Lecture Notes on New Champion Mbessa and Upcoming Patch

Introduction to New Champions

• New champions often divide the player base:
  • Excitement for fun gameplay
  • Annoyance due to potential difficulty playing against
• Rare consensus occurs when all players recognize a champion’s potential problems immediately.
• Mbessa’s gameplay reveal has led to such consensus.

Mbessa: A Simple Yet Problematic Champion

• Similar to Set: straightforward gameplay, but with higher RPM (actions per minute).
• Issue: Simplicity doesn’t negate potential problems - champions can be problematic with excessive basic abilities.

Patch Preview

• Latest PBE patch is significant but limited:
  • Includes only Mbessa and the Bridge of Progress.
  • No Arcane skins, nor Mbessa’s release skin to avoid spoilers.

Speculations on Skins and Lore

• Mbessa’s release skin might tie into canon lore.
• Concerns about paid features:
  • Speculation on paying for what was previously a toggle (e.g., Mbessa's mask).
• Vi's canonical skin teased, disappointing some fans.
• Teaser for new Singed skin, possibly free, reflecting lore updates.

Easter Eggs and Additional Features

• The Bridge of Progress includes many easter eggs and thematic details.
• New emotes and icons released, with nemesis quests focusing on lore rivalries.

Mbessa’s Abilities

• Passive: Draghound Steps
  • Allows dashing post-ability cast, similar to Kalista’s passive.
  • Leads to jokes about the end of Mobility Creep in the game.
  • Balanced by energy use instead of mana.
• Q Ability
  • A cleave attack with a recast option, dealing % maximum health damage.
• W Ability
  • Shield and ground slam with damage increase if an attack is blocked during shield phase.
• E Ability (Lacerate)
  • Deals damage in a circle, similar functionality to Zed's E.
• Ultimate: Public Execution
  • Long-range skill shot hitting the furthest target in line.
  • Includes armor penetration and healing from damage dealt.

Community Reaction & Critical Analysis

• Mbessa combines elements from several champions, leading to 'meme' status.
• Kit isn’t overpowered but has an excess of fundamental mechanics, creating visual clutter for opponents.
• Concerns for future balancing and potential reworks:
  • Possible adjustments to cooldowns, energy management, and tankiness.
• Comparison to other champions (Kassante) in terms of versatility and potential balance issues.

Conclusion

• Mbessa represents both Noxian fantasy and the complexity of modern champion kits.
• Players and developers remain vigilant of balance adjustments post-release.