Mel’s Arrival in League of Legends
Mel Medarda is the latest champion to join the League of Legends roster, and she has quickly caught the attention of players and experts alike with her unique abilities. One of her defining skills, Rebuttal, allows her to create a barrier around herself that reflects enemy projectiles back at the attacker. This ability has the potential to turn the tide of a match, but it also comes with significant risks. Even Faker, considered one of the greatest esports players of all time, found himself on the wrong side of Rebuttal during a match in the LCK Cup 2024.
Faker’s First Encounter with Mel
Faker, a five-time World champion and a legend in the League of Legends community, chose to play Mel in his third match against Hanwha Life Esports (HLE). This marked the first professional appearance of Mel in a competitive esports league, making it a highly anticipated moment. Faker’s initial performance was promising as he successfully fended off a gank by the enemy mid laner, securing the first blood of the match. However, his encounter with Zeka’s Sylas quickly turned thetables.
The Unpredictable Rebuttal
Mel’s Rebuttal ability can be a double-edged sword. While it is highly effective against many projectiles, it can also be used against her. In the match, Zeka’s Sylas used the Abduct ability (Sylas’ E) on Faker. Typically, Sylas’ E allows him to dash once and throw chains at an enemy, pulling them closer to land his combo. However, when Faker activated Rebuttal, it caused him to be pulled under the enemy tower instead of Sylas. This unexpected interaction led to a swift gank by HLE’s jungler and support, resulting in Faker’s first death with Mel.
Community Testing and Discoveries
The League of Legends community, known for its meticulous testing and exploration, has been dissecting Mel’s abilities to understand her strengths and weaknesses. Vandril, a renowned expert in finding bugs and exploits, tested Mel’s Rebuttal against 188 different abilities. The results highlighted that while Rebuttal is highly versatile, it can also backfire, especially with abilities like Sylas’ E. Additionally, players have discovered other exploits related to Mel, some of which can even cause the enemy team to disconnect and lag out the server, making her a challenging champion to balance.
Mel’s Performance in Solo Queue
Despite the excitement surrounding her release, Mel is not faring well in solo queue matches at the moment. Players are still struggling to master her unique playstyle and the nuances of her abilities. Riot Games, the developer of League of Legends, has acknowledged these issues and is planning targeted nerfs to adjust Mel for ranked matches. The goal is to ensure that she remains a viable and enjoyable champion without becoming overpowered or too difficult to play against.
A Caution for Mel Players
For those looking to climb the ranked ladder with Mel, it is crucial to be mindful of the Sylas pick. The Unshackled not only steals your team’s ultimate abilities but can also use Mel’s own abilities against her. Understanding the interactions between Rebuttal and different champion abilities is key to playing Mel effectively. As the community continues to test and refine her playstyle, it is essential to stay updated on the latest strategies and patches to maximize your chances of success.
