Riot Games confirms the start date for League of Legends Season 13 cover image

Riot Games confirms the start date for League of Legends Season 13

Here is everything you need to know ahead of League of Legends thirteenth season!

The 2023 preseason for League of Legends is well underway. With the dust settling on LoL's ranked mode, Riot Games is preparing for League of Legends Season 13 at the start of January. This is always an exciting time for League of Legends players, who will be testing out new champions, new items and more. Here is everything you need to know about League of Legends Season 13.

LoL patch 13.1 is to be released on January 10

<em>Image courtesy of <a href="https://www.leagueoflegends.com/en-gb/news/game-updates/patch-12-22-notes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">League of Legends</a></em>
Image courtesy of League of Legends

Earlier today, League of Legends executive producer Jeremy 'Brightmoon' Lee confirmed via Twitter that Season 13 will officially kick off on Jan. 10. For the past three seasons, Riot Games has launched the new season of League of Legends around this time frame.

What changes are coming to League of Legends Season 13?

<em>Chemtech drake to return in season 13. Image courtesy of League of Legends.</em>
Chemtech drake to return in season 13. Image courtesy of League of Legends.

Riot has confirmed there are a lot of changes coming to Season 13, from new champions to the return of the dreaded Chemtech drake and much more. Season 13 aims to give the Top lane and Jungle roles some much-needed love.

The changes to teleport this season has seen top lane feel more like an island than it ever has before. Season 13 aims to reward Top laners for their sacrifice with increased laning prowess. Changes to XP and more should see Top lane feel more important than it has been in recent times.

The return of the Chemtech Drake

One of the changes that players have been cautious about is the return of the Chemtech Drake. This Dragon was extremely overpowered with the developers receiving instant feedback on the addition. Players felt the Drake, specifically the soul buff, was too overpowered in both standard LoL as well as its pro scene.

As seen in the clip above, the soul gives players a 'Sion-like' zombie passive. This allows players to use their abilities for a limited amount of time after death. In the correct environment, this soul made the game unplayable for the opposition - Riot was swift in disabling the drake.

Chemtech Drake is BACK and better than ever! Our goal with the new-and-improved drake is to encourage calculated, aggressive plays and incentivize players to fight to the end to gain the edge over their opponents. Go big or go home!

Riot Riru - League of Legends

Here are the confirmed changes for this infamous drake:

  • Chemtech Drake: When the Chemtech Drake is below half health it gains 33% damage resistance and deals 50% more damage. This drake will deal 100% total AD + 4% of its target’s health as physical damage with each attack.
  • Chemtech Buff: When your team kills a Chemtech Drake they will gain a stacking buff that grants 5% Tenacity and 5% Healing and Shielding power
  • Chemtech Soul: Upon receiving the Chemtech Soul, players will receive a buff that gives them 10% damage resistance and 10% more damage while below 50% health

Esports.gg will bring you all of the patch notes for League of Legends 12.23 as Season 13 moves ever closer!

Stay tuned to Esports.gg for the latest League of Legends news and updates.