Riot’s Direct Changes May Significantly Reduce T1’s Familiar Gameplay Power
For those who regularly follow T1 or watch this team’s matches, it is well understood that a very characteristic gameplay of T1 is their strategy to dominate Baron, even when they are at a disadvantage or need to “snowball.” However, T1’s gameplay could be at risk of disappearing in the new season due to Riot’s interventions.
Specifically, in a recent announcement, Riot may change the jungle monster mechanics by introducing another elemental entity into the game. A new creature named Atakhan will appear between the 15th and 25th minute. Moreover, the Baron buff will be pushed back to start from the 25th minute onwards. Notably, Atakhan in its Voracious form can provide players with the ability to revive for a certain period.
These new moves from Riot seem to aim to prolong the match to a certain timeframe (neither too long nor too short), enhance mid-game skirmishes, and force teams to accelerate the pace of the game before Atakhan appears.
However, according to the community, the gameplay revolving around Baron before the 20-minute mark is almost a hallmark of T1. Therefore, this “nerf” may compel T1 to reconsider their strategies. They will need to strengthen their early game, especially when facing opponents of equal or greater strength.
The Community Also ‘Worries’ for T1
On official X, G2 Esports recognized that this adjustment would significantly affect T1. The reigning champion of the 2024 World Championship does not rely on Baron. However, if this buff is pushed to the 25th minute alongside Atakhan, T1 will have to be more cautious in skirmishes as well as from the early game stage.
As a title-contending team, T1 must inevitably address these issues. Moreover, other mechanisms like Fearless Draft (currently being tested) or the possibility of reviving the two final protective turrets (which may also appear in the 2025 Pre-Season Update) are additional factors that T1 and all other teams must calculate carefully.
