League of Legends Patch 15.15 just dropped, and it’s shaping up to be one of the most impactful balance updates of the season.
With multiple adjustments to core champions, items, and jungle tempo, this patch is all about refining the meta before Worlds qualifiers — and it directly affects your ranked climb.
Let’s break down what changed in ranked for Patch 15.15, which champions are stronger (or weaker), and how you should adapt your playstyle.
1. Patch 15.15 Overview – Riot’s Main Goals
Riot’s balance team focused on three major goals this patch:
- Addressing overperforming early-game junglers
- Bringing utility mids and ADCs closer in balance
- Tuning itemization for healthier scaling
This means less snowball, more macro impact, and a shift away from “1v9” smurf metas.
Riot also hinted that 15.15 is a “stabilization patch” leading into the Worlds 2025 balance phase.
2. Jungle Adjustments – Slowing the Snowball
System Changes:
- Jungle XP: Reduced slightly at early levels
- Objective Bounties: Delayed activation by 3 minutes
- Smite Damage: Lowered at early ranks (450 → 400)
These changes slow down early aggression and reward controlled jungle pathing instead of constant invades.
Winners:
- Sejuani, Rammus, Maokai: Thrive in slower-paced metas
- Nidalee, Graves: Still viable with high mechanical skill
Losers:
- Lee Sin, Jarvan IV: Early tempo junglers hit hardest
- Briar: Healing sustain nerfed significantly
Verdict: Jungle meta returns to tank and utility picks, giving late-game comps more room to breathe.
3. Champion Buffs
Several champions received key buffs to stay relevant in solo queue and pro play.
✅ Buffed Champions
| Champion | Buff | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Ashe (ADC) | W cooldown reduced (14→10s) | More poke-heavy bot lane pressure |
| Lissandra | Passive mana restore increased | Stronger sustain in lane |
| Ezreal | Q base damage +10 | Smoother laning phase |
| Kennen | E movement speed +5% | Better engage potential |
| Orianna | R cooldown reduced (110→90) | Late-game powerhouse again |
| Gragas (Jungle) | Passive heal increased | Stronger duelist sustain |
Big Winners: Ashe, Orianna, and Gragas — all gaining solo queue strength and pro viability.
4. Champion Nerfs
Some of the season’s most dominant picks finally got pulled back.
❌ Nerfed Champions
| Champion | Nerf | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Kai’Sa | W AP ratio ↓ (0.7 → 0.5) | Overperforming hybrid build |
| Aatrox | Healing nerf on passive | Too dominant in mid-game duels |
| Ahri | E charm duration ↓ | Mid lane too safe and reliable |
| Smolder | Passive scaling reduced | Early snowball too strong |
| Renekton | W stun duration ↓ | Tone down early-game dominance |
| Zeri | Attack speed scaling ↓ | Late-game overperformance |
Biggest Hit: Kai’Sa and Ahri — both likely to drop in pick rate across all elos.
5. Item Changes – Balancing Power Spikes
Patch 15.15 also rebalances several popular items that define core roles.
Buffed Items:
- Luden’s Companion: AP +10, mana regen improved
- Ravenous Hydra: Lifesteal +2%
- Randuin’s Omen: Active slow radius +15%
Nerfed Items:
- Duskblade of Draktharr: Lethality -3
- Serylda’s Grudge: Armor pen reduced (30% → 25%)
- Heartsteel: HP growth reduced by 5%
Jungle Items:
- Echoes of Helia: Now grants gold share on assists (supports rejoice)
- Trailblazer: Damage decreased early, scaling improved
Verdict: Assassin builds toned down, bruisers and tanks back in rotation.
6. Ranked Meta Shifts – Who Climbs Faster Now
Top Lane:
Expect slower, bruiser-heavy duels.
Winners: Garen, Jax, K’Sante, Camille
Losers: Aatrox, Renekton
Tip: Teleport timings matter more now — fewer solo kills, more macro.
Jungle:
Tank junglers are making a comeback.
Winners: Sejuani, Amumu, Maokai, Gragas
Losers: Briar, Lee Sin
Tip: Play for team scaling — early ganks won’t snowball as hard.
Mid Lane:
Control mages dominate.
Winners: Orianna, Lissandra, Azir
Losers: Ahri, Sylas, Akali
Tip: Mid-jungle synergy matters — CC and setup are king.
ADC:
Bot lane shifts back toward traditional marksmen.
Winners: Ashe, Ezreal, Jinx
Losers: Kai’Sa, Zeri
Tip: Supports will dictate the pace — pick ADCs that scale well with peelers.
Support:
Engage and utility supports thrive again.
Winners: Rakan, Thresh, Milio, Nami
Losers: Pyke, Brand
Tip: Vision control and roaming are more valuable than solo kills.
7. Pro Play Implications
Patch 15.15 heavily favors teamfight-oriented drafts and objective control comps — perfect for the upcoming Worlds meta.
Expected Pro Trends:
- Orianna, Sejuani, and Ashe to reappear in competitive play
- Scaling ADCs dominate bottom lane
- Early-game drafts (Renekton, Kai’Sa) lose priority
Expect longer, slower matches with macro execution over brawling.
8. Solo Queue Climbing Advice
If you want to gain LP fast this patch, play to the meta’s strengths:
- Play Control Champions: Orianna, Sejuani, Ashe
- Avoid Snowball-Dependent Picks: Lee Sin, Ahri, Kai’Sa
- Focus on Objectives: Dragons and Heralds matter more now
- Adapt Your Secondary Role: Jungle + Mid synergy is unmatched
Bonus Tip: Tank junglers and scaling mids are easiest for solo climbing consistency.
9. Data Snapshot (After First 48 Hours)
| Role | Highest Win Rate | % |
|---|---|---|
| Top | Camille | 52.9% |
| Jungle | Sejuani | 53.7% |
| Mid | Orianna | 54.1% |
| ADC | Ashe | 52.4% |
| Support | Milio | 53.2% |
Expect minor hotfixes next week — Orianna and Sejuani may see adjustments soon.
10. Conclusion
Patch 15.15 redefines ranked League — slowing the early game, rewarding scaling comps, and bringing tanks and control mages back into focus.
While high-tempo assassins lose some ground, strategic and patient players will find this meta perfect for climbing.
“The Rift now rewards precision over chaos — control the map, and you’ll control your LP.”
