League of Legends Patch 26.21 is scheduled for October 21, 2026, with official notes published on October 20. The update adjusts champions including Caitlyn, Jinx, Lee Sin, Miss Fortune, Orianna, Rammus, Ryze, Sion and Tristana. It also changes Bastion Breaker, Dawncore, Gluttonous Greaves and Hubris. Beyond Summoner's Rift, Patch 26.21 introduces major ARAM: Mayhem additions, expands League Classic and updates Arena. This LoL Patch Notes hub explains the latest update, links to Riot's complete notes and maintains an archive of previous patches. Patch deployment times vary by region, so players should confirm that their client has updated before treating every new balance value as live.
Short answer: Patch 26.21 is the latest scheduled League of Legends update for October 21, 2026. Jinx and Caitlyn receive nerfs, Miss Fortune gains damage, and several tanks, mages and junglers are adjusted. Hubris and Gluttonous Greaves are also nerfed, while Dawncore is buffed. Riot's official notes were published on October 20, and Patch 26.22 is scheduled for November 4.
What Is the Latest League of Legends Patch?
League of Legends Patch 26.21 is the latest update scheduled for release on October 21, 2026. Riot published the official patch notes on October 20. Unlike Patch 26.20, which was used for the Worlds 2026 competitive environment, Patch 26.21 focuses on wider champion balance, item performance and game-mode updates.
The update covers several separate parts of League of Legends. Summoner's Rift receives champion and item changes, while ARAM: Mayhem, League Classic and Arena have their own updates. Riot also introduces a replay download limit and adjusts minimum system requirements.
| Detail | Current Information |
|---|---|
| Latest scheduled patch | 26.21 |
| Official patch notes published | October 20, 2026 |
| Patch release date | October 21, 2026 |
| Main balance focus | Champion balance across roles and item adjustments |
| Other modes updated | ARAM: Mayhem, League Classic and Arena |
| Next scheduled patch | 26.22 — November 4, 2026 |
Read the complete official Patch 26.21 notes for all numerical changes, game-mode updates and bug fixes. Riot may also add hotfix information after publication. The official release date does not guarantee that maintenance finishes simultaneously in every region.
How League of Legends Patch Numbers Work
Riot uses a year-based numbering system. In the current format, 26 represents 2026, and the number after the decimal identifies the update within that year. Patch 26.21 is therefore the twenty-first numbered update of 2026.
League of Legends normally receives patches approximately every two weeks, although the schedule can change. Riot's patch calendar specifies planned release dates in Pacific Time. Deployment timing and availability can differ between regional servers.
Associated cosmetic content may have separate release dates. For example, the True Damage Know My Name skins and Prestige Ekko skin are scheduled for October 21. Always check the relevant announcement instead of assuming that every listed addition is immediately available.
LoL Patch 26.21 Champion Buffs and Nerfs
Patch 26.21 changes champions across multiple Summoner's Rift roles. Riot is reducing the strength of several dominant marksmen and junglers while improving selected mages, tanks and other champions that need additional power. Some changes, including those to Caitlyn and Varus, redistribute strength between abilities rather than functioning as simple buffs or nerfs.
The impact depends on the affected ability, skill order, matchup and champion role. A reduction in early durability can matter more during laning than in late-game teamfights, while stronger ability scaling may primarily benefit champions who reach higher levels or complete additional items.
