Updates on League of Legends Patch 26.02

The League of Legends’ new season has introduced numerous modifications to the game. The introduction of Patch 26.02 aims to moderate some champions who have over-performed due to the recent updates and empower those who are not performing optimally.

Jungle Character Balance

Riot Games, the game’s developer, announced that patch 26.02 is mainly focusing on adjusting the balance within the jungle role. The changes respond to feedback that certain gameplay mechanics were favoring ability power (AP) and tank junglers, while leaving attack damage (AD) junglers disadvantaged. Therefore, Riot has decided to apply the following modifications:

• Buffs are going to be provided to Viego, Master Yi, Aatrox, Taliyah, and Tryndamere. These changes are expected to strengthen these champions, particularly in jungle exertions, without significantly impacting their solo lane play.
• Nerfs are being allocated towards Gwen, Jayce, Lillia, Malphite, Nunu, and Zed. These champs are reported to be excessively dominating in solo queue gaming. In addition, some AP and tank junglers with unfair clear advantages on epic monsters are also going to be nerfed.

The modifications are predicted to affect pro-level play, with Riot keen to observe the outcome before making any more significant adjustments.

Alterations to ADC Items

Adjustments are also being made to the items available to attack damage carry (ADC) champions in an attempt to increase their usage, without making them overly powerful. Notably, the attack speeds of Fiendhunter Bolts are being increased from 40% to 45%, and the critical damage multiplier from 75% to 80%. The additional true damage on critical hits will now be 15%, up from 10%. For Hexoptics 44, the attack damage is being increased from 50 to 55.

Nevertheless, the price of Bandlepipes is being raised from 2000 to 2300. In addition, Ashe and Varus will receive slight buffs, while Sivir and Smolder will be nerfed despite impressive win rates in 26.01.

Updates in Champion Roles

In reference to the champion roles in the bot lane, nerfs are being applied to Sivir and Smolder to balance their power after a strong start. ADC changes mentioned earlier are also expected to have a direct impact on the bot lane.

Repairing Bugs and Improving Systems

Riot has also addressed a few reported bugs and system issues. They have fixed the issue of reduced damage in Draven Q, and are currently addressing the problem of input loss on ability sequences. Other pending issues include control ward double-binding tests, potential V ping revert, role quest slot rebind, and the Cassiopeia boot reminder.

They’re also working on resolving the grading error that has allowed several unearned S ranks in Champ Mastery in 16.2.

Gameplay Context for 2026 Season

The patch 26.02 builds upon the changes introduced in 26.01b, aiming for gradual meta-stabilization rather than major overhauls. New features such as Role Quests, Faelights vision, Crystalline Overgrowth Turrets have been incorporated, and certain features have been removed, like Atakhan, Feats of Strength.

Even though the games feel faster due to frequent minion spawns and less downtime, the actual game times have become slightly longer. The potential impact on vision and gank gameplay parts is under consideration for post-pro play reviews. The strategic balance of the game is being tweaked to appropriately value sieging, grouping, and split-pushing, shifting from the objective dominance that characterized the 2025 season.

Public beta environment (PBE) updates are now live with full assets, and more information on these changes can be found in the Riot’s official updates.