In the early stages of S44, the prison was always occupied, and ranked matches became a battleground for top players, with Jin Chan and Bian Que not being released at all.

With the new season starting, skin sales are down, and the latest update hasn't arrived, so what's the fun in the game right now? Climb the ranks in ranked matches as quickly as possible, get out of the low ranks, and return to your original position. Don't linger here. The advantage in the early stages is that the skill level is equal. The national server players, streamers, and even professional players have reached the skill and awareness level of high-level games. This is the best time to leave. Otherwise, if you drag it out, and the skilled players leave, the biggest obstacle for the remaining ordinary players will be solo queueing or teaming up.

The game is packed with top players, with ranked matches ranging from Diamond to 100 stars and even the top 1000. If you can't keep up, you're bound to get crushed, leading to a strong sense of frustration. Secondly, the balance is still undecided. In the early stages, a bunch of hero attributes have been adjusted, some buffed, some nerfed, and some overpowered. Their specific effects need time to be verified. There is data for reference on the forums, but with so many participants, it's hard to have a standard. There are suggestions for ranking up, but right now it tests your experience and skill. Banning heroes is another skill altogether. After the 10-ban system is implemented, at least we'll know who's friend and who's foe.

Golden Cicada: Assassin's Nemesis

Golden Cicada was a must-ban at the start of Season 44. The new skin caused a stir, with a large influx of players testing its feel in matches. With 88 skin fragments available for exchange, the number of owners quickly reached the trillions. Isn't a free item appealing? Weak players used it as a guinea pig, while skilled players became the bane of assassins, restricting their movement, eliminating their agility, and confining them to their positions. They had no chance to use any escape skills, guaranteed to never escape Golden Cicada's grasp. Harassment and attrition—two ways to tilt the top players.

Ao Yin: High-end marksman

The village has transformed into a battlefield of gods, allowing high-level heroes to shine. Characters like Ao Yin, Ma Chao, and Jing, usually invisible, are now ubiquitous. Their release is often met with fierce competition from the opposing team. Ao Yin is harder to defend against than an assassin; his dragon-like power and fiery aura provide unparalleled survivability and unstoppable burst damage. His combined strength is so potent that even junglers dare not provoke him. The third hero is undoubtedly Bian Que, whose optimization is highly anticipated. However, the current meta, with both skilled and novice players vying for power, makes consistent performance difficult to guarantee. While his kill potential is widely praised, ultimately, the strength of a hero depends on the teammates he plays.

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