Patch 25.16 Preview: Buffs, Nerfs, and System Updates

Riot Games has unveiled the preliminary changes coming in Patch 25.16. This update brings a wide range of balance adjustments — from buffs to champions like Illaoi and Morgana, to nerfs targeting some of the most dominant junglers and supports. The devs also continue to fine-tune jungle interactions and tweak Baron and item mechanics. Here’s a full breakdown of what to expect.

Champion Buffs

Several underused or underpowered champions are getting meaningful improvements:

• Brand now deals more damage to monsters, has a longer Q stun, and a reduced R cooldown.
• Morgana receives a significant jungle buff thanks to increased first-tick W damage and boosted monster damage.
• Master Yi now works with Kraken Slayer and Terminus, opening up new build paths.
• Kalista, Gnar, Qiyana, Zyra, Singed, Rek’Sai, Sylas, Sion, Nautilus, and Illaoi all received buffs that enhance their damage, scaling, or base stats.
• Zyra and Brand are now more efficient jungle picks with improved monster damage.
• Sion and Kalista benefit from better AP and AD scaling respectively.

Champion Nerfs

Several high-performing champions have been brought down a notch:

• Jarvan IV and Nocturne lose some armor and damage scaling.
• Lulu now provides less shielding and deals reduced damage.
• Rell's shield is weaker and now scales with current HP.
• Shaco has reduced damage scaling on Q for both AD and AP builds.
• Xin Zhao, Trundle, and Yuumi are now less effective across the board.
• Yuumi's healing and damage on W have been toned down.

Champion Adjustments

• Mordekaiser no longer deals less damage from the red side, and his Q now scales with 120% bonus AD.
• Rumble can now hit distant enemies if they’ve already been debuffed; his ability scaling and base damage have also been increased.
• Varus received changes to his W and E: his on-hit damage is lower, but E damage is now more consistent.
• Viego is weaker in the jungle but heals more effectively in fights against champions.
• Warwick now has higher base AD, though Q damage has been slightly lowered (without affecting passive healing).

Item and System Changes

• Experimental Hexplate: Overdrive grants less attack speed but slightly more movement speed.
• Baron Nashor is tankier: his base HP has been increased, and he now scales more HP over time.

Patch 25.16 is shaping up to make a real impact on gameplay, both in pro play and solo queue. With jungle buffs, damage adjustments, and key systemic changes, the meta could shift significantly. The full patch notes will be released soon — stay tuned.