Important Changes in League of Legends: Lane Swap Detection

The new mechanic, Lane Swap Detection, is aimed at preventing lane swaps between roles. According to Matt Leung-Harrison, one of the key figures responsible for balance in League of Legends at Riot Games, this change is primarily targeted at the pro scene due to numerous complaints from professional players and active viewers. They believe that lane swapping undermines one of the core aspects of League of Legends—the best top laners should face off against the best top laners, and the best bot lanes should compete against each other.

Lane Swap Detection is a temporary mechanic. It is currently in the development stage but is expected to be implemented on a permanent basis in the near future.

So, what are these changes?

If the game detects a lane swap, an in-game notification with a sound effect will appear:"Lane swap detected: please leave the area!"

If you do not leave the allowed zone, various debuffs will be applied to you. These effects will last 25 seconds on the top lane and 6 seconds on the mid lane.

The debuffs include:

• The defending turret receives 95% damage reduction.
• The defending turret one-shots minions.
• The defending turret and minions grant gold and XP to the nearest allied champion in the lane.
• Offending champions receive 50% less gold and XP from minions.

But there are also specific penalties for the top lane:

• The defending turret one-shots champions.
• The defending champion receives 50% damage reduction under their turret (~300u range).

These penalties and restrictions will be active from 1:30 to 3:30 on the top lane and from 1:30 to 2:15 on the mid lane.

All these changes will be implemented in the May 25 patch. This means we might see them in official matches, including at First Stand.