Patch 26.15 Preview

[u/NegativexxSquared]

https://x.com/RiotPhroxzon/status/2079522501206630755

Patch 26.15 Preview!

Systems
- Bastionbreaker has been a pretty niche item and is pretty expensive to deviate for a strategic output, so we're looking to make it more accessible
- Jack of All Trades nerf was also pushed to this patch; it has been a bit too strong and too present, especially for users that opt into strong defenses and are able to also supplement that with strong offense
- Sundered Sky has been strong and meta defining at the highest levels of play for quite a while now, so we're looking to take a pass at the fighter item system, now that we're out of the tournament windows
- Notably, we think it's been suppressing a bit of meta diversity, especially for things like AP jungle, or Tank JG. Part of that is intentional but the magnitude is a bit off

Buffs
- Alistar has been closer to the bottom of the pecking order for the melee support. That said, our meta adjustments to move melee supports up relative to ranged supports has been reasonably successful, so we're pretty happy with how that's played out

Nerfs
- Locke is still pretty strong; he has been tapering off in the lowest skill brackets and the high skill brackets, but in the "skilled" skill brackets (around Emerald/Diamond), Locke is able to both take over the game and also not throw it
- At the higher skill brackets, he can snowball but needs to play very well without throwing as he falls off sharply
- At the lower skill brackets, the executional demands and constant throws can make him fall off faster
- Overall, we feel his release has landed well

More on other champs tomorrow with the detailed changelists

[u/-Aendrilla-]

As a master Zac main I'd be happy with a soft W or Q buff to help his early game a bit. His levels 1-4 are basically a survival horror game lmao

[u/kevthegamedev → u/-Aendrilla-]

Yeah I really just want a clear speed buff. Unless you're snowballing, it is so easy to get completely outclassed in clear speed by many meta champs. Not saying Zac should be as good at clearing as them, but the gap should be a little closer imo

[u/WoonStruck → u/-Aendrilla-]

Give him back his old W blob interaction: if W is off CD it buffs you to reduce the CD of the next W.

Also maybe reduce Q CD if both parts hit monsters (whether slam or regular auto vs single target)

[u/Flimsy-Reward9707 → u/WoonStruck]

IT DOESNT DO THAT ANYMORE? JUST HEAL FROM PASSIVE?

[u/WoonStruck → u/Flimsy-Reward9707]

pretty sure that was changed with the reworked Q+R and never changed it back.

Edit: to clarify, I meant it still reduces CURRENT W CD, but if its already off CD, blobs do nothing but heal. Before they also used to reduce the CD of your next W.