LoL Patch 26.22 Notes: Mel Update, Buffs, Nerfs and Release Date
LoL patch 26.22 arrives November 4, 2026 with a Mel update, buffs to Viktor, Corki and Kayle, nerfs to Locke, Thresh and Yasuo, and K/DA FIRESTARTER skins.
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Short answer: League of Legends patch 26.22 is scheduled for November 4, 2026. Based on Riot's full preview, it brings a midscope update to Mel (her W no longer reflects projectiles but destroys them and shields allies), buffs for ten champions including Viktor, Corki, Kayle, Aurelion Sol and Smolder, nerfs to Locke, Thresh and Yasuo, an Overlord's Bloodmail adjustment, a small Doran's Bow nerf and the K/DA FIRESTARTER skin line.
Patch 26.22 is the first patch after the 2026 World Championship, and it reads like a classic post-Worlds cleanup: a handful of lane bullies come down, several scaling picks go up, and Mel gets the change players have been asking about since her reflect became the centre of every mid-lane complaint thread.
This guide was checked on November 3, 2026 against Riot's full preview as reported by Hexgate, EarlyGame and other patch trackers. Numbers come from the preview and the PBE, so a few values can still change when the official notes go live on patch day. Changes that were tested but dropped from the full preview are listed separately below.
LoL Patch 26.22 Release Date and Schedule
Riot's 2026 schedule places patch 26.22 on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. Live servers usually go down for a few hours in each region, and ranked queue can be disabled briefly while the update rolls out. The next patch, 26.23, is planned for November 18, 2026.
| Patch | Date | Headline |
|---|---|---|
| 26.20 | October 2026 | Worlds patch |
| 26.22 | November 4, 2026 | Mel update, 10 buffs, 3 nerfs, K/DA skins |
| 26.23 | November 18, 2026 | Not yet previewed |
Mel Midscope Update
The biggest change in 26.22 is Mel. Her Rebuttal (W) no longer reflects projectiles back at enemies. Instead, it destroys incoming projectiles and shields Mel and nearby allies while granting move speed. In practice, the ability moves from an offensive counter-play tool to a defensive team spell.
- Radiant Volley (Q): projectiles travel slightly slower, but hitting an enemy champion refunds part of the cooldown.
- Stats: less early survivability, offset by more health and armor growth per level.
- Intended identity: less of an early lane bully, more of a scaling control mage.
Riot has not published exact numbers for every part of the update in the preview, so expect the final values in the official notes.
Champion Buffs in Patch 26.22
| Champion | Change |
|---|---|
| Aurelion Sol | E total damage 50-150 (+60% AP) → 50-170 (+70% AP) |
| Corki | R 90-250 (+85% bonus AD) → 100-280 (+90%); Big One 180-500 (+170%) → 200-560 (+180%) |
| Kayle | Q cooldown 12s → 10s at rank 1; R cooldown 160/120/80s → 140/110/80s |
| Maokai | Q max-health damage 2-4% → 2.5-4.5% |
| Naafiri | Q heal 45-105 (+40% bonus AD) → 55-115 (+45%); W bonus AD 20% → 22% |
| Rumble | R damage per second AP ratio 35% → 40% |
| Shen | Q damage vs monsters increased at ranks 1-4 (up to 180%) |
| Smolder | W explosion base damage 10-110 → 25-125 |
| Viktor | Health growth 100 → 105; R AP ratio 50% → 60% |
| Zaahen | Q cooldown 10-6s → 8-6s |
The theme is clear: scaling carries (Viktor, Kayle, Aurelion Sol, Smolder, Corki) get a bump after a season where early-game picks dominated, while Shen and Maokai receive jungle-friendly tweaks.
Champion Nerfs in Patch 26.22
- Locke: Ritual Nails (Q) stack bonus damage reduced by 3-7 per rank (for example 18 → 15 at rank 1 and 50 → 43 at rank 5). Soul Ignition (W) duration 6s → 5s. Riot estimates roughly 30 less damage at max stacks.
- Thresh: base attack damage 56 → 54; The Box (R) damage 250-550 → 200-500 (+100% AP).
- Yasuo: Steel Tempest (Q) AD ratio 105% → 100%.
If you have been climbing on Locke or Thresh, they should remain playable, but expect your lane windows to be a little smaller. For a refresher on the habits that matter more than any single nerf, see our guide on early-game mistakes and level 1 fights.
Item and System Changes
Overlord's Bloodmail
Base attack damage rises from 30 to 40, while the Retribution passive drops from up to 12% to up to 10% total AD based on missing health. The item becomes more reliable when you are healthy and slightly weaker in low-health comebacks.
Doran's Bow
Attack damage goes from 8 to 7, a small hit to marksmen who rush the starting item.
ARAM: Mayhem
ARAM: Mayhem adds two new augments, RISE and One Hit Wonder. Augment balance in rotating modes is often adjusted on patch day, so check the official notes for final values.
K/DA FIRESTARTER Skins
Patch 26.22 brings a new K/DA line: Evelynn (K/DA FIRESTARTER, Legendary, plus K/DA Hitmaker at Mythic tier), Akali (K/DA FIRESTARTER Ignition, Mythic), Ahri (K/DA FIRESTARTER, Epic) and Kai'Sa (K/DA FIRESTARTER, Epic). Prices are confirmed in the store on release, so check the in-game shop on patch day.
Previewed but Dropped Changes
The first preview on October 27 included adjustments to Aurora and Renekton and a Doran's Blade rebalance. These were removed from the October 28 full preview, so they are not expected in 26.22. Treat any older list that still includes them as outdated.
Get RP for the New Skins
If you plan to pick up a K/DA FIRESTARTER skin or a Mythic chroma on patch day, you can top up Riot Points ahead of time. Epinpay offers League of Legends RP codes with instant digital delivery. For patch history, see our notes on patch 26.20 and patch 26.19, or the common habits covered in 80% of LoL players make these mistakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is LoL patch 26.22 released?
Patch 26.22 is scheduled for November 4, 2026, according to Riot's 2026 patch schedule. Patch 26.23 follows on November 18, 2026.
What changes for Mel in patch 26.22?
Mel's W no longer reflects projectiles. It destroys them and shields Mel and nearby allies with bonus move speed, while her Q gains a partial cooldown refund on champion hits.
Which champions are buffed in 26.22?
Aurelion Sol, Corki, Kayle, Maokai, Naafiri, Rumble, Shen, Smolder, Viktor and Zaahen receive buffs in the full preview.
Which champions are nerfed in 26.22?
Locke, Thresh and Yasuo are nerfed. Locke loses Q stack damage and W duration, Thresh loses base AD and ultimate damage, and Yasuo's Q AD ratio drops to 100%.
Are the patch 26.22 numbers final?
Not until Riot publishes the official notes on patch day. The values come from the full preview and PBE, and small changes are possible.
What skins come with patch 26.22?
The K/DA FIRESTARTER line for Evelynn, Akali, Ahri and Kai'Sa, including Mythic-tier versions for Evelynn and Akali.
