LOL: I just turned 18, let me fight back and be reborn

Chapter 282 Major Version Change! A "Surprise"!
With the summer season approaching, the atmosphere on various esports forums has become lively again, with discussions on all sorts of gossip, such as Asian Games rosters and transfer rumors.

Until a week before the opening match.

League of Legends officially released the 13.10 mid-game rework patch, which finally stole the spotlight from the discussion.

The number of comments under the official release channel {Zhangmeng} instantly surged to 999+.

[666, this is so blatant, it's practically an open attack! A classic 1v1 nerf to the MSI champion, huh?!]

Holy crap, the electrosurgical unit is back! Time to clean!

[Master Ye's information was really accurate! The Dark Claw really hasn't moved anymore. Designer, I'm speechless!]

Aside from some venting their emotions, there were also some serious analyses of the players.

It just has some of the features of the mobile version of the game.

To be fair, this is true. It shows that the designers have finally realized how stupid and unbalanced it is to give heroes without mobility skills mobility through equipment. You have to know how many heroes and players have benefited from this and ended up in positions they shouldn't be in. If you ask me, they should delete Gale Force as well.

[↑What kind of understanding can a Platinum 2 player upstairs possibly have? The designers themselves can't balance the stats well; don't blame the equipment for their own incompetence!]

[Upstairs, you Platinum 1 (Diamond 4) shut up.]

[Upstairs, you...]

Well known.

League of Legends undergoes two major changes each year, at the end of the season and mid-season.

Each change brings about a lot of disruptive changes.

Last year, the "Durability" game, which lasted all the way to the S12 World Championship Finals and had the most far-reaching impact in the second half of the year, was released on this day last year.

This year's mid-season update, while not as immediately obvious as durability, contains many hidden clues that may continue to influence the changes throughout Season 13.

"Because it's difficult to schedule practice matches right now, Genshin Impact and I can only sort out a few key points."

Ye Bo stood next to the small blackboard in the preparation room, with the logistics department's teaching assistant helping him operate it.

Beryl, who had just returned home, sat on the nearby recliner in a retaliatory manner, hugging a bowl of watermelon and showing it off.

"First, there are changes to the equipment. More than a dozen critical strike items have been completely overhauled. The Siren, Shieldbow, Dark Claw, and Imperial Command have all become legendary items; while the Infinity Edge, Swiftblade, and Scythe of Vyse have become mythic items. And there's also the return of the Statikk Shiv."

"The power of the Statikk Shiv seems to be somewhat overpowered right now, and it should lead to many playstyles that fit the heroes, thereby changing the bottom lane meta."

Compared to the "downgrading" and "upgrading" of several mythical and legendary outfits.

Most veteran players' attention was drawn to the returning Statikk Shiv!

This item, which existed since the game's launch, was removed at the end of Season 10.

The reason for its removal lies in the word "balance"!
It's not that there are actually many supermodels, it's just that it's too difficult to maintain a balance.

At its peak, this was no less transformative than the effect of a divine awakening on some warrior heroes, as the passive ability to crit also combined lane pushing, burst damage, and damage attributes.

However, after the passive ability was disabled, it became too weak and almost became a pure lane-pushing tool. It was only useful after it was fully equipped, and was eventually perfectly replaced by Tiamat.

With this comeback, the designers must be confident in achieving a good balance.
Besides the critical strike equipment, which underwent the most significant changes, support and warrior equipment were almost entirely reworked as well—the changes to dozens of pieces of equipment will undoubtedly bring many unexpected changes to the competition in the second half of the year.

"These equipment can only be tested slowly, and I also have some ideas," Ye Bo turned to the next page.

"However, the most important thing in this version is not the equipment, but the changes at several key points in the game itself."

Home Guardian takes effect ahead of schedule, River Burst Fruit generation is delayed, Tower plating becomes more durable, and TP unlock time is accelerated.

Four changes, each aimed at the direction of "Deceleration".

However, if these four changes seem to be only somewhat "targeting" V5, who are best at using the fast-paced playstyle at MSI, then it cannot be said to be a targeted strike.

The real highlight, the mid-lane minion wave, is quite significant.

Why has the middle lane always been regarded as the most crucial and influential core position in the overall game?
There are many reasons, but there is one that is absolutely unavoidable.

Minion wave speed!

As the shortest lane, the time it takes for minions to meet in the mid lane has consistently been about 10 seconds faster than in the top and bottom lanes for the past ten years.

This natural 10-second gap is the "underlying logic" that makes the mid lane the most likely to influence the situation!
This has nothing to do with the hero's wave clear speed—even if there is a difference in wave clear speed between mid laners, due to the time difference between the side lane minions, it is still possible to forcefully avoid the enemy mid laner and gank another lane while lagging behind.

