The latest update for League of Legends, Patch 26.4, introduces major changes aimed at rebalancing the game during the 2026 Season 1 Act 1: For Demacia. Players can expect significant alterations across a variety of champions, with numerous buffs and nerfs, as well as updated items and summoner spells.
In this patch, 18 champions faced nerfs targeting their effectiveness in various ranks and lanes. Among the champions affected are Ambessa in the Jungle, Aphelios in the Bot lane, Braum as a Support character, and Gwen in the Top lane. Notably, multiple champions, including Jinx, Kassadin, and Kayle, have been downgraded in strength to refine their gameplay balance, which aims to ensure a more competitive experience across all ranks, from Iron to Challenger.
On the flip side, 16 champions received buffs in this patch. The list of those benefitting from these enhancements includes Annie, Brand, Camille, Darius, and Fizz, among others. These buffs are designed to boost their performance and encourage players to experiment with their strategies.
Moreover, several champions underwent adjustments to better align with Riot Games’ vision for their roles. Senna’s adjusted AD scaling is intended to support damage-focused builds while still maintaining her viability as a supportive champion. For Lee Sin, a rework of the tooltip on his W2 ability introduces the term “omnivamp” to modernize the terminology. Ryze has also seen adjustments to his ultimate ability, which aims to reduce confusion regarding its teleportation mechanics.
In terms of items and summoner spells, Patch 26.4 brings updates that enhance gameplay balance. The Hexoptics C44 item now features a reduced range for its maximum bonus damage, making it more accessible for champions to utilize effectively. Additionally, the duration of the bonus range received from takedowns has been extended, allowing for strategic advantages in late-game scenarios. Updates to Smite and Ignite have also been implemented, where omnivamp will no longer be triggered by these spells, reinforcing consistent mechanics throughout the game.
Overall, Patch 26.4 is poised to bring a fresh layer of strategic depth to League of Legends, fostering a climate where players can adapt and experiment with new tactics while enjoying a more balanced competitive environment.