| Champion | Change | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Caitlyn | Adjustment — reduced Headshot scaling; increased Q base damage at higher ranks | Less late-game critical-strike burst, with stronger Piltover Peacemaker damage |
| Jinx | Nerf — base health 630 → 610; AD growth 3.25 → 3 | Lower early durability and slightly weaker damage scaling |
| Miss Fortune | Buff — increased E damage and R critical-strike damage multiplier | Stronger Make It Rain damage and more powerful critical Bullet Time waves |
| Tristana | Nerf — Q attack-speed bonus reduced at earlier ranks | Weaker early attack-speed pressure and less dominant opening trades |
| Lee Sin | Nerf — W cooldown 7 → 8 seconds; reduced R base damage | Less frequent Safeguard use and lower ultimate burst |
| Nidalee | Nerf — reduced Cougar W damage and human E attack-speed bonus | Lower damage and reduced attack-speed support for herself or allies |
| Rammus | Nerf — reduced W bonus armor and defensive resistance scaling | Less durability during Defensive Ball Curl |
| Sion | Buff — health growth 87 → 95; stronger R damage scaling during its initial charge | More late-game health and greater reward for effective ultimate engagements |
| Orianna | Buff — Q AP ratio 55% → 60%; W AP ratio 80% → 85% | Higher spell-combo damage as Ability Power increases |
| Ryze | Adjustment — stronger late-rank Q bonuses, increased W AP ratio and improved movement speed | Better later-game damage and mobility, despite a smaller rank-one Q flux bonus |
Other changes affect Azir, Darius, Locke, Nunu & Willump, Qiyana, Taliyah, Taric, Twisted Fate, Varus, Vel'Koz, Viktor, Wukong, Xin Zhao, Yone and Zyra. Azir gains mana growth, Darius receives a shorter maximum-rank Q cooldown, Nunu's ultimate gains damage, and Xin Zhao receives offensive scaling buffs. Viktor and Yone are nerfed, while Varus receives a redistribution of damage between Q and W. Refer to Riot's official notes for each ability's complete values.
What Patch 26.21 Means for ADC Players
Bot-lane players should pay particular attention to Caitlyn, Jinx, Miss Fortune, Tristana and Varus. Caitlyn loses some late-game Headshot damage but gains stronger Q damage. Jinx has less starting health and AD growth, while Tristana loses early Q attack speed. Miss Fortune receives increased E damage and stronger critical-strike scaling on her ultimate. Varus gains more emphasis on charged Q damage while parts of his W are adjusted downward.
Item changes also matter for marksmen. Gluttonous Greaves costs an additional 100 gold, while Hubris gives ranged champions less bonus AD than before. Combined with the previous Runaan's Hurricane nerf in Patch 26.20, these changes make it important to reconsider purchases rather than automatically copying an older build.
These adjustments do not establish one universally strongest ADC. Matchups, team compositions and post-patch performance still matter. Use the LoL Tier List for broader champion comparisons and the ADC Builds Guide for more detailed explanations of marksman items, runes and playstyles. Check their stated patch versions before relying on specific recommendations.
What Changed for Jungle, Mid and Top?
Jungle players should review the Lee Sin, Nidalee, Rammus, Taliyah, Wukong and Xin Zhao changes. Lee Sin loses some ability uptime and ultimate damage, Nidalee's offensive power is reduced, and Rammus becomes less durable during W. Taliyah gains E damage, while Xin Zhao receives improvements to his Q damage ratio and E attack-speed scaling. Wukong's adjustments reduce part of his early passive armor while improving base health regeneration.
In mid lane, Orianna gains stronger AP ratios, Azir receives additional mana per level, and Ryze gains improved later-game scaling. Viktor loses movement speed and Q shielding, Qiyana's Q damage decreases, and Vel'Koz gains stronger passive damage. These changes can affect trading, wave control and teamfight contribution differently.
Top-lane players should consider Sion's improved durability, Darius's shorter maximum-rank Q cooldown and the adjustments to Varus and Wukong. Yone also loses Q damage scaling. Individual matchups remain important, and a direct buff does not automatically require a complete build replacement.
