User blog comment:Fffrikkie/Riot Changing Meta?/@comment-26815373-20150930045610

As others have stated in so many words: Riot changes the game. Players determine the metagame. To 'break the meta' is to choose your game pieces that counter or render the current popular game pieces less effective, usually in a way that completely surprises the competetion. So the metagame changes as players adapt to what other players are doing.

A great example of a healthy metagame is Android: Netrunner. The metagame in ANR shifts constantly, and the designers had the foresight to 'seed' game pieces that are obviously meant to counter (softly) any particular playstyle should that playstyle become oppressive. They've given players the tools they need to meet any obstacle they face, once that obstacle is apparant.

The League metagame of having a ranged dps character with a utility character in the bot lane emerged when the popular pick was duo bruisers bottom. The players who pioneered this innovation were adapting to what was (then) currently played. It was also smart because having more people bot-side meant you could take dragon easier.

Its arguable that the reason the 1 top, 1 mid, 2 bot, 1 jungle format exists is soley because of the dragon, a valuable objective. Will we ever see 1-2-1-1? Or 1-1-1-2? It depends on what Riot does to the game and how players react. Also, split-pushing. Riot has introduced items that make split-pushing a strong option, yet I've never seen anyone really opt for this strategy.