Master Yi’s win rate has seen a significant drop after the 12.5 hotfix nerfs. In this analysis, we will discuss the reasons behind these changes and their impact on the champion’s viability in the current League of Legends meta.
**Background: Master Yi’s Pre-Nerf State**
Prior to the 12.5 hotfix, Master Yi was a top pick in the jungle role due to his high mobility, burst damage, and sustainability through his Q – Alpha Strike (AS), W – Meditate, and R – Dragon’s Rage (DR). His kit provided immense pressure in the early game, enabling him to gank lanes effectively and secure a significant lead.
**Hotfix Nerfs: Impact on Master Yi**
In the 12.5 hotfix, several changes were made to Master Yi’s abilities that affected his overall performance:
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Alpha Strike (AS) – Now deals 7% maximum health damage instead of 8%.
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Meditate – Cooldown increased from 3 to 4 seconds.
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Dragon’s Rage (DR) – Range reduced and no longer grants bonus attack speed.
**Analysis: Master Yi’s Post-Nerf Performance**
These nerfs have significantly impacted Master Yi’s early game pressure, sustainability, and overall damage output.
Let’s examine each aspect in more detail:
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**Early Game Pressure:**
With the reduction of AS damage, Master Yi now deals less damage to champions, making it harder for him to secure kills or force favorable trades against opponents. Additionally, the cooldown increase on Meditate means that he’ll spend more time out of combat, further decreasing his ability to apply pressure in the early game.
* **Sustainability:**
With Master Yi no longer receiving bonus attack speed from DR and AS dealing less damage overall, it is now much harder for him to sustain health during prolonged fights or when facing multiple opponents. This lack of sustainability can be a significant disadvantage in teamfights or when trying to secure objectives such as Baron Nashor or Dragon.
* **Mobility:**
Master Yi’s mobility remains strong, but the reduced damage output and sustainability makes it more challenging for him to effectively secure kills or assist his team. Additionally, he is now less effective at splitting push lanes since he deals less damage to structures.
**Summary: Master Yi’s Post-12.5 Hotfix Nerfs**
In conclusion, the 12.5 hotfix nerfs to Master Yi have significantly impacted his performance in the current League of Legends meta. The reduction in AS damage, cooldown increase on Meditate, and loss of bonus attack speed from DR have combined to make it much harder for Master Yi to apply pressure early in the game, sustain health during prolonged fights, and deal effective damage both to champions and structures.
It is important for players who enjoy Master Yi or those looking to pick him up to be aware of these changes and adapt their playstyle accordingly. For instance, Master Yi players may want to focus on securing early kills, building tankier items, and prioritizing ganks over split pushing lanes.
In summary, the post-12.5 hotfix nerfs have made Master Yi a less viable pick in the current League of Legends meta, but with careful play, he can still contribute effectively to your team. Stay tuned for future updates as Riot Games continues to balance the champion roster.