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League of Legends isn’t done switching up champions just yet. Riot has released its competitive preview for Patch 26.13. This iteration will serve as something of a final patch for MSI, focused on small tweaks instead of large-scale systems.
While still buffing and nerfing champions across the board, Riot plans to use this update to expand team drafting options just slightly before MSI concludes.
Riot would prefer to avoid drastic changes before the tournament ends, instead buffing champions they hope to see pick/ban more often in the pros. When exactly can we look forward to testing them ourselves? Well, June 24, 2026 is when champions will be receiving this update.
For now, let’s take a glance at the champion coming in hot with this patch alongside the numbers behind him. First up is Locke, Riot’s newest champion who will be available for teams to pick up and try out when the patch drops.
We’ll also see a new item efficiency buff in Imperial Mandate, as well as a numbers nerf to Doran’s Helm which has felt incredibly safe on marksmen as of late.Starting from the bottom lane, Riot plans on buffing Aphelios, Draven, and Kai’Sa.
All three marksmen should see play soon if they can pull their weight in a team’s win condition. LeBlanc, Qiyana, and Vex are also receiving buffs to “expand moritory-aggressive play” in the mid lane.
The nerf list includes Bard, Brand, Cassiopeia, K’Sante, Rek’Sai, Rumble, Senna, and Sion. These adjustments seem targeted at cutting back some of the higher winrate/pickfrustration champions before MSI really takes hold.
K’Sante, Rumble, and Sion have all been major pro-facing champs at one point or another in different metas, while Senna’ss role can also be linked to some of the item adjustments being made this patch.
Brand and Cassiopeia being selected could also signify Riot tuning champions that have been too strong in certain lanes/teamfight scenarios. We’ll have to wait for the full numbers to tell if these are gentle tugs or full on meta shifts.
To wrap things up on the positive side of the buffnerf coin, Kindred, Olaf, Poppy, and Zaahen are all receiving buffs. K’Sante, Rumble, and Sion are all getting hit with nerfs to fight the currently oppressive pro top lane meta.
Senna, Brand, and Cassiopeia are receiving nerfs to some of their scaling and utility respectively. Bard and Rek’Sai are receiving smaller nerfs to round out this patch.
Doran’ Helm Nerf Targets ADC
Believe it or not, Doran’s Helm is getting nerfed yet again in Patch 26.13. Riot noted that the item has begun showing up on some ADC builds as of late, particularly champion who can make good use of its resistances.
Popular choices included Senna and Jhin. Senna can thrive off the extra effective health granted to her by the item alongside her strong healing, while Jhin can continue to dish out heavy early damage with Doran’s because a good chunk of his damage early game is due to base damage.
Riot wants to adjust how well Doran’s Helm plays on these champions without removing the core idea behind purchasing it.
Imperial Mandate Is Getting Buffed
Imperial Mandate is the only buff in the Patch 26.13 Preview. Riot noted that while the item has gained some players since some changes, many of them have been champions that typically play mid such as Galio, Twisted Fate, and Lissandra as opposed to traditional support champions.
Riot would like Imperial Mandate to feel more rewarding on champions that can reliably enable their allies with crowd control and teamfight initiation. As of right now, players typically won’t choose Imperial Mandate on most supports because it simply isn’t the best item to build.
Riot clearly wants to change that. League of Legends Patch 26.13 will likely be a small targeted MSI balance patch rather than a huge game changing patch.
There are a lot of champions on the list, Locke’s release is always big news, and the item changes to Doran’s Helm and Imperial Mandate can make an impact on both solo queue and pros alike.
Locke Will Arrive In Patch 26.13
Locke will be making his debut during Patch 26.13, according to Riot. The addition of Locke to Summoner’s Rift is one of the biggest highlights of this patch, with Riot confirming he’ll arrive sometime during the patch. The team is continuing to adjust Locke’ ability timings, power budget, and where his power lands between regular and high-end play.
Phroxzon noted that Locke’ W ability has been a big focus when it comes to tuning, which coincides with changes we’ve seen to his healing on the PBE.
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