LoL Gameplay 2019: A Look Back

Hey guys! Let's dive into the League of Legends gameplay back in 2019. It feels like ages ago, doesn't it? The game has evolved so much since then, but it's always fun to reminisce about the good old days. In this article, we'll explore the meta, the champions, the items, and everything that made League of Legends gameplay in 2019 so unique and memorable. Get ready for a nostalgia trip!

The Meta of 2019: Tanks and Bruisers Reign Supreme

In 2019, the meta was heavily focused on tanks and bruisers. These champions were incredibly durable and could dish out a surprising amount of damage. Champions like Cho'Gath, Ornn, and Dr. Mundo were top-tier picks in the top lane, providing a solid frontline for their teams. Meanwhile, bruisers such as Jax, Irelia, and Renekton dominated the mid and top lanes, offering a mix of damage and survivability that made them difficult to deal with. The emphasis on tanks and bruisers led to longer, more drawn-out games, where team fighting and objective control were crucial for victory.

Jungle Dynamics: The jungle in 2019 was a battleground for tanky initiators and early-game gankers. Sejuani, Zac, and Gragas were popular choices for their ability to engage team fights and disrupt enemy formations. Lee Sin and Elise were also prevalent, offering early-game pressure and the ability to snowball leads. The focus on early-game impact meant that junglers had to be proactive in ganking lanes and securing objectives to give their teams an advantage.

Mid Lane Mages and Assassins: Despite the prevalence of tanks and bruisers, mid lane mages and assassins still had a significant impact on the game. Ryze, Azir, and Cassiopeia were powerful scaling mages who could carry games with their sustained damage output. LeBlanc, Zed, and Talon were popular assassin picks, capable of bursting down squishy targets and creating chaos in team fights. The mid lane was a crucial battleground for control and vision, as it allowed teams to dictate the pace of the game and set up plays around the map.

ADC and Support Synergy: The bot lane in 2019 was all about synergy between the ADC and support. Kai'Sa, Xayah, and Vayne were popular ADC picks, known for their scaling potential and ability to carry games in the late game. Thresh, Braum, and Leona were top-tier support champions, providing engage, peel, and utility for their ADCs. The bot lane was a crucial source of damage and control, as it often dictated the outcome of team fights and objective control.

Champion Spotlights: The Stars of 2019

Let's take a closer look at some of the champions who defined the League of Legends gameplay in 2019:

• Irelia: The Blade Dancer was a force to be reckoned with in 2019. Her mobility, damage, and sustain made her a nightmare for opponents to deal with. Irelia's ability to quickly dash between targets and reset her abilities allowed her to dominate the mid and top lanes. Players who mastered her intricate combos and mechanics could carry games with ease. She was a must-pick or ban in many matches, showcasing her impact on the meta.
• Akali: The Rogue Assassin was another popular choice in 2019. Her shroud provided her with stealth and protection, allowing her to engage and disengage fights at will. Akali's high burst damage and mobility made her a threat to squishy targets, and her ability to escape sticky situations made her difficult to catch. She was a popular pick for players who enjoyed aggressive playstyles and wanted to carry games with their individual skill.
• Ryze: The Rune Mage was a consistent pick in 2019 due to his scaling potential and ability to control team fights. His spell flux could spread to multiple targets, dealing massive damage over time, and his ultimate, Realm Warp, allowed his team to reposition and make strategic plays. Ryze was a complex champion to master, but players who put in the time to learn him were rewarded with a powerful carry who could turn the tide of any game.
• Kai'Sa: The Daughter of the Void was a popular ADC pick in 2019 due to her scaling potential and versatility. Her ability to evolve her abilities based on her item build allowed her to adapt to different situations, and her ultimate, Killer Instinct, gave her the mobility to engage and disengage fights at will. Kai'Sa was a strong pick in both solo queue and competitive play, showcasing her impact on the meta.
• Thresh: The Chain Warden was a top-tier support champion in 2019 due to his engage, peel, and utility. His Death Sentence hook could catch out unsuspecting enemies, his Dark Passage lantern could save teammates from danger, and his Flay could disrupt enemy formations. Thresh was a versatile support who could adapt to different playstyles and carry games with his playmaking ability.

