All damage is getting nerfed in League of Legends, here’s why

TL;DR

  • Riot Games implementing comprehensive damage reduction across all League of Legends champions and abilities
  • Combat duration expected to increase by 15-25%, favoring extended skirmish specialists
  • Tank and bruiser champions likely to dominate new meta with sustained damage profiles
  • Strategic adaptations required for item builds, skill rotations, and team compositions
  • Mid-season 2022 update represents largest systemic combat adjustment in recent years

The gaming landscape is poised for transformation as Riot Games prepares to implement sweeping damage adjustments across League of Legends. These modifications will impact every damage source within the game, fundamentally altering how engagements unfold and strategies develop at both casual and professional levels.

Development teams at Riot Games initially signaled intentions to address systemic damage inflation during November 2021 discussions. After extensive internal testing and community feedback analysis, these comprehensive nerfs are now scheduled for deployment. Senior game designer Riot Axe confirmed that forthcoming updates will specifically target combat pacing, extending engagement durations while reducing overall lethality percentages.

Long-standing community concerns regarding damage creep—the gradual accumulation of additional damage sources through successive patches—have finally prompted decisive action. The development team’s commitment to decreasing universal damage output represents the most significant combat mechanics overhaul since the item system rework. Through official Reddit communications, Riot Axe indicated that detailed specifications for game-wide damage reductions will be published shortly.


Primary insights from Riot Axe’s developer commentary emphasize deliberate combat pacing slowdowns. These changes will permit extended teamfight durations while creating additional windows for mechanical outplay opportunities. As League of Legends evolved through modernization efforts, engagement speeds accelerated considerably. Current developer assessment suggests the game has surpassed optimal pacing thresholds, necessitating corrective measures. Following successful implementation of sustain item and healing adjustments earlier this season, global damage modifications represent the next phase in Riot’s balanced gameplay initiative.

These extensive damage recalibrations promise to dramatically reshape competitive dynamics, particularly benefiting tank specialists and champions excelling in prolonged exchanges. The combination of redesigned itemization systems and Runes Reforged introduced unprecedented damage amplification tools. Considering the scope of these impending adjustments, the update likely functions as a mid-season meta transformation tool for the competitive calendar’s second half.

The impending damage normalization will create distinct advantages for specific champion archetypes while presenting adaptation challenges for others. Tank specialists—particularly those with inherent scaling mechanisms and crowd control utilities—stand to benefit most significantly from extended engagement windows.

Bruiser champions possessing hybrid durability and damage profiles will experience meta relevance shifts. Those with consistent damage patterns rather than burst combinations will find increased viability in the restructured combat environment.

Assassin mains face substantial gameplay adjustments as their signature one-shot capabilities undergo moderation. Successful adaptation will require revised target selection, modified engagement timing, and potentially altered itemization paths to maintain effectiveness within new parameters.

Marksmen and artillery mages may discover enhanced survival potential during teamfight phases. The reduced burst threat enables more consistent damage output throughout extended engagements, though positioning remains critically important.

Extended skirmish dynamics will reward champions with sustained damage patterns, defensive scaling mechanisms, and rotational crowd control abilities. Team composition strategies will likely emphasize durability and utility over pure explosive potential.

Strategic preparation for these systemic changes requires both immediate and long-term adaptation planning. Players should begin experimenting with alternative item builds that prioritize sustained damage and defensive statistics over pure offensive power.

Common adaptation mistakes include overestimating burst damage potential, underestimating survival requirements, and maintaining outdated engagement patterns. Successful transition involves recognizing new damage thresholds and adjusting playstyle accordingly.

Advanced optimization involves recalculating ability rotation sequences to maximize damage-per-second rather than burst windows. Cooldown management becomes increasingly important as engagements extend beyond initial ability volleys.

Meta predictions suggest tank-focused compositions will dominate initial post-update periods. Teams incorporating multiple frontline champions with crowd control synergy will likely achieve highest success rates during the meta stabilization phase.

Professional players and high-ranked competitors should focus on mastering extended trade patterns and resource management. The reduced lethality environment rewards precise execution and strategic patience over aggressive all-in maneuvers.

Action Checklist

  • Analyze your main champions’ sustained damage profiles versus burst capabilities
  • Experiment with alternative item builds emphasizing durability and consistent damage
  • Practice extended trading patterns in custom games to adapt to longer combat durations
  • Review patch notes thoroughly upon release to identify specific champion and item adjustments
  • Adjust team composition strategies to prioritize frontline durability and crowd control synergy

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