TFT Patch 12.5 Notes: Champion and Item Changes

TFT 12.5 is on its way, and this update is a big one: Riot, since Set 6.5's release, is bringing the first major Neon Nights balance changes targeting Rek'Sai, Jhin, Ahri, and more. Here's a full preview of the March update, including the early patch notes.

Neon Nights builds on Gizmos & Gadgets, introduced in Set 6, and TFT patch 12.5 is here to fine-tune the wild west of the balance that followed. This isn't the first update since Set 6.5 went live: Silco, Renata Glasc, Sivir, and the Hextech trait were nerfed as part of the TFT 12.4b patch on February 22. But this one includes some bigger changes that Riot couldn't fit in earlier.

Are the big names being targeted? Rek'Sai, Jhin, Ahri, Zeri, Tryndamere, Twitch, Corki — more than 20 champions, plus five traits and a handful of Augments, are getting highlighted. Here's what we know about TFT patch 12.5.

What's Coming in the TFT 12.5 Patch?

Jhin Seems to Be Getting a Bit Stronger.

Like Andy from Toy Story — the moment the new Neon Nights champions and traits showed up, TFT players looked at units like Jhin and the Arcanist trait and said "I don't want to play with you anymore." Jhin was never bad, even though Sivir and Irelia overshadowed him as the top four-cost carry before TFT patch 12.4b. Now, he's getting a "light" buff alongside his usual frontline pairing, Braum, to help him out.

Arcanists are also getting some love since the AP composition dropped off without Lux. Ahri is getting "a tweak to make her easier and more satisfying to play," which should help both Syndicate and Arcanist players. Vex was also recently buffed in the b-patch, which helped serve that same purpose.

Rek'Sai Looks Set for a Small Update.

Still, TFT players may be having a little too much fun with some of the new units in Neon Nights. One of the most glaring examples is Rek'Sai. After getting nerfed in the February 22 update, Riot is eager to keep iterating by reworking the two-cost unit.

At the same time, her synergy with Sejuani — also a three-trait, two-cost unit — has made the pair a strong early-game pairing on every board. She can also transition into a secondary late-game carry alongside Kha'Zix in Mutant compositions with little pushback.

Rek'Sai's resistance shred and damage have already been hit, but with the big changes in the TFT 12.5 patch, Riot wants to "open up more defensive builds against a flexible, three-trait, two-cost unit that currently has no real counterplay."

Brand, Corki, and Lucian Are Also Getting Buffed.

Some reroll compositions are performing better than others in Neon Nights — Twitch, Tryndamere, and Malzahar among them. Riot is looking to adjust other reroll carries like Brand, Corki, and Lucian to give them a bit more power in the meta. Even Ashe is getting a look at one- and two-star, though those changes will most likely help her serve as a re-carry option within a Syndicate composition instead.

More TFT News

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Click here. for our TFT Set 6.5 Ahri Guide.

Click here for When Is TFT Set 6.5 Coming Out?

Click here for our article on All TFT Set 6.5 Champions and Traits.

Click here for our other article about TFT Set 6.5.

Click here for TFT Gizmos & Gadgets: What Are the Rewards and Missions in Set 6.5?

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