Playrent.gg-LOL Patch 26.17: Biggest Changes to Champions and Items

Meta Description: LOL Patch 26.17 brings major buffs to Irelia, LeBlanc and Qiyana while nerfing Graves, Nasus, Thresh and Vayne with key item changes.

Summary: LOL Patch 26.17 is shaping up as a major balance update, with League of Legends buffing eight champions while nerfing six others, plus important item adjustments.

LOL Patch 26.17 is set to arrive on August 26, bringing a sizable batch of buffs, nerfs and item adjustments. The biggest winners include Irelia, LeBlanc, Qiyana, Yasuo and Yone, while Graves, Nasus, Thresh and Vayne are among the champions taking hits. Players looking to build their collections around the current meta can also explore buy League of Legends accounts.

League of Legends Patch 26.17: Biggest Champion Buffs

League of Legends Patch 26.17 focuses heavily on champions that can benefit from stronger early-game trading, scaling or ability damage.

Cho'Gath gets 10 additional flat damage on E at every rank, strengthening one of his most reliable trading tools. Irelia receives a significant 10% increase to her Q AD ratio, potentially helping her maintain more pressure as games progress.

LeBlanc is another major winner. Her early attack-speed profile is being adjusted to improve farming, while both her W and ultimate W receive a 10% AP ratio increase. Since W is central to her burst pattern, this could be one of the patch's most noticeable buffs.

Qiyana's Q gains 10 damage at all ranks alongside a small bonus AD increase. Because experienced players can repeatedly reset her Q during fights, the buff has significant snowball potential.

Other Buffed Champions

Yasuo: Crit damage reduction lowered by 5%, increasing his critical-hit damage.

Yone: Receives the same 5% reduction to his crit damage penalty.

Trundle: W attack-speed scaling increases as the ability levels up.

Aurelion Sol: Q mana cost decreases, while W cooldown improves with ability ranks.

The Aurelion Sol changes should be especially noticeable during the early game. Lower Q mana costs allow him to spend more time farming and stacking without burning through his resources.

Patch Watch: LeBlanc, Irelia and Qiyana are among the champions most likely to attract attention immediately after the update because their buffs directly improve core damage patterns.

New Changes For Patch 26.17: Biggest Nerfs

The New Changes For Patch 26.17 also include several meaningful nerfs aimed at reducing damage, sustain and early-game pressure.

Graves takes one of the more substantial hits. His Q will scale less effectively with bonus AD, and because the ability deals damage both on the outgoing and returning portions, the practical loss can be considerable.

Nasus loses passive lifesteal at every level. That directly reduces his laning sustain, making the early stages of the game more difficult when he needs to survive while farming.

Nocturne is losing 2 base armor and 15 base health, reducing his early durability. Thresh, meanwhile, loses 10 active E damage at every level along with part of its AP ratio.

Vayne is also being pushed back. Her Q will cost more mana during the early game, while W deals noticeably less damage, particularly against tanks.

Patch 26.17 Nerf Breakdown

Graves: Lower bonus AD scaling on Q.

Nasus: Reduced passive lifesteal.

Nocturne: -2 armor, -15 health.

Thresh: Lower E active damage and AP scaling.

Vayne: Higher Q mana cost and weaker W damage.

Xerath: Lower base armor and 5 less Q damage at all ranks.

Xerath's changes should reduce the frustration of repeated long-range poke, while Thresh's nerf is comparatively targeted rather than affecting his entire kit.

LOL Patch 26.17 Item Changes and Meta Impact

The item changes are smaller in number but could still influence the meta. Stormrazor receives a 5% attack-speed buff, giving its users more offensive pressure.

Sundered Sky goes in the opposite direction, losing both attack damage and 50 health. That is a substantial reduction in raw stats and could make alternative items more attractive for champions that previously relied on its combination of damage and durability.

What Players Should Watch

Potential Winners

Irelia

LeBlanc

Qiyana

Yasuo

Yone

Aurelion Sol

Potential Losers

Graves

Nasus

Thresh

Vayne

Xerath

Sundered Sky users

The biggest question is whether these changes create a completely new tier list or simply strengthen already viable picks. LeBlanc's increased AP scaling and Irelia's stronger Q are particularly important for skilled players, while the Yasuo and Yone adjustments could make their late-game damage more threatening.

TL;DR

LOL Patch 26.17 delivers 8 champion buffs, 6 champion nerfs and multiple item changes, with LeBlanc, Irelia, Qiyana, Yasuo and Yone standing out as major winners. Graves, Nasus, Thresh and Vayne receive some of the most meaningful nerfs.

The patch should create noticeable shifts in lane pressure, scaling and item choices once it goes live. Players preparing for the new meta can also check.

Which champion do you expect to become the biggest winner after Patch 26.17?