League of Legends Patch 26.22 brings another round of champion balance changes as Worlds 2026 approaches its knockout stage. Locke is getting some more nerfs as the developer continues fine-tuning his strengths, while Thresh and Yasuo are also losing some power.
The League patch also features a mid-scope update for Mel, changes to Overlord’s Bloodmail, and a nerf to Doran’s Bow. The developer is looking to strengthen underperforming playstyles, including Aurelion Sol’s E-max build and Shen’s jungle role, while giving Smolder another follow-up buff after his previous changes fell short of expectations.
Quick Summary
- Aurelion Sol, Corki, Kayle, Rumble, Smolder, and Viktor are among the champions receiving buffs.
- Locke, Thresh, and Yasuo are getting nerfed.
- Mel is receiving a mid-scope update while changing her reflect mechanic.
- K/DA Firestarter skins are coming this patch.
Table of contents
- When does LoL Patch 26.22 release?
- What’s in LoL Patch 26.22?
- Champion buffs
- Champion nerfs
- Champion adjustments
- System buffs
- System nerfs
- FAQ
When does LoL Patch 26.22 release?
Image via Riot Hry
League of Legends is following a bi-weekly patch cadence as usual, and this means that LoL patch 26.22 is scheduled to come out on Nov. 4, 2026. Release time zones usually differ somewhat, but you can expect the patch to be released around these times:
- 3pm CT (NA)
- 5am GMT (EU West)
- 3am CET (EU North East)
- 8am KR (Korea)
What’s in LoL Patch 26.22?
Image via Riot Hry
Patch 26.22 focuses on targeted balance adjustments rather than sweeping changes. Viktor is getting some of his scaling power back after his previous nerfs went too far, while Rumble receives a buff now that Riot’s Pro Play patching period has ended. Aurelion Sol, Naafiri, Shen, and Smolder are also getting changes aimed at improving specific roles or builds.
Mel’s mid-scope update is another major feature of the patch, alongside adjustments to Overlord’s Bloodmail and Doran’s Bow. The K/DA Firestarter skins, including Akali’s Mythic variant cosmetics, are also coming this patch.
Here are all the changes listed in the LoL Patch 26.22 preview:
Champion buffs
The following champions are receiving buffs in League Patch 26.22.
Aurelion Sol
The developer is strengthening Aurelion Sol’s E to make maxing it second a more competitive option alongside W. The goal is to ensure both ability-maxing paths feel worthwhile rather than leaving one clearly weaker.
[E] Singularity
Total magic damage over five seconds increased from 50-150 (+60% AP) to 50-170 (+70% AP).
Corki
Corki’s ultimate is gaining more damage, improving his poke and burst potential as he upgrades the ability.
[R] Missile Barrage
Damage increased from 90-250 (+85% bonus AD) to 100-280 (+90% bonus AD).
[R] Missile Barrage, Big One
Damage increased from 180-500 (+170% bonus AD) to 200-560 (+180% bonus AD).
Kayle
Kayle is receiving shorter cooldowns on Q and R, allowing her to use her primary slow and defensive ultimate more frequently.
[Q] Radiant Blast
Cooldown reduced from 12-8 seconds to 10-8 seconds.
[R] Divine Judgment
Cooldown reduced from 160/120/80 seconds to 140/110/80 seconds.
Maokai
Maokai’s Q is gaining stronger damage scaling against enemies with more health, improving his ability to threaten durable targets.
[Q] Bramble Smash
Target maximum health damage scaling increased from 2-4% to 2.5-4.5%. The ability retains its +50% AP ratio.
Naafiri
Naafiri is receiving a modest buff aimed at her mid lane performance. The Q healing increase should be more noticeable in lane than in the jungle, while the W bonus AD increase provides a small additional damage boost.
[Q] Darkin Daggers
Healing increased from 45-105 (+40% bonus AD) to 55-115 (+45% bonus AD).
[W] Hounds’ Pursuit
Bonus AD increased from 20% to 22%.