LoL Patch 26.21 Item Changes
Four Summoner's Rift items receive direct balance changes: Bastion Breaker, Dawncore, Gluttonous Greaves and Hubris. These adjustments affect lethality builds, enchanter itemization and purchases used by marksmen and other damage-focused champions.
| Item | Before | After | Main Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hubris | 12 base bonus AD; 3 bonus AD per stack | 15 base / 3 per stack for melee; 10 base / 2 per stack for ranged | Stronger for melee users and weaker for ranged champions |
| Gluttonous Greaves | Total cost: 1,000 gold | Total cost: 1,100 gold | More expensive early purchase, delaying its power spike |
| Dawncore | 10 AP per 100% base mana regeneration | 15 AP per 100% base mana regeneration | More Ability Power for mana-regeneration-focused enchanter builds |
Hubris: Different Values for Melee and Ranged Champions
Hubris now provides 15 base bonus AD and 3 bonus AD per stack for melee champions, compared with 10 base bonus AD and 2 per stack for ranged users. Previously, both groups received 12 base bonus AD and 3 per stack. Riot intends to improve the item for melee champions while reducing its excessive performance on ranged users.
This distinction matters for marksmen and lethality-focused champions such as Miss Fortune. Her direct spell buffs should be considered together with the Hubris nerf. Melee champions may benefit from the stronger item values, but the purchase still depends on their damage pattern and available alternatives.
Gluttonous Greaves: Higher Purchase Cost
Gluttonous Greaves increases in price from 1,000 to 1,100 gold. Riot is targeting the item's strong early performance, particularly for marksmen. Its price increase does not directly reduce its combat statistics, but makes the purchase more expensive.
A 100-gold increase can influence early shopping decisions and the timing of later purchases. Players should evaluate whether the item is still worth buying at their usual point in the game rather than treating the higher cost as a universal reason to avoid it.
Dawncore and Bastion Breaker: AP Scaling and Lethality Changes
Dawncore now provides 15 AP instead of 10 AP per 100% base mana regeneration. This increases its offensive value for enchanters who already build substantial mana regeneration. The improvement does not guarantee that Dawncore becomes the best purchase for every support, because healing, shielding, survivability and item timing still matter.
Bastion Breaker is also adjusted. Its lethality decreases from 22 to 18, while Shaped Charge's base damage drops from 50 to 40 for melee users and from 25 to 20 for ranged users; its lethality-based damage scaling remains unchanged. The Sabotage window increases from 90 seconds to unlimited duration, giving users more flexibility to apply the objective-damage bonus. This is a trade-off rather than a straightforward removal of the item's purpose.
Explore services related to this guide, selected from our League of Legends catalog.
View All League of Legends Services
League Classic, ARAM Mayhem and Other Mode Changes
Patch 26.21 includes important updates outside standard Summoner's Rift. ARAM: Mayhem gains new gameplay features and progression systems, League Classic receives more historical champions, and Arena gets extensive balance changes. These mode-specific rules and values should not be treated as changes to ordinary Summoner's Rift matches.
League Classic Changes in Patch 26.21
League Classic adds four playable champions: Mordekaiser, Yorick, Hecarim and Lucian. They use historical versions of their abilities rather than automatically adopting their modern kits. Mordekaiser returns with his original ghost-generating ultimate, Yorick uses his old ghoul-focused gameplay, and Lucian has his historical 550 attack range.
Existing Classic champions also receive changes. Aatrox gains a lower passive cooldown at later levels, Irelia loses base health and health regeneration, and Karma receives ability buffs. Kassadin's earlier Classic nerfs are reverted, including improvements to his Q silence and R AP ratio. Atma's Impaler is buffed, with critical-strike chance increasing from 15% to 18% and its health-to-AD conversion returning to 2%.
These changes apply specifically to Classic. Mordekaiser's historical ultimate does not replace his modern Realm of Death on Summoner's Rift, and Classic Irelia's balance adjustments should not be applied to her current standard kit.
League Classic also has its own runes, masteries, items and progression context. Historical builds should be evaluated within those rules, while Riot's main patch notes remain the authoritative source for Classic updates.
