What was supposed to be a simple visual update for LeBlanc has unexpectedly turned into a gameplay-altering patch, complete with smoother combos, controversial animation changes, and a hotbed of community debate. Riot may have planned to just clean up her model—but the magic trickster ended up accidentally stronger on the PBE than ever before.

Here’s what actually changed, what’s being criticized, and what Riot is saying in response.

LeBlanc’s Visual Update Misses the Mark

When the LeBlanc VU (Visual Update) was first teased, reactions were mostly positive. Fans were excited to see one of League’s oldest mages get a fresh coat of polish. But as side-by-side comparisons started surfacing, the tone quickly shifted.

🤨 What Went Wrong Visually?

  • Fewer idle animations (only one now, compared to 3–4 before)
  • Missing or downgraded effects and movements that make her feel less alive
  • Facial expressions and animations reportedly stripped down or completely gone
  • Loss of detail and personality across multiple skins

YouTuber Exoll broke it down in their deep-dive titled “New LeBlanc is Worse Than You Think,” which has gained traction for highlighting how the rework actually reduced the visual quality in key areas. If you’re a cosmetics enthusiast or LeBlanc main, it’s worth a watch.

This kind of downgrade has become a growing concern in the League community—newer models looking technically sharper but losing soul along the way.

Unintended Buffs: LeBlanc’s Combos Get Faster on PBE

Now here’s where things get really wild: alongside the visual changes, LeBlanc’s gameplay was quietly altered—most likely by accident.

🧪 PBE LeBlanc = Faster Combos

On the PBE:

  • You can cast W → Q, and Q will land before W triggers, meaning WQ now procs the bonus damage.
  • You can cast E mid-dash, instead of needing to wait for W to finish.
  • Even with 200+ ping, new combos like WQE feel snappier and more fluid.

This is a major mechanical shift. On live servers, Q must be cast first to get that bonus damage reliably, and E always felt slightly delayed. The PBE version allows for WQ, WQE, and overall faster trading windows—giving LeBlanc a burst advantage with lower counterplay.

Riot Responds: This Wasn’t Intentional

Don’t get too excited just yet.

Riot’s Froggen (Frogson) addressed the issue directly, stating that this new combo flexibility was not intended, and in its current state, would give LeBlanc an unfair win rate spike.

“This isn’t acceptable as it would make LeBlanc’s win rate too high and remove too much counterplay,” – Riot Frogson

So, while it’s a fun accident for now, expect these PBE gameplay changes to be rolled back before the update hits live servers. That said, it’s pretty unusual for a visual-only update to touch gameplay mechanics—and it’s stirred up quite a bit of criticism over Riot’s testing process.

The Bigger Issue: Visual Downgrades + Accidental Buffs?

LeBlanc’s update has opened up broader questions in the League community:

  • Why are older champions losing visual personality during reworks?
  • How do gameplay bugs slip through during VFX/model updates?
  • Should LeBlanc get a real gameplay update instead of unintentional changes?

Many players feel like quality control is slipping—both visually and mechanically—and the backlash is growing louder with each update. And unfortunately for LeBlanc mains, the end result might be:

  • A visually downgraded champion
  • With reverted gameplay improvements
  • And less overall flair

That’s a rough combo—no pun intended.

For more League of Legends patch insights, champion changes, and drama breakdowns, stay up to date with LoLNOW.gg — your home for everything Riot doesn’t always explain in the patch notes.

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Frequently Asked Questions about the LeBlanc Visual Update

Was the LeBlanc update only visual?

Initially, Riot said the LeBlanc update was purely visual, but it unintentionally affected gameplay—specifically how her abilities combo.

Can LeBlanc do WQ combos on PBE?

Yes, on the PBE you can cast W then Q and still trigger the bonus Q damage first, which isn’t possible on live servers.

Did Riot confirm the WQ and mid-dash E changes?

Riot confirmed these were unintentional and said they will likely be removed before the update goes live.

What are the complaints about the new LeBlanc model?

Players say the new model has fewer animations, missing details, and less personality compared to the old version.

Will Riot fix the visual downgrade?

Riot has not commented on whether they will improve the visuals, but backlash may influence future polish passes.

When will the LeBlanc update go live?

No official date has been confirmed, but it’s currently being tested on the PBE and expected to go live in an upcoming patch.