In League of Legends, every patch introduces a new layer of complexity. Riot Games constantly tweaks champions, items, and systems to keep the game fresh, balanced, and competitive. With each update, the meta shifts, and players must adapt quickly or risk falling behind.
Patch 15.9 is no exception. It has introduced a mix of buffs and nerfs that are already being felt across solo queue and professional play in the LCK and beyond. The impact of these adjustments goes far beyond small stat tweaks — they change how lanes are played, which champions rise in priority, and which strategies become obsolete.
In this article, we’ll dive into the top 5 buffs and nerfs of Patch 15.9, explore how they reshape the game, and provide practical advice for players looking to climb in Season 15.
Chapter 1: Understanding the Impact of Balance Changes
Before jumping into the list, it’s worth understanding why patch notes matter so much in League of Legends, especially in ranked play and competitive scenes like the LCK.
- Small numbers, big results: A 5% cooldown reduction or 10 extra damage on a skill shot might sound minor, but in a game where fights are decided in milliseconds, these changes can flip matchups completely.
- Champion viability: Some champions hover near playability, and a single buff can push them into the spotlight. Similarly, a nerf can push an S-tier pick down to irrelevance.
- Meta shifts: When certain items or champions get stronger or weaker, it reshapes draft priorities. Pros, streamers, and high-elo players adapt quickly, and the ripple effect eventually impacts the entire ranked ladder.
That’s why “Patch 15.9 explained” is more than just numbers — it’s about understanding how to adapt.
Chapter 2: The Top 5 Buffs in Patch 15.9
2.1 Aatrox – The Darkin Blade Returns
- Buffs: Increased healing from his passive (Deathbringer Stance) and reduced cooldown on his Q (The Darkin Blade).
Impact in Lane:
- Aatrox thrives in extended duels. With more healing from his passive, he can sustain longer in tough matchups against poke-heavy top laners like Jayce or Kennen.
- Reduced Q cooldown means his devastating combos — especially the third Q knock-up — come online faster, making him a lane bully again.
Impact in Teamfights:
- Stronger sustain allows him to frontline longer. Combined with items like Goredrinker or the reworked Sundered Sky, he can dive into the backline and heal through massive damage.
- Expect to see him contest objectives like Baron and Dragon with much more confidence.
Best Beginner Build for Aatrox (Season 15):
- Core: Sundered Sky → Black Cleaver → Sterak’s Gage.
- Boots: Plated Steelcaps or Mercury’s Treads.
- Situational: Death’s Dance (vs AD), Spirit Visage (vs AP), Guardian Angel (late game insurance).
2.2 Kai’Sa – The Hybrid Queen is Back
- Buffs: Increased AP scaling on Icathian Rain (Q) and Void Seeker (W).
Impact in Lane:
- Early lane remains relatively the same, but the buffs encourage players to experiment with AP Kai’Sa mid or hybrid builds.
- W poke becomes more threatening, especially when combined with Luden’s Tempest and Nashor’s Tooth.
Impact in Teamfights:
- Kai’Sa already has one of the strongest teamfighting ultimates in the game. With AP scaling buffs, she now brings even more burst damage and zone control.
- Expect her to be a flex pick between bot and mid, making drafts unpredictable in pro play.
Best Beginner Build for Kai’Sa (Season 15):
- AD Build (Bot lane): Kraken Slayer → Phantom Dancer → Infinity Edge.
- AP Build (Mid lane): Luden’s Tempest → Nashor’s Tooth → Rabadon’s Deathcap.
- Tip: Stick to AD for simplicity as a beginner — AP Kai’Sa requires precise W aim.
2.3 Sejuani – The Tank Jungle’s Time to Shine
- Buffs: Increased base armor, faster W jungle clear, and slight buff to her passive shield.
Impact in Jungle:
- Clears are now smoother, allowing Sejuani to contest early objectives.
- Her tankiness helps her survive invades and ganks, giving her team reliable engage.
Impact in Teamfights:
- Sejuani’s Glacial Prison (R) remains one of the best initiation tools. With her buffs, she can frontline longer, peel for carries, and lock down priority targets more effectively.
Best Beginner Build for Sejuani (Season 15):
- Core: Heartsteel → Sunfire Aegis → Thornmail.
- Boots: Plated Steelcaps or Mercury’s Treads.
- Situational: Force of Nature, Frozen Heart, Jak’Sho if you want a scaling option.
2.4 Vel’Koz – The Eye Burns Brighter
- Buffs: Increased true damage ratio on Life Form Disintegration Ray (R) and improved AP scaling.
Impact in Lane:
- Mid-lane Vel’Koz now pressures assassins and control mages alike. His poke is more threatening, making it easier to chip opponents before objectives.
- The buff to his ultimate makes him a teamfight monster, especially in choke points.
Impact in Pro Play:
- Expect situational Vel’Koz picks into immobile comps. His ability to shred tanks with true damage makes him a sleeper pick.
Best Beginner Build for Vel’Koz (Season 15):
- Core: Luden’s Tempest → Shadowflame → Rabadon’s Deathcap.
