Following the latest Honor of Kings update, analysis from 12BET shows that several heroes received major balance changes, with Goya among those affected most heavily. On the surface, some of the adjustments may look like refinements, but a closer look suggests they amount to a clear nerf. Since Goya had been a frequent pick in high-ranked matches, many players were eager to see whether she could maintain her previous level of performance after the patch.

The results were immediate. After the adjustment, data tracked through 12BET showed Goya’s win rate falling sharply, with the decline already visible on the first day of the update. The drop became even more pronounced in Peak Tournament matches, leading some players to describe the current Honor of Kings version as the beginning of Goya’s downfall. At the same time, another marksman has stepped into the spotlight. Lesio has climbed to the top of the win-rate rankings among ranged damage dealers and is quickly attracting attention. As the saying goes, when your heart is set on one thing, everything else can seem to fade into the background.

Goya’s decline involves far more than a simple numerical adjustment. Even when a hero is weakened, it is unusual to see such a dramatic fall in win rate. That suggests either Goya had previously been too powerful or the latest balancing measures went further than expected. Many players have struggled to understand why her performance dropped so suddenly, but the main reason lies in changes to the structure of her abilities rather than a single damage reduction.

The biggest change affects Goya’s passive skill. Previously, players could build enough attack speed through equipment to significantly improve her output. Under the new system, however, the additional attack speed gained from items is effectively reduced by half. This has weakened one of her biggest advantages during the mid game. Her basic attacks and base attack power were also reduced, further limiting a damage profile that was never especially strong to begin with. Goya traditionally relied on spacing, mobility and careful positioning, but those strengths are now much harder to convert into meaningful late-game impact.

At the moment, it is difficult to identify a clear advantage that makes Goya worth prioritizing, and many players believe Marco Polo is now the more practical choice. Lesio, on the other hand, has exceeded expectations. His strong burst damage, wide attack range and satisfying combat mechanics make him particularly effective, while his ultimate creates plenty of opportunities for exciting plays. Of course, heroes that become exceptionally strong often end up attracting future balance changes, so his current dominance may not last forever. For players who enjoy marksmen, however, Lesio is certainly worth trying while he remains in this form.

People often say that much of life comes down to only a few important choices, and according to the current 12BET performance picture, picking the right marksman has become especially important in ranked play. Goya’s overall strength has fallen considerably, and her win rate is now near the bottom of the category, making her a difficult choice for players trying to climb. Lesio has moved in the opposite direction, emerging as one of the strongest ranged carries in the current version and a highly practical option for ranked matches.