The first part of the Wild Rift patch 2.1 cycle is right around the corner, and Riot will finally be introducing Katarina to the game.Wild Rift patch 2.1a will be bringing Katarina’s Challenge to help players unlock her in the game. However, her addition is not the only big update that League of Legends’ mobile version is going to be getting.With patch 2.1a, Lulu and Miss Fortune will be getting significant nerfs to their kit, while Xayah will see some much-needed love coming her way. Some of the items will also be tweaked, as Riot is looking to make a lot of balance changes this time around.Wild Rift fans looking for a more detailed version of the patch notes can look up the official website.However, for a brief overview, here are all the major highlights:Wild Rift Patch 2.1a official notesKatarina, the Sinister Blade, headlines this patch, and she’s accompanied by a few balance changes to Lulu, Olaf, Blade of the Ruined King, and more. Welcome to patch 2.1a: https://t.co/bOZ27wjy3R pic.twitter.com/tqEMHnIH6y— League of Legends: Wild Rift (@wildrift) March 1, 2021#1. New Wild Rift ChampionKatarina, the Sinister BladeImage via Riot GamesDecisive in judgment and lethal in combat, Katarina is a Noxian assassin of the highest caliber. Eldest daughter to the legendary General Du Couteau, she made her talents known with swift kills against unsuspecting enemies. Her fiery ambition has driven her to pursue heavily-guarded targets, even at the risk of endangering her allies—but no matter the mission, Katarina will not hesitate to execute her duty amid a whirlwind of serrated daggers.Katarina will be released later in the patch.Skins(Future 2.1 skins will be released in patch 2.1b)All skins will be released throughout the patch.Bilgewater KatarinaDeath Sworn KatarinaOmega Squad FizzOmega Squad TeemoOmega Squad TristanaEl Tigre BraumSuper Galaxy Shyvana#2. Wild Rift EventsKatarin’s ChallengeImage via Riot GamesComplete missions to unlock Katarina!#3. Wild Rift Champion updatesAsheImage via Riot GamesFor an ability that already requires attacks to be cast at full potential, (1) Ranger’s Focus felt a little bit too gated. Removing some of the cooldown to help improve the flow of using this ability.(1) Ranger’s FocusCooldown: 8/7/6/5s → 7/6/5/4sDariusImage via Riot GamesDarius has been slightly underperforming in higher levels of play so Riot are making his successful ability hits a bit more rewarding.(1) DecimateMissing health heal %: 12 to 36% → 15 to 45%(3) ApprehendSlow duration: 1s → 1.5sEzrealImage via Riot GamesEzreal has been slightly weak since our last round of nerfs. Reverting the nerf to his (1) Mystic Shot Riot did back in Patch 1.1 to help him catch up.(1) Mystic ShotBase damage: 20/50/80/110 → 20/55/90/125LuluImage via Riot GamesEveryone has tasted enough purple by now. Riot is taking a larger swing at nerfing Lulu after seeing her win rate climb too far as people got better at playing her. These changes should help create more room for opponents when playing against her.Base StatsBase health: 570 → 530Movement speed: 330 → 325(2) WhimsyPolymorph duration: 1.25/1.5/1.75/2s → 1/1.25/1.5/1.75s(3) Help, Pix!Shield duration: 5s → 2.5sCast range: 7 → 6(Ult) Wild Growth Cast range: 8 → 7Miss FortuneImage via Riot GamesMiss Fortune’s baseline defenses and waveclear are a bit too high given her ranged profile when compared to other marksmen. Riot are adjusting her so dealing damage to her is more significant in stopping her from strutting to victory.Base StatsBase armor: 35 → 30Base health regen: 9 → 6Base health regen per level: 0.81 → 0.5521 at level 15 → 14 at level 15(P) Love TapLove Tap Damage vs minions: 100% → 50%[BUGFIX] Love Tap Damage vs monsters: 50% (Unchanged - now in tooltip)OlafImage via Riot GamesOlaf’s been overly consistent as a champion who is supposed to take risks to deal damage. Riot are toning down his utility and early game power to make him less generally powerful.Base StatsBase armor: 40 → 35Base AD: 70 → 64(1) UndertowSlow: 30/35/40/45% → 20/25/30/35%Slow duration: 2.5s → 2sVarusImage via Riot GamesVarus is just a nudge from being in a really healthy spot. Riot are amping up his fun and unique ability to help him solidify his identity in the marksman roster.(1) Piercing ArrowCooldown: 18/16/14/12s → 16/14/12/10sVayneImage via Riot GamesVayne is a bit weaker in the duo lane than Riot would like like and is at risk for being the most affected by the Blade of the Ruined King changes (see below). By doing some preemptive light buffs that Riot thinks might her stronger when sharing lane with a partner than by herself.(3) CondemnDamage on terrain stun: 75/120/165/210 → 105/145/185/225(Ult) Final HourCooldown: 100/80/60s → 90/75/60sXayahImage via Riot GamesXayah released weaker than expected. Giving her a large buff to help her soar.(1) Double DaggerBase damage: 35/65/95/125 → 50/75/100/125(2) Deadly PlumageBonus attack speed: 25/30/35/40% → 35/40/45/50%(3) BladecallerCooldown: 12/11/10/9s → 11/10/9/8sAD ratio: 0.6 → 0.8(Ult) FeatherstormBase damage: 100/200/300 → 125/250/375#4. Wild Rift Item changesBlade of the Ruined King has risen to the top in all builds for marksmen even when its effect doesn’t seem like it would synergize that well with the individual champion. Riot are nerfing it and also shaping it so that the identity of the item is more in line with attack speed-based champions. Riot is not seeing melee champions abusing this item, however, and Riot will be increasing its on-hit damage from melee attacks to keep it relatively power-neutral for melee users.Blade of the Ruined KingAttack damage: 30 → 20Attack speed: 30% → 35%On-hit damageMelee: 6% → 9% of current enemy health physical damageRanged: 6% of current enemy health physical damage (unchanged)Drain movement speed duration: 3s → 2sMany champions are overly benefitting from the power of Liandry’s Torment. Riot are tuning this item’s AP down as its identity should be more about dealing tons of damage in long fights through its passives than simply being a very strong AP stat stick. Riot are adjusting Haunting Guise to accommodate this change.Liandry’s TormentAbility power: 90 → 70Total cost: 3150g (unchanged)Combine cost: 800g → 950gHaunting GuiseAbility power: 35 → 25Total cost: 1450g → 1300gUpgrade cost: 950g → 800g#5. Wild RIft Free-to-play champion rotationsMar 4 - Mar 10: Aurelion Sol, Fiora, Gragas, Kai'Sa, Lee Sin, Lulu, Sona, Teemo, Tristana, Twisted FateMar 11 - Mar 17: Alistar, Amumu, Braum, Camille, Evelynn, Jhin, Seraphine, Singed, Vayne, Yasuo