The latest season of League of Legends introduced several new features, with one in particular, Atakhan, sparking heated debate among fans. Despite being live for only a few weeks, many players already feel this new addition is making professional gameplay less engaging.
Fans Criticize Atakhan’s Impact on Pro Play
With the start of major competitions like the 2025 LCK Cup and the 2025 LEC Winter Split, fans have had their first look at Season 15’s competitive meta. However, a Reddit thread from Jan. 22 criticized Atakhan, a neutral objective introduced this season. Fans argue it’s contributing to “stale” gameplay in pro matches.
One Reddit user pointed out, “The revive Atakhan buff rewards reckless gameplay. Players can charge into fights knowing there’s no real penalty because dying can actually be faster than recalling.”
How Atakhan Works
When defeated, Ruinous Atakhan leaves Blood Roses in its pit for champions to collect. Both forms of Atakhan offer unique buffs, but Voracious Atakhan’s one-time death mitigation ability has become especially divisive. This buff allows players to return to the base after dying, which critics argue encourages irresponsible and careless play.
“It’s hard to feel excited about team fights after Atakhan is killed because you already know the team with the buff will win, even if they lose members,” another Redditor shared.
Community Reaction: Divided Opinions
The new mechanic has stirred significant debate in the League community. Most fans seem to agree that Atakhan’s impact is negative, with one comment summing up the sentiment: “Not sure this is even a hot take. From low ELO to pro play, the community seems to dislike Atakhan. I share the same opinion.”
Despite the criticism, some players have defended Atakhan, arguing that its purpose is to provoke more aggression and action in pro matches. “The fight immediately following an Atakhan take might be less interesting, but at least it forces pro players to be aggressive,” one fan explained, although they conceded, “It’s probably too strong at the moment.”
Riot Games’ Response
Riot Games appears to be closely monitoring Atakhan’s impact. Recent updates have adjusted Voracious Atakhan’s respawn rate, addressing concerns that it was previously too low. However, it may be some time before we see more meaningful changes, particularly regarding its influence on professional gameplay.
What’s Next for Atakhan?
If Atakhan continues to dominate pro matches over the coming weeks, Riot will likely step in with further adjustments. For now, though, the community remains divided on whether this new addition is a net positive for League of Legends.
