Riot Games is making significant waves within the League of Legends community as it gears up to implement changes to honor rewards and champion rankings. Players can expect the removal of honor capsules and orbs, key elements of the game aimed at rewarding positive behavior, to make way for the new Battle Pass XP system.
The decision to phase out honor rewards reflects Riot's commitment to streamlining the player experience. "Players will no longer get capsules or orbs, instead, they will earn Battle Pass XP," according to official updates from the game developers. With the transition, players currently holding honor capsules and orbs can breathe easy, as these will be automatically opened at the time of the switch, with all contents granted to their accounts.
Throughout League of Legends' seasons, honor capsules and orbs have varied slightly, each rewarding players with key fragments, champion shards, and sometimes even rare ward skins. These rewards have grown less relevant following the announcement of the removal of Hextech chests, which has left many players wondering what the future of the honor system will entail.
To address relevance and accessibility, major changes to the Battle Pass missions and skins have also been announced. The developers aim to make gameplay more enjoyable for new players, adjusting missions to encourage progress without overwhelming them. The first developer update for 2025 has shed light on these intentions and has already set players under the Noxian-themed Battle Pass to work on completing quests.
The meta within League of Legends has always been fluid, particularly when it pertains to champion roles such as support. With recent patch updates, Nami, Karma, Thresh, Lulu, and Poppy rise to the fore as some of the best support champions to look out for this season. Nami’s versatility places her at the forefront of support choices, especially after recent nerfs to Lulu have altered the balance of power among enchanters.
Analysts within the gaming community laud Nami for her strong sustain capabilities. "Nami has strong sustain and great crowd control," they affirm. Her ability to deal both healing and damage gives her the upper hand, proving her adaptability across most matchups. With Nami's kit being both user-friendly for new players and impactful at all skill levels, she is poised to be the best overall support champion moving forward.
For players who are still on the fence about their support choices, Karma emerges as the number two option. Karma has consistently ranked high, having maintained strong performance metrics. "Karma’s shields can be game-changing in mid-game teamfights," experts note. With her capacity for quick wave control and early skirmish power, she continues offering valuable tools to support her ADCs and the broader team.
Another champion worth mentioning is Thresh, also gaining traction due to his engaging abilities. Unlike traditional enchanters, Thresh provides substantial opportunity for pick potential, using his hook and crowd control skills to dominate fights. Experts suggest, "Thresh's presence has greatly increased since the start of the season" and is particularly effective alongside champions like Jinx and Kalista, who can capitalize on his ability to lock down enemies.
Although Lulu saw extensive play prior to recent nerfs, the equilibrium of the meta means she may fall from priority status. Despite this adjustment, players find it worthwhile to pair her with ADC champions like Jinx, Twitch, or Kog’Maw, as she can still provide excellent peeling potential for carries. The consensus is clear: "While Lulu won’t be a pick-or-ban priority, she should still be in a good spot when played with specific ADCs."
Poppy stands out as another high-risk, high-reward support option this patch. Her effectiveness shines bright at the higher tiers of ranking, as her mobility and powerful ultimate can turn fights around, provided she can coordinate effectively with her team. Proponents affirm, "The player must maintain both proactive communication and execution as this role can easily swing encounters."
With the removal of honor rewards paired with rebalancing of champion ranks, League of Legends is laying the groundwork for an exciting future filled with new strategies and champions adapting to metagame changes. The community awaits, eager to explore the new dynamics instilled by these updates and ready to tackle their next battles.