League of Legends First Stand Patch 25.S1.5 Preview: Zed Buffs, Lane Swap Detector, and More!

First Stand, the game's new international tournament, is right around the corner, which means patch 25.S1.5 of League of Legends will be largely aimed at the highest level of play. This is especially true for the addition of the latest feature coming to the game: Lane Swap Detector.

Are you ready to finally see your favorite top laners in the world go toe to toe in the lane once more? When Patch 25.S1.5 goes live on March 5th, Lane Swap Detector will ensure we kiss those pesky lane swaps in pro play goodbye.

Along with the new Lane Swap Detector, though, the latest League of Legends patch will also introduce several champion buffs and nerfs, as well as item tweaks, all aimed at seeing more diverse picks in pro play. So, without further ado, let's dive right in.

All information about patch 25.S1.5 has been taken from an X (Twitter) post made by Matt "Phroxzon" Leung-Harrison, League of Legends' Lead Gameplay Designer.

Lane Swap Detector

"We're increasing the mid penalty time back to 3:30 just to avoid any shenanigans for First Stand and are open to relaxing it a bit after that if the changes are proven to work, to avoid overly hitting SoloQ."

First Stand

"A lot of Pro focused nerfs this patch aimed to try and add more diversity into particularly the game 1's of the series which often tend to play out very similarly.

This is a hit to many of the safe blinds and/or high prio champs that target some of their more Pro oriented characteristics."

Melee Crit

"Melee Crit carries have been left without a crit first item for a long time; while YunTal is not the most complete package for them, it is their most potentially viable option and can help them feel a bit more supported by the system."

Champion Buffs

Who will take down Dr Mundo after patch 25.S1.5? (Credit: Riot Games)

Aphelios

• Attack Speed ratio increased 0.640 >>> 0.658

Dr. Mundo

• Base HP increased 613 >>> 640

Seraphine

• [Q] High Note target's missing HP ratio increased 0-60% >>> 0-75% (based on target champion's missing HP 0-75%)

Zed

• [E] Shadow Slash damage increased 65/90/115/140/165 (+65% bAD) >>> 70/95/120/145/170 (+80% bAD)

Champion Nerfs

Aurora's burst will be taking a hit in patch 25.S1.5 of League of Legends. (Credit: Riot Games)

Ambessa

• [E] Lacerate base damage per hit reduced 40/65/90/115/140 >>> 40/60/80/100/120

Ashe

• [R] Enchanted Crystal Arrow base damage reduced 250/450/650 >>> 200/400/600

Aurora

• [E] The Weirding damage reduced 70/110/150/190/230 (+80% AP) >>> 65/105/145/185/225 (+70% AP)

Cho'Gath

• [Q] Rupture base damage reduced 80/145/210/275/340 >>> 80/140/200/260/320
• [W] Feral Scream base damage reduced 80/135/190/245/300 >>> 80/130/180/230/280
• [E] Vorpal Spikes base target's max HP ratio adjusted 3% flat >>> 2.5/2.75/3/3.25/3.5%

Elise

• [Human-Q] Neurotoxin base damage reduced 40/75/110/145/180 >>> 40/70/100/130/160
• [Spider-Q] Venomous Bite base damage reduced 60/90/120/150/180 >>> 50/80/110/140/170

K'Sante

• [P] Dauntless Instinct mark base damage reduced 20 >>> 12
• [W] Path Maker - All Out Bonus bonus true damage ratio reduced 10-100% >>> 10-80% (based on channel time 0.4-0.9 seconds)

Skarner

• [Q3] Shattered Earth/Upheaval nerfs:
  • Target's max HP ratio reduced 10% >>> 8%
  • Slow duration reduced 1.25 >>> 1 second
• [E] Ixtal's Impact cooldown increased 20/19/18/17/16 >>> 22/21/20/19/18 seconds

Yorick (Jungle)

• [R] Eulogy of the Isles - Touch of the Maiden mark monster damage cap reduced 100 >>> 50

Champion Adjustments

The coming changes to Poppy aim to move her away from the support role, and back towards the top lane or jungle. (Credit: Riot Games)

Poppy

• HP per level increased 104 >>> 110
• [P] Iron Ambassador shield max HP ratio adjusted 13/15.5/18% (based on levels 1/7/13) >>> 11-20% (based on levels 1-18, linear)
• [E] Heroic Charge damage adjusted 50/70/90/110/130 (+50% bAD) >>> 40/60/80/100/120 (+60% bAD) (100/140/180/220/260 (+100% bAD) >>> 80/120/160/200/240 (+120% bAD) when hitting a wall)

System Buffs

Sixth Sense (Rune)

• Cooldown reduced 275/350 (melee/ranged) >>> 250 seconds

Unflinching (Rune)

• Armor and Magic Resistance increased 2-10 >>> 6-12 (based on levels 1-18)

Staff of Flowing Water

• Rapids duration increased 4 >>> 6 seconds

Yun Tal Wildarrows

• Practice Makes Lethal Critical Strike Chance per stack increased 0.2% >>> 0.4/0.2% (melee/ranged)

System Nerfs

Axiom Arcanist (Rune)

• Increased damage, healing, and shielding ratio reduced 14/9% >>> 12/8% (single target/area of effect)

Lane Swaps

Lane Swap Detector

• Activates when:
  • When more than 0 junglers (based on jungle item) on a given team, never activates if 0 junglers
  • When 1 jungler, when two non-junglers are Top or Mid (enemy inhibitor -> allied outer turret + ~500 units into the jungle)
  • When 2 junglers, when any two champions are Top or Mid
  • Detection starts 1:30, persists 20/6 (Top/Mid) seconds after second champion leaves, expires at 3:30
• Turret Fortification has been removed, no longer granting 50% damage reduction before 5:00 for Top and Mid turrets
• When active:
  • Detection repeatedly triggers a floating text disclaimer and sound indicating "Lane swap detected! Please leave the area!"
  • Defending turret takes 95% less damage
  • Defending turret is fully heated up
  • Defending turret deals 1000% damage to minions
  • Defending turret and defending nearby minions redirect all gold from killed minions and champions to nearest allied champion within the entire detection area
  • Enemy champions gain only 50% experience and gold from minions
  • Top defending turret deals 1000% damage to enemy champions
  • Top defending champion takes 50% damage within 600 units of their turret

Will the new Lane Swap Detector rid the game of lane swaps before the start of First Stand? (Credit: Riot Games)

Ultimately, patch 25.S1.5 of League of Legends aims to revitalize pro play for the inaugural edition of First Stand. Though Riot Games is aiming at more long-term solutions to some of the problems that have been plaguing professional play as of late, this patch will do a good job of fixing a few of these issues for the time being.

If you're a Zed main, though, you might want to get out there and start abusing that Shadow Slash buff before it gets taken away!

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

Featured image source: Riot Games

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