Rumble
Rumble is getting more damage on his ultimate now that Riot’s Pro Play patching period has ended. Despite his strength in professional play, Riot does not consider him excessively powerful in Elite play.
[R] The Equalizer
Damage per second AP ratio increased from 35% to 40%.
Shen
Shen’s jungle clear is receiving a buff, giving the champion’s jungle playstyle more support without directly increasing his Q damage against champions.
[Q] Twilight Assault
Monster damage modifier changed from 100/125/150/175/200 to 120/140/160/180/200.
Smolder
Smolder is receiving another follow-up buff because his previous changes had less impact than Riot intended. The adjustment targets the explosion damage from his W, helping him recover some power after earlier changes to Deathfire Touch.
[W] Achooo!
Explosion damage increased from 10-110 (+50% bonus AD) (+80% AP) to 25-125 (+50% bonus AD) (+80% AP).
Viktor
Viktor is getting some scaling power back after his previous nerfs went too far. Riot is keeping the reduced base movement speed from the earlier changes, preserving his weakness when moving around the map without assistance.
[R] Arcane Storm
Conjure damage AP ratio increased from 50% to 60%. Base damage remains 100/175/250.
Base Stats
Health growth increased from 100 per level to 105 per level.
Zaahen
Zaahen’s Q is receiving a shorter cooldown, giving him more opportunities to use the ability during fights.
[Q] The Darkin Glaive
Cooldown reduced from 10-6 seconds to 8-6 seconds.
Champion nerfs
The following champions are receiving nerfs in League Patch 26.22.
Locke
The developer is continuing to fine-tune Locke’s strengths after release, focusing on his early Q damage and the movement speed window from Soul Ignition. The changes are intended to make mistakes more costly and reduce how freely he can spam them while moving around the map.
[Q] Ritual Nails
Stack bonus damage reduced from 18/26/34/42/50 to 15/22/29/36/43.
[W] Soul Ignition
Duration reduced from six seconds to five seconds.
Thresh
Thresh is losing some base attack damage and ultimate damage, reducing his reliable damage output.
Base Stats
Attack damage reduced from 56 to 54.
[R] The Box
Damage reduced from 250-550 (+100% AP) to 200-500 (+100% AP).
Yasuo
Yasuo’s Q is losing some total attack damage scaling, slightly reducing its damage as he builds attack damage.
[Q] Steel Tempest
Total AD ratio reduced from 105% to 100%. Damage remains 20-120.
Champion adjustments
Mel
Mel is receiving a mid-scope update in Patch 26.22. The developer is changing her iconic ability reflect mechanics and making multiple changes to help her late-game.
System buffs
Overlord’s Bloodmail
Overlord’s Bloodmail is gaining more attack damage, while its Retribution effect is being adjusted to provide a slightly lower maximum bonus based on missing health.
- Attack Damage: Increased from 30 to 40.
- Retribution: Bonus total AD based on percentage missing health changed from 0-12% to 0-10%.
System nerfs
Doran’s Bow
Doran’s Bow is losing one point of attack damage, slightly reducing its offensive value during the early game.
Attack Damage: Reduced from 8 to 7.
FAQ
Can you try LoL Patch 26.22 changes before they go live?
Yes. Players can access upcoming changes through the Public Beta Environment (PBE), where Riot tests new content and balance adjustments before their official release. Changes on the PBE may still be modified before reaching live servers.
What is changing about Mel’s W in Patch 26.22?
Mel’s [W] Rebuttal will no longer reflect enemy abilities back at their casters. Instead, it will destroy incoming projectiles while also creating a protective nova that shields and grants movement speed to nearby allies. Riot wants to preserve the ability’s defensive identity while making it less frustrating to play against.
Will Worlds 2026 be played on League Patch 26.22?
No. Worlds 2026 will remain on Patch 26.20 throughout the competition, meaning the champion and item changes in Patch 26.22 will not affect the tournament.
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