Even though ADCs were already a strong class, the changes that come with patch 13.1b are meant to change how you’d typically build your favorite ADC by having certain weapons available earlier in League of Legends. Another considerable adjustment is that even if you were running out of mana late game and used Presence of Mind, you are more likely to use Triumph or Overheal regardless of the ADC champion you choose to play.
This patch also changes items with the Grievous Wounds ability, a necessary debuff in fights against teams with a lot of potential for healing. These include teams with a Yummi, Sona, or Nami support or with tanks with huge heals, such as Warwick.
Infinity Edge and Navori Quickblade
Riot has made both of these essential items available earlier in-game, so you’ll be able to get infinity edge or Navori Quickblade as a second item compared to how you’d previously usually get these items late-game. This will give you more power earlier in the game, so you’ll be able to snowball better or get crushed by your opponents harder.
The Bloodthirster
Besides getting more damage earlier in the game, as an ADC, you’ll also have more weapons adaptability in specific scenarios where your team composition is unable or unwilling to peel for you and hopefully win the game. This is because, with patch 13.1b, the Bloodthirsty becomes cheaper, so you’ll be able to afford it earlier.
The Bloodthirster sees both the good and the bad to remain a balanced item. Its cost has been reduced from 3400 gold to 3200 gold, and its lifesteal has been reduced from 18 percent to 15 percent to reflect that you’re using a cheaper version. However, to keep the Bloodthirster relevant now that it is more accessible, you’ll enjoy a bigger shield that can grow from 180 hp at level 9 to 450 hp at level 18.
Maw of Malmortius
When you’re playing specific champions, such as Lucian, you might want to get a situational Maw of Malmortius for when the enemy team has a lot of magic damage. If you do, you’ll get even more for it, as this item has received an excellent buff and features a changed recipe. The lifesteal on the unique passive ability has been buffed to 12 percent from 10 percent, so whenever you trigger lifeline, you will receive a shield and 12 percent lifesteal for 5 seconds, which you can refresh by staying in combat. The attack damage has been increased to 65 from 55, but Riot reduced the ability haste to 0, so you can’t use this effect too often. You will need a Hexdrinker, a Pickaxe, and a Longsword to build the item.
Mortal Reminder
The Mortal Reminder is the most popular choice for ADCs who need to cut the heal of their enemies, and this patch brings a lot of changes to this item. First, the Build Path of the item has been changed from the Executioner Calling, Zeal, and 750 gold to Executioner calling, last whisperer, cloak of agility, and 150 gold. This means the item is 400 gold more expensive than before, but you’ll also get some stats to increase your coin. The armor penetration of the item has been buffed from 0 to 30 percent. However, the item no longer features an attack speed stat or a movement speed increase.
Blade of the Ruined King (BORK)
Blade of the Ruined King is another AD weapon that has seen changes in this patch. This time there’s a nerf when it comes to the active ability’s cooldown, which has increased from 20 to 30 seconds. The on-hit damage has been slightly increased from 8 to 9 percent. The unique passive ability of the item has also received a nerf to damage, and it will now deal 40 to 103 magic damage, depending on your level.
Essence Reaver
This is another situational item you’ll only use if you play specific ADCs, like Draven or Ezreal. The Essence Reaver received a buff and now provides 55 attack damage compared to the 45 damage it gave before this patch. The cost of the item has also been slightly adjusted to reflect the change, and it now costs 100 gold more and has a total price of 2900.
The Current Meta for ADC
All these changes brought more power to all of the ADCs. For many, you’ll need to build Infinity Edge, the Bloodthirster, and the Rapid Firecannon, which you’ll also need to complement by using either the Maw of Malmortius or a Mortal Reminder according to the enemy team composition and your team composition. Galeforce and Kraken Slayer are two other top-rated items for ADCs, so always remember to adapt the build to the champion you’re playing, your playstyle, and your team composition and enemy team composition for the best chances to win a match.