TL;DR
- Aphelios achieved unprecedented 223% ban rate in Korean solo queue
- Five-weapon rotation system creates unpredictable matchup dynamics
- Champion requires significant time investment to counter effectively
- Professional tournaments preemptively banned Aphelios from competition
- Continued high ban rate likely to trigger additional balance changes
The Korean League of Legends server witnessed an extraordinary phenomenon as Aphelios shattered all previous ban rate records, achieving an astonishing 223% ban rate that defied conventional metrics.
Introduced during Patch 9.24 as the final champion release of 2019, Aphelios—The Weapon of the Faithful—delivered on Riot Games’ promise of unprecedented design innovation. His complex arsenal immediately demonstrated overwhelming power that disrupted game balance across all skill levels.
This exceptional ban frequency emerged because Aphelios became an automatic selection in the ban phase. The standard maximum ban rate calculation allows for 200%, representing bans from both teams in every match. Aphelios’ 223% figure indicates he was frequently banned multiple times within single draft sessions, a statistical anomaly in League history.
What makes Aphelios so strong?
Aphelios operates with a revolutionary five-weapon system that cycles automatically based on ammunition consumption. Each firearm possesses distinct attack ranges, specialized effects, and damage profiles that create constantly shifting combat scenarios.
Despite marketing positioning him as a high-skill ceiling champion, competent players can achieve basic proficiency within several hours of practice. The learning curve for opponents presents entirely different challenges that demand extensive matchup knowledge.
When facing Aphelios, the primary difficulty stems from tracking his fluctuating power spikes. Traditional champion strength assessment relies on monitoring item completions, level advantages, creep score leads, and ability cooldowns. Against conventional picks, experienced players can anticipate ability rotations and engagement windows. Aphelios defies these expectations through his unpredictable weapon sequencing.
Tracking his current armament and remaining ammunition while predicting his next weapon transition approaches impossibility during live matches. Effective counterplay requires dedicating substantial time to mastering Aphelios’ intricate mechanics—an investment most players deem impractical given the champion’s frequent ban status.
Patch 10.1 introduced initial nerfs to Aphelios, but these adjustments proved insufficient to displace him from the competitive meta. With the professional season rapidly approaching, Aphelios stood poised for his competitive debut after receiving global bans throughout both the KeSPA Cup and Demacia Cup tournaments.
Given the champion’s current state, red side teams will likely maintain permanent bans unless they develop confident counter strategies. If the extraordinary ban rate persists, Riot Games will probably implement more substantial balance changes in Patch 10.2 to address his dominance.
Action Checklist
- Study weapon rotation patterns and ammunition management
- Practice identifying current weapon combinations during matches
- Develop engagement timing based on weapon cycle predictions
- Monitor professional tournament drafts for counter strategies
No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » Aphelios breaks record in Korea as the most-banned LoL champion Understanding Aphelios' unprecedented 223% ban rate and weapon rotation mechanics in League of Legends