Riot Games has revealed the first League of Legends Patch 26.16 preview, and the update is heavily focused on the bot lane meta. Alongside several champion changes, Riot is targeting roaming supports, mage bot laners, underperforming ADC systems, and powerful items that have been limiting build diversity.
The preview is not the final version of the patch, so individual changes and numerical values may still be adjusted before the complete patch notes arrive.
In brief:
- Kennen, Gwen, and Azir are receiving buffs
- Poppy, Camille, and Bel’Veth are being nerfed
- Nasus is getting adjustments intended to help top lane without strengthening jungle
- Riot is targeting support roaming while improving several ADC items and systems
LoL Patch 26.16 Preview Changes
The current preview contains three champion buffs, three champion nerfs, one champion adjustment, and a much larger collection of system changes.
| Change category | Champions, items, and systems |
|---|---|
| Champion Buff | Kennen |
| Champion Buff | Gwen |
| Champion Buff | Azir |
| Champion Nerf | Poppy |
| Champion Nerf | Camille |
| Champion Nerf | Bel’Veth |
| Champion Adjustment | Nasus |
| System Buff | Sunfire Aegis |
| System Buff | Eclipse |
| System Buff | Tiamat |
| System Buff | Spellslinger’s Shoes |
| System Buff | Gunmetal Greaves |
| System Buff | Berserker’s Greaves |
| System Buff | Jungle Pet |
| System Buff | Fleet Footwork |
| System Buff | Runaan’s Hurricane |
| System Buff | Sterak’s Gage |
| System Nerf | Sundered Sky |
| System Nerf | Tier 3 Mercury’s Treads |
| System Nerf | Support Role Quest |
| System Adjustment | Hail of Blades |
| System Adjustment | ADC Magic Resistance |
| System Adjustment | Black Cleaver |
Kennen, Gwen, and Azir Headline the Champion Buffs
Kennen, Gwen, and Azir are the three champions currently scheduled to receive buffs in Patch 26.16. Riot has not included the complete reasoning or final numbers in the initial graphic, meaning players will have to wait for the detailed patch rundown to see which parts of their kits are being strengthened.
On the other side, Poppy, Camille, and Bel’Veth are marked for nerfs. The Poppy and Camille changes are connected to Riot’s attempt to reduce the effectiveness of aggressive roaming supports. Camille’s changes are expected to move some of her strength away from support and back toward top lane.
Nasus Changes Will Target Top Lane
Nasus is receiving an adjustment rather than a direct buff or nerf. Riot believes Nasus jungle is popular but does not currently require a reduction in power.
Instead, the changes are intended to provide a relative buff to Nasus top while remaining approximately power neutral in the jungle. Riot also noted that Nasus has a relatively shallow mastery curve, which can make his overall win rate look more concerning than his actual power level.
Riot Is Cracking Down on Roaming Supports
Support roaming became increasingly common following MSI, particularly among professional teams using champions capable of leaving bot lane at level three. Riot believes that this pattern has gone too far, especially when players attempt to copy it in regular matches and leave their ADC alone for extended periods.
Patch 26.16 will adjust the Support Role Quest and apply targeted changes to Poppy, Camille, and Hail of Blades. Riot’s previously outlined direction involved increasing the out-of-lane support gold and experience penalty from 25 percent until level three to 33 percent until level five.
ADC Systems and Weaker Items Are Getting Buffed
Berserker’s Greaves, Fleet Footwork, Runaan’s Hurricane, and marksman magic resistance are among the ADC-focused systems being changed. The goal is to help traditional marksmen survive early magic damage from bot lane champions such as Brand and Swain without removing mages as viable bot lane options.
Sunfire Aegis is also intended to receive a net buff. Riot clarified that the item is not currently scheduled for an armor nerf. Its champion burn damage is being increased while minion damage remains relatively stable, although a higher price will create a clearer choice between Sunfire Aegis and Hollow Radiance.
Meanwhile, Sundered Sky is being nerfed because Riot believes its current strength is reducing item and build diversity. Eclipse, Tiamat, Sterak’s Gage, Jungle Pets, and several upgraded boots are also included in what could become one of the most system-heavy League of Legends updates of the season.
We’ll keep this article updated as soon as the full preview of patch 26.16 is officially released.
