Patch 26.23 preview: Voltaic Cyclosword, Master Yi, Syndra and LeBlanc nerfed, Mel and pro staples Azir, Galio, K'Sante and Ezreal buffed — patch lands 18 November
Phroxzon's 26.23 preview (10 November) nerfs Voltaic Cyclosword plus Master Yi, Syndra and LeBlanc — the champions topping Riot's frustration surveys — and buffs Mel and a group of pro staples such as Azir, Galio, K'Sante and Ezreal that feel weak in solo queue. If you climb on assassins or Yi, expect a slightly weaker first item and champion from 18 November.
- Voltaic Cyclosword nerfed: Riot thinks it is still a little too strong next to Umbral Glaive, Hubris, Profane Hydra and Youmuu's.
- Master Yi nerfed for regular play; Syndra (a second, light tap) and LeBlanc nerfed for higher-elo play.
- Mel buffed up to a normal power level after a stable, low-ban-rate patch; Riot is watching her bot-lane skew.
- Pro staples Azir, Galio, K'Sante and Ezreal are buffed for average play; coverage lists Akshan, Annie, Bard, Gnar, Vel'Koz and Vi as buffs too.
- Second-to-last patch of 2026: 26.23 goes live on 18 November (Riot's patch schedule), 26.24 on 9 December.
- Preview only — numbers can still change before patch day.
Riot's lead gameplay designer Phroxzon posted the patch 26.23 preview on X on 10 November. It is the second-to-last patch of the year and, in his words, it keeps adjusting champions hurt by pro play while tapping down a few strong picks that rate highly on Riot's frustration surveys.
Nerfs
- Voltaic Cyclosword: after Bastionbreaker was cut a few patches ago, Riot thinks Voltaic is also slightly too strong. The aim is to leave room for other assassin first items — Umbral Glaive, Hubris, Profane Hydra and Youmuu's.
- Master Yi: still one of the most frustrating champions in regular play.
- Syndra and LeBlanc: flagged for higher levels of play. Syndra's last nerf was deliberately light, so she gets a second tap.
Buffs
- Mel has settled at a stable, low ban rate, so Riot is bringing her up to a normal power level to see whether she stays less frustrating there. Phroxzon notes she is drifting towards bot lane like other mages.
- Pro staples such as Azir, Galio, K'Sante and Ezreal get buffs for average play: they feel weak even in high solo queue because they need coordinated teams. Sportskeeda's summary of the preview image also lists Akshan, Annie, Bard, Gnar, Vel'Koz and Vi among the buffs.
What it means for your rank
If you main Yi, Syndra or LeBlanc, or build Voltaic on assassins, plan for a weaker patch from 18 November. Azir, Galio, K'Sante and Ezreal players get a better window to climb before the season ends with 26.24 on 9 December. This is a preview, so exact numbers arrive with the patch notes.
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