league-of-legends

LoL Patch 26.16 targets mage bot meta; ADCs strengthened, Azir and Gwen buffed

Riot Games released Patch 26.16 to address a wave of mages dominating the bot lane and to restore marksman viability. Pro players had been favoring mages because they clear waves while supports roam and can bully low magic-resist marksmen. The patch boosts ADC power and also applies buffs to non-meta champions Azir and Gwen to diversify pick options.

• Patch 26.16 is designed to curb a rising mage bot lane meta and restore marksman competitiveness.
• Professional players increasingly picked mages in bot due to superior waveclear combined with roaming supports.
• Mages were effective at bullying marksmen who had low magic resistance, driving the meta shift.
• The patch includes specific buffs to ADCs and separate buffs for Azir and Gwen to lift non-meta champion viability.