AP Irelia!? League of Legends Patch 25.17 Preview: Vayne Jungle, Gwen Nerfs, Return of AP Kog’Maw

AP Irelia!? League of Legends Patch 25.17 Preview: Vayne Jungle, Gwen Nerfs, Return of AP Kog’Maw

Foo Zen-Wen

21 Aug, 2025, 05:40

|

Last updated: 21 Aug, 2025, 05:51

League of Legends is once again due for a shakeup with the newest upcoming patch, Patch 25.17. While the changes are unlikely to be as significant as the previous update, some shifts in the meta are likely to arrive across Summoner’s Rift.

Let’s take a look at some of the biggest changes coming our way when LoL Patch 25.17 hits the Rift on Wednesday, August 27th.

AP Kog’Maw Receives Buffs

AP Kog'Maw receives buffs in Patch 25.17
Could we see a return to Kog'Maw in the botlane? Or better yet, the Mid Lane. Credit: Riot Games

The waddling marksman may not be the most popular to terrorize the Rift, but no one can deny that when he gets rolling, he dishes it out like few hyper carries can. One of the largest considerations against him, however, has always been his lack of mobility – made up only by his long attack-range.

With the latest upcoming buffs to his [Q] Caustic Spittle, [W] Void Ooze, and [R] Living Artillery AP ratios, it may just be enough to tip the scales in his favor. In years past, Kog’Maw saw some use in the Mid Lane as well – meaning we may be seeing a new/old flex threat enter the Rift.

Everyone’s In the Jungle

Following Patch 25.16’s considerable nerfs to some of the biggest AD junglers, Riot is looking to further their efforts in expanding the Jungle champion pool with some noteworthy buffs.

Nilah receives Jungle damage buff in Patch 25.17
The next time your jungler locks in Nilah, it may not be troll. Credit: Riot Games

 Monster Damage Ratios Raised

Nilah, Sett and Vayne will all be recipients of improved damage to monsters with Patch 25.17, meaning you may be seeing some odd ducks in the Jungle soon when the new patch lands.

AP Top Laners Face Nerfs

Gwen to receive more nerfs in Patch 25.17
Gwen continues to prove herself as a force to be reckoned with in the toplane despite numerous nerfs. Credit: Riot Games

Popular AP top laner Gwen tanks another nerf with tweaks to her armor, R initial and subsequent slows, as well as her Attack Speed growth. Following her nerfs in the last patch which saw her winrate dip below 50%, this might just be the final nail in the coffin for her in pro play.

Meanwhile, Rumble, another powerful AP top laner faces a reduction to his Passive, Junkyard Titan’s Max HP damage as well as a reduction in his primary damage source [Q] Flamespitter.

Collectively, the nerfs will help in alleviating some of the oppressiveness that comes from players utilizing these champions in the solo lane matchups.

The Bausffs was On to Something

Irelia receives AP buffs with Patch 25.17
Is AP Irelia the new meta with Patch 25.17? Credit: Riot Games

While the two main AP top laners face nerfs in the upcoming patch, AP Irelia sees targetted buffs on her AP ratios for her [W] Defiant Dance and [E] Flawless Duet. Cooldown on Flawless Duet will also be reduced. For those who love to experience the one-shot of the highest damage potential champion in League of Legends, this is the patch for you.

AD Senna Fortified

Following the successful reintroduction of Senna in Patch 25.10, the marksman will be receiving further buffs to her attack speed per level as well as moderate increases to her Q healing. This will allow her to not only keep more uptime in the lanes, but improve her overall oppressiveness when poking out enemy targets.

Senna buffs in Patch 25.17
Patch 25.17 promises to bring an even more oppressive Senna. Credit: Riot Games

Tweaks and Meta Shifts

While not an incredibly huge shift in itself, Patch 25.17 will undoubtedly introduce yet another meta shift, the ramifications of which we may not see for some patches to come. With the shifts primarily focused on the lanes this time, the options players will be presented with in champion select has just widened once again. For this reason, it is important to keep up to date with all the changes coming to the game.

All information about LoL Patch 25.17 was taken from an X (Twitter) post made by Matt "Phroxzon" Leung-Harrison, Lead Gameplay Designer for League of Legends. If you'd like to have a look at the complete list of changes, make sure to check out the post!

Follow Strafe Esports for all the latest news and our X account for the latest content and coverage. Also, stay tuned to Strafe YouTube for exclusive interviews, press conferences, and more.

Featured image credit: Riot Games


Read More:

Xerath | League of Legends’ Magus Ascendant

Riot Cracks Down on Smurfing: Streamer Pentaless Gets Banned Across All Accounts

Shopify Rebellion Hand Shock Loss to Cloud9 and Qualify to the LTA Championship

Latest news

League Classic to Arrive in Season 3: What to Expect

League Classic to Arrive in Season 3: What to Expect

We have our first look at the much-anticipated League of Legends Classic — or League Classic — game mode and there’s a lot to be excited about. Earlier today Riot Games mistakenly included files for the upcoming game mode on the LoL PBE (Public Beta Environment) and keen eyes were quick to latch on to the information. Let’s have a look at everything we can expect to see.
27 Jun
Foo Zen-Wen

Cloud9 LoL Announces IWDominate As Head Coach, Adds YamatoCannon and Arrow

Christian “IWDominate” Rivera has been announced as the new Head Coach for the Cloud9 roster following the departure of former Head Coach Nicholas “Inero” Smith. This move is only the first of a fairly large shuffle for the Cloud9 roster as we see the addition of multiple new assistant coaches as well as 2 new players.
26 Jun
Foo Zen-Wen

New Study Finds 400 Million Gen Z Consumers Regularly Engage With Esports

The numbers are in, and they're hard to argue with. A new whitepaper from ESL FACEIT Group (EFG), Hero Esports, and Niko Partners titled The Esports Generation: Who They Are & Why They Spend dropped today, and it paints a picture of an audience that is bigger, more engaged, and more commercially valuable than many brands still realize
25 Jun
Thales Costa

G2 Esports and One Piece Collaborate to Create New Limited-Edition Drop

Esports giant G2 is making another move into the anime fashion space, this time partnering with one of the most beloved franchises in the world. In collaboration with One Piece, G2 has announced a new limited-edition streetwear drop available as of today (June 25).
25 Jun
Martin Arévalo-Östberg

Top 10 Players to Watch at MSI 2026

With MSI 2026 just days away, the tournament will offer the chance to watch some of the best League of Legends teams and players clash as they try to outperform one another. Whether it be for their tremendous current form, their potential for growth against international competition, or their sheer antics on and off the Rift, here are our top 10 players to watch at MSI 2026.
25 Jun
Martin Arévalo-Östberg

Riot Games' Vanguard Anti-Cheat Now Launches On-Demand: How to Enable It

VALORANT and League of Legends players can now use the Vanguard anti-cheat on demand. Here's how, along with the pre-check requirements.
24 Jun
Adarsh J. Kumar

Hidden Easter Eggs in T1 Worlds 2025 Skins Revealed

T1’s historic third consecutive World Championship victory has been immortalized in League of Legends through one of Riot Games’ most ambitious skin lines to date.
23 Jun
Kaustavmani Choudhury

Comments (0)

Log in to comment on this match