League of Legends Patch 26.6 (16.6) Preview: Riot shifts focus to underused champions

Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming League of Legends Patch 26.6. With the game currently in a healthy state in terms of balance and player satisfaction, this update will mainly focus on champions that haven’t really been loved during the recent patches.

League of Legends Patch 26.6 – Focus on underused champions

After a pro-play focused update like Patch 26.5, which introduced several competitive adjustments ahead of First Stand, Riot is now turning its attention to some of the game’s most underused champions in an effort to restore their popularity.

According to game designer Riot Phroxzon, the overall state of the game is currently healthy and well balanced. Over the next few patches, the team plans to gather community feedback on champions and game systems in order to address elements that players feel have been neglected.

Among the upcoming changes, Pyke is set to receive nerfs. Ahri will also finally be toned down after dominating the mid lane for the past two patches. Shen jungle has become problematic, particularly in lower ranks, and will therefore be nerfed as well. Zaheen has recently gained popularity in both the top lane and jungle, and as players continue to master his mechanics, the champion has started to look over tuned.

On the buff side, Riot is targeting several champions that have struggled recently, including Azir, Cassiopeia, Lissandra, Olaf, and Tryndamere. Olaf’s buffs are specifically aimed at improving his performance in the jungle, where he has recently fallen behind. Skarner will also receive adjustments designed to strengthen his presence in the top lane, particularly through changes to his W and E abilities.

League of Legends Patch 26.6 – System changes

Chempunk Chainsword is set to receive buffs, as it currently stands as one of the weaker Grievous Wounds items in the game. Riot has to approach changes to these items carefully, however, since they are often deeply tied to certain champions’ core build paths.

Another notable change involves support items, as the minion penalty is being removed. This mechanic was originally introduced to reduce the risk of funneling strategies, but over time it has become a major pain point for players. With funneling not being a significant issue, Riot has decided that the penalty is no longer necessary.

League of Legends Patch 26.6 – Change List

Champions Buffs

Azir

• Q AP ratio: 35% -> 55%
• W Damage: 50 – 110 + 0.45 + 32.5 – 62.5% AP -> 50 – 110 + 0.75 + 35-65% AP

With these buffs, Azir will likely become even stronger in the competitive meta. However, it’s still unclear whether this will significantly improve his ranked play rate, as his main limitation remains the high level of mechanical and positional skill required to play him effectively.

Lissandra

• Q Cooldown : 8/7/6/5/4 -> 7/6/5/4/3
• Armor Growth: 4.9 -> 4.2

This is exactly what Lissandra needed. The cooldown reduction on her Q will allow her to gain lane priority more consistently and roam around the map much more easily.

Olaf

• Base Attack Speed: .694 -> .72
• Q Slow: 25 -> 45% for 1.5 to 2.5s -> 30 – 50% for 1 to 3s
• E damage to self: 30% of damage dealt -> 40%

Skarner

• Q cost: 45 -> 30
• Q target max health damage: 9% -> 11%

Tryndamere

• Attack Speed ratio: .694 -> .725
• Level 1 Attack Speed: .67 -> Unchanged

Champion Nerfs

Ahri

• Q base damage per hit: 40 – 140 -> 35 – 135
• Max Q base damage: 80 – 280 -> 70 – 270

Pyke

• Armor 43 -> 37

Shen

• Q Monster Damage Cap: 120 – 200 -> 100 – 200

I don’t really think this is a good nerf. Shen jungle’s main strenght has never been the champion himself, but rather the Protoplasm Harness, whose current power level enables picks like Shen and Nasus to work too effectively in the jungle.

Zaheen

• W2 damage: 40 – 120 + 50% bonus AD -> 30 – 110 + 30% bonus AD
• W Full damage: 80 – 240 + 100% bonus AD -> 70 – 230 + 80% bonus AD
• E monster bonus damage: 75 – 50

Champions Adjustments

• Karthus

System Buffs

Chempunk Chainsword

• Total Cost: 3100g -> 3000g

Sunfire Aegis

• Ruby Crystal added to build path – Total cost unchanged

Support Item Penalty

• Pre 5 minute allowed kills: 7 -> 24
• Post 5 minute allowed kills per minute: 4 -> 6