Update 3.3 is the start of SEMC’s aforementioned 2018 road map, with optional joystick controls and voice chat being added. Additional refinements to the UI were highlighted in the Vainglory 3.3 update notes. In addition to the new hero Kensei, Vainglory 3.3 brings a fresh sheet of gameplay, hero, and item balancing to the Fold and Rise. How will these changes have an impact on the upcoming meta?

New Hero: Kensei

Kensei joins the hero pool in Update 3.3 to slash away pesky tanks. Healthy foes beware — his attacks deal more damage to beefier opponents. Kensei has a choice between combating on the frontline (often against a utility-based enemy) while absorbing damage from his heroic perk’s barrier or diving onto the backline with his gap-closing abilities to first devastate ADCs. Read up on our full Kensei hero reveal to gain an edge over your opponents during the first few days!

Gameplay Balance Changes

Ghostwing

Ghostwing's Blessing DAMAGE TO STRUCTURES

25% → 15% 25% → 15% BARRIER

100 + 40 → 60 + 40

Ghostwing’s buff is still game-changing, providing the team with the buff a great chance at winning. This nerf will bring that power down a little, making it so teams cannot push down lanes as easily.

Hero Balance Changes

BARON

JUMP JETS

Cooldown reduction per basic attack increased

8% → 15%

Baron will now be able to reposition himself more often in fights. Along with his basic attack damage buff in Update 3.2, Baron will be much more viable. However, without a nerf to the current meta bottom laners, Baron may not see any competitive play in 3.3.

BLACKFEATHER

FEINT OF HEART

Cooldown

10/9.5/9/8.5/8 → 9/8.5/8/7.5/7 Cooldown10/9.5/9/8.5/8 → 9/8.5/8/7.5/7 ROSE OFFENSIVE

Charge time

60/55/50 → 45/40/35

The cooldown decreases on Blackfeather’s A and Ult abilities will make both his weapon and crystal builds stronger, allowing Blackfeather to execute enemies and dash in-and-out of fights more often. Blackfeather will continue to be a meta top laner and jungler in 3.3.

CELESTE

HELIOGENESIS

Damage

80/135/190/245/300 → 80/130/180/230/280

Supernova Crystal Ratio

200% → 170% Damage80/135/190/245/300 → 80/130/180/230/280Supernova Crystal Ratio200% → 170% SOLAR STORM

Travel speed decreased

In 3.2, Celeste was a priority pick/ban. Lowering the base damage and crystal ratio of Heliogenesis will make her feel more balanced in Update 3.3. In addition to this, cross-mapping her Solar Storm Ult ability will require more precision, making players predict further in advance to have the same amount of effectiveness.

CHURNWALKER

HOOK AND CHAIN

Damage

2/2/2/2/3% → 1/1/1/1/2%

Hook speed increased

Churnwalker now has a more reliable Hook and Chain in trade for 1% less damage per second at all levels. Churnwalker will continue to synergize with AoE damage-reliant heroes, as the nerf reworks his ganking potential from higher early game damage to his ability combos.

GLAIVE

STATS

Attack speed per level

1.2% to 2% Attack speed per level1.2% to 2% TWISTED STROKE

Cooldown

12/11/10/9/8 → 10/9/8/7/6 BLOODSONG

Damage per stack

10/15/20 → 15/20/25

Glaive’s buffs make three different parts of his kit stronger. His base attack speed will feel faster as the game progresses, allowing him to opt for more damage-oriented items in the early and mid game. Glaive will see more competitive play, and as the meta develops, he may become a priority pick/ban for most teams.

IDRIS

DIVERGENT PATHS

Required damage threshold up

100 → 120

Idris spikes a bit later by not allowing him to achieve his ranged attacks and bonus damage until he can purchase statistics equivalent to six Crystal Bits (CP) or a Sorrowblade (WP). Taking that specific crystal itemization will also force Idris to sell one of the crystal bits, unless he opts to build regularly and push back his spike until even later.

KESTREL

STATS

Base basic attack damage

64-130 → 70-136 Base basic attack damage64-130 → 70-136 GLIMMERSHOT

Weapon Ratio

100% → 100/100/100/100/110%

In an attempt to have players move away from her crystal path, Kestrel’s weapon path was incentivized with increased damage. This will make both damage paths viable in the meta, instead of one overpowering the other. They will both feel strong in 3.3, making Kestrel an early flex pick in drafts.

