Patch 25.07 is dropping on April 2, and it’s aiming to shake up the meta by nerfing several dominant picks, introducing targeted buffs to underused champions, and giving Yorick a massive rework that could change his place in the top lane meta entirely.

Let’s dive into the full patch rundown so you’re ready to hit ranked with confidence.

Key Nerfs – Top Meta Champions Targeted

🐺 Naafiri

  • Armor: 30 → 28
  • Base Health: 635 → 610
  • W Cooldown: Increased early (22–18s)
  • Passive monster damage: 165% → 155%
  • Q minion damage: 80% → 100%

Despite the nerfs, Naafiri may still hold onto a top-tier spot.

✂️ Gwen

  • Q damage revert from last patch
  • W resistances: 25 → 22 flat
  • W AP ratio buffed: 5% → 7%

🧚‍♀️ Lulu

  • Q base damage: -10 min / -15 max at all ranks
  • W Cooldown: Now 18s at all ranks

🌸 Lillia

  • E AP Ratio: 60% → 50% (Reverted)

🩸 Darius

  • Base Armor: 39 → 37
  • E Cooldown: Increased at all ranks

Champion Buffs – Niche Picks Get a Boost

🔥 Brand

  • Passive monster cap: 30 → 40
  • Passive explosion cap: 250–475 → 270–525

🌲 Ivern

  • Q root duration (Rank 1): 1.2s → 1.6s

🪓 Olaf

  • E cast time reduced based on bonus attack speed

🤡 Shaco (AD)

  • Passive AD ratio: 25% → 30%
  • Q AD ratio: 60% → 65%

🛡️ Shen

  • Q flat damage now applies to turrets

🐻 Volibear

  • W damage now scales with 15% bonus AD

🧊 Trundle

  • E Cooldown: 24 → 21s at Rank 1
  • E Slow: Slightly increased at all ranks

Yorick Rework – Early Game Stronger, Late Game Tuned Down

Yorick is receiving a massive overhaul to shift power from his minion-based scaling to a more interactive and viable early game, especially in high ELO.

🧟‍♂️ Key Yorick Changes:

  • Grave Generation: Faster now, starts at 8 deaths → 2
  • Mist Walkers:
    • Health reduced by ~50%
    • No longer instantly die to single-target spells
    • AD and attack speed scaling reworked
    • No longer recall when attacking jungle monsters
  • Q:
    • Cooldown reduced early
    • AD ratio: 40% → 50%
  • E:
    • No longer deals % current health
    • Now has flat damage + higher AP scaling
    • Movement speed buff: 20% → 30%
    • Now applies 18–30% armor shred (instead of bonus damage to ghouls)
    • Ghouls spawned through E can now properly apply Black Cleaver stacks
  • R (Maiden):
    • Base damage reworked
    • Scaling switched to bonus AD
    • Bonus health ratio added
  • QoL: Yorick can now ping his passive to display ghoul count on-map

We’ve actually covered Yorick’s rework, for a full in depth look, check it out here!

🎯 Takeaway:

Yorick should feel better early, smoother to play, and less oppressive late—especially in low ELO.

Adjustments & Reworks

🧪 Singed

  • Passive CD per target: 8 → 10s
  • Q AP ratio: 40% → 42.5%
  • Bonus stats nerfed

⚡ Xerath

  • Support weakened, Midlane scaling buffed
    • Q AP ratio: 85% → 90%
    • W/E/R base damage: -10
    • W/E/R AP ratio: Slightly increased

🗡️ Yone

  • Passive crit modifier removed: now does 100% crit damage
  • E: No longer cleanses crowd control on return

Item & System Updates

💎 Catalyst of Aeons Buff

  • Mana: 300 → 375
  • Passive mana restore: 7% → 10% of damage taken
  • Build path: Now includes two Ruby Crystals

Great news for Rod of Ages and Everfrost users.

🗡️ Umbral Glaive Buff

  • Cost: 2600 → 2500g
  • AD: 50 → 55
  • Passive cooldown: 50 → 90s

Strong for solo queue picks like Pyke and Pantheon. Expect more experimentation soon.

⛲ Fountain & Homeguard Nerfs

  • Fountain regen reduced (health and mana)
  • Homeguard movement speed slightly nerfed

Expect a slower return to lane, making Teleport more valuable in the early game.

🔄 Lane Swap Detection Tweak

  • Raptor camp no longer used to detect early lane swaps

Minor change, but useful for top lane strat optimization.

Patch 25.07 Final Thoughts

Patch 25.07 is Riot’s cleanup job after some strong outliers emerged in 25.06. They’re hitting Naafiri, Gwen, and Lulu with meaningful nerfs, while experimenting with buffs on Brand, Olaf, and Yorick.

The Yorick rework is the highlight here, shifting him toward a more interactive playstyle that rewards lane control and decision-making over passive scaling.

For more breakdowns on patches, balance shifts, and champion overhauls, keep it locked on LoLNOW.gg — your best source for all things League of Legends.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions about Patch 25.07

When does Patch 25.07 go live?

Patch 25.07 will hit live servers on Wednesday, April 2, 2025.

What are the biggest nerfs in Patch 25.07?

Naafiri, Gwen, Lulu, and Darius are receiving significant nerfs to tone down their dominance from the previous patch.

What are the Yorick rework changes?

Yorick’s ghoul mechanics, Q/E abilities, and early game have been significantly reworked to make him stronger early but less oppressive late.

Which champions are getting buffs in 25.07?

Champions like Brand, Olaf, Ivern, Trundle, Volibear, and Shaco are all receiving buffs to boost their solo queue presence.

Is Umbral Glaive worth buying now?

Possibly. The AD buff and cost reduction make it a better option for champions like Pyke and Pantheon, but the longer cooldown may impact competitive use.

How does the Catalyst of Aeons change affect item builds?

The increased mana and stronger passive make Catalyst-based items like Rod of Ages more viable, especially for scaling mages.