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Attack Damage Carries (ADCs) are the backbone of many League of Legends team compositions. They scale into late game, dish out consistent DPS, and often decide teamfights. However, ADCs are also one of the most patch-sensitive roles, with even small balance changes to items or champions having a huge impact.

Patch 15.5 brings several tweaks that shift the landscape of the bot lane. In this article, we’ll break down the major changes, how they affect ADCs, and which champions benefit or struggle as a result.

Key Changes in Patch 15.5 Impacting ADCs

1. Item Adjustments

ADCs rely heavily on items for power spikes. In Patch 15.5, Riot targeted several popular builds:

• Kraken Slayer (Nerfed): Bonus true damage per third hit slightly reduced.
  Impact: Hurts hyper-carries like Kai’Sa and Vayne who rely on consistent DPS.
• Infinity Edge (Buffed): Critical strike threshold lowered from 60% → 50%.
  Impact: ADCs hit their late-game spike one item earlier, boosting champs like Jinx and Sivir.
• Bloodthirster (Adjusted): Lifesteal increased but shield value toned down.
  Impact: Stronger sustain, but weaker clutch survivability. Good for scaling ADCs.

2. Rune Changes

• Fleet Footwork (Buffed): Healing increased slightly.
  Impact: Safe laning ADCs like Ezreal and Corki benefit, improving poke matchups.

3. Champion Nerfs & Buffs

• Jinx (Nerf): Base attack speed growth lowered.
  Impact: Slows her early scaling, delaying her mid-game takeover.
• Lucian (Buff): Q damage increased slightly.
  Impact: Lucian lanes regain dominance, especially paired with aggressive supports.
• Zeri (Adjustment): Passive damage tuned down, but ultimate buffed.
  Impact: Shifts her power into late-game fights rather than early cheese.

Early Game Impact

Patch 15.5 rewards lane bullies and strong early-game ADCs. With Jinx nerfed, scaling lanes are slightly weaker, giving room for aggressive picks like Draven, Lucian, and Samira to thrive in solo queue.

Supports also play a key role: engage supports like Nautilus and Rell pair well with early-damage ADCs, while enchanters may struggle against the lane pressure meta.

Mid-Game Shifts

The buff to Infinity Edge is a game-changer. ADCs like Jinx, Sivir, Aphelios, and Tristana now reach their crit spikes earlier, making two-item power spikes deadlier. This shifts mid-game dragon fights and team skirmishes in favor of crit users.

Late-Game Scaling

Despite Jinx’s nerfs, she still remains a strong scaling champion, especially with Infinity Edge changes offsetting her early weakness. Vayne, Kai’Sa, and Aphelios continue to thrive in late-game scenarios, but Kraken Slayer nerfs make them slightly less oppressive.

Meanwhile, utility ADCs like Ashe and Varus gain more value as teams prioritize objective control.

Winners and Losers of Patch 15.5

Winners

• Lucian – Lane dominance restored, stronger early pressure.
• Sivir – Infinity Edge buff accelerates her crit scaling.
• Aphelios – Faster access to IE makes him more threatening in mid-game fights.
• Ezreal – Fleet Footwork buff helps his poke-and-sustain style.

Losers

• Jinx – Early scaling nerf slows her snowball potential.
• Kai’Sa – Kraken Slayer nerf weakens her all-in burst.
• Vayne – Hyper-carry potential toned down with Kraken Slayer adjustment.

Bot Lane Duo Synergy in Patch 15.5

• Lucian + Nami: The classic synergy returns, crushing lanes with high early-game damage.
• Aphelios + Thresh: Strong scaling with playmaking potential.
• Sivir + Yuumi: Sustain-heavy scaling duo benefits from Infinity Edge buffs.
• Ezreal + Karma: Poke lanes become harder to punish with Fleet Footwork healing.

Pro Play Predictions

In pro play, expect to see:

• Lucian returning as a priority pick, especially in early draft phases.
• Aphelios and Sivir rising in importance for objective control compositions.
• Jinx falling slightly, though still situationally strong with the right comp.
• Zeri shifting to late-game scaling roles rather than early harassment.

Teams that thrive on mid-game dragon stacking will lean heavily on Infinity Edge users, while late-game scaling comps may lose priority in drafts.

How to Adapt as an ADC Main in Patch 15.5

1. Experiment with Crit Builds – With Infinity Edge buffed, crit ADCs are strong choices.
2. Adjust Runes – Fleet Footwork is back; consider it in tough poke matchups.
3. Play Lane Aggressors – With Jinx weaker, punish scaling lanes using Lucian, Draven, or Samira.
4. Don’t Overcommit to Kraken Slayer – Test other item options like Galeforce or Shieldbow depending on matchups.
5. Coordinate with Your Support – Early pressure duos dominate this patch.

Conclusion

Patch 15.5 shifts the ADC landscape toward early pressure and faster crit scaling. Champions like Lucian, Sivir, and Aphelios rise in priority, while hyper-carries like Jinx and Kai’Sa take a hit. For ADC mains, this patch rewards adaptability—those who adjust builds and champion pools will climb faster.

North America, Europe, Korea, and China will all adapt differently in pro play, but one thing is certain: bot lane is once again the most volatile role of Patch 15.5.

FAQs

Q: Which ADC is strongest in Patch 15.5?
A: Lucian, Sivir, and Aphelios are top picks due to item synergy and buffs.

Q: Should I still play Jinx?
A: Yes, but expect a weaker early game. She still scales well into late-game fights.

Q: Is Kraken Slayer still good?
A: It’s weaker but still viable. Crit builds with Infinity Edge may outshine it in many games.

Q: What’s the best ADC-support duo right now?
A: Lucian + Nami is dominant, with Aphelios + Thresh also very strong.

Q: How do I adapt if I only play scaling ADCs?
A: Focus on safe farming, play with enchanters, and lean into mid-game spikes with Infinity Edge.