Explanation of 4 New Map Variants in Mobile Legends, Making Gameplay More Dynamic and Diverse
United Gaming – Mobile Legends continues to evolve with its latest September 2025 patch update under Project NEXT 2025. Beyond the highly anticipated revamp of Alice and the introduction of a new hero, Obsidia, one of the most striking changes is the Annual Map Change system. This feature introduces four distinct map variants that not only alter the game’s visual atmosphere but also significantly influence gameplay dynamics.
The new system introduces four map variants: Dangerous Grass, Broken Walls, Flying Cloud, and Expanding River. These maps are randomly rotated in every match, with players being notified of the active variant right before the draft pick phase. This ensures that teams must adjust their strategies accordingly, creating an added layer of unpredictability in every battle.
As its name suggests, Dangerous Grass increases the number and size of bushes across critical areas such as lanes, jungle zones, and the Lord/Turtle pit. This expansion allows assassins and burst mages to maximize ambush opportunities by hiding and striking swiftly. While this setup benefits high-damage heroes, it becomes a nightmare for heroes lacking escape skills. Consequently, team communication and strong vision control are essential to survive and thrive on this map.
The Broken Walls variant dramatically changes the battlefield by collapsing previously solid walls around the jungle, Lord, Turtle pit, and certain lanes. These breaks create shortcuts that open up fresh rotation possibilities. Agile heroes—particularly assassins, mobile fighters, and junglers—can use these routes to ambush enemies or steal objectives from unexpected directions. However, the downside is that these same shortcuts also expose teams to enemy invasions. Therefore, map control and warding become critical in securing victory.
The Flying Cloud variant introduces two cloud platforms near each base. These platforms allow players to travel quickly across the map, reaching areas such as the second-tier turrets or even the Blue Buff zone. With a cooldown of about 15 seconds, the feature enables faster rotations, especially when defending against enemy pushes. This mechanic grants teams under pressure the chance to regroup swiftly and potentially turn the tide of battle.
In the Expanding River variant, movement speed bonuses typically gained when walking in the river now extend to jungle areas as well. This buff activates after the Lord or Turtle has been slain, providing all heroes with a burst of mobility. As a result, even low-mobility heroes can suddenly match faster opponents, creating more balanced skirmishes. On the flip side, this also raises the likelihood of large-scale clashes around the jungle and river. Teams must therefore remain vigilant and prepared for sudden enemy rotations.
The introduction of these four new map variants elevates Mobile Legends’ gameplay, blending strategy with unpredictability. Each variant emphasizes different mechanics, from ambush opportunities to faster rotations and high-paced clashes. Players are now challenged not only by opponents but also by adapting their strategies to the ever-changing battlefield. These innovations prove Moonton’s commitment to keeping the game fresh, dynamic, and engaging for its global player base.
