# Patch 26.16
League of Legends patch 26.16 is a direct push toward stronger solo-queue fights from two angles: better mid lane mage trading and better attack-speed...
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Patch Notes • August 11, 2026 • Luke Pace

**League of Legends patch 26.16** is a direct push toward stronger solo-queue fights from two angles: better mid lane mage trading and better attack-speed item value. [Azir](https://baronbuff.com/champions/azir/) is the clearest winner early—his Q now starts at 75 damage instead of 60, which means his short trades and wave contests hit harder from level 1.

On the champion side, [Kennen](https://baronbuff.com/champions/kennen/) gets more defenses and more damage during his R, so he survives longer while dealing more damage in teamfights. [Gwen](https://baronbuff.com/champions/gwen/) heals more from her passive, so extended duels punish poke less. The big loser is [Bel'Veth](https://baronbuff.com/champions/belveth/), who has less late-game reliability and is easier to kill in long fights.

## Biggest Buffs

Kennen
BUFF

Gwen
BUFF

Azir
BUFF

## Biggest Nerfs

Bel'Veth
NERF

## What This Means for Ranked

**Mid lane plan:** If you want lane control, prioritize [Azir](https://baronbuff.com/champions/azir/) more often. That Q damage buff (75 at rank 1) means you can contest the wave earlier and win more short trades without needing a perfect setup. Also expect more mages to hurt: Chainlaced Crushers lost 5 magic resistance, and Spellslinger’s Shoes gained magic penetration, so defensive boots reduce mage damage less than before.

**Teamfight picks:** [Kennen](https://baronbuff.com/champions/kennen/) is a more reliable choice when your team needs a clear fight starter. His R now gives more bonus armor and magic resistance (25/50/75), so he takes less damage while using it, and the higher maximum damage makes successful ultimates decide more fights. If you are an ADC who buys Berserker’s Greaves, you get 30% attack speed instead of 25%, so your basic attacks come out faster on one item.

**Jungle and side lane caution:** Think twice before first-picking [Bel'Veth](https://baronbuff.com/champions/belveth/) into heavy damage teams—her health growth is lower, so she ends up with less max health later, and her True Form attack speed is lower at level 16. If you want a steadier duelist who can stay in fights longer, [Gwen](https://baronbuff.com/champions/gwen/) is safer now because her passive heals more when hitting champions.

For the full context, read patch details [at Riot's official website](https://www.leagueoflegends.com/en-us/news/game-updates/league-of-legends-patch-26-16-notes/), and check per-champion breakdowns on [baronbuff.com/champions](https://baronbuff.com/champions/).

_See you in the Rift — LP_

## Affected Champions

Camille
ADJUST
Weaker early shield, lower cooldown trading

Kennen
BUFF
Tankier during ultimate, higher teamfight damage

Poppy
ADJUST
Less early damage, more durability scaling

Bel'Veth
NERF
Less scaling durability, weaker late fights

Gwen
BUFF
More healing, higher sustain cap

Nasus
ADJUST
More small stacks, fewer big target stacks

Azir
BUFF
Higher poke damage, stronger lane trades

## See how these changes affect your draft

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