League of Legends Lead Gameplay Designer Matt “Riot Phroxzon” Leung-Harrison posted a preview of LoL patch 25.5 today, which is the patch that First Stand, the first international tournament of the year, will be played on.

In the tweet, he addressed Atakhan. Patch 25.4 saw an increase in the Ruinous occurrence rate within professional play.

Atakhan roses that rewards players on Summoner's Rift
Credit: Riot Games

Early results from the LPL, the only major region using this patch, show that roughly 50% of games now feature Ruinous. Their goal is to push this rate to approximately 60% in professional matches, wrote Riot Phroxzon, while still maintaining some presence of Ruinous in Solo Queue.

Riot Phroxzon also brought up lane swaps. The mid-penalty time is temporarily increased back to 3:30 to prevent First Stand exploits, with potential future reductions for Solo Queue depending on the effectiveness of these changes.

LoL patch 25.5 notes preview

State of AD carries in LoL patch 25.5

Heartsteel Aphelios official PC wallpaper
Credit: Riot Games

Players should note that this patch features more substantial nerfs than usual, primarily to address Ashe’s overperformance and to slightly adjust Aphelios.

Beyond these two champions, the balance team is aiming for minimal disruption to the ADC meta, anticipating shifts following lane swap changes.

They’re also moderating some highly prevalent professional picks to encourage a more diverse meta leading into the First Stand tournament. Overall however, they’re generally satisfied with the current meta’s health, wrote Riot Phroxzon.

LoL patch 25.5 champion buffs

Dumpling Darling Seraphine stands in a busy kitchen holding candied strawberries in one hand and a plate of steamed dumplings in the other. In the background, Dumpling Darling Amumu desperately reaches for tabled food and Dumpling Darling Syndra cooks at the stove.
Credit: Riot Games
  • Aphelios
  • Mundo
  • Seraphine
  • Zed

LoL patch 25.5 champion nerfs

Noxus skins featuring Masque of the Black Rose Elise
Credit: Riot Games
  • Ambessa
  • Ashe
  • Aurora
  • Cho’Gath
  • Elise
  • K’Sante
  • Skarner
  • Yorick (jungle)

LoL patch 25.5 champion adjustments

Cafe Cutie Poppy slams her bear-adorned hammer down, sending steamed milk and coffee beans flying from the impact.
Credit: Riot Games
  • Poppy (top/jungle)

System buffs

  • Sixth Sense
  • Unflinching

System nerfs

  • Axiom Arcanist

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