League of Legends introduced two small Patch Notes for March headlined by Shyvana‘s new look. There were also small adjustments with a desire not to change the game too much. This comes in relation to the first International Professional Event that happened this month.
The patches was largely built around shuffling meta pro picks in and out of meta for the International. Therefore, there is no surprise to see the usual suspects such as Azir get nerfed and instantly buffed again the moment the Patch changed on and off the Pro Event Patch.
Shyvana’s update will also allow her to be played with a new look and abilities. In term of Game modes, Brawl made a return and ARAM Mayhem also continues to ship its regular updates for that player base.
Patch Notes Changes for 26.5 & 26.6
It’s a relatively small two patches during March, which will point to some stability for a lot of lanes, with Jungle and Mid probably being affected the most these two patches, and some bruisers that have the ability to also go Top will also have some of their numbers adjusted.
Champion Buffs(26.5/26.6)
The buffed Champions include:
- Azir
- Cassiopeia
- Garen
- Lee Sin
- Lillia
- Lissandra
- Mel
- Nocturne
- Olaf
- Skarner
- Tryndamere
- Volibear
The 26.5 Buffs are a disappointing step for League of Legends just due to their philosophy. They want to make easier champions equally as powerful as Champions requiring more mechanics, knowledge and practice. Garen was already terrorizing in every rank and gets buffed again. Mel recently got nerfed due to the frustration to play her and gets re-buffed.
Nocturne gains significant movement speed off his abilities, and a largely brawl to the death stat stick Top/Jungle in Volibear gets his damages buffed and his Mana costs lowered. Simple Champions should not statistically perform as well at the highest level due to ease of execution. Additionally, the buffed Champions should be markedly underpowered as they are frustrating to play against at all levels.
26.6’s buffs are more solo queue centric, with traditional bruisers out of meta such as Olaf and Tryndamere being buffed. It continues the worrying trend of buffing simple Champions though. However, the Cassio buffs may also tip her into broken territory. Overall a frustrating and potentially harmful set of Champions in the buff list this month.
The First Stand Patch has an Azir nerf? Likely the same will happen for MSI and Worlds
Champions Nerfs (26.5/26.6)
The nerfed Champions include:
- Ahri
- Azir
- Kha’zix
- Neeko
- Orianna
- Pyke
- Shen
- Taliyah
- Varus
- Zaahen
The nerfs in 26.5 are probably pro skewed in an extreme way. They wanted to tone down Azir, Neeko, Orianna and Varus who are powerful blinds who cannot be traditionally counter picked. For an International Patch, it’s both understandable and fair. Although their solo queue users may find it annoying, it is the cost of playing the most high end optimal Champions in the game.
The 26.6 Nerfs are more toned down, where the small numbers changes still probably retain Ahri in her broken state. Pyke loses tankiness and Zaahen will have his clear slowed down, although probably not significantly enough for him to be too largely effected. Considering his biggest strength in his teamfighting and brawling tools are largely completely intact against Champions, he still remains strong.
Shyvana’s Update goes live!
Champions Adjusted (26.5/26.6)
- Akali
- Samira
Akali‘s shroud re-stealth timer being based on levels is an interesting change. It pushes her playstyle to become even more feast or famine, with early snowballs proving deadly, while being behind the curve costing her greatly.
Samira‘s Q Adjustment is more to do with interactions based on feel and frustration. It is likely more to do with how the game felt when abilities didn’t land where they should’ve. It’s another adjustment that is wait and see.
Although both shouldn’t be game altering, with Akali lanes probably becoming higher probability to gank. However, Mid Laners never get ganked so it doesn’t matter.
Teammates got you down? Sick of the endless grind? Hungry for LP? Come on down to Swain’s Hot Chicken for some finger-lickin’, cluckin’ fun!🍗🍗 pic.twitter.com/xZa8RKV4bT
— League of Legends (@LeagueOfLegends) March 17, 2026
Item and System Changes (26.5/26.6)
- Hubris
- Locket of the Iron Solari
- Chempunk Chainsaw
- Sunfire Aegis
- Support Farming
The items over the two Patches are all buffed, with most of the items not performing their niche at a statistically relevant level. This is seen through pick rate or through how the Gold is distributed over its build path. It feels like a good fine tune that can be easily walked back, and should be if they become overpowered. However, it is likely the small changes will hardly lead to those cases.
The Support Item Penalty for CS’ing or farming is also lessened, which is probably an unnecessary change. Support’s yoink Gold from the team unnecessarily even at the best of times through taking kills and shutdowns.
Additionally, they over CS in lane when capable, so lessening those penalties may slow down the ADC’s power curve. It is however probably necessary for Late Game especially for losing supports to farm if they are capable to stop the push of waves. Therefore, it is a slippery slope.
No fools, just fun 🎉
Bubble Bash Blitzcrank, Pug Trainer Sejuani, Surprise Party Vex, and Choncc Kench are available in Patch 26.7. pic.twitter.com/pnwwG1kth3— League of Legends (@LeagueOfLegends) March 17, 2026
Shyvana Update
Shyvana‘s Update is an interesting thought experiment into power budget and power creep in League of Legends. Shyvana has needed a rework for a good while now, and her kit has largely always remained underpowered in recent years. This update makes it easier to buff for modern standards, but it probably keeps her on the underpowered side for most players outside her OTP’s.
Her Power Budget is low because she is an old Champion, and she got Power Crept on. Her Passive is her biggest win, as it gives large amounts of Magic Resist and Armour as the game progresses. The other abilities largely retain their identity… that is to say that they are basically the same.
It can be argued it was an over glorified Visual Update. Her abilities now adhere to modern standards including some lifesteal, Shielding and overall more modern concepts being introduced into her kit. This will give her potential to be strong in the future.
However, the skepticism around the community that this is just a visual glossover and an excuse to make her relevant one patch every two years is inescapable and probably closer to the truth than anyone would like it to be.
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