KOSHKA

BLOODRUSH

Bonus speed reduced

2.5 → 2

Koshka will feel less annoying when she gains movement speed from a jungle camp and immediately jumps out for a gank. Players will have an increased reaction time, which will help balance out her high damage output.

KRUL

STATS

Base basic attack damage

77-147 → 70-147 Base basic attack damage77-147 → 70-147 SPECTRAL SMITE

Lifesteal

9/9/9/9/11% → 6/7/8/9/11%

Krul will be a lot less punishing in the early game. Securing a kill will be more difficult to accomplish compared to his 3.2 early game, but he will play the same in the mid and late game.

LANCE

STATS

Attack speed item scaling

50% → 75%

Attack speed per level

0% → 2% Attack speed item scaling50% → 75%Attack speed per level0% → 2% GYTHIAN WALL

Weapon ratio

100% → 120% COMBAT ROLL

NEW: Weapon ratio @ 30%

Cooldown

8/6/4 → 6/4.5/3

Stamina cost

30/25/20 → 25/20/15

The return of weapon Lance? Lance received a multitude of buffs, and all of them make Lance more viable in the 3.3 meta. From his attack speed scaling to his new and improved weapon ratios, Lance will feel like he just came back from a long day in the weight room … and with an upgraded lance.

LYRA

PRINCIPLE ARCANUM

Crystal Ratio on empowered auto attack

70% → 80% Crystal Ratio on empowered auto attack70% → 80% IMPERIAL SIGIL

Crystal Ratio on burst damage

120% → 100%

Lyra’s damage output was rerouted for stronger empowered basic attacks when building crystal power. On the other hand, her A ability will not feel as strong when activated, especially in the early game. This will not affect captain Lyra unless she builds crystal items.

MALENE

LIGHT RIBBONS

Damage

60/115/170/225/280 → 60/105/150/195/240 Damage60/115/170/225/280 → 60/105/150/195/240 ENCHANTED TRANSFORMATION

Cooldown

5/4/3/2 → 6/5/4/3

Slow reduced from 30/45/60/75% → 30/40/50/60%

Dark form damage reduced from 60/120/180/240 → 60/100/140/180

This is a much needed nerf to Malene, who was a priority-ban on the B-side of drafts. She will not be able to transform as often, making it so she cannot use her form-switch empowerments (which also received a nerf) every 1-2 seconds with Clockwork. Hopefully Malene will see more playing time in drafts, as players continue to learn how to counter her.

OZO

THREE RING CIRCUS

NEW: Weapon ratio

20/20/40% (first hit/second hit/third hit)

Ozo, who is already strong, received new weapon ratios on his A ability that will encourage more players to give him a try. So… go give him a try! Harder hitting weapon damage also transcribes to higher healing amounts.

REIM

STATS

Movement speed

3.3 → 3.4 Movement speed3.3 → 3.4 WINTER SPIRE

First impact Crystal Ratio

70% → 80%

Second impact Crystal Ratio

100% → 120%

Reim’s movement speed buff will help him fit into the fast-paced meta of Vainglory’s 5V5 mode. His increased crystal ratio will also make him more rewarding in the mid and late game, which is the buff he needs if he will be played in the meta. Players should watch his place in the 3V3 meta, where his drawback is one-on-one mobility counters.

REZA

SCORCHER

Hitbox is more accurate (decreased) to match visual effects

Travel speed increased

Range

7/7/7/7/9 → 7.5/7.5/7.5/7.5/9.5 Hitbox is more accurate (decreased) to match visual effectsTravel speed increasedRange7/7/7/7/9 → 7.5/7.5/7.5/7.5/9.5 TROUBLEMAKER

Cooldown

2 → 0.5 (Charge time remains the same)

Removed post-dash lock time. NETHERFORM DETONATOR

Landing time reduced from 1.4 → 1.0

NEW: Decaying movement speed

Movement speed reduced onto enemies affected by Netherform Detonator by 1.0 for 2.4s

While there are no damage changes, Reza will offer more utility in fights with a new effect on his Ult ability. Additionally, he can close gaps more often when he has both charges of Troublemaker available to use.

RINGO

STATS

Base health

673-2077 → 703-2107 Base health673-2077 → 703-2107 TWIRLING SILVER

Cooldown

12-11 (at all levels)

Ringo has not been a priority pick in a long time; however, with a health buff and a cooldown reduction on his B ability, he may become a more reliable pick in the bottom lane. Although certainly not on the level of Vox (who, surprisingly, didn’t receive a nerf in 3.3), Ringo may be picked more often as the 3.3 meta develops.