This is why the mid-lane champion "Earthbound Spirit" has been heavily criticized.

Because in the past, even if you couldn't overpower your opponent, you could still have a gank opportunity if you wanted to!

It's simply because moving slowly involves taking on more risks, and "earthbound spirits" are meant to avoid taking on those risks.

From now on...

This fundamental logic has been completely changed!
Version 13.10 officially revamped the minion wave logic that had been in use for 13 years, giving minions on the top and bottom lanes a movement speed bonus to ensure that the three minion waves collide at the same speed!
in short:
From now on, the difficulty of roaming and ganking for mid laners will be greatly increased, and as long as they roam, they will inevitably have to bear the risk of losing money.

Even if you have a huge advantage in lane, it's hard to avoid!
After listening to the analysis, Xun had a look of sudden realization: "It seems that makes sense. No wonder I've seen people online saying that this is targeting us."

Saint Gun nodded in agreement: "It's hard to say whether it's targeted at us, but it definitely feels like it's having a significant impact."

Beryl bluntly stated, "Hey, it's obviously targeted; nerfing the MSI champion is standard practice~"

"Moreover, such a major change couldn't have been conceived recently; I strongly suspect it started after Master Ye's debut last year!"

Everyone knows that V5's best and most powerful playstyle is...

The strategy revolves around disrupting the pace of the game from the mid lane, using fast-paced team fights and small-scale skirmishes to quickly expand an economic advantage, and finally finishing the game with an extremely decisive ability.

This mid-season patch not only intentionally slows down the pace of the game, but also clearly targets the mid lane.

"Actually, it's not necessarily targeted at you~~" Ye Bo continued to chat and laugh, seemingly unaffected.

"The fact that the things we use were nerfed doesn't necessarily mean they're targeting us. It just means we've found the answer in this version! It means the designers also think we're right!"

"No matter how you revise it, there will always be a new answer; just try again."

"Besides, I actually feel that this version can still be played at a fast pace."

Deft, who had been silent, looked at Ye Bo and couldn't help but feel a little emotional.

Over the course of six months, he increasingly sensed in the other person a mindset that seemed never to be defeated and that they could always maintain the most optimistic attitude.

Deft felt he had a good mindset, but he still felt somewhat inferior to the other person.

5 month 29 day.

Shenzhen Longgang V5's newly expanded home stadium marks the official start of the LPL season!
"Our new stadium is pretty good, it's quite impressive!"

Since Mario Ho invested heavily in building the V5 team this year, the small home stadium that was originally a bottom-tier team was no longer enough, so they simply expanded it.

What was originally intended as a simple expansion, with construction scheduled to end after the Spring Split, became increasingly complex due to V5's outstanding performance. They increased their investment further, and Tencent Esports offered financial support, promising to host the LPL playoffs there to recoup some of the revenue from ticket sales. Ultimately, the project grew larger and larger, with a third phase currently under construction!
"Really? I feel like this room isn't quite right. It doesn't feel big enough." Holy Gun Bro joked.

"This room isn't good enough?" The straightforward Xun took a bite of the hook.

Beryl, whose face was flushed red from the scorching summer sun, shook his head: "The air conditioner isn't working well. Is it not on? It's so hot!"

"I've surpassed Uzi! Factory Manager!"

Just as Ye Bo was about to join the interaction, he saw the EDG group walking towards him from a distance.

Seeing the factory manager and Uzi wearing the same team uniform for the first time still felt a bit unreal.
The others followed immediately, but they were making strange winks at the EDG team from behind, avoiding Ye Bo's gaze.

Half an hour before the start of the match, the entire stadium was already packed.

As the opening match, and with the newly crowned MSI champions V5 facing off against what is arguably the most high-profile "pig and dog fusion" version of EDG in history, the level of attention was predictable!

While the two teams were still waiting in the stage corridor, a lot of screams were already coming in from outside.

There are 10 minutes left until the scheduled start time.

But just then, their appearance time seemed to have been brought forward, and the opposing EDG team had already started announcing their entry onto the stage.

The noise reached its peak when the host shouted "EDG-UZI!", creating a spectacular atmosphere that highlighted the value of this "first book of experience" in the LPL!
"Wow, this is Uzi!" Ye Bo exclaimed, peering through the crack in the door at the stage below.

He could clearly feel that, compared to his brief comeback with BLG last year, the fans seemed to be much more enthusiastic this year.

Perhaps they were thinking that Uzi's comeback was going to be his "true last dance".