ARAM Mayhem Changes in Patch 26.21
ARAM: Mayhem receives a major update called Journey to Stardom. Matches can feature Headliners that modify gameplay rules. Examples include K/DA, which rewards collecting four cards with an extra Augment, HEARTSTEEL, which introduces special Augment modifiers, and True Damage, which allows takedowns and destroyed towers to drop Anvils for the team.
The update introduces numerous Augments, including Silver Blue Barrier, Flow of Spirit, Fruitify, No Mana, No Problem and Ultimate Recursion. Several older Augments are removed, including Critical Missile, Dropkick, High Roller and Ult Bot. The update also introduces Superstar Ranks and band-themed missions that unlock rewards. Butcher's Bridge and Koeshin's Crossing are temporarily unavailable in Mayhem queues during Patch 26.21, with Riot expecting their return in the following patch.
When evaluating champions in Mayhem, consider Headliners, the available Augment pool and progression unlocks. A strong combination in Mayhem does not automatically indicate that the same champion or item is overpowered on Summoner's Rift.
Arena and Other System Updates
Arena receives separate champion, item and Augment balancing. Examples include changes to Bel'Veth, Briar, Elise, Ezreal, Fiora, Galio and other champions, alongside adjustments to items such as Galeforce and Turbo Chemtank. The changes target extreme combinations and encourage different builds within Arena, not standard Summoner's Rift.
Patch 26.21 also introduces a limit of 10 replay downloads per hour, prepares Mythic Shop rotation timing changes and raises minimum AMD CPU requirements because the updated launcher requires SSE 4.2 support. Players with older hardware should check Riot's system requirements. These system changes are distinct from champion and game-mode balance.
When Is the Next League of Legends Patch?
After Patch 26.21, the next scheduled update is Patch 26.22 on November 4, 2026, according to Riot's official patch calendar. This is a planned release date, not confirmation that any previewed balance changes will appear in the final update.
Riot may revise release dates or adjust changes before deployment. A preview is not the same as final patch notes, and the release calendar does not guarantee that every regional server completes maintenance at the same moment.
| Patch | Scheduled Release Date | Status as of October 21 |
|---|---|---|
| 26.21 | October 21, 2026 | Release day; check regional deployment |
| 26.22 | November 4, 2026 | Upcoming |
| 26.23 | November 18, 2026 | Upcoming |
| 26.24 | December 9, 2026 | Upcoming |
Riot maintains the official League of Legends patch schedule. The calendar provides planned dates and may be updated when deployment plans change.
Can You Read Patch Notes Before the Patch Goes Live?
Yes. Riot often publishes patch notes one day before the scheduled deployment. For example, the Patch 26.21 notes were published on October 20, while its release was scheduled for October 21. Publication does not mean that the updated balance values are immediately active on every server.
Balance previews can also change before release. For current builds and champion recommendations, distinguish published patch notes from completed regional deployment and check official hotfixes when relevant.
League of Legends Patch Notes Archive
Previous patches remain useful for understanding how champions, items and systems evolved. The archive below links to Riot's official English patch notes, which contain the complete changes and game-mode-specific information for each update.
Historical values should not be interpreted as current without checking later patches. For example, Patch 26.20 reduced Runaan's Hurricane bolt damage, while Patch 26.21 introduces additional ADC and item changes that must be considered separately.
| Patch | Release Date | Main Context | Official Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26.21 | October 21 | Champion and item balance, Mayhem progression, Classic and Arena | Patch 26.21 |
| 26.20 | October 7 | Worlds balance, champion and item changes, Classic and Mayhem | Patch 26.20 |
| 26.19 | September 23 | Pre-Worlds tuning, Classic additions and Arena updates | Patch 26.19 |
| 26.18 | September 10 | Champion balance and Classic/Mayhem updates | Patch 26.18 |
| 26.17 | August 26 | Champion, item and game-mode updates | Patch 26.17 |
| 26.16 | August 12 | Champion and system adjustments | Patch 26.16 |
For earlier releases, use Riot's complete Patch Notes archive. It provides the broader update history without requiring this hub to reproduce every historical balance adjustment.
