league-of-legends
So Season 6 is just around the corner, and possibly the most major change to the game was the removal of Sight Wards from the shop.
I understand the importance of vision in general, but what should my team and I do in terms of Trinkets and warding? Also, with Rift Herald coming onto the map and jungle sustain becoming an issue of the past, how do these changes affect the warding dynamic of the game?
With a team that will work with you, the best warding strategy ends up looking something like this:
If you search, you'll find some in-depth maps that tell you about additional spots you can ward that will be helpful. In general, though, you should get used to at least warding the buff jungle mobs and the dragon/baron as the jungler. Here's a simple map (which I stole from Mobafire) that illustrates a simple warding strategy:
The areas the jungler would ward are the ones marked with red, orange, and yellow stars. An aggressive jungler will ward both yellow and orange so they can protect their buffs and either steal their opponents buffs or gank the opposing jungler when he goes for his own buffs.
As for types of wards, you'll default to the green (75 gold) wards. Purchasing the pink (125 gold) wards is typically reserved for warding baron and dragon since you'll likely be able to uncover a ward and kill it, thus removing map awareness from an enemy.
In addition, if you see an enemy place a ward in a place you'd usually place a ward and you're going to ward the area within 3 minutes (the duration of wards), do it with a pink ward instead of a green ward. You'll be able to kill theirs (which will get you 25 gold, thus making your end cost 100 gold) and you'll make things more difficult for your opponent.
Best Answer
Why did Riot Remove Stealth Wards?
The big idea behind Riot removing Stealth Wards was to make vision more of a carefully thought-out tactical decision and less of a ward spam-fest.
General Strategy Considerations
In terms of strategy, you should primarily be aware that vision is a finite resource. All stealth wards are now on some kind of cooldown. Many players still place wards with reckless abandon, not considering the fact that they'll need them for a team fight in the jungle in 45 seconds. Or that they'll need their trinket up to help secure Baron or Dragon.
Wards to Watch
The major player in the current patch is the blue trinket. It defies the ward cap, allows you to place wards at an extended range, doesn't expire, and on top of all of that, has a lower cooldown than any other trinket. The obvious drawbacks are that it can't hold charges, it isn't invisible, and it only has a single hit point. Regardless of the drawbacks, this trinket is incredibly valuable for scouting brush and getting deep intel without putting yourself at risk.
The next biggest player in the current patch is the Vision Ward. This guy is awesome right now. Sure, you can only have one, but they now cost only 75g. Fantastic cost-effectiveness. This is the only way to see invisible champions at the moment. The red trinket only gives you Rek'Sai-esque foot-step pings for invisible champions. Buy pink wards. You don't really have a reason not to anymore. Unless you don't have room in your inventory.
Rift Herald
Finally, the Rift Herald is a bit lackluster at the moment. It's expensive in health investment to actually kill it, and its benefit is fairly marginal. Riot did mention in a recent blog that Rift Herald will be getting a tune up Soon™.
The possible ramifications of a valuable Rift Herald are simply more considerations for prioritizing ward locations. Riot is forcing us to carefully choose what we want to be watching for, and when.
Closing
Going into Season 6, you should be more carefully considering where you want vision. Whether you need it now, or whether you'll need it later even more. Don't let this choice paralyze you, but try to think a step ahead to the next Dragon or Baron fight. Make sure the wards you drop have a specific purpose. Vision is precious; make it count.