Trending
League of Legends Patch 26.9 could be one of the biggest patches this Season. Instead of champion tuning that solely buffs and nerfs champions by adjusting numbers, Riot is aiming to change the meta by affecting how players build, play lanes, and select runes.
New starting items, a rework to an old system, returning keystones, and several champion tweaks comprise patch 26.9. Riot’s goal with this patch is to allow more creativity and versatility with builds and playstyles.
It’s almost like Patch 26.9 is hitting the reset button on the meta by buffing and nerfing several systems at once rather than minor isolated changes.
Systems, Buffs, Nerfs and Major Changes
Some champions that are currently expected to be buffed in Patch 26.9 include Gragas, Tahm Kench, Taliyah, and Warwick. These champions cover multiple roles so it’s likely we could see some changes to top, jungle, mid, and support.
Nerfs are incoming for Ambessa and Briar, but the numbers have yet to be revealed. This large pool of champions is being changed, but not directly buffed or nerfed. Included in this pool are Ezreal, Kennen, Shyvana, Teemo, Udyr, Xin Zhao, Zeri, and Zoe.
It’s likely Riot is trying to shift power around or funnel players into certain build paths instead of straight-up buffing or nerfing champions.Where Patch 26.9 really starts to shine, are the system changes.
Two new starting items are being introduced with Doran’s Bow and Doran’s Helm. This allows for even more variety in the early game. A new boot will also be introduced called Gluttonous Greaves which should help diversify movement and sustain options.
Statikk Shiv is getting a rework which should help breathe life back into on-hit builds. This rework has the potential to make some strange or funky items feel stronger than they are now.
Deathfire Touch is returning as a keystone rune which should help pure damage-over-time champions find a stronger identity. Stormraider’s Surge is another new rune that should function as a better version of Phase Rush.
Patch 26.9 has the potential to make a high impact on how all levels of players build champions. If executed properly, we should see more varied builds and play styles once this patch hits the live servers.
Zeri, Briar, Ambessa, and Zoe Receive Major Changes
Riot is aiming to shift Zeri's playstyle away from burst assassin capabilities and closer to the fast-paced ADC that players originally fell in love with.
Zeri’s passive range has been increased, her Q has higher early game base damage but loses AD scaling later on, her W wall’s crit multiplier has been nerfed, and her ultimate grants more movement speed per stack but will stack for longer.
Briar receives a slight nerf to survivability by way of reduced health growth, while Ambessa’s ultimate will now have a longer cast time going from 0.55 seconds to 0.70 seconds.
This allows enemies a longer time frame to recognize what’s going on and react accordingly. Zoe is shifting towards a slightly different power profile, with Spell Thief dealing less damage and Sleepy Trouble Bubble having a cooldown refund upon hitting an enemy champion.
Role Quests Get Big Quality of Life Changes
Role Quests have been one of the biggest sources of controversy for changes on League since their inception, but Riot is finally listening. Many players complained that Role Quests were overly punishing when they left their lane late in the laning phase, that they were difficult to understand, and that they forced players to play unnaturally around their lane in order to succeed.
Some numbers are being tweaked regarding the quest point gain from CS, turrets, and plates, and the designated “in quest lane” area is being expanded. Players will no longer be bound as strictly to fighting around the area of the outer turret.Essentially, players will have more leeway to roam without feeling like they are punishing themselves.
Players will even be able to bank roaming time by staying in lane after level 3, so assassins, mids, and other champions that like to roam should no longer feel quite as stuck in lane. The rewards for top lane, mid lane, and bot lane are also being tweaked.
Top lane’s XP bonus is being redistributed so that champion takedowns will grant a flat amount of XP, and non-champion kills and CS will grant slightly less XP than they did previously. Mid lane will no longer receive an empowered recall bonus, but will gain some AD and AP scaling on their Role Quest.
Champion Changes Focus on Alternate Builds
Patch 26.9 has a ton of champions on its list, but the note we’re really grabbing here is Riot doubling down on alternate builds. AP Ezreal, AD Kennen, on-hit Teemo, AP or attack speed Xin Zhao, and even new build paths for Shyvana are all available.Ezreal is getting buffed hard to play AP.
His Q marks a 40 percent AP ratio from its previous 15 percent. His W is being set to a flat 90 percent AP ratio, and Trueshot Barrage is scaling better with AP as well. Riot is clearly experimenting with getting old school AP Ezreal plays working better, giving him that long-range skillshot threat we remember.
AD and crit based Kennen builds are receiving some love as well. His W passive can crit, and crits can now prolong the attack speed buff from Lightning Rush.
Teemo is getting bonus AD ratios on Toxic Shot, which should lead to even more on-hit or hybrid items builds for the nu-tabs. Xin Zhao’s AP and attack speed scaling is buffed significantly on his E and passive heal.
DON'T MISS:
