LoL patch 9.15 takes shape with many buffs and a few nerfs

League of Legends enthusiasts can anticipate significant gameplay refinements arriving with Patch 9.15, scheduled for deployment on July 31. Lead gameplay designer Mark Yetter has provided exclusive insights into the development team’s current strategic direction for this upcoming balance update.

This comprehensive patch introduces substantial champion equilibrium modifications across multiple roles. Four champions face targeted nerfs: Evelynn, Rumble, Qiyana, and Karma. Conversely, fourteen champions receive performance enhancements including Lissandra, Malphite, Poppy, Graves, Lee Sin, Kha’Zix, Galio, Swain, Leblanc, Syndra, Xerath, Lucian, Soraka, and Vayne.

Evelynn’s jungle dominance receives a calculated reduction through her Q ability cooldown refund against monsters decreasing to 50%. This adjustment specifically targets her early clear speed and sustain capabilities, forcing more strategic ability usage during initial jungle rotations.

Rumble’s defensive capabilities undergo reduction with his W shield receiving a power decrease. Similarly, Karma’s bonus shield effectiveness gets scaled back, reducing her teamfight protection potential. Qiyana experiences a substantial ultimate cooldown extension to 120 seconds, dramatically increasing the strategic importance of proper ultimate timing. Additionally, opponents gain the tactical option to flash away from her E engagement, providing counterplay opportunities against her aggressive initiation patterns.

Assassin champions receive significant offensive improvements. Lee Sin and Kha’Zix gain increased Q damage, enhancing their burst potential and jungle clear efficiency. For Lee Sin specifically, this translates to more reliable early gank pressure and objective control capabilities.

Mage adjustments include Swain’s Q becoming effective at extended ranges, while Galio’s passive now scales with cooldown reduction and delivers heightened damage output. His E skill damage also receives a notable increase, strengthening his trading patterns in lane phase engagements.

ADC champions benefit from substantial enhancements. Vayne’s Condemn ability now inflicts 150% increased damage when stunning opponents against terrain, up from the previous 100% modifier. This change dramatically increases her outplay potential in confined spaces and jungle skirmishes.

Tank and support improvements include Malphite’s Q delivering extended slow duration with amplified initial hit damage. Lissandra gains increased base health and health per level, improving her durability in extended engagements. Poppy’s W movement speed receives a boost during active ability duration, enhancing her repositioning and engagement capabilities.

Xerath’s ultimate undergoes a fundamental range restructuring. Instead of scaling from 3,200 to 5,600 based on ability rank, the range now remains fixed at 5,000 across all levels. This standardization provides consistent artillery capabilities throughout the game while reducing his late-game range advantage.

Riot Games’ development team strategically implements these modifications to cultivate more balanced competitive gameplay as teams prepare for the approaching World Championship. Mark Yetter emphasizes that players should anticipate potential adjustments before final patch deployment, as the team prioritizes minimizing disruption to established game dynamics.

These champion adjustments will significantly impact current meta compositions. Jungle pathing strategies may shift with Evelynn’s reduced clear speed, while mid-lane mage matchups will evolve with the numerous ability enhancements. Understanding these changes early provides competitive advantages in both ranked play and tournament preparation.

No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » LoL patch 9.15 takes shape with many buffs and a few nerfs League of Legends Patch 9.15 brings major champion adjustments with buffs to 14 champions and nerfs to 4 key picks