LoL 26.22 patch notes: Mel rework and TFT client
LoL 26.22 patch notes: Mel's W is reworked, Locke, Thresh and Yasuo are nerfed, and TFT moves to its own client. Here are the key changes and new skins.
5 min read
In brief
AI summaryPatch 26.22 buffs several champions, nerfs Locke, Thresh and Yasuo, and adjusts marksman items such as Doran’s Bow.
Mel’s W is reworked into a nova that destroys projectiles, grants movement speed and shields, while her overall power shifts toward scaling.
TFT is moving to a standalone client, while ARAM: Mayhem, League Classic and K/DA Firestarter skins receive new content.
Contents10 sections
The LoL 26.22 patch notes are out. Riot has reworked Mel's W, nerfed Locke, Thresh and Yasuo, and is moving TFT into its own client. The patch also brings the K/DA Firestarter skins.
Riot posted the notes on November 3, with separate sections for Summoner's Rift, ARAM: Mayhem and League Classic. Here are the changes that matter most.
What are the key changes in the LoL 26.22 patch notes?
Riot is giving pro-tuned champions like Corki and Rumble more room now that they are less of a Worlds concern. The developers say both had been held back by pro play. At the same time, the most-banned picks, Locke and Yasuo, take a hit. For marksmen, Riot wants Doran's Bow and Gluttonous Greaves to feel less like the only build.
Here is a quick summary:
| Champion / item | Change | Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Aurelion Sol | E (Singularity) damage up to 50-170, AP ratio 60-80% | Buff |
| Corki | R damage 100/190/280, Big One 200/380/560 | Buff |
| Kayle | Q cooldown 10-8s, R cooldown 140/110/80s | Buff |
| Locke | Q stack damage down to 15-43, W duration 6s to 5s | Nerf |
| Mel | W reworked, lower Q and R cooldowns later on | Midscope |
| Naafiri, Maokai, Shen, Smolder, Rumble, Viktor, Zaahen | Damage, healing or cooldown improvements | Buff |
| Thresh | Attack damage 56 to 54, R damage 200/350/500 | Nerf |
| Yasuo | Q total AD ratio 105% to 100% | Nerf |
| Doran's Bow | Attack damage 8 to 7 | Nerf |
| Overlord's Bloodmail | Attack damage 30 to 40, Retribution 0-10% | Buff |
Thresh is nerfed again because he stayed at the top of the support rankings for high-level players after his last nerf. Viktor gets some late-game power back after last patch's nerf hit harder than expected. The Maokai and Shen changes aim to push both tanks back into the jungle and top lane.
Why did Mel's W change?
Mel is the headline of this patch. Her old W reflected enemy projectiles back at their owners. The new W releases a nova that grows to a 400-unit radius. It destroys enemy missiles and shields, speeds up Mel and her allies, and deals retaliation damage for each destroyed missile when it ends. It also grants a short shield.
Riot says power is moving from Mel's early game into her scaling. Base health drops from 640 to 590 but grows faster per level. Her Q's first hit is weaker while the extra hits are stronger, and Q now refunds part of its cooldown when it hits a champion. Her R cooldown falls from 120/100/80 to 120/90/60 seconds.
PCGamesN writer Paul Kelly is not a fan. In his view, reflecting projectiles was what made Mel unique, and he expects her to drift toward the support role from now on.
TFT gets a standalone client
The other big story is TFT. Riot says TFT moves into its own client from November 4, 2026, which makes 26.22 a larger download than usual. Swapping between the two games should take a single click. Existing TFT cosmetics remain usable in League. The first TFT-only Little Legends arrive on December 1, and full separation of TFT cosmetics follows on December 15. A future patch will let players opt out of TFT downloads entirely.
What changes in ARAM: Mayhem and Classic?
In ARAM: Mayhem, fighters were closing games too quickly while tanks felt fragile. Riot has nerfed tank-melting augments such as Take 'Em Down Down Down and Weapon of Destiny, and buffed Soul Eater and Stay Resolute. Butcher's Bridge and Koeshin's Crossing return to rotation, and two new augments, One Hit Wonder and RISE!, join the pool.
League Classic adds three older champion versions: the 2011-2018 Volibear, the 2010-2016 Swain and classic Elise. Janna's global speed passive drops from 3% to 2%. Amumu, Fiddlesticks and Rammus are nerfed, while Evelynn, AP Ezreal, Gangplank, Nami and Olaf get buffs. Classic Pass token gains are up 50% after a configuration mistake.
New skins
- K/DA Firestarter Ahri, Evelynn and Kai'Sa
- K/DA Firestarter Ignition Akali
- K/DA Hitmaker Evelynn
- Prestige Classic Baron Kog'Maw
We will see how these changes shape ranked play over the coming days. For last patch's numbers, check our LoL 26.21 tier list by role. TFT players can start with our TFT Set 18 meta comps, and for the pro scene see IG's win over TES at Worlds 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What happened to Mel in LoL patch 26.22?
Mel got a midscope update. Her W no longer reflects projectiles; it releases a nova that destroys enemy missiles and shields, then retaliates. Power moves from early game to scaling, and her R cooldown drops to 120/90/60 seconds.
When does TFT move to its own client?
Riot says TFT moves to a standalone client starting November 4, 2026, which is why 26.22 is a bigger download. Existing TFT cosmetics still work in League. The first TFT-only Little Legends arrive on December 1 and full cosmetic separation follows on December 15.
Who got nerfed in patch 26.22?
On Summoner's Rift, Locke, Thresh and Yasuo were nerfed, and Doran's Bow drops from 8 to 7 attack damage. Hecarim and several strong augments were toned down in ARAM: Mayhem, while Janna, Amumu, Fiddlesticks and Rammus were nerfed in League Classic.
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LoL, TFT ve VALORANT sever bir oyun sever ve oyuncu. Mobil platformlarda ise tam bir Clash of clans hastası.
