League of Legends launches Nemesis Draft Mode

Riot Games has launched a new Featured Game Mode in League of Legends that lets you pick your opponents' champions. That's right, in Nemesis Draft Mode, you get the pick the champions your enemies will be playing as.

Because this idea is so off-the-wall, Riot has created a little FAQ that could help you wrap your mind around this.

Pointing out that you could give your opponent a champion like Urgo, Riot answered, "Yep, and they can reply with Poppy!"

"But champ select is only a tiny part of a game of League – the rest is all about kicking butt on Summoner's Rift!" the developer said. While playing as one of the "underpowered" champions may seem like a terrible idea, Riot points out that this mode can result in some pretty cool gameplay moments.

"The point is you’ll have a bunch of tools to use together, and it’s down to you to figure out if you can chisel out a masterpiece with what you’re given, or just derp around the Rift until your Nexus goes boom," Riot said. "Maybe you’ll be Nemesis Drafting away, and discover that you’re being given some pocket siege comp by accident. Instead of just giving your enemies champs that you just think are weak, why not deliberately give ‘em characters who clear waves slower than a manaless level 1 Swain? Again, it’s up to you."

As for the pre-game structure, everyone picks a champion for the opposing team, and each team gives their opponents champions from their team's combined champion pool. "For example, if you’re blue side, and only Dave on your team has Nidalee, anyone on your team can give any of the red team guys the crazy cat lady, even if none of them own her."

To avoid draft dodgers unhappy about the pool of champs given, Riot has dialed up the queue dodge and game leaver penalties. It's not just about punishing, though. The developer also wants to reward those of you who play properly, which is why they will also send out a "fancy" summoner icon to all Nemesis Draft players who play the mode fully without quitting during champion select or the actual game.

The new Nemesis Draft Mode will be available through February 23. The icon for participating won't be available on your account until two weeks after Nemesis Draft closes, so expect it some time in March.

[League of Legends]