League of Legends Patch 26.21 is putting Ranked balance back in focus, with buffs for several champions held back by pro play and nerfs to some of the strongest jungle picks. Azir, Orianna, and Ryze are getting help, while Lee Sin, Qiyana, Yasuo, and Yone are among the champions facing cuts.
In Phroxzon’s Patch 26.21 preview, Riot outlines plans to stabilize the end-of-season climb. Item changes are also coming, including a Dawncore buff and nerfs to Gluttonous Greaves, Bastion Breaker, and ranged Hubris users.
In brief:
- Patch 26.21 lists 11 champion buffs, 11 champion nerfs, and six champion adjustments.
- Azir, Orianna, and Ryze are receiving buffs as Riot eases restrictions tied to pro play.
- Lee Sin and Qiyana face jungle nerfs, while Yasuo and Yone are being tuned around their strong Shieldbow builds.
- Dawncore is getting buffed, and Taric and Twisted Fate are receiving changes involving untargetable champions.
LoL Patch 26.21 Preview
The table below covers every change listed in the preview image. Exact numerical changes are not included in this preview, and the planned adjustments may change before release.
| Category | Champions or items |
|---|---|
| Champion buffs | Azir, Darius, Miss Fortune, Nunu, Orianna, Ryze, Sion, Taliyah, Vel’Koz, Xin Zhao, Zyra |
| Champion nerfs | Caitlyn, Jinx, Lee Sin, Nidalee, Qiyana, Rammus, Tristana, Viktor, Wukong, Yasuo, Yone |
| Champion adjustments | Locke, Renekton, Taric (QoL), Twisted Fate (QoL), Varus, Zaahen |
| System buffs | Dawncore |
| System nerfs | Bastion Breaker, Gluttonous Greaves, Hubris (ranged users) |
Phroxzon’s accompanying explanation also mentions a Hubris buff for melee users, although the image only lists its ranged nerf.
Champion Buffs: Azir, Orianna, and Ryze Get Some Breathing Room
Riot wants to give champions whose win rates have been suppressed by pro-play balancing more room to perform in Ranked. Azir, Orianna, and Ryze are specifically mentioned as part of that approach.
They join a broader buff list that includes Darius, Miss Fortune, Sion, and Zyra. The preview identifies the targets, but it does not specify which abilities or stats will change.
Miss Fortune is worth watching because she is receiving a direct buff alongside a nerf to ranged Hubris users. Her overall strength after the patch will depend on both changes.
Champion Nerfs: Lee Sin and Qiyana Lead the Jungle Changes
According to Phroxzon, Lee Sin and Qiyana have been two of the strongest junglers, particularly at higher levels of play and in certain regions.
Both are getting nerfed, but Riot is taking the accompanying Bastion Breaker changes into account. Qiyana could be hit by both her own adjustments and the item nerf, so the team wants to avoid cutting too much power at once.
Nidalee, Rammus, and Wukong also appear on the nerf list, alongside several ranged carries.
Yasuo and Yone Nerfs Target Their Current Power Curve
Yasuo and Yone have been buying Immortal Shieldbow first more often, and Riot says those builds look strong.
The team supports that direction because it lets their passives become relevant early. Phroxzon also argues that early lifesteal, such as a Vampiric Scepter on the way to Blade of the Ruined King, makes their laning less healthy.
Riot wants clearer weaknesses before their first completed item while still allowing a strong spike afterward. The intended emphasis is on durability rather than simply increasing their ability to kill opponents. Exact changes remain unspecified in this preview.
Item Changes: Dawncore Buffs and Assassin Item Tuning
Dawncore is getting help because Riot considers it too weak to fill its intended role as a major late-build purchase for enchanters. Phroxzon says it is mostly purchased when players are already far ahead.
The other item changes have different goals:
- Gluttonous Greaves: Riot is reducing their strength, particularly on marksmen.
- Hubris: Ranged users are getting nerfed, while melee users are getting buffed. Phroxzon highlights Jhin and Miss Fortune as strong current users.
- Bastion Breaker: Power is moving out of its stats, especially lethality, and into its anti-structure and objective passive.
And for Bastion Breaker, Riot wants the purchase to lean more heavily on helping assassins influence objectives and structures. Its current combination of champion-killing power and wider map impact is considered too strong.
Champion Adjustments: Taric and Twisted Fate QoL Changes
Taric will regain the ability for his Q and R to apply to untargetable allies.
Twisted Fate’s ultimate will reveal untargetable units, with Phroxzon giving Yuumi’s W, Master Yi’s Q, and Hexgate travel as examples.
Locke, Renekton, Varus, and Zaahen are also listed for adjustments. Riot’s explanation highlights Locke as an example of making intended costs, such as mana usage, meaningful, but does not provide specific values.
Across these changes, Riot wants to preserve champion strengths while making their weaknesses more noticeable. The full numerical breakdown will be needed to judge how far each buff, nerf, and adjustment goes.
