League of Legends Patch 9.7 Brings Big Changes to ARAM, Items, and Runes

Riot Games recently released the patch notes for League of Legends Patch 9.7, and they bring several impactful changes to multiple in-game maps.

Patch 9.7 marks the re-launch of Butcher’s Bridge in the ARAM game mode. In ARAM, each player will now be able to ban a single champion before their champion is randomly selected.

The spawn rate of minion waves is also being cranked up past the 15-minute mark, and minions will also gain increased movement speed. Champions will deal 10% more damage to structures past this time period, too.

On top of that, ARAM is getting a brand new Summoner Spell to replace Barrier: Backtrack. When activated, Backtrack gives players a small shield (less powerful than Barrier), and then three seconds later, zooms them back towards their Fountain.

Riot is also making some big changes to three important items in 9.7: The Dark Seal, Enchantment: Cinderhulk, and Wit’s End.

The Dark Seal’s sellback value is being cut nearly in half and its Ability Power is being lowered from 15 to 10. Enchantment: Cinderhulk is being buffed to deal 300% damage (up from 200%) to minions and monsters.

Wit’s End is receiving a massive overhaul. It’s being changed to cost 2900 gold (up from 2400), it now grants movement speed, and there’s a “health stealing” mechanic added as a new Passive.

As for Runes, the entire third row of the Domination tree is getting an overhaul. Eyeball Collection is being nerfed, Ghost Poro is being reworked, and both Ghost Poro and Zombie Ward are being given a stacking mechanic that can grant a total of 30 Adaptive Force when completed.

Cut Down, Demolish, Overgrowth, and Ultimate Hunter are also all receiving buffs.

The rest of the patch notes include changes to Kayle, Urgot, Azir, Cho’Gath, Dr. Mundo, Garen, Leona, Lissandra, Morgana, Pyke, Rumble, and Sylas.

At the time of publication, the North American League of Legends servers have currently taken down ranked queue modes in preparation for the upcoming patch at 3 am PT. When the servers are brought back up, patch 9.7 will be live.