Buzz
This item has been subject to numerous requests from League of Legends players for Riot to either adjust or completely remove it.
As known, in League of Legends, there are always immensely powerful items capable of completely altering the course of a match. Over time and through Riot's adjustments, these items undergo changes. They may become stronger or weaker, but they always play a certain role. However, in some instances, certain items prove to be excessively dominant compared to others, necessitating Riot to take decisive action to either let them fade into obscurity or completely remove them from Summoner's Rift.
Nevertheless, there are still quite a few items that are truly overwhelming, to the extent that they frequently appear on five or more champions in a League of Legends match. Particularly, there is one item always regarded as a game-changer, capable of making a battlefield unpredictable— the Stopwatch. Despite its modest price of 800 gold, it sometimes turns a winning team into a complete failure. Its unique feature grants the owner invincibility, rendering them immune to any damage but also immobilized for 2.5 seconds. In practice, this timeframe allows a player to escape from the opponent's onslaught, or even turn the tables if timed correctly.
Recently, Riot has officially removed this item since 2024. Thus, after over six years since its debut in patch 7.22, the Stopwatch has vanished. This compels teams to explore alternative strategies, especially during crucial team fights. Without the Stopwatch, it means each player will no longer have this valuable 'safety net'.
During World Championships or MSI, this item has astounded many viewers due to its impact. Many viewers have fervently urged Riot to swiftly address or even eliminate the item to prevent matches from being 'shattered'. Only recently has Riot decisively acted upon this item.
