Malzahar and Zyra both nerfed in Patch 7.3

The support role in 2017 is in a bit of an odd spot. Two of the most popular supports, Zyra and Malzahar, are more like traditional midlane mages than they are supports and yet have found unprecedented success in the bottom lane this season. In response, Riot addressed their power in Patch 7.3 toning both down a bit, in hopes to make room for other champions in the role.

Malzahar

W - Void Swarm

VOIDLING SPAWN TIME :: On-cast >>> 0.35 seconds after cast (matching the animation)

[NEW] COOLDOWN BETWEEN CASTS :: 1 second

[NEW] WAIT FOR ME :: Past 600 distance, Voidlings move 10% more slowly for every 100 additional distance farther they are from Malzahar

Malzahar has been the second most played support so far this competitive season, and still has an almost 50% winrate. Meanwhile in solo queue he was in the top 15 for both pick-rate and win-rate during patch 7.2. It seems that Riot doesn’t have much of a problem with Malzahar’s transition to support, but it does seem like they want to bring his kit a little more in-line with other supports. To that end, Malzahar’s ability to spawn Voidlings has gotten a bit of a nerf helping to ease his overwhelming poke in lane.

Zyra

General

PLANT STUFF :: Removed a rule that told Thornspitters and Vine Lashers to always target nearby enemy champions on-spawn instead of the closest enemy unit, even if the ability that spawned them didn’t hit a champion

Q - Deadly Spines

COST :: 60 mana >>> 70 mana

Much like Malzahar, Zyra has enjoyed a sky-high presence in pro play this year having a hand in 94% of games, as well as top ten in both pick and win rates for solo queue. With this kind of success Riot is toning down the reliability or her poke in order to make picking her at least a little more dangerous in the early game.