Fiddlesticks and Volibear to receive LoL visual game updates in 2020

Following extensive community feedback gathered through a May polling initiative, Riot Games officially confirmed that both Fiddlesticks and Volibear would undergo comprehensive Visual and Gameplay Updates (VGU) scheduled for 2020 release. This announcement represented Riot’s ongoing commitment to modernizing their older champion roster while maintaining the core elements that made these characters beloved by players.

Both champions had struggled with outdated visual presentations and clunky mechanical implementations for multiple seasons. The VGU initiative aims to completely revitalize their thematic identities while establishing clearer gameplay directions that align with modern League of Legends design standards.

The selection process considered multiple factors including champion popularity, gameplay health metrics, and visual modernization requirements. Community voting patterns revealed strong player interest in seeing these particular champions receive priority rework attention.

Gameplay Designer Blake “Squad5” Smith articulated a clear vision for transforming Fiddlesticks into the definitive terrifying champion within League’s roster. The development team aims to amplify and accentuate Fiddlesticks’ established niche as the game’s premier horror-themed ambush specialist.

Squad5 emphasized that Fiddle’s comprehensive update would maintain his original identity as an ambush-oriented teamfight mage while integrating this gameplay style more cohesively into his visual presentation and thematic elements. The champion’s core fantasy of emerging unexpectedly to unleash devastating area-of-effect damage remains central to the redesign.

The rework encompasses not only visual and mechanical enhancements but also a complete narrative overhaul. Fiddlesticks will be reimagined as the “Harbinger of Doom” through the lens of campfire folklore tales, creating a more psychologically unsettling presence on Summoner’s Rift.

Riot’s objective involves reinforcing genuine fear responses within the playerbase, transforming Fiddlesticks encounters into memorable horror experiences. Strategic positioning and unpredictable engagement patterns will define his updated gameplay identity.

For Volibear’s transformation, gameplay designer Nathan “Lutzburg” Lutz expressed his intention to explore the fundamental question of “what it means to be a bear” within League’s fantasy context. This philosophical approach translates into making Volibear feel substantially more powerful and explosively impactful during engagements.

Riot’s development team experimented with innovative mechanics including potential crowd control immunity capabilities. This design direction builds upon Volibear’s established identity as an unstoppable force capable of relentlessly pursuing wounded targets across the battlefield.

Conceptually, the update preserves Volibear’s essence as a formidable Freljordian demigod. His ultimate ability receives particular attention to emphasize his primal nature and raw ferocity, creating more dramatic combat moments.

The reimagined Volibear will appear significantly more mythical compared to his previous iteration, ideally resulting in a more distinctive and memorable character presence. His visual presentation will better communicate his demigod status through enhanced animations and thematic elements.

The simultaneous reworks of both champions represent Riot’s strategic approach to addressing multiple outdated designs within efficient development cycles. This methodology allows for cross-champion thematic consistency while maximizing resource allocation efficiency.

Many of League’s newer champions benefit from thoroughly developed personalities and narrative depth, while several older champions from Riot’s earlier development periods lack comparable character intrigue. Both Fiddlesticks and Volibear exemplify casualties of Riot’s historical design methodology.

The comprehensive VGU initiative will likely resolve these narrative and gameplay deficiencies through modern design principles. The updates aim to bridge the gap between legacy champion identities and contemporary player expectations.

Development timelines and resource allocation for dual champion updates require careful coordination between art, design, and narrative teams. This integrated approach ensures cohesive champion transformations that honor original concepts while implementing substantial improvements.

These champion updates will significantly impact gameplay dynamics across multiple roles and strategies. Fiddlesticks’ enhanced ambush capabilities may revolutionize jungle pathing and vision control tactics, while Volibear’s potential crowd control immunity could dramatically alter engage and disengage patterns during teamfights.

Players should anticipate substantial shifts in champion priority within both casual and competitive environments. The meta-game adaptations following these updates will likely involve new counterplay development and strategic innovation.

Mastering the updated champions will require adapting to their refined mechanics while understanding their revised power spikes and itemization synergies. Early experimentation during the PBE phase will provide crucial insights into optimal build paths and skill sequences.

For comprehensive strategic guidance on champion updates and meta shifts, consult our Complete Guide to understanding major game changes. Additionally, our Weapons Unlock guide offers valuable insights into adaptation strategies following significant gameplay alterations.

No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » Fiddlesticks and Volibear to receive LoL visual game updates in 2020 League of Legends' Fiddlesticks and Volibear receive transformative 2020 VGU updates with enhanced gameplay and lore