League of Legends is getting another balance update, which could potentially shake up regional leagues, and with First Stand 2026 approaching, these changes could quietly shift draft priorities and build paths across multiple roles.
While this League update is not a sweeping balance shift, it directly targets pressure points in the current meta. ADCs could regain relevance as Infinity Edge becomes more appealing, while tank item reductions may slightly weaken frontline durability.
When does LoL Patch 26.4 release?
League updates are usually released on Wednesdays, but we’re going back to the Thursday release patch for one last time. Starting with the next patch, the schedule will return to the regular days for this year. These updates are released to the PBE servers with new changes before being deployed to the live servers. This patch for this year is scheduled for Feb. 19, 2026. While the official release times across all regions are different, here are the usual timings for the update:
- 3pm CT (NA)
- 5am GMT (EU West)
- 3am CET (EU North East)
- 8am KR (Korea)
What’s in LoL Patch 26.4?
The Patch 26.4 focuses on improving how traditional crit-based ADCs feel, primarily through adjustments to Infinity Edge, while also trimming some tank item outliers. The Infinity Edge adjustment is meant to act as a light buff to those archetypes, particularly benefiting solo queue players, without pushing them too far in optimized or high-skill environments.
On the tank side, Riot believes itemization is currently sitting on a strong systemic foundation. The nerfs in this patch are aimed at smoothing out overperformers rather than reshaping the entire class, to keep tank builds relatively stable moving forward. Apart from the changes, several new skins under the Petals of Spring skinline for champions like Camille, Jayce, Katarina, Yasuo, and Lillia. Divine Architect Porcelain Aurelion Sol cosmetic comes to the skins store for the players with this patch.
Champion Buffs
The following champions are receiving buffs in League Patch 26.4:
Ashe
[Q] Ranger’s Focus
Total AD ratio has been increased from 110-130 percent to 111-135 percent.
[W] Volley
AD ratio has been increased from 1.0 to 1.1.
[R] Enchanted Crystal Arrow
Damage has been increased from 200/400/600 to 250/450/650.
Ekko
[Q] Timewinder
Initial damage has been increased from 70-130 to 80-140.
Gangplank
AD growth has been increased from 3.7 to 4.2.
Jayce
[W] Hyper Charge
Attack Speed can now reach the 3.0 attack speed cap.
Nautilus
[Q] Dredge Line
Base damage has been increased from 70-250 to 85-265.
Sion
- Base Armor has been increased from 32 to 36.
- Base Health Regen has been increased from 7.5 to 9.
Teemo
[E] Toxic Shot
Monster damage modifier has been increased from 125 percent to 145 percent.
Yasuo
[P] Way of the Wanderer
Crit damage modifier penalty has been removed from negative 10 percent to 0 percent.
Champion Nerfs
The following champions are receiving nerfs in League Patch 26.4:
Hwei
[QW] Severing Bolt
Base damage has been reduced from 80-160 to 60-160.
[WE] Molten Fissure
Damage has been reduced from 25-65 + 20 percent AP to 20-60 + 15 percent AP.
[P] Signature of the Visionary
AP ratio has been reduced from 35 percent to 30 percent.
Kalista
[W] Sentinel
Maximum HP damage has been reduced from 14-18 percent to 10-18 percent.
Kog’Maw
[Q] Caustic Spittle
Damage has been reduced from 90-290 to 80-260.
Lulu
[W] Whimsy
- Attack Speed has been reduced from 25-35 percent to 20-30 percent.
- Cooldown has been increased from 17-15 seconds to 18-16 seconds.
[E] Help, Pix!
Base damage and shield strength have been reduced from 80-260 to 80-240.
Twitch
Axiom Arcanist is now treated as area of effect damage.
Warwick
[Q] Jaws of the Beast
Mana cost has been increased from 70-90 to 80-100.
Champion Adjustments
The following champions are receiving adjustments in League Patch 26.4:
Mel
[Q] Solar Snare
- Missile speed has been reduced from 5000 to 4500.
- Range has been reduced from 1000 to 950.
[W] Radiant Aegis
- Duration has been reduced from 1.0-0.75 seconds to 0.4-0.6 seconds.
- Mana cost has been increased from 60 to 80.
[E] Scorching Brand
- Root duration has been changed from 1.75-2.25 seconds to 1.25-2.25 seconds.
- Damage has been changed from 60-220 + 50 percent AP to 60-240 + 60 percent AP.
[R] Solar Cataclysm
Per stack AP ratio has been increased from 2.5 percent to 3.5 percent.
Diana
[P] Moonsilver Blade
Monster damage modifier has been reduced from 3x to 2.25x.
[Q] Crescent Strike
Damage has been increased from 60-200 to 70-210.
[W] Pale Cascade
Damage has been increased from 54-198 to 60-204.
Elise
[W] Volatile Spiderling
- Human form damage has been reduced from 60-240 + 95 percent AP to 60-220 + 75 percent AP.
[W] Skittering Frenzy
- Spider form Attack Speed has been changed from 60-100 percent to 60-120 percent.
- Cooldown has been reduced from 10 seconds to 6 seconds.
- Spiderling damage has been increased from 8-26 + 15 percent AP to 10-40 + 15 percent AP.
System Buffs
The following items are receiving buffs in League Patch 26.4:
Mercury’s Treads
Price has been reduced from 1300 to 1250 gold.
Symbiotic Soles
Move Speed has been increased from 35 to 40.
System Nerfs
The following items are receiving nerfs in League Patch 26.4:
Abyssal Mask
Magic Resist has been reduced from 50 to 45.
Fimbulwinter
Shield has been changed from 100-180 + 4.5 percent current mana to 100 + 4.5 percent current mana.
Heartsteel
Damage to max HP conversion has been reduced from 10 percent to 8 percent.
Plated Steelcaps
Plating damage reduction has been reduced from 12 percent to 10 percent.
Unending Despair
Anguish damage has been changed from 8-15 + 3 percent bonus HP to 0 + 3 percent bonus HP.
System Adjustments
Infinity Edge
- Price has been reduced from 3600 to 3450 gold.
- Attack Damage has been reduced from 70 to 65.
Swiftplay Changes
The following Swiftplay changes are coming in League Patch 26.4:
Yorick
- AD growth has been reduced from 0.7 to 0.
[R] Eulogy of the Isles
Mark damage has been reduced from 2/2.5/3 percent max HP to 1.5/1.75/2 percent max HP.
Death Timers
Death timer multiplier at minutes 10-35 has been reduced from 100-133 percent to 100-112 percent.
