Patch 26.16 looks to shake up the current bot lane meta with changes to ADCs, Support quests, and several champions and items.
Patch 26.16 arrived on August 12, 2026, with changes aimed at addressing the growing presence of mages in the bot lane. Alongside these adjustments, Riot is buffing several champions and items while making changes to runes and Support quests.
What's the Big Picture for Patch 26.16?
The biggest changes in Patch 26.16 target the current bot lane meta. This patch gives ADCs more early-game Magic Resistance and buffs several of their tools, while also adjusting how the Support Role Quest progresses. Alongside these updates, Gwen, Kennen, and Azir receive buffs, while Camille, Poppy, and Bel'Veth are nerfed and Nasus receives an adjustment. Several items and runes are also being changed.
Champion Adjustments
Marksmen
Akshan, Aphelios, Ashe, Caitlyn, Corki, Draven, Ezreal, Graves, Jhin, Jinx, Kai'Sa, Kalista, Kindred, Kog'Maw, Lucian, Miss Fortune, Quinn, Samira, Senna, Sivir, Smolder, Varus, Vayne, Xayah, and Yunara all have their Base Magic Resistance increased from 30 to 33, and Magic Resistance Growth decreased from 1.3 to 1.1. Tristana receives the same adjustment, but her Base Magic Resistance goes from 28 to 31 and her Magic Resistance Growth decreases from 1.3 to 1.1.
Higher early-game Magic Resistance should help ADCs survive the laning phase against the increasing number of mages being played in bot lane, while keeping their late-game Magic Resistance unchanged.
Nasus
Nasus has found a strong place in the jungle but has struggled to match that performance in top lane. This patch shifts some of his stacking power toward regular farming, with Siphoning Strike (Q) granting 4 stacks instead of 3 for small minions and 10 instead of 12 for champions, large minions, and large monsters. In Patch 26.15, his win rate was 50.88%.
Buffed Champions
Kennen
Hextech Rocketbelt's recent changes reduced Kennen's power by weakening one of his core items. To address this, Slicing Maelstrom (R) Bonus Resistances increase from 20/40/60 to 25/50/75, its Base Damage per bolt goes from 40/75/110 to 40/80/120, and the AP ratio per bolt jumps from 22.5% to 25%. Kennen's win rate in Patch 26.15 was 50.94%.
Gwen
Gwen's earlier nerfs left her weaker than intended, particularly when it came to her sustain. Riot is now increasing the post-mitigation healing from A Thousand Cuts (Passive) from 50% to 67%, the maximum base healing from 10–25 to 12–40 based on level, and the AP ratio on maximum healing from 6.5% to 7%. Gwen's win rate was 49.35% in Patch 26.14.
Azir
The latest bug fixes helped bring the Emperor of Shurima back into the meta, but his early-game power is still weak compared to other prevalent mid lane champions. To address this, Conquering Sands (Q) Base Damage increases from 60/80/100/120/140 to 70/90/110/130/150. His win rate last patch was 48.82%.
Nerfed Champions
Camille
Camille has become the go-to Support pick in the current roaming-heavy meta, mainly because she creates pressure across the map much more effectively than other roaming Supports. The latest changes shift her back towards top lane by nerfing her early-game power and buffing her late-game potential.
Her base Mana increases from 339 to 375. Adaptive Defenses (Passive) shield is now 10–25% of her maximum Health based on level, instead of 20% at all levels, and the cooldown changes from 18–6 seconds to 14–8 seconds. Tactical Sweep (W) outer cone's target maximum-health ratio goes from 6–8% to 7–9%, and the cooldown decreases from 15–11 seconds to 12–10 seconds. In Patch 26.15, Camille's win rate was 50.51%.
Poppy
Poppy's recent build choices have pushed her further towards damage instead of the durable role she is designed for, so this patch focuses on adjusting her durability and scaling.
Her Base AD goes from 60 to 56, Base Mana increases from 280 to 300, Mana Growth goes from 40 to 45, and Health Regeneration changes from 8 to 9. Hammer Shock (Q) Bonus AD ratio decreases from 100% to 75% Bonus AD, its maximum-health damage decreases from 9% to 7–9%, and its base slow is reduced from 20–40% to 20–32%, but now also scales with 0.8% per 100 Bonus Health. Additionally, Steadfast Presence (W) passive resistances increase from 12% to 16%. In Patch 26.15, Poppy's win rate was 53.96%.