“Uzi, you’re the star of the show today, Master Ye is the one who’s in charge,” Xun said with a grin from the back.

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing, nothing, I'm going!"

The EDG members, along with Mingkai, had already walked to the center of the stage, and the host, Yu Shuang, had begun loudly announcing the IDs of the V5 members.

The strange thing is that this time they didn't follow the order; after reading the jungler's name, they jumped straight to AD.

The mid laner was omitted.

Ye Bo thought there was some special arrangement for today's opening match.

Although he didn't really like this arrangement that deliberately highlighted his own abilities, no one told him that, so he could only go along with it.

Yu Shuang concluded by loudly prolonging her words and shouting in a melodious voice, "Finally, let's welcome V5's mid-laner, YE!"

The entire stage and venue erupted in an even more enthusiastic cheer.

Ye Bo finally stepped onto the stage and looked around to see his supporters everywhere, their hands holding light sticks and banners swaying gently like surging waves.

There was even an exaggeratedly strong spotlight shining down, making Ye Bo the main character of the entire event!
"What's going on?"

This is no less grand and impressive than Uzi's previous appearance!
That's normal, of course.

If Uzi and Clearlove were the most influential figures in the LPL in the past, then Ye Bo is the one who will inherit all of that legacy, and even surpass them in every aspect.

Ye Bo himself was still completely bewildered, and simply waved his arm to greet the audience.

However, a very strange background music suddenly started playing at the scene.

"Happy birthday to you..."

Behind them, staff pushed out a cart with a cake on it, and on the cake was a doll of Ye Bo and Akali, holding a trophy.

Ye Bo immediately recognized the doll's design—it was exactly the same as the Q-version doll used for EDG's championship skin back then.

He was surprised, but then he suddenly realized.

Yu Shuang came to his side: "Dear audience members! Today is not only the opening match of our LPL Summer Split, but also Master Ye's 19th birthday! It marks his second year officially stepping onto the professional stage!"

Happy birthday to him!

Almost all the audience members who realized what was happening joined in the singing!
Coincidentally.

The 2023 Summer Split started exactly two weeks earlier than the 2022 season—and Ye Bo received the life-changing phone call just two weeks after his birthday.

It's like where a dream begins.

If the Summer Split hadn't been moved up two weeks this year, he really wouldn't have been able to make it to the opening match of the Summer Split and start his true "second year".

Everything seemed to be preordained, and one couldn't help but marvel at the power of fate.

The EDG members next to them were all clapping and singing with big smiles, clearly indicating that they were also part of the planning.

Only teams with this kind of relationship could come together to plan something like this.

Ye Bo took the microphone and his Adam's apple bobbed slightly.

He naturally remembered his birthday, and even if he forgot, his parents would send him a red envelope every year to remind him—but he didn't tell anyone, including his teammates.

After all, today is the opening match, time is tight and the task is heavy. Everyone has been preparing for the match with great tension, so he won't mention such things.

But Ye Bo never expected that his ex-boyfriend and current teammates had secretly prepared these things together.
He raised the microphone, somewhat moved, and said, "Thank you everyone! And thank you to my teammates!"

"But EDG brothers, don't even think about bribing me before the match! Today, V5 won't hold back!"

Everyone below burst into laughter.

The simple ceremony, which originally had some procedures, was quickly completed thanks to Ye Bo's deliberate speeding up.

Ye Bo's steps toward the battle arena seemed to be walking on clouds, his heart filled with fighting spirit, eager to rush into Summoner's Rift!

The camera cuts to the live stream.

The comments section was still buzzing with discussion about what had just happened.

[Where's my dog! I want to see Doggy! Who wants to watch this stuff!]

[Is YE really the LPL's crown prince? Everyone's celebrating his birthday alone? He wasted 3 minutes of our time, and if everyone wasted 3 minutes, how many minutes is that in total?!]

[You don't want to use the steamer? I'd be happy to! Happy Birthday, Master Ye!!!]

[Several times at MSI, Dafei and ZuoShou have had this kind of lavish birthday celebrations. What's wrong with my Master Ye celebrating his birthday? If you're not happy about it, just keep quiet!]

[To be honest, Uzi going to EDG was the perfect decision. This year they'll practically mass-produce Chinese-made players, breaking Korea's monopoly in this area!]

[Stop mass production just yet, "The First Priest" is right across the street today!]

[I'm Uzi, I've been reborn. Where am I? Oh, the enemy AD is Deft? Let me check again. I can't win in lane, I can't win team fights, only the jungler and support are considered heroes! I know! Damn, so this is 2016!]

(End of this chapter)