RONA

BERSERKER’S FURY

Attack damage reduced from 85% → 80% Attack damage reduced from 85% → 80% FOESPLITTER

Cooldown

16/15/14/13/12 → 18/17/16/15/13

Weapon ratio

85% → 80%

Yet another nerf is crashing down on Rona. Rona was a situational meta pick in 3.2, but the weapon ratio on her B ability has been toned down. Despite her nerfs, Rona will likely see play as a frontline tank that does not deal as much damage.

SKAARF

SPITFIRE

Crystal ratio

150% → 130% Crystal ratio150% → 130% DRAGON’S BREATH

Crystal ratio

100% → 130%

Damage per second

325/400/475 → 350/450/550

As expected, Skaarf received significant play time in the competitive scene after his round of buffs in 3.2; however, his Ult ability was underutilized. With a damage rework bringing higher potential to his Ult, players who can position well to breath havoc onto his enemies will be rewarded.

Item Balance Changes

ATLAS PAULDRON

Attack speed reduction

50% → 65%

Landing Atlas Pauldron will be more rewarding against players building more attack speed. This may open up Atlas to be purchased as a second item on captains rather than a third or fourth item.

FROSTBURN

Base crystal power

85 → 100

Purchasing Frostburn early on will be more beneficial with its increased crystal power stat and thus providing a stronger slow. You’re welcome, Skye.

INFUSIONS

Max weapon/crystal power

80 → 70

Infusions will still be essential, but lowering the damage gains provides teams falling behind with a slightly longer window to fight back against snowball compositions.

SPELLFIRE

Now deals ability-type damage

Burn damage

15-50 → 8-30 (level 1-12)

This mid-to-late game nerf to Spellfire will make crystal carries look at other items as a first purchase. To be as effective, Spellfire now requires more damage to be bought.

STORMCROWN

Hero/structure damage

20% → 10%

Taka! What have you done? After a hefty nerf in 3.2, Stormcrown is receiving another nerf in 3.3. Stormcrown will be even less effective when taking objectives, and may become obsolete on captains until it is buffed.

STORMGUARD BANNER

Hero/structure damage

15% → 10%

Thanks, Taka.

TENSION BOW

Proc damage

240 → 210

Tension Bow is being used by many weapon jungle and captain heroes in the top lane for early game damage before they invest in defensive items. This nerf will likely bring the focus back to jungle carries who seek an early game power spike.

New Features

IN-GAME VOICE COMMUNICATION

Vainglory is introducing the new in-game voice feature in Update 3.3. This will only be made available for players who have made a purchase within the last 30-days. If you’re strictly free to play, fear not — voice chat will become available to everyone in Update 3.4 at the start of the Summer season.

JOYSTICK CONTROLS

The new addition of the joystick control option will open up Vainglory to a brand new player base. It will be exciting to see a new wave of players try out Vainglory and hopefully stick to the game as they move up the ranks.

Editor’s note: Bear in mind that joystick is and will always be an optional control scheme. Some audiences in EA, CN, and SEA (the largest gaming markets) are dedicated to joystick controls, and SEMC hopes to win these crowds over in 2018. Data was taken over the course of the last few months to ensure this was a worthwhile feature for implementation. Supporting SEMC in this development is incredibly important to grow Vainglory in the coming years.

Vainglory 3.3 Update Recap

Top Lane

Blackfeather and Glaive both received buffs, making them contenders for the top lane position in competitive play. Adagio, Idris, and Reza will remain strong top laners as well.

Middle Lane

Malene and Celeste, although they have been toned down, will still be meta picks in Update 3.3. Skaarf, a newcomer to the meta, will also be a viable meta pick in the mid lane.

Bottom Lane

Vox and Gwen will continue to dominate the bottom lane as the priority picks for the position. Baron may be an underdog in Update 3.3 and has the potential to be a great pick in the meta. Rona’s slight nerf may push her out of the bottom lane meta; however, she may still be a solid pick in the jungle.

Jungler

Idris, Kestrel, and Glaive will continue to wreak havoc as junglers, with Glaive being the standout hero and becoming a priority to pick or even ban.

Captain

Lyra did not receive nerfs to her ability cooldowns and healing, which will keep her in the priority captain spot. Tony and Ardan were neutral in the update notes this time around and will be meta captain picks during Update 3.3.

Update 3.3 activation is slated for Wednesday, May 16th at 8AM PDT / 15:00 GMT / 23:00 SGT. If you have any questions about Kensei or the balance changes, ask away in the comments below, and we’ll be sure to answer them!