The new map is a fantastic breath of fresh air for the game, but there are two major issues that, in a way, completely kill its magic. I can understand why some players strongly dislike the new map.
First, the unique aspects of the map don’t work as well as they could in a 6v6 format, especially with the new 2-2-2 lane structure. This makes the laning phase feel overly simplified, especially when combined with the new last-hit mechanic. I would love to see a test (even for a weekend) where the game runs in a 5v5 format, with duo side lanes and a solo mid. I’m convinced that in such a format, the map would truly shine, and many players who currently dislike it would change their minds.
Second, the lanes are positioned too far apart, which makes ganking during the laning phase feel almost pointless. By the time you rotate to another lane, you lose an entire creep wave, making it highly risky and often not worth the effort. Given how easy it is to lose a Guardian, many players are simply too afraid to take the risk of ganking, which further simplifies the game and makes the laning phase feel dull. The previous laning experience was much more dynamic because frequent rotations were possible. I strongly believe that reducing the distance between lanes would make ganking more rewarding and bring back the excitement of early-game skirmishes.
To summarize my suggestions:
First, the unique aspects of the map don’t work as well as they could in a 6v6 format, especially with the new 2-2-2 lane structure. This makes the laning phase feel overly simplified, especially when combined with the new last-hit mechanic. I would love to see a test (even for a weekend) where the game runs in a 5v5 format, with duo side lanes and a solo mid. I’m convinced that in such a format, the map would truly shine, and many players who currently dislike it would change their minds.
Second, the lanes are positioned too far apart, which makes ganking during the laning phase feel almost pointless. By the time you rotate to another lane, you lose an entire creep wave, making it highly risky and often not worth the effort. Given how easy it is to lose a Guardian, many players are simply too afraid to take the risk of ganking, which further simplifies the game and makes the laning phase feel dull. The previous laning experience was much more dynamic because frequent rotations were possible. I strongly believe that reducing the distance between lanes would make ganking more rewarding and bring back the excitement of early-game skirmishes.
To summarize my suggestions:
- Test a 5v5 format for a few days, with duo side lanes and a solo mid.
- Reduce the distance between lanes to encourage more rotations and active gameplay.
- Adjust the last-hit mechanics to be less casual. If making them more complex isn’t an option, consider a compromise:
- Implement a system where missing a last hit grants only 50% of the possible souls, while landing a last hit grants 100%.
- Completely remove the need for denying creeps, since with the current soul disappearance mechanic, it feels nearly meaningless.
- Shift the focus of the laning phase towards more skirmishes and fighting, which would align better with both the new map and a potential 5v5 mode.