Previous Patch Guides on ExpCarry
ExpCarry also publishes separate articles about earlier League of Legends updates. These guides explain historical champion recommendations, patch-specific builds and gameplay systems rather than replacing the current patch-notes hub.
Relevant existing articles include:
- LoL Patch 26.2 Guide: Season 2026 Changes and Meta — an explanation of the early-season update and its gameplay systems.
- Best LoL Champions by Role in Patch 26.9 — historical role-based champion recommendations.
- LoL Patch 26.17 Tier List — historical champion rankings, builds and balance analysis.
These articles should not be treated as current Patch 26.21 tier lists. They remain useful for understanding earlier changes, while the evergreen LoL Tier List is intended to provide more recent champion comparisons.
How to Read LoL Patch Notes and Apply the Changes
Patch notes describe what changed, but they do not independently establish the strongest champions or builds. Start by identifying the affected ability, item or system, then evaluate whether the adjustment influences your champion, role and preferred game mode.
Buffs, Nerfs and Adjustments Explained
A buff increases some aspect of a champion's or item's strength, such as damage, durability, resource efficiency or crowd control. A nerf reduces an advantage, while an adjustment may strengthen one part of a kit and weaken another.
For example, Caitlyn's Patch 26.21 changes are an adjustment: Headshot loses some late-game scaling while Piltover Peacemaker gains base damage. Hubris also has opposite effects for melee and ranged users, so describing it as a universal buff or nerf would be inaccurate.
Some changes have different consequences across roles. A jungle damage adjustment can affect clearing and objective control, while a mana or health change may primarily influence early laning. Read the exact values and conditions before deciding how significant the adjustment is.
Check Which Game Mode the Changes Apply To
League of Legends patch notes can cover Summoner's Rift, standard ARAM, ARAM: Mayhem, Arena and League Classic. These modes may use separate champion modifiers, different items, Augments or historical ability kits.
Read the correct section before updating builds. Classic Mordekaiser's ghost ultimate is not part of the modern Summoner's Rift kit, and an Arena-specific Augment change does not apply to standard ranked games. Likewise, Mayhem's Headliners are specific to that mode.
Should You Change Your Build After Every Patch?
Not necessarily. A small change to an infrequently used ability may leave the usual build intact, while an item cost increase, a major ratio adjustment or a meaningful cooldown nerf can influence item timing and combat performance.
Check whether the patch changes your main damage pattern, lane survivability, important ability cooldowns or first-item timing. Compare reasonable alternatives using reliable post-patch information rather than changing everything solely because the patch number increased.
LoL Patch Notes FAQ
These answers address common questions about patch dates, availability and older balance information.
What is the current LoL patch? Patch 26.21 is scheduled for release on October 21, 2026, and its official notes were published on October 20. Regional deployment can differ, so check the client to confirm whether it is installed on your server.
How often does League of Legends update? Riot generally schedules patches approximately every two weeks. Exact release dates can vary, so the official patch calendar is the best reference for planned updates.
Are patch previews the same as final patch notes? No. Riot can revise previewed changes before release. Official patch notes and subsequent hotfix announcements take priority over preliminary information.
Where can I read older LoL patch notes? Use the archive above or Riot's official Patch Notes page. Historical ExpCarry guides can help explain past updates, but their recommendations should not be treated as current without checking later patches.
Conclusion
Patch 26.21 brings significant champion and item adjustments to Summoner's Rift, major changes to ARAM: Mayhem, additional historical champions in League Classic and separate Arena balancing. Review the changes affecting your champion, verify the patch installed on your server and use the archive for earlier updates. Patch 26.22 is scheduled for November 4, 2026, and the latest-patch information should be updated again after its release.
