Riot Games has unleashed a new demon-hunting champion, Locke, onto the Rift with Patch 26.13. While you can catch him in action between MSI matches, he won't be making his debut on the professional stage just yet. This patch also brings a wave of balance changes targeting a wide range of champions—from the ever-charming support who never saves ADCs to the Darkin who just won't stay down. Additionally, Ranked 5s is making a limited-time return starting June 26, with earlier start times at 8 PM to accommodate players who need to log off by 10 PM. Finally, last hit indicators are coming to Ranked and Normal Draft queues, ensuring you never miss a cannon minion again (unless you choose to disable them for a challenge).

New Champion: Locke, the Ashen Exorcist

Locke arrives on June 24, 2026, as a demon-hunting marksman with a unique kit centered around marks, self-sacrifice, and execution. His passive, Silver Stake, deals bonus magic damage on-hit based on the enemy's missing health. His Q, Ritual Nails, throws a set of Soul Nails that mark enemies, which he can consume for bonus damage. W, Soul Ignition, grants attack speed and movement speed while dealing self-damage, with a heal at the end of the duration. E, Ashen Pursuit, allows him to teleport and dash to his next target, damaging enemies in his path. His ultimate, Purgatory, throws a binding artifact that damages and potentially executes enemies, granting him power for sealing away champions. For a full breakdown, check out the Locke Champion Spotlight.

Champion Balance Changes

A host of champions receive adjustments in this patch, ranging from buffs to underperformers to nerfs for dominant picks. Here's a summary of the key changes:

  • Aphelios: Buffs to Calibrum, Severum, Infernum, and Crescendum abilities to highlight each gun's unique strengths after earlier nerfs.
  • Bard: Meep damage reduced to curb tanky roaming builds without AP investment.
  • Brand: Early passive detonation damage nerfed, but base mana regeneration increased to offset for skilled players.
  • Cassiopeia: Health per level reduced to lower her survivability when locked down.
  • Draven: E cooldown reduced and R damage reduction adjusted to boost heavy-AD builds.
  • Kai'Sa: W cooldown lowered and R shield increased to improve lane and late-game dive threat.
  • K'Sante: E shield reduced to tap down early reliability with Doran's Helm.
  • LeBlanc: R mimic damage increased to reward landing less guaranteed abilities.
  • Olaf: Monster damage on Q increased to entice jungle play.
  • Poppy: Q monster damage cap raised to improve jungle clear and gank windows.
  • Qiyana: Q monster damage increased to boost assassin jungle presence.
  • Rek'Sai: E damage reduced to shave early-to-mid burst without affecting map movement.
  • Rumble: Q base damage lowered but AP scaling increased to preserve scaling.
  • Senna: Soul drop rates adjusted, crit damage reduced, and Q cooldown refund changed to on-attack to soften farming patterns.
  • Sion: Q and W early damage and mana costs increased to weaken early lane power.
  • Vex: E cooldown reduced and R reset time extended for smoother play patterns.
  • Zaahen: W cooldown reduced to allow more trade patterns without raising scaling ceiling.

    • Item Adjustments

    Two items receive tweaks in this patch. Doran's Helm sees its armor and magic resistance reduced from 10 to 8, but health increased from 140 to 150, targeting overperformers while maintaining base health. Imperial Mandate gets a smoother build path, replacing Blasting Wand with two Amp Tomes, and its ability power is reduced from 65 to 60 to balance its power shift.

    Ranked 5s and Last Hit Indicators

    Ranked 5s returns for a limited time starting June 26, with queue times moved to 8 PM to accommodate players who need to sleep earlier. This is a perfect opportunity to gather your squad and climb the ranks. Additionally, last hit indicators are now available in Ranked and Normal Draft queues, helping you secure those crucial cannon minions. You can disable them in settings if you prefer a challenge.

    Source: Patch 26.13 Notes by Riot Games. For more details, visit the official League of Legends patch notes page.