The Mid-Patch Hotfix: Void Under the Knife

Patch 16.1c arrived as a direct response to the “Void or Eighth” meta. The balance team targeted the Void trait with significant number tweaks. Specifically, they reduced the base health and attack damage of the summoned Rift Herald and Baron Nashor. Kai’Sa and Rek’Sai also saw minor adjustments to their ability scaling. The goal was to give other compositions room to breathe.

However: the nerfs failed to dethrone the king. The power of the Void trait does not just come from raw stats. It comes from the “free” frontline unit. In a set with 100 champions: finding a reliable frontline is difficult. The Void summon provides a massive tank that does not cost gold or board space. This utility outweighs the stat reductions seen in 16.1c.

Community Sentiment: The “Void Fatigue” Problem

The reaction on Reddit and official Discord servers is largely frustrated. Players call this a “placeholder patch” that did not go far enough. The general consensus is that vertical Void (hitting 6 or 8 Void) is too safe. Since finding specific units is harder in this massive 100-champion roster: players gravitate toward the most reliable vertical trait.

Common complaints from high-rank players:

  • Consistency over Power: Even with less damage: the Baron provides a knock-up and crowd control that wins fights.
  • The Emblem Issue: Getting a Void Emblem via Augments makes hitting the 8-unit breakpoint too easy.
  • Lack of Counterplay: Current anti-tank items like Giant Slayer feel weak against the massive health pool of the Baron.

Many players are openly asking for a deeper rework rather than just number nerfs. They argue that as long as the summon exists in its current form: it will dictate the lobby tempo.

Strategic Stalemate: Why Players Still Force Void

The persistence of Void is a mathematical reality. In the current 16.1c meta: a player who hits 6 Void in the mid-game almost guarantees a top-four finish. This creates a “lobby tax.” If you do not play Void: you must play an extremely high-roll composition to survive the mid-game pressure.

Tactically: the Void trait is the perfect “anti-flex” build. While the set encourages playing whatever units the shop gives you: the Void trait is so strong that it is often better to sell your entire board just to fit in a 2-star Rek’Sai. This negates the “Lore & Legends” philosophy of diverse boards. Until the reward for vertical traits is lowered: the Void will continue to overshadow the other 90-plus champions in the set.