- Situational: Zhonya’s Hourglass (vs assassins), Morellonomicon (vs healing comps), Void Staff (vs MR stacking).
2.5 Yorick – The Split-Push King Returns
- Buffs: Mist Walkers now scale better with level, and Maiden of the Mist (R) AI improved to prioritize targets properly.
Impact in Lane:
- More durable ghouls give Yorick consistent lane pressure.
- Easier to push waves and take early tower plates.
Impact on Macro Play:
- Yorick is once again one of the best split-pushers in the game. With Hullbreaker and Titanic Hydra, he can quickly demolish towers.
- In ranked, this means if left unchecked, he can end games solo while his team pressures other lanes.
Best Beginner Build for Yorick (Season 15):
- Core: Trinity Force → Hullbreaker → Titanic Hydra.
- Boots: Plated Steelcaps.
- Situational: Spirit Visage (vs AP), Sterak’s Gage (survivability).
Chapter 3: Top 5 Nerfs in Patch 15.9
3.1 Ahri – A Step Back for the Fox
- Nerfs: Lower Q damage and increased mana costs.
- Impact: Reduces her ability to spam poke and sustain in lane. She’s still viable, but less overwhelming in early trades.
- Who benefits? Control mages like Orianna, Anivia, and Swain enjoy safer matchups.
3.2 Kha’Zix – Predator in the Shadows Tamed
- Nerfs: Reduced Q isolation damage and lower sustain on passive healing.
- Impact: Harder for Kha’Zix to snowball off early invades and isolated picks.
- Who benefits? Junglers like Lee Sin and Rek’Sai who can duel him or out-tempo his early game.
3.3 Jinx – The Queen of Late Game Scaled Back
- Nerfs: Lower attack speed growth per level.
- Impact: Her mid-game two-item spike is delayed, making her less oppressive in solo queue.
- Who benefits? Other scaling ADCs like Kai’Sa, Aphelios, and Twitch have more breathing room.
3.4 Malphite – The Rock Loses Some Armor
- Nerfs: Base armor and passive shield strength reduced.
- Impact: Makes Malphite riskier to blind pick. AD matchups like Camille and Irelia now have more room to pressure him early.
- Who benefits? Fighters and ranged top laners, who can punish his weaker laning phase.
3.5 Brand – No More Burnt Lanes
- Nerfs: Lower burn damage from passive.
- Impact: Brand’s oppressive poke in lane is toned down, giving ADCs and enchanters more room to breathe.
- Who benefits? Squishy supports like Yuumi and Nami now have more safety during laning.
Chapter 4: How Patch 15.9 Affects the Meta
4.1 Rise of Bruisers and Tanks
- Stronger Aatrox, Sejuani, and Yorick mean frontline-heavy drafts are back in style.
- Expect more 5v5 teamfights, with games decided around objectives.
4.2 The ADC Shuffle
- Jinx falls slightly, while Kai’Sa, Aphelios, and Zeri rise in priority.
- Early-game ADCs like Draven and Caitlyn may see more bans due to Jinx’s nerf.
4.3 The Return of Mages
- With Ahri nerfed, control mages like Orianna, Viktor, and Syndra can thrive.
- Buffs to Vel’Koz give players another long-range artillery option.
4.4 The Pro Play Meta
- LCK and LPL teams are drafting more front-to-back team compositions with tank junglers and hyper-carries.
- Assassins are still viable, but less consistent in competitive environments where coordination is higher.
Chapter 5: Patch 15.9 Winner & Loser Tier List
Winners:
- Aatrox (Top lane king is back).
- Sejuani (early game jungle control).
- Kai’Sa (flex pick potential).
- Vel’Koz (better poke and true damage).
- Yorick (dominant split-push threat).
Losers:
- Ahri (weaker lane, less reliable burst).
- Kha’Zix (weaker isolation kills).
- Jinx (slower scaling).
- Malphite (weaker laning phase).
- Brand (less lane pressure).
Chapter 6: How to Adapt and Climb in Patch 15.9
- Play around power spikes: Know when buffed champs hit item or ability breakpoints.
- Update your bans: Target over-buffed champs like Aatrox and Kai’Sa.
- Experiment with builds: Hybrid Kai’Sa or tank Sejuani builds are worth mastering.
- Pick safe champions as a beginner: Malphite may be weaker now — consider swapping to Ornn, Maokai, or Sion for consistency.
- Stay flexible: The meta will shift as pros test new strategies. Don’t lock yourself into outdated builds.
Conclusion: Adapting to the Patch 15.9 Changes
With Patch 15.9 explained, one thing is clear: the League of Legends meta is evolving rapidly. Buffed champions like Aatrox, Kai’Sa, Sejuani, Vel’Koz, and Yorick are dominating ranked games, while previously dominant picks like Ahri and Jinx are being pushed down.
For beginners, the key is to keep things simple: follow updated recommended builds, focus on champions that benefit from buffs, and adapt quickly when Riot shifts the balance again. For veterans and LCK pros, these changes mean a whole new set of strategies will emerge on stage.
In the world of competitive League, the only constant is change — and those who adapt the fastest will always come out on top.
