# Patch 26.18
League of Legends patch 26.18 is a clear message for ranked: mid-game skirmish champions got paid. Viego now heals more based on the stats you actually...
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- Patch 26.18

## Page Content

Patch Notes • September 9, 2026 • Luke Pace

League of Legends patch 26.18 is a clear message for ranked: mid-game skirmish champions got paid. [Viego](https://baronbuff.com/champions/viego/) now heals more based on the stats you actually build, so he stays healthier when fights last longer. [Ekko](https://baronbuff.com/champions/ekko/) gets lower mana costs on Q, so he can trade and clear waves more often, and his Q return hits harder with Ability Power.

On the other side, bot lane engage and safe mage trading take hits. [Nautilus](https://baronbuff.com/champions/nautilus/) all-ins are less lethal, [Seraphine](https://baronbuff.com/champions/seraphine/) has fewer chances to use E to start fights, and [Syndra](https://baronbuff.com/champions/syndra/) needs tighter mana management. [Zeri](https://baronbuff.com/champions/zeri/) loses early burst from W, while [Kassadin](https://baronbuff.com/champions/kassadin/) and [Master Yi](https://baronbuff.com/champions/masteryi/) gain more reliable threat earlier.

## Biggest Buffs

Viego
BUFF

Ekko
BUFF

Kassadin
BUFF

Master Yi
BUFF

## Biggest Nerfs

Nautilus
NERF

Seraphine
NERF

Syndra
NERF

Zeri
NERF

## What This Means for Ranked

**If you want a safer jungle carry, pick** [Viego](https://baronbuff.com/champions/viego/) or [Master Yi](https://baronbuff.com/champions/masteryi/). Viego’s passive heal now scales with bonus Attack Damage, Ability Power, attack speed, and bonus health, so your normal items give you more healing during and after takedowns. Master Yi gets more armor per level, so he takes less physical damage as the game goes on, and his R gives more move speed, so he reaches targets more reliably in fights.

**If you are queuing mid, prioritize tempo over “safe poke”** with [Ekko](https://baronbuff.com/champions/ekko/) and respect [Kassadin](https://baronbuff.com/champions/kassadin/) earlier than you used to. Ekko’s Q costs less mana at all ranks, so he can clear waves and trade more often without running out of mana. Kassadin’s Q and early R do more damage, so early skirmishes around river fights are more dangerous.

**In bot lane, reconsider “force lane kills” picks** like [Nautilus](https://baronbuff.com/champions/nautilus/), and be less afraid of [Seraphine](https://baronbuff.com/champions/seraphine/) E cooldown punish windows. If you play [Zeri](https://baronbuff.com/champions/zeri/), expect less W burst and weaker early wave pressure; if you play [Syndra](https://baronbuff.com/champions/syndra/), plan for fewer free trades because you get less mana from passive and W is available less often. Full details are [at Riot's official website](https://www.leagueoflegends.com/en-us/news/game-updates/league-of-legends-patch-26-18-notes/), and our per-champion breakdowns are on [baronbuff.com/champions](https://baronbuff.com/champions/).

_See you in the Rift — LP_

## Affected Champions

Cassiopeia
ADJUST
Lower early damage, stronger AP scaling

Viego
BUFF
Higher growth damage, stronger healing scaling

Ekko
BUFF
Lower mana costs, higher return damage

Kassadin
BUFF
Stronger poke scaling, higher early ultimate damage

Master Yi
BUFF
More armor growth, faster ultimate movement

Nautilus
NERF
Lower basic damage, weaker hook damage

Seraphine
NERF
Longer crowd control cooldown scaling removed

Syndra
NERF
Less mana from passive, longer W cooldown

Zaahen
BUFF
Resurrection cooldown behavior, higher second hit damage

Zeri
NERF
Lower W damage scaling, weaker wall shot burst

Bard
NERF
Less armor, weaker early durability

## See how these changes affect your draft

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