TL;DR
- Patch 9.15 delivers targeted champion buffs to Galio, Leblanc, Lee Sin, and Poppy to stabilize the competitive meta
- Six new PROJECT skins featuring Pyke, Jinx, Akali, Warwick, and Irelia launch August 1 with prestige edition
- Legacy cursor temporarily restored after community backlash but remains on removal timeline
- Professional playoffs preparation drives conservative balance approach with minimal disruptive changes
- Community feedback successfully influenced Riot’s UI decisions in this update cycle

League of Legends Patch 9.15 has officially launched across all servers worldwide.
This update adopts a measured approach following the substantial meta shifts introduced in Patch 9.14. Riot Games previously committed to minimizing disruptive changes during professional league playoffs preparation, and 9.15 reflects this strategic positioning perfectly. The development team focuses on fine-tuning rather than overhauling core systems.
Strategic timing considerations make this patch particularly important for competitive players. With regional playoffs approaching, stability becomes paramount for teams practicing specific compositions and strategies. Understanding these patch dynamics can give you a competitive edge in both ranked play and tournament preparation.
LoL champion changes in Patch 9.15
Several champions received targeted adjustments, but four specific changes demand closer examination for their potential competitive impact.
Galio’s recovery buffs address his plummeting performance after losing flash-cast capabilities on his stun ability. The Colossus now gains enhanced damage output through passive ability modifications and E skill improvements. These compensatory changes aim to restore his viability without reintroducing the problematic mechanics removed previously.
Leblanc’s Ethereal Chains (E) damage amplification provides significant trading power in lane phase. Meanwhile, Lee Sin’s Sonic Wave (Q) base damage increase enhances his early game jungle clear and gank potential. Poppy’s Steadfast Presence (W) movement speed boost improves her engage and disengage flexibility during team fights.
These champions already maintain strong solo queue win rates, and these buffs could elevate their priority in professional drafts. However, players should beware of overestimating these changes – professional meta often evolves differently from public ranked play. Strategic counter-picking remains crucial despite individual champion improvements.
New PROJECT skins for Pyke, Akali, and more
August 1 marks the arrival of six cutting-edge PROJECT skins, continuing Riot’s popular cyberpunk-inspired cosmetic line. These futuristic designs were previewed through dual cinematic trailers earlier this month, building anticipation within the community.
The narrative framework introduces “a band of cybernetic castoffs” executing an infiltration mission against the PROJECT Corporation headquarters. This rebel faction includes Pyke, Jinx, Akali, Warwick, and Irelia with her exclusive prestige edition variant.
Beyond the skins themselves, players can acquire matching icons and experience a specialized login screen that immerses them in the PROJECT universe. The skin line’s continued expansion demonstrates Riot’s commitment to developing rich thematic worlds beyond gameplay mechanics alone.
For collectors and lore enthusiasts, these skins represent more than visual upgrades – they expand Runeterra’s narrative possibilities. The outsider perspective introduced in this set contrasts with previous PROJECT releases that typically featured corporate enforcers or system loyalists.
Is the legacy cursor gone in Patch 9.15?
The classic bronze gauntlet cursor has returned temporarily after its unexpected removal sparked widespread community protest. This reversal represents a significant victory for player feedback influencing development decisions.
The controversial replacement arrow cursor debuted in Patch 8.14 last year, but players consistently maintained access to the traditional option until this update. The unexplained elimination of choice triggered unified criticism across all player segments – from professional competitors to casual enthusiasts.
Riot developers acknowledged community sentiment by restoring the legacy option “for 9.15 and onward at this time.” However, they explicitly cautioned that complete removal remains planned for future updates, making this a temporary reprieve rather than permanent restoration.
This incident highlights the delicate balance between modernizing game elements and respecting player preferences. While visual consistency matters for new user experience, established players develop muscle memory and visual recognition patterns around familiar interface elements.
UI changes often provoke stronger reactions than gameplay adjustments because they affect every match regardless of champion selection or role preference. The resolution demonstrates Riot’s willingness to listen, even when long-term plans remain unchanged.
Action Checklist
- Test Galio in practice tool to assess passive and E damage improvements for mid-lane viability
- Experiment with buffed champions (Leblanc, Lee Sin, Poppy) in normal games before ranked play
- Review PROJECT skin trailers and plan August 1 purchases based on champion preferences
- Adjust to legacy cursor restoration if you experienced issues with the default arrow
- Monitor professional player builds and runes for buffed champions through tracking sites
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