across gameplay systems, competitive structure, and future content.
As League of Legends continues evolving, Riot aims to maintain a balance between competitive depth and accessibility for both new and veteran players on Summoner’s Rift.
