The summoner's rift has witnessed a seismic shift. For the first time in the storied history of League of Legends, the competitive ladder is experiencing a dramatic reset not at the year's end, but right in the heart of the 2025 season. Gone are the lengthy preseason periods of yore; players now have only a brief respite before diving back into the crucible of ranked play. This mid-season overhaul, a bold experiment by Riot Games, marks the beginning of Split Two, bringing with it a wave of anticipation, fresh challenges, and a fundamental restructuring of the very climb to the top. It's a moment that has redefined the competitive calendar, compressing the traditional rhythm of the game into a more intense, fast-paced cycle.
Across the globe, from the bustling internet cafes of Seoul to the late-night battlegrounds of Los Angeles, players marked their calendars. The great reset commenced not simultaneously, but in a rolling wave across Riot's vast server network, ensuring every region embarked on this new journey at their local noon.
The Global Rollout of Split Two:
| Region | Local Start Time (Date) |
|---|---|
| Oceania, Japan, Korea, Russia, EU Nordic & East, Turkey | 12:00 PM (July 19) |
| Europe West, Brazil, Latin America South & North, North America | 12:00 PM (July 19) |
| Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore/Malaysia/Indonesia, Thailand, China | 12:00 PM (July 20) |
A clever detail emerged from the patch notes: ranked queues technically flickered back to life at 3 AM in each timezone. This allowed the most dedicated competitors an early taste of the new patch, though these initial skirmishes were mere warm-ups. Any victories or defeats in those early morning hours remained tethered to the legacy of Split One, a final echo of the past before the slate was truly wiped clean at the appointed hour.
This reset was far more than a simple recalibration of LP. It served as the launchpad for the most significant structural changes to the ranked system in recent memory. Riot's developers, aiming to reduce frustration and streamline progression, enacted a trio of major reforms. The most celebrated change was the complete eradication of promotional series between divisions. No longer would players face the heart-pounding, anxiety-inducing best-of-five gauntlet to advance from, say, Gold II to Gold I. The climb would now be a continuous, linear journey, removing one of the community's longest-standing pain points.
Furthermore, the ritual of ten placement matches was condensed. New entrants and returning veterans alike would now only need to complete five placement games to receive their initial rank for Split Two, allowing players to integrate into the competitive ecosystem much faster. But the crown jewel of the update was the introduction of an entirely new echelon of skill: the Emerald tier. This brilliant new rank was strategically placed between Platinum and Diamond, aiming to alleviate the notorious congestion in high Platinum and low Diamond. It created a more nuanced hierarchy, offering clearer milestones and a more accurate representation of a player's prowess. The ladder now gleamed with a new precious stone to pursue.
These ranked revolutions arrived as part of the colossal Patch 13.14, a content drop so substantial it felt like a mini-season of its own. Alongside the ladder changes, the update unleashed the wildly anticipated 2v2v2v2 Arena mode, a chaotic and fast-paced alternative that quickly captivated players seeking a break from Summoner's Rift. The roster also expanded with the debut of Naafiri, the Hound of a Hundred Bites, a darkin assassin who brought a unique pack-based gameplay style to the mid lane. As always, the ever-watchful balance team wielded their tools with precision.
Champion Balance Changes in Patch 13.14:
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Nerfs (The Wrath of the Hammer): ️
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Hecarim, Jax, Karthus, Kindred, Milio, Rek'Sai, Rell, Rengar
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Buffs (Receiving Some Love): ❤️
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Aatrox, Diana, Lissandra, Shaco, Shyvana, Volibear, Xerath, Zyra
These adjustments sent ripples through the meta, prompting players to adapt their strategies and champion pools for the new split. The combination of a fresh ranked ladder, a new permanent game mode, and a shaken-up champion landscape created an electrifying atmosphere of discovery and renewal.
For summoners worldwide, the message was clear: a new chapter had begun. Whether one's goal was to finally breach the gleaming new Emerald tier, to conquer the chaotic Arena, or to master the newly buffed champions, the path forward was fresh and full of potential. The grind resumed with a new rhythm, free of divisional promotion series but rich with new opportunities for glory. The first mid-season reset in League of Legends history proved to be more than a simple restart; it was a reinvention, setting the stage for the most dynamic and engaging competitive season the game has ever seen. The rift awaits its next legends.