League of Legends Patch 25.5: Champion Nerfs, Buffs & Lane Swap Changes

Riot Games has officially released the patch notes for the upcoming 25.5 update, bringing significant balance changes to champions and further adjustments to lane swaps. According to lead designer Matt "Phroxzon" Leung-Harrison, Yorick, Cho'Gath, Skarner, and Elise are receiving nerfs, while Zed, Aphelios, Dr. Mundo, and Seraphine are getting buffs.

In addition to champion adjustments, Riot has finalized the lane swap nerf, with slight modifications from its initial preview. Poppy has also been rebalanced to better fit her top lane and jungle roles.

Champion Balance Changes

Tank Adjustments

Following recent tank item updates, Riot continues to monitor their impact. Dr. Mundo is getting buffs, as he dropped further in effectiveness compared to other tanks. However, Tahm Kench remains untouched despite underperforming, as his high frustration rating in player surveys suggests he shouldn't exceed a 50% win rate.

Melee Crit Items

For a long time, melee crit-based champions have lacked a strong first-item power spike. While YunTal may not be the perfect solution, it is currently the most viable crit item option for them, providing better system support.

Notable Champion Updates

Zed – Small Buffs to Restore Assassin Playstyle

Zed has been underperforming for quite some time, especially compared to his Season 14 performance. This patch gives him a minor buff to bring him back to his previous levels.

Recently, Zed has frequently been played as a bruiser, which isn't inherently problematic. However, when bruiser builds become his primary playstyle, it indicates that his core assassin identity isn't working as intended.

Yorick – Jungle Build Nerf

Jungle Yorick has become a major problem, especially in lower-ranked play, thanks to his Liandry’s 3rd item build. Riot is significantly reducing the power of this strategy to curb his dominance.

Lane Swap Nerfs – A Temporary Fix

Patch 25.5 will include the finalized lane swap nerf, which has been slightly adjusted from the initial preview. Riot has clarified that this isn't a permanent fix, but rather a temporary measure while they work toward a more elegant long-term solution.

Patch Release Date

Patch 25.5 is scheduled to go live on March 5, with a primary focus on professional play. Players can expect further updates in future patches as Riot refines its balancing strategy.