The Predator rune, once a pivotal element in the League of Legends meta, has seen a significant decline in prominence. Many player-base are of the view that the game designers at Riot are deliberately avoiding addressing the balance issues associated with this rune because they can't strike the right equilibrium without disrupting the overall game balance.
League of Legends provides its players with an extensive assortment of rune types and keystones. This versatile array of options allows players to customize their champions according to their desired playstyle and strategies, increasing the game's depth and complexity.
The Predator rune, however, has become less impactful. Once a vital tool for gank-focused junglers, the Predator rune was a non-negotiable pick for its overpowered attributes, such that it significantly influenced game outcomes. However, its power has waned over time, leading to its current fallen status.
Players argue that game designers at Riot nerfed this rune into obsoleteness some time ago. They believe this was a calculated decision by the game designers, who are unsure how to make the rune useful again without skewing the game's balance.
The Call for the Removal of the Predator Rune
The task of maintaining a suitable game duration in League of Legends can be challenging given the pace at which games can either snowball to an early finish or gradually transform into a drawn-out late-game match. Ideal game dynamics fall somewhere in between these extremes.
The Predator rune notably expedites game speed, arming junglers and some support champions with the needful tools to monopolize the map. Activating the rune endows champions with extra movement speed and damage that is unmatchable, hence tipping the balance in favour of the rune user.
The effects of Season 12's nerfs have reduced the early game gank capabilities of the Predator rune. The initial cooldown was increased from 90 to 120 seconds while its scaling was dampened. This adjustment has cut into the rune's viability, leaving players calling for ways to make it effective again.
Some critics pointed out that the lack of cohesion between the Predator rune and Magical Footwear is a prominent issue. The argument posits that the need for boots to activate the rune hinders the Predator from securing the early game influence it is renowned for. However, many players discard these proposals and are of the opinion that Riot deliberately neglecting this rune might be the best course of action.
Voices are growing louder for the rune to be abandoned. 'Unhealthy for the game when good,' claimed one player. 'Intentionally keeping it weak and forgotten for an eventual removal, everyone has grown tired of the predator meta,' argued another. 'Irredeemable in today's meta,' yet another stated.
Is There a Future for the Predator Rune?
There is some belief that Riot is content with keeping the rune in the game merely for the illusion of choice, with no intention of reviving its utility. Prior to the onset of Season 14, Riot developer 'August' made a remark, which supports this theory. Whether Riot will ultimately decide to entirely remove the rune in the future remains a topic of speculation.