Itemization Trends: What We Built in 2019

The item builds in 2019 were heavily influenced by the prevalence of tanks and bruisers. Players often prioritized items that provided sustain, damage, and utility to help them survive and thrive in team fights. Some of the most popular itemization trends included:

• Black Cleaver: This item was a staple for bruisers and AD carries alike, providing armor shred, health, and cooldown reduction. The Black Cleaver's ability to reduce enemy armor made it an effective counter to tanks and bruisers, while its health and cooldown reduction provided valuable survivability and utility.
• Sterak's Gage: This item was a popular choice for bruisers and fighters, providing a shield that absorbed a significant amount of damage. Sterak's Gage was particularly effective against burst damage champions, as it allowed players to survive long enough to turn the tide of a fight.
• Adaptive Helm: This item was a must-have for tanks and bruisers facing magic damage threats. Adaptive Helm reduced the damage taken from repeated spells, making it an effective counter to mages like Ryze and Cassiopeia.
• Ardent Censer: This item was a popular choice for supports, providing attack speed and on-hit damage to their AD carries. Ardent Censer was particularly effective when paired with scaling ADCs like Kai'Sa and Xayah, as it allowed them to deal even more damage in team fights.
• Morellonomicon: This item was a popular choice for mages, providing magic penetration and grievous wounds. Morellonomicon was particularly effective against champions with high sustain, as it reduced their healing and made them easier to kill.

Key Changes and Patches: Shaping the 2019 Meta

Throughout 2019, Riot Games released numerous patches and updates that significantly impacted the gameplay and meta. Some of the most notable changes included:

• Patch 9.2: This patch introduced significant changes to champion balance, nerfing popular picks like Akali and Irelia while buffing underperforming champions like Garen and Darius. These changes aimed to diversify the champion pool and create a more balanced meta.
• Patch 9.13: This patch introduced the Teamfight Tactics (TFT) game mode, which quickly became a popular alternative to Summoner's Rift. TFT's unique gameplay and strategic depth drew in players from all skill levels, and it helped to keep the League of Legends community engaged throughout the summer.
• Patch 9.20: This patch introduced significant changes to itemization, nerfing popular items like Ardent Censer and buffing underutilized items like Guinsoo's Rageblade. These changes aimed to shift the meta away from support-dominated compositions and create more diverse item builds.
• The Rise of Elemental Dragons: The introduction of the Elemental Dragons significantly changed objective control. Each dragon offered unique buffs, influencing team strategies and rotations around the map. Securing these dragons became crucial for gaining an advantage.

Comparing 2019 Gameplay to Today

So, how does League of Legends gameplay in 2019 compare to today? Well, for starters, the game is much faster-paced now. The emphasis on early-game aggression and snowballing leads has made games shorter and more decisive. The champion pool has also expanded significantly, with new champions and reworks constantly shaking up the meta. Itemization has become more complex, with a wider variety of viable builds for different champions and playstyles.

Overall, League of Legends gameplay has evolved significantly since 2019. The game is faster, more diverse, and more complex than ever before. While the nostalgia for the tank and bruiser meta of 2019 is strong, there's no denying that the game has continued to improve and evolve over the years.

Conclusion: Remembering the Good Old Days

League of Legends gameplay in 2019 was a unique and memorable experience. The emphasis on tanks and bruisers, the iconic champions, and the itemization trends all contributed to a distinct meta that many players remember fondly. While the game has changed significantly since then, it's always fun to look back and reminisce about the good old days. Who knows what the future holds for League of Legends, but one thing is for sure: the game will continue to evolve and surprise us for years to come! What are your favorite memories from League of Legends in 2019? Let us know in the comments below!