LoL Patch 26.13 Notes: ADC Buffs, Senna Nerf, and the MSI Patch

This is the last patch before MSI. Everything that happens here, stays for the tournament. Check the LoL Patch 26.12 notes if you want to understand where the meta started before these adjustments.

🔥 ADC Buffs: Aphelios, Draven, and Kai'Sa Are Back

The biggest narrative of Patch 26.13 is the ADC renaissance. Aphelios, Draven, and Kai'Sa all receive buffs, which could signal a shift toward traditional hypercarry compositions in pro play. These three have been underperforming for most of Season 2026 while enchanters and utility supports dominated.

With Doran's Helm getting nerfed at the same time, ADC itemization diversity should open up. Expect pro teams to experiment with these carries during MSI play-ins.

⚡ More Buffs: LeBlanc, Olaf, Vex, Poppy, Qiyana, Zaahen

LeBlanc gets improvements to her mid and late-game scaling. The changes are particularly impactful in solo queue, where longer games give her time to come online fully. Don't be surprised to see her climb the LoL tier list as players adapt.

Olaf receives a targeted Q buff to help his jungle clear speed, making him a more reliable option in the early game. Poppy, Qiyana, and Vex all get adjustments to close specific gaps without turning them into overpowered picks. Zaahen