Exciting Changes Await in the 2026 League of Legends Season
As the holidays approach, Riot Games is gearing up for the 2026 season with a host of exciting changes for League of Legends. However, the development team is far from ignoring the current season. In addition to the usual balance tweaks, the latest patch brings a significant update in the form of the WASD control scheme, along with some holiday-themed skins to keep players engaged. Let’s delve into all the details and explore what these changes mean for the game.
System Changes: Introducing the WASD Control Scheme
One of the most impactful changes in this patch is the introduction of the WASD control scheme. Riot Games has implemented this feature to cater to players who prefer using the keyboard for character movement. The WASD control scheme aims to serve multiple purposes: it provides a new way to play, offers an alternative for those struggling with traditional controls, and lays the groundwork for potential console launches in the future. For now, the WASD control scheme will be available in limited queues such as Normals, Swiftplay, ARAM, and certain game modes like Arena, ARAM: Mayhem, and ARURF. Key features include a dynamic camera that follows your mouse, a scout ahead button for camera control, and the ability to remap keybinds. The rollout will start with the OCE server, and players can expect gradual availability across other regions.
Champion Select and Autofill Changes
Champion select is getting a few tweaks to improve the overall experience. One notable change is that you can no longer ban champions being hovered by your teammates, which will work well with the upcoming Autofill changes. Additionally, improvements to speed up champ select for Summoner’s Rift (Solo/Duo, Flex, and Normal Draft) are being rolled out to all regions, following successful testing in pilot regions in NA/OC. These changes aim to make the champion selection process smoother and more intuitive, enhancing the pre-game experience for players.
New Skins and Content
To keep the festive spirit alive, Riot Games is releasing two Mythic Variants in the Sanctum: Sunken Shadows Lucian and Nami. These skins will add a spooky yet stylish touch to bot lanes and will be available until patch 26.02. The Your Shop feature is also back, offering players the chance to find unique items and skins. Furthermore, by popular request, a new icon featuring Mel and Ambessa will be available for purchase in the shop for 250 RP. The patch also marks the second release of Zaahen, who continues to dominate the fighter role, making it essential to ban Malphite or Teemo to counter him.
Champion and Item Balance Adjustments
Riot Games continues its bi-weekly balance updates, ensuring that no champion becomes overpowered or underwhelming. Here are some of the key changes in this patch:
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Braum: His passive, Concussive Blows, now deals 40% damage on follow-up attacks, up from 20%. This should make Braum more effective in early trades, particularly against aggressive mages and enchanters. Additional base health will also help him in lane.
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Dr. Mundo: The damage cap on his Q, Infected Bonesaw, has been reduced, primarily affecting his jungle clear speed, especially in the early game. This nerf is targeted at jungle Mundo, while top lane players should remain unaffected.
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Kayn: The Darkin Scythe’s post-mitigation magic damage has been reduced, mainly impacting Shadow Kayn’s poke damage from the fog of war or within walls. Despite this nerf, Kayn still has the potential to dominate in all-ins.
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Kha’Zix: The base damage of his W, Void Spike, has been decreased, which will slow his jungle clear, particularly in the early stages. However, this change is unlikely to significantly impact his overall effectiveness.
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Master Yi: His base health and attack damage growth have been reduced, nerfing his early game durability and late-game damage output. These changes are aimed at balancing his overall kit, especially in the early game.
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Mel: Her E, Solar Snare, has undergone multiple reductions in damage, duration, and mana cost. These changes are designed to make Mel less frustrating to play against, potentially reducing her popularity.
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Nasus: His Q, Siphoning Strike, has received minor base damage buffs, improving his early game last-hitting and trading potential. These changes are more about quality of life rather than a significant power spike.
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Nidalee: A bugfix has been applied to her Q, Javelin Toss, which will mainly affect high-level players. The change does not impact her usability in lower Elos.
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Sejuani: She has received a series of cooldown reductions and AP ratio buffs, making her more effective in ganks and teamfights. However, the AP ratio buffs are somewhat puzzling, as Sejuani rarely builds AP items.
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Swain: His passive, Ravenous Flock, now heals for a fixed 6% per fragment, up from 3-6% based on level. This change should improve his early game trading potential, making him more viable in lane.
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Viktor: His Q, Siphon Power, has received significant buffs to its shield and AP ratio, making it more effective. These changes could bring Viktor back into the spotlight, especially with a Q-max build.
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Zaahen: Following a hotfix nerf, Zaahen remains the best fighter in the game. However, the changes have slightly reduced his damage and durability, making it crucial to counterpick against Malphite or Teemo.
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Zed: The damage multiplier for his passive when fighting monsters has been reduced, slightly slowing his jungle clear speed. This change is minimal for experienced Zed junglers but may deter new players.
Runes and Quality of Life Improvements
The Legend: Bloodline rune has received a minor buff, increasing its life steal per stack and maximum life steal. However, this rune is still a hard sell compared to Alacrity or Haste due to the significant benefits those runes provide. On the quality of life front, several bugs have been fixed, including issues with basic attack hit VFX, Zaahen’s passive, Yunara’s VO line, and various champion-specific bugs. These fixes aim to improve the overall player experience and ensure that the game runs smoothly.
Preparing for the Next Season
While this patch is not heavy on balance changes, it sets the stage for the first split of the 2026 season. Players can expect a plethora of new items, ranked changes, and the introduction of a new narrative thematic centered around Demacia. The upcoming season promises to bring fresh content and exciting gameplay, ensuring that League of Legends remains a dynamic and engaging experience for all players. So, whether you’re enjoying the new WASD controls, trying out the latest skins, or testing out the balance changes, there’s plenty to look forward to in the coming months.
