League of Legends’ preseason patch adds Pokémon-like pals

League of Legends’ preseason patch will hit Riot’s test realm starting Tuesday, and it brings some big changes to the map and jungle. An elemental companion with more stats is joining the junglers to join the controversial chemtech-drake back at dragon rotation.

Riot uses the preseason traditionally as an opportunity to do big and radical changes. This is because it occurs after Riot’s annual Worlds Esports Tournament. Some of these changes may be reversed, or further refined. Others, like utility fruit around the map, become mainstays on Summoner’s Rift.

It was one such experiment. The original chemtech-drake would have given champions a second chance to live after their death in combat. The new drake gives champions more damage when they’re at low health, which could help them turn around a close engagement with the enemy. Also, the Rift will be more Zaun-like due to the death of the dragon.

When slain, Chemtech Drake grants a little bit of Tenacity as well as Heal/Shield strength.

Chemtech soul will give bonus damage if you have less than a certain health level

In addition to the Chemtech Drake appearance, the Rift will sport a Chemtech-inspired new look that includes Zaunite chemical and modified jungle plants.

Blast cones can now blast people within range Do it twiceIt’s as far as you can get

Honey Fruits are now upgraded to Stim Fruits. This means they no longer slow down champions and grant them a bonus shield.

Scryer’s Bloom will upgrade into Stalker’s Bloom. Hit these plants reveal a circular area and cone around it, which allows for speedy movement towards enemy champions. It also reduces wards revealed by 1 health.

Riot Games

League of Legends is also taking a page from Pokemon’s books with new jungle pets. An egg that contains the Noxian Embercat or Ixtali Ixamander can be purchased by players in the jungle role. When the player eliminates all the monsters that live in the jungle, their pet will grow stronger and grant a powerful buff.

Noxian Embercat*: This will be the pet of choice for junglers looking to play more aggressively. This pet will deal bonus and slow damage.

Ixtali Ixamander*: This jungle pet is perfect for junglers looking to frontline and tank for their teams. You will get a shield that is calculated based upon your health and which provides bonuses slow resistance and Tenacity when broken.

Ionian Cloudleaper*: This jungle pet will be great for junglers looking to rotate and move around the map more quickly. You will get bonus speed for movement.

The preseason patch should make it a little more straightforward for junglers. This is because it’s the hardest role to play in the game. Preseason patches will include range indicators and suggested paths that are based on information gleaned from top-ranking junglers. This removes much of the guesswork.

Preseason is also a test of new communication methods with your team. This includes an upgraded ping wheel that offers more options and the possibility to vote on whether or not to risk an objective. A new UI for champion loading, buffs to speed up the top lane role scaling, and 12 new or revised Mythic Items will be included.