Ten champions are buffed and three are nerfed in LoL Patch 26.23, according to the full preview Riot’s lead gameplay designer Matt “Phroxzon” Leung-Harrison posted on X on November 11. Azir goes from 525 to 550 attack range, Mel gets power back one patch after her midscope, and Master Yi, Syndra and LeBlanc are toned down. The patch is scheduled for Wednesday, November 18.
Patch 26.23 preview at a glance
- Release date: November 18, 2026, per Riot’s patch schedule. It is the second to last patch of the year, with 26.24 following on December 9.
- Buffs: Annie, Azir, Bard, Ezreal, Galio, Gnar, K’Sante, Mel, Vel’Koz, Vi.
- Nerfs: LeBlanc, Master Yi, Syndra.
- Item nerf: Voltaic Cyclosword.
- Dropped: Akshan was on the first buff list on November 10, but his change was not ready in time and is out of the patch.
- Status: a preview. Numbers can still change before the official patch notes.
Patch 26.23 champion buffs
Several of the buffs go to champions that have been kept weak because of pro play. Phroxzon names Azir, Galio, K’Sante and Ezreal as historical pro staples that struggle in uncoordinated solo queue, and the buffs are aimed at average play.
| Champion | Change |
|---|---|
 Annie | R Tibbers health 1150 to 3500 (+50% AP) becomes 1275 to 4000 (+50% AP, +150% bonus health). Tibbers aura damage per second 8 to 16 becomes 10 to 20 (+4% AP). Tibbers attack damage 30 to 60 becomes 30/50/70 (+10% AP). |
 Azir | Base attack range 525 to 550. W on-hit AD ratio 50% to 67%. |
 Bard | Q damage 80 to 240 (+80% AP) becomes 80 to 260 (+100% AP). |
 Ezreal | W damage stays 80 to 300, ratios go from 100% bonus AD and 90% AP to 115% bonus AD and 100% AP. R champion damage 350 to 750 (+100% bonus AD, +110% AP) becomes 350 to 850 (+110% bonus AD, +120% AP). |
 Galio | W and R shield 7.5 to 13.5% max health becomes 8 to 20% max health. |
 Gnar | Mini Gnar Q AD ratio 125% to 135% (base 5 to 165 unchanged). Mega Gnar Q AD ratio 140% to 150% (base 45 to 225 unchanged). |
 K’Sante | W mana cost 45 to 65 becomes 45 at all ranks. W base damage 45 to 165 becomes 45 to 205. All Out charge time damage increase 10 to 80% becomes 10 to 75%. |
 Mel | Q subsequent bolt damage 5 to 25 (+8% AP) becomes 6 to 26 (+9% AP). Q max damage 85/120/165/220/285 (+65/73/81/89/97% AP) becomes 90/126/172/228/294 (+70/79/88/97/106% AP). W shield 50 to 170 becomes 50 to 210 (+50% AP). W retaliation damage 35 to 55 becomes 35 to 75 (+10% AP). |
 Vel’Koz | R total damage 450/700/925 becomes 450/700/950. Riot lists it as a bug fix. |
 Vi | E damage 10 to 90 becomes 10 to 110 (+110% AD, +100% AP unchanged). |
Source: Riot Phroxzon’s full patch preview on X, November 11, 2026.
Why Mel is buffed right after her midscope
Mel’s midscope went live in Patch 26.22. Phroxzon writes that she has landed in a stable spot with a fairly low ban rate, but that she is too weak for Riot to judge whether the new version is actually less frustrating to play against. The 26.23 buffs put power into her Q and her W to bring her to a normal level.
Patch 26.23 champion nerfs
| Champion | Change |
|---|---|
 LeBlanc | Q AP ratio 40% to 35%. |
 Master Yi | Q damage 20 to 100 (+70% AD) becomes 20 to 100 (+60% AD). Q max single target damage 35 to 175 (+122.5% AD) becomes 35 to 175 (+105% AD). |
 Syndra | E mana cost 50 to 60. E cooldown 15 seconds at all ranks becomes 17/16.5/16/15.5/15 seconds. |
According to Phroxzon, Master Yi is being adjusted for regular play, while Syndra and LeBlanc are targeted at higher levels of play. He adds that Yi and Syndra both rank high in Riot’s frustration surveys.
Voltaic Cyclosword nerf
- Firmament bonus damage: from 9% and 7% to 8% and 6% of the target’s current health.
Riot’s preview lists the two values without labels. It is the only item change in the preview. Phroxzon describes the item as slightly too strong and still in need of a small step down.
When do the Patch 26.23 notes come out?
Riot had not published the official Patch 26.23 notes when this article was written on November 13. Riot’s patch schedule lists 26.23 for November 18. Until the notes are out, treat every number above as subject to change.
The patch also brings three skins: Cafe Cuties Neeko, Cafe Cuties Zoe and DJ Sona Ultimate Remix. What Riot has confirmed about them is in our Patch 26.23 skins article.
We keep every patch on our LoL patch notes page, and the LoL champions tier list is updated once the new patch has enough games behind it.
Patch 26.23 preview FAQ
When is LoL Patch 26.23 released?
Patch 26.23 is scheduled for Wednesday, November 18, 2026, according to Riot’s patch schedule.
Which champions are buffed in Patch 26.23?
The preview lists buffs for Annie, Azir, Bard, Ezreal, Galio, Gnar, K’Sante, Mel, Vel’Koz and Vi. Akshan was on the first list but has been removed from the patch.
Which champions are nerfed in Patch 26.23?
LeBlanc, Master Yi and Syndra are nerfed, and the item Voltaic Cyclosword loses 1 percentage point of its Firmament bonus damage.
Sources: Riot Phroxzon on X, November 10 and November 11, 2026; Riot Games patch schedule.