Bel'Veth
Bel'Veth was heavily adjusted last patch to make her more of a late-game menace, but the changes ended up making her a bit too strong. To counter this, her Health Growth is going from 110 to 105 and the increased AS provided by Endless Banquet (R) in True Form is changing from 5/15/25% to 6/13/20%. During Patch 26.14, Bel'Veth's win rate was 51.21%.
Item and System Changes
Tiamat
Tiamat is meant to be the early component that gives Hydra users access to its unique effect, but its weaker stats have made it more efficient to buy the other components first. This change makes it a more worthwhile early purchase.
Sunfire Cape
Sunfire Cape has always been a strong and cost-effective option for tanks, but it had started to overlap too much with Hollow Radiance, making the latter harder to justify. This change gives the two items clearer roles, with Sunfire focused more on fighting champions and Hollow Radiance retaining its strength against minions.
Black Cleaver
The rise of Black Cleaver on ranged champions, especially Senna, has made its Armor reduction and Movement Speed particularly frustrating to play against on a champion with such high range. The item is being pushed back towards AD fighters by giving melee users more Movement Speed while reducing the amount available to ranged champions.
Sterak's Gage
Sterak's Gage was once a staple defensive item for juggernauts, but heavy nerfs after its shield became too powerful pushed many of them towards Guardian Angel instead. Since Guardian Angel is better suited to carries looking for a safety net, Sterak's gets a small boost this patch to make it a stronger choice for juggernauts again.
Sundered Sky
The strength of Sundered Sky has made its healing too effective in extended fights, sometimes allowing fighters to survive situations where they would normally be forced out. The item is still meant to reward aggressive play, so the changes slightly reduce its healing but increase its Health to keep that playstyle intact.
Eclipse
As an early non-Lethality option, Eclipse has struggled to compete with other Assassin items that provide Lethality or Armor Penetration. The burst from its unique effect is now being buffed to help it find a stronger place in the meta.
Runaan's Hurricane
The unique effect of Runaan's Hurricane has become less impactful over time, and the raw stats it provides are also lackluster compared to other Attack Speed and Crit items. Buffing the damage of its unique effect and the Movement Speed it offers makes it a more attractive option for champions that benefit from multi-target hits.
Spellslinger's Shoes
Spellslinger's Shoes were already in a good position, but with Riot looking to bring mages back towards mid lane, buffing an item exclusive to the mid lane role gives mages another incentive to move away from bot.
Chainlaced Crushers
Chainlaced Crushers follow the same mid lane focus, as another Tier 3 boot upgrade exclusive to the mid lane quest. Reducing the Magic Resistance they provide makes them less punishing for mages facing an opponent who completes the upgrade, giving them another reason to stay in mid lane.
Berserker's Greaves
Berserker's Greaves have fallen behind other boot options, making them a less attractive choice than they used to be. With the changes to both marksmen and mages this patch, the boots are getting a small buff to make them a more competitive option again.
Hail of Blades
Hail of Blades and its super front-loaded power have been a major factor in the current heavy early-game roaming meta. Reducing the early true damage but increasing the scaling keeps the rune valuable while shifting some of its strength away from the early game.
Fleet Footwork
Fleet Footwork remains a decent sustain option during the early stages of lane, but its effectiveness falls off as champions gain levels. Increasing its Base Healing, particularly at higher levels, gives it stronger sustain in the later stages of the game.
System Changes
What Else Is Happening in Patch 26.16?
LoL Patch 26.16 Breakdown: Every Buff, Nerf, and Meta Shift content image
League Classic is getting its first major update, adding Akali, Kennen, and Shen as its first new champions. The update also adds more classic runes and makes a number of balance changes to address the main sources of player frustration with the mode.
Bravery Arena and Crowd Favorites are returning every Wednesday for players who prefer the chaos of randomness. The mode is also receiving another round of balance changes, with several Augments adjusted. In ARAM: Mayhem, two new Gold Augments for fighters are being added, with many more updated.
Finally, Faerie Court Bel'Veth, Faerie Court Gwen, and Faerie Court Lulu are arriving with the patch.