Why Riot Should Bring Morgana Back To Mid Lane And Jungle

For as long as we can remember, Morgana has been infuriating players of engage champions all over Summoner's Rift. However, this has not been happening as much in recent years, as the Fallen Angel has been stuck in a dark place. There is a solution to Morgana's misfortune – but it should be rather unconventional.

Morgana Dazzler — Morgana has traditionally been a supportive mage, but at times she also took the carry job into her own hands. | © Riot Games

Morgana is one of the oldest champions in League of Legends. While her kit has not aged as badly as that of champions like Shyvana or Tryndamere, her gameplay still feels kind of outdated. This is easily felt whenever you pick her.

Morgana's effectiveness is easily reduced to her E – Black Shield. This shield lasts for five seconds, blocks a decent chunk of magic damage and while still on a target, prevents them from being affected by crowd control. Very simple – and a determining factor for all of her gameplay decisions.

This forces Riot Games into a difficult position. If Morgana's Black Shield is a strong ability, players will pick her only to reduce her to a shield bot. If her Black Shield is weak, players will not pick her at all. While the rest of her kit is still potent, it is mostly unable to shine on its own or outshone by other mages and playmakers. This leaves the Fallen Angel in an awkward spot for the last couple of years.

Morgana Needs Some Buffs – For Two Different Positions Instead Of Support

Blackthorn morgana — Blackthorn Morgana is thematically on point – why would they not make her viable in the jungle again? | © Riot Games

While Morgana has more often than not had her niche on the mid lane, she has mostly been played as a support – and that is for good reason. However, Riot has pretty much allowed her to be reduced to a shield bot. Her core fantasy rather points towards being a supportive mage – similar to Seraphine, Karma or Orianna. Why is that not embraced further?

It would also not be the first time Morgana shines in a different position. During the early days of League of Legends and certain other points later down the road, the Fallen Angel has made herself a second home on the mid lane. Thanks to non-standard buffs applied in 2021, she has also wreaked havoc in the jungle – which is where she would have a much better time going forward!

Think about it: Morgana's W – Tormented Shadow is literally made to clear minion waves and jungle camps alike. As a poke spell, it is quite useless. It is only when the hostile unit does not move in erratic ways or when you hit your Q – Dark Binding first that this spell unleashes its full potential. As a support, this creates a weird poke pattern, but as a jungler, this would fit her gank pattern perfectly!

Morgana's kit is a good mix of everything, but does not excel in one particular thing. Instead of keeping this up, Riot should help the Fallen Angel to shine with one particular strength. This might warrant a mid-scope update.

However, even if they do not change her core functionality, it would probably be best to get her off bot lane and give her a new home on mid lane and in the jungle. Improve her clear speed by giving her a slight buff to her Tormented Shadow damage, and feel free to decrease the damage on her Dark Binding to compensate for the buffs and prevent her from dominating the jungle in an unhealthy manner.

Morgana can definitely be a healthy addition to League of Legends, but she does not have to be every engage support's biggest nightmare for the first 15 minutes of every game. Give her some carry capabilities back and let Morgana players spread their wings in different ways than applying a shield every now and then.