League of Legends patch 26.23 preview: K’Sante buffs, Syndra nerfs, Voltaic Cyclosword nerfs, and more

League of Legends patch 26.23 is set to introduce a fresh round of champion and item adjustments, with K’Sante buffs, Syndra nerfs, and changes to Voltaic Cyclosword among the key highlights. Riot Games has shared an early preview of the upcoming update, outlining changes aimed at improving champion balance and addressing the current ranked and professional play metas.

Matt Leung-Harrison, better known as RiotPhroxzon, revealed the preliminary patch 26.23 adjustments. The update will be the second-to-last League of Legends patch of 2026 and is expected to include buffs for several established professional-play champions, alongside nerfs for characters and items considered too strong.

Here is everything revealed so far about the League of Legends patch 26.23 preview, including the complete list of champion buffs, champion nerfs, system changes, and the expected release date.

League of Legends patch 26.23: All champion changes

The upcoming update will feature adjustments across two major champion categories: buffs and nerfs. Several champions that have struggled to perform consistently, particularly outside coordinated professional environments, are expected to receive improvements.

Champion buffs in LoL patch 26.23

According to RiotPhroxzon’s preview, the following 11 champions are scheduled to receive buffs in patch 26.23:

• Akshan
• Annie
• Azir
• Bard
• Ezreal
• Galio
• Gnar
• K’Sante
• Mel
• Vel’Koz
• Vi

One of the most notable names on the list is K’Sante, whose upcoming buffs could make him a more attractive option for players. Azir, Galio, and Ezreal are also receiving attention as Riot looks to improve the performance of champions with established professional-play histories.

RiotPhroxzon explained that several of the selected champions have struggled to translate their professional strengths into regular Solo Queue games. Coordinated teams can make better use of certain champions’ abilities, while average ranked matches often lack the same level of teamwork and communication.

“Of the interesting buffs, many of the historical Pro staples are receiving buffs this patch to round out the year for average play. These include champs like Azir, Galio, K’Sante, Ezreal, etc. Many of these champs feel pretty weak, even in the highest levels of Solo Queue, because they just don’t thrive as much in non-coordinated environments (Ezreal a bit less so).”

The explanation suggests that Riot wants to make some historically popular professional champions more effective in ordinary ranked matches. However, the preview does not yet provide specific ability changes, numerical adjustments, or detailed explanations for every champion receiving a buff.

Champion nerfs in LoL patch 26.23

While several champions are receiving buffs, three others are currently listed for nerfs. The changes are expected to address champions that have been performing particularly well in ranked gameplay.

• LeBlanc
• Master Yi
• Syndra

Master Yi and Syndra are among the champions Riot has identified as troublesome in the recent ranked environment. Syndra previously received a nerf a few patches ago, but the adjustment was relatively limited. Her inclusion in patch 26.23 suggests that Riot is considering further changes to bring her performance under control.

LeBlanc is also included in the nerf list, although the preview does not explain the specific reason for her adjustment or reveal which abilities and statistics will be affected.

It is important to note that these are preliminary champion changes. Players will need to wait for the complete patch notes to learn the exact numbers and gameplay effects.

Voltaic Cyclosword nerf leads the system changes

Champion adjustments are not the only major part of League of Legends patch 26.23. Riot is also preparing a system-level nerf for Voltaic Cyclosword, an item that developers believe is currently performing too strongly.

System nerfs

• Voltaic Cyclosword

Voltaic Cyclosword is the only system change specifically listed in the current preview. The item is being adjusted because of its strength compared with other available item choices.

Its competition includes Umbral Glaive, Hubris, Profane Hydra, and Youmuu’s Ghostblade. These items could all feature in the evolving item meta, but Voltaic Cyclosword appears to have become slightly too powerful and is therefore being targeted for a nerf.

The preview does not reveal whether Riot plans to change the item’s damage, cost, passive effect, or other statistics. Those details are expected to become clearer when the full patch notes are published.

Why League of Legends patch 26.23 could be important

Patch 26.23 could be an important update for players who follow both professional League of Legends and ranked gameplay. The champion buffs focus partly on established professional picks that have struggled in less coordinated environments, while the nerfs target champions that have recently caused balance concerns in Solo Queue.

The planned improvements for Azir, Galio, K’Sante, and Ezreal are particularly interesting because these champions have historically been associated with professional play. Making them more effective in regular ranked matches could give players additional reasons to consider them outside competitive team environments.

Meanwhile, the planned nerfs for LeBlanc, Master Yi, and Syndra could affect champion selection in ranked games. Voltaic Cyclosword’s adjustment may also influence item choices for champions that rely on it.

However, the overall impact will depend on the exact numerical changes. The preview provides the list of planned adjustments but does not yet include enough detail to determine how significantly each champion or item will be affected.

League of Legends patch 26.23 release date

League of Legends patch 26.23 is scheduled to arrive on live servers on November 18, 2026. It will be the second-to-last patch of the year, giving players another round of balance adjustments before the final update of 2026.

Until the complete patch notes are released, the champion and item changes should be treated as preliminary. Riot may provide additional details or make adjustments to the preview before the update goes live.

Final thoughts

League of Legends patch 26.23 is shaping up to be a notable balance update, with 11 champions listed for buffs, three scheduled for nerfs, and Voltaic Cyclosword targeted for a system adjustment. K’Sante’s return to the buff list and Syndra’s inclusion among the nerfs are two of the biggest talking points.

The update’s broader goal appears to be improving the experience for average ranked players while addressing champions and items that have become too strong. More details will be needed to understand the full impact, but the November 18 release date gives players a clear timeline for the upcoming changes.