Riot outlines champion changes planned for patch 26.17
Riot Games has published the full balance preview for League of Legends patch 26.17. The update is designed as a smaller stabilisation step after patch 26.16. It includes targeted champion buffs, nerfs and adjustments rather than a complete system change.
Riot is also monitoring support players who leave the bottom lane very early. The first professional games on patch 26.16 showed some improvement. The team wants more evidence before making a stronger change.
Several champions receive direct buffs
Irelia’s Bladesurge is planned to gain a higher total attack damage ratio. The figure rises from 70 percent to 80 percent. The change rewards attack damage without altering the ability’s basic function. LeBlanc receives a larger attack speed ratio and stronger magic scaling on Distortion. Her attack speed gained per level will fall at the same time. Riot wants to restore power removed during an older item environment.
Yasuo and Yone receive changes that support critical strike purchases. The developers want those builds to compete better with early Blade of the Ruined King or Kraken Slayer choices. Longer-term item work may still follow. Cho’Gath and Qiyana are also listed for buffs in the preview. Final patch notes will provide the complete confirmed values. Preview figures can still change before the update reaches live servers.
| Champion | Planned change | Preview value |
|---|---|---|
| Irelia | Bladesurge total attack damage ratio | 70% to 80% |
| LeBlanc | Attack speed ratio | 0.4 to 0.625 |
| LeBlanc | Distortion magic scaling | 80% to 90% |
| Yasuo and Yone | Critical strike build support | Targeted adjustment |
The preview also reduces selected strengths
Riot has listed several champions for nerfs after reviewing patch 26.16 data. The changes focus on specific abilities rather than broad reductions across every role. That approach limits unnecessary effects on unrelated champions.
Each nerf includes an exact number and a named ability. Words such as stronger or weaker do not explain the size of a change. The final notes remain the official record when the patch is released.
Professional results are only one part of the review. Riot also compares different skill levels in normal ranked play. A champion may be powerful in one group without producing the same result elsewhere. The preview therefore avoids treating every win rate as the same problem. Champion mastery, role and item choice affect the data. Targeted changes give the team a clearer result to study later.
Roaming support changes remain under review
Patch 26.16 changed incentives around very early support movement. Riot reports better movement in the limited professional games played so far. The developers expect some of that behaviour to appear later in solo queue. The team does not want to punish normal roaming. A support player can leave lane to contest an objective or assist another lane. The concern appears when an unusual route becomes the best default choice in most matches.
More games will show whether the current rules are enough. Riot can make a stronger adjustment if the pattern remains broadly optimal. No extra change is promised before that evidence arrives. This wording matters because it separates observation from a confirmed nerf. The developers are monitoring the strategy. They have not announced that all support roaming will receive a penalty.
Patch 26.17 is scheduled for 26 August
The official patch calendar places version 26.17 on 26 August. Players receive the final notes shortly before the update. Those notes may differ from the preview if testing reveals another problem. A stabilisation patch can still alter champion priorities.
Small ratio changes affect item choices and damage at different stages. Competitive teams also compare the update with the version used in their next event.
The listed changes affect ability damage, scaling and item choices. They do not alter the basic rules of each role. Players can compare the preview with the final values published on release day. The preview gives players one week to understand the direction. Final values remain subject to testing until the notes are published. Patch 26.17 then provides the live evidence needed for another balance review.
Preview numbers still pass through final testing
Riot publishes a full preview before the official patch notes so players can see the intended direction. The values are not guaranteed until the update is prepared for live servers. Testing may reveal an interaction that requires another adjustment. Ratio changes affect champions differently across a match. A higher attack damage ratio becomes more valuable after additional items are purchased. Base-damage changes can have a stronger effect during the first levels. Yasuo and Yone require special attention because critical strike chance works differently in their passive abilities. Small item changes can alter their early purchases. Riot is trying to support critical strike builds without making every alternative irrelevant.
The roaming support review concerns behaviour rather than one champion. A rule change can affect every support who leaves lane early. Riot therefore wants a larger sample before applying a broad penalty. Patch 26.17 is scheduled for 26 August. Final notes will list every confirmed number and system change. Players can then compare the released version with the preview instead of treating early values as permanent.
