Updated on March 11, 2026 at 2:52pm: Added detailed patch notes.
League of Legends Lead Gameplay Designer Matt “Riot Phroxzon” Leung-Harrison posted a preview of the LoL patch 26.06 notes on X on March 10, followed by a detailed breakdown the next day.
The game currently appears to be in a healthy place in terms of balance and broad player satisfaction, Riot Phroxzon reported.
| IN CASE YOU MISSED THE LAST ONE Rejoice! League of Legends Patch 26.05 restores Lillia back to full power |
However, in the upcoming patches, the developers plan to take a closer look at champions that may have felt somewhat overlooked or worse for wear.
They are also inviting players to share suggestions, both for specific champions and for broader game systems, to help highlight areas that may need attention.
LoL patch 26.06 notes
LoL patch 26.06 champion buffs
| LOL PATCH 26.06 CHAMPION BUFFS | STATS |
| Azir | Q AP ratio: 35% → 55% W damage: 50–110 + 0.45 + 32.5–62.5% AP → 50–110 + 0.72 + 35–65% AP |
| Lissandra | Q CD: 8 / 7 / 6 / 5 / 4 → 7 / 6 / 5 / 4 / 3 Armor Growth: 4.9 → 4.2 |
| Olaf | Base AS: .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% of damage dealt |
| Skarner | Q cost: 45 → 30 Q target max health damage: 9% → 11% |
| Tryndamere | AS ratio: .694 → .725 Level 1 AS: .67 → Unchanged |
“We’re buffing Azir to distribute some of his power back into regular play capabilities through scaling power that Azir players hopefully will appreciate,” wrote Riot Phroxzon.
As for Lissandra, the developers noted that she hasn’t quite felt the same since her Q cooldown was nerfed in Season 9.
With the game evolving significantly since then, they believe the champion may now be able to sustain having that lower cooldown again, despite her historically strong waveclear and synergy with Aftershock. The change is also part of a broader effort to make champions feel better to play.
Skarner has been out of the spotlight for some time. After previously toning down aspects that made him particularly oppressive in the top lane—most notably W max builds and the ability to secure point-blank kidnaps with E—the developers believe he can now receive a bit more power in that role.
Meanwhile, Jungle Olaf has fallen slightly behind other picks in the role, so the developers are looking to add some power back to help him keep up.
They added that his top lane performance has also been slightly weak, so the changes should provide some additional power there as well.
Cassiopeia was listed for a buff in the preview but has since been removed as of March 11.
LoL patch 26.06 champion nerfs
| LOL PATCH 26.06 CHAMPION NERFS | STATS |
| Ahri | Q base damage per hit: 40–140 → 35–135 Maximum Q base damage: 80–280 → 70–270 |
| Pyke | Armor: 43 → 37 |
| Shen | Q Monster Damage Cap: 120–200 → 100–200 |
| Zaahen | 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 |
Shen Jungle has recently started gaining significant traction. The development the team is happy to see this, crediting creators like xPetu for helping popularize the pick. That said, the strategy is currently performing a bit too well at lower levels of play, which is why he’s getting a nerf.
As for Zaahen, Riot Phroxzon commented: “We’re really happy to see Zaahen picking up a sizeable audience in both Top and Jungle, but now that regular players, in addition to experienced players, are starting to demonstrate that top end mastery performance, he’s looking too strong across the board.”
The team evaluates that Zaahen Jungle is outperforming Top, and plans to focus the nerfs in that role.
LoL patch 26.06 champion adjustments
- Karthus
LoL patch 26.06 system buffs
| LOL PATCH 26.06 SYSTEM BUFFS | STATS |
| Chempunk Chainsword | Total Cost: 3,100g → 3,000g |
| 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 |
According to Riot Phroxzon, Chempunk Chainsword has been one of the weaker Grievous Wounds items for quite some time. While the developers do not want Grievous items to become overly common—since widespread access can subtly undermine champion kit design—the item is currently considered slightly too weak even within that intended constraint.
Regarding the 1,000 gold combine cost on Sunfire Aegis, the developers noted that it has long been considered a painful part of the item’s build path.
While difficult build paths can add meaningful long-term value and decision-making to League of Legends, they believe this one may be excessively punishing, prompting the adjustment.
The support item minion penalty has long been a pain point for support players. With the introduction of role quests significantly reducing the risk of funneling—the main reason the restriction existed in the first place—the drawback will now be removed.
