League of Legends patch 12.16 is rapidly approaching, and the first set of changes specifically focused on shaping the LoL Worlds 2022 meta are finally being teased. In the latest update, some of the most popular (read: overpowered) picks in pro play are getting a love tap, while those struggling to make an impact are receiving some extra love full stop.
While champions like Zeri and Yuumi have dwindled in LoL ranks win rate, they have been a constant, menacing presence in professional play across the globe this split. According to balance team lead Matt ‘Phroxzon’ Leung-Harrison, the pair, alongside Draven and Poppy will be getting hit with the nerf hammer.
In this slightly leaner patch – which Phroxzon says is due to Riot waiting on the final LoL Worlds teams to qualify before pushing out “more speculative changes” in 12.17 – there are still a solid number of champions being buffed. These include Caitlyn, Irelia, Jayce, Kai’Sa, Malphite, Tristana, Vladimir, and Zoe.
Meanwhile, Diana is set to receive a power shift. According to Riot, the Scorn of the Moon will be ushered away from her current, tankier build path which features Sunfire Aegis, and back towards her traditional AP build paths.
Finally, on the item front, only Evenshroud will be touched this patch. Though, of course, we don’t have the numbers from Riot just yet, the developer notes that the Mythic item will be getting a power boost.
With many fans hoping that the changes to Zeri and Yuumi – League’s most notorious champion – will bring them back in line, we’re keen to see just how ambitious the changes will be when the full notes are released.