League of Legends Patch 26.11 Preview: Voidgrubs Buff, Smolder Nerf, and Support Items Adjustments

League of Legends Patch 26.11 is incoming. Shop items are the big focus this patch, with many of them set to see adjustments. Changes to several runes are also to be expected along with nerfs that seek to shift the current Support meta.

Let’s have a look at some of the biggest changes coming when LoL Patch 26.11 goes live on Thursday, May 28.

Diana, Ekko, and Quinn Jungle Buffs Continue

In a continued effort to make more champions viable in the Jungle role, Riot Games are releasing further buffs to these champions. Diana, notably, is receiving a 40% increase to her monster damage ratio on [P] Moonsilver Blade as one of the adjustments, in hopes of improving her clear speed.

The experiment to push Quinn into the Jungle has clearly netted some results as Riot seek to further explore her viability in this role with buffs to both her [P] Harrier and [Q] Blinding Assault.  

Smolder Campaign Resumes

Everyone’s favourite little dragon is getting another nerf in the upcoming patch. Discovered interactions between Smolder and returned rune Deathfire Touch had played a solid role in rocketing the Fiery Fledging to the top of the champion win rate board.

In an effort to rein him back, Riot are introducing nerfs to both his [Q] Super Scorcher Breath and [E] Flap, Flap, Flap so as to make his less durable builds more appealing overall – therefore offering more counterplay against.  

Enchanter Supports NOT Happy

Huge buffs to both Guardian and Aftershock are just the opening salvos to the upcoming patch. Support items are also seeing targeted adjustments. Items such as Heartsteel, Knight’s Vow, Locket of the Iron Solari, and Zeke’s Convergence are all seeing improvements.

Meanwhile, rune Summon Aery as well as enchanter support items are taking a hit to their stats with Patch 26.11. Experimental Hexplate will also see adjustments aimed at certain ranged champions making great use of its passive. The new changes will see far more appeal for melee champions, with ranged champions gaining less benefits from it.

Voidgrubs More Appetizing

In an effort to improve the appeal of challenging for Voidgrubs while also increasing roaming power during this window, they’ll be receiving buffs to the stats they give.

The buffs are expected to make a sizable difference and entice more teams to battle for grub control in the new patch.

New Season Set to Shake Things Up

League of Legends Patch 26.11 arrives to shake the meta up once again. Expect new challenges for Support players in particular with a number of targetted item and rune changes. 

All information about LoL Patch 26.11 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!

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Featured Image Credit: Riot Games

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