Aphelios and 200 years
The term “200 Years” has become a staple in the League of Legends community. It is often used to describe champions that are perceived as overly complex or excessively powerful upon release. This meme originated with the release of Aphelios in late 2019. A champion who embodied the complexity and power creep that many players felt had become prevalent in the game. But what exactly led to the creation of the “200 Years” meme, and why was Aphelios seen as the catalyst?
Aphelios Broke the Complexity that Champions could Reach.
Aphelios was one of the most ambitious and perplexing champions Riot Games had ever released. Unlike other champions, who typically have four abilities and a passive, Aphelios came equipped with five different weapons, each with its own unique set of abilities.
This made him a champion with an almost overwhelming number of interactions, and understanding how to play or play against him was a daunting task for many.
His kit included five passives, five different Q abilities, and an ultimate that varied depending on the weapon he was using at the time. This meant that Aphelios had a total of 25 different ability interactions, a number that far exceeded any other champion in the game.
Players were not only confused by the sheer number of abilities but were also frustrated by how powerful Aphelios seemed in the right hands. His ability to switch between weapons and adapt to almost any situation made him a nightmare to balance and play against.
The Birth of the “200 Years” Meme
The phrase came from a tweet from a Riot developer openly insulting a one-trick Wukong main on twitter. This comment, combined with the frustration many players felt towards Aphelios, quickly became a meme in the community. The phrase was used to mock Riot for creating champions that were seen as overly complicated and unbalanced. It is a sentiment that resonated with many players who felt that the game’s balance had been slipping.
Aphelios was the perfect storm of complexity and power. His release coincided with a period in League of Legends where many champions were being introduced with increasingly intricate kits. This led to a growing sense of frustration among the player base. Players felt that Riot was focusing more on making champions unique and complex rather than ensuring they were fun and balanced.
The Impact of Aphelios on the Meta
At his release, Aphelios quickly became a dominant force in both solo queue and professional play. His ability to adapt to almost any situation, combined with his safe laning and high damage late game, made him a frequent pick in competitive matches. However, this dominance came at a cost. Riot struggled to balance Aphelios, resulting in a cycle of buffs and nerfs that saw him oscillate between being overpowered and underwhelming.
What made Aphelios particularly frustrating was that, despite numerous balance changes, Riot never changed any of his abilities. Unlike other champions like Akali or Irelia, who had parts of their kits removed or reworked to balance them, Aphelios retained all of his abilities. This led to the perception that Aphelios was not just complex but also overloaded. With too many tools at his disposal for any one champion.
The True Balance Behind the Champion
Despite the significant initial backlash and the subsequent adjustments, Aphelios remained a prominent figure in the professional scene. His complexity and versatility ensured that skilled players could still extract immense value from him, making him a consistent pick in competitive play.
During Worlds 2021, Aphelios had a 68% presence and an impressive 63% win rate. Even in a more balanced state, he continued to be relevant. He ranked as the 11th most picked champion in the tournament. This dominance didn’t wane, as he maintained a 50% presence and a 53% win rate during Worlds 2022. Once again, ranking 11th in champion presence.
These statistics highlight that Aphelios, even after multiple nerfs and balancing efforts, remained a key figure in the meta. His ability to perform at the highest levels of play, even when his power was theoretically balanced. Showcases the delicate balance Riot Games managed to achieve with his design. Aphelios is a prime example of a champion who, despite being toned down from his original release state, still offers stability in the hands of players who master him.
A Retrospective Look at Aphelios
Looking back, Aphelios was the embodiment of a champion designed with “200 years” of experience, for better or worse. His kit was unique and offered a depth of gameplay that was unmatched by any other champion. However, it also highlighted the dangers of pushing complexity too far. The frustration players felt towards Aphelios was not just about his power. Moreover, it is also about the difficulty in understanding and countering him.
Over time, as players became more familiar with Aphelios and Riot made balance adjustments. The initial shock and frustration began to subside. However, the legacy of Aphelios and the “200 Years” meme remains a fun tale to look back on for Riot and its community.
In the end, Aphelios may have been as broken as players initially thought. However, his release undoubtedly left a lasting impact on the community. The “200 Years” meme has become a shorthand for champions that feel overwhelming or unfair. A testament to the delicate balance between innovation and a casual-friendly kit in champion design.
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