Riot Games has released a full preview of League of Legends (LoL) Patch 26.18 with every planned change confirmed.
This patch is focusing on champion balance, though larger-scale changes have been discovered, including voice filters for the eventual release of LoL voice chat.
Riot is preparing for LoL Worlds 2026, which will begin next month on patch 26.20, by getting the meta into a settled state.
So for now, Riot is looking to address some major balance concerns like Cassiopeia and Seraphine.
LoL Patch 26.18: Planned Buffs and Nerfs
- CHAMPION BUFFS
- Ekko
- Q Mana: 50-90 ⇒ 40-80
- Q Return Damage AP Ratio: 60% ⇒ 70%
- Kassadin
- Q AP Ratio: 70% ⇒ 80%
- R Base Damage: 70/90/110 ⇒ 80/95/110
- Master Yi
- AR Growth: +4.5/Level ⇒ +5/Level R
- MS: 35-55% ⇒ 40-60%
- Viego
- P Heal: NEW +2% per 500 bonus HP scaling added
- AD Growth: 3.5 ⇒ 4
- Zaahen
- Q placed on CD immediately upon entering Resurrection
- Q2 Damage: 25/50/75/100/125 ⇒ 30/60/90/120/150
- CHAMPION NERFS
- Bard
- Base AR: 34 +5/Level ⇒ 32 +4.7/Level
- Nautilus
- Base AD: 61 +3.3/Level ⇒ 58 +3.3/Level
- Q Damage: 85-265 (+90% AP) ⇒ 85-245 (+90% AP)
- Seraphine
- E CD: 11-9s ⇒ 11s
- Syndra
- P Splinter Mana: 20-255 ⇒ 20-199
- W CD: 12-8s ⇒ 13-9s
- Zeri
- W Damage: 30-190 (+120% total AD) ⇒ 30-190 (+100% total AD)
- W Wall Damage: 45-285 (+180% total AD) ⇒ 45-285 (+150% total AD)
- CHAMPION ADJUSTMENTS
- Cassiopeia
- P MS Bonus: 6%-40% ⇒ 5%-35%
- E Mana Cost: 40 ⇒ 45
- E Base/Enhanced AP Ratio: 10%/55% ⇒ 20%/45% (Total 65% unchanged)
- E Base Damage: 52-120 ⇒ 50-118
- Q Damage: 75-215 (+65% AP) 65 ⇒ 205 (+75% AP)
- R Damage: 150/250/350 (+50% AP) ⇒ 125/225/325 (+75% AP)
- SYSTEM BUFFS
- Rageblade
- Seething Strike Back Duration: 3s ⇒ 4s
Phroxzon Explains Changes
Lead gameplay designer Matt ‘Phroxzon’ Leung-Harrison gave extra context behind these planned changes.
He revealed that Cassiopeia is getting an adjustment with six changes in total because of the awkward spot she’s in.
“Cassiopeia is in a pretty rough state for average players (~47% win rate), while being too strong in Pro Play and above average in Elite play,” Phroxzon explained.
“We’re making some adjustments this patch to move some of her power around that retain her gameplay identity of being a strong early game champion (which is inherently pro-skewed), but also giving her power back for regular players,” he added while insisting they don’t want to remove her from the meta.
Meanwhile, he explained that Zeri is getting nerfs after benefiting too heavily from the Hurricane changes.
“Our principles with items are to get the items in a good spot first and then get the champions into a good spot, which is why we wouldn’t follow up by nerfing Hurricane,” he added.
He also says that Ekko is getting waveclear and mana buffs so that he can roam more easily and begin snowballing sooner.
And the new Viego feature is specifically to buff Bruiser Viego builds, with squishier builds performing much better.
Are you happy with these changes? Share your thoughts with us on the Insider Gaming Discord.
Meanwhile, Riot is adding voice skins for LoL’s upcoming addition of voice chat. And for even more Insider Gaming delivered directly to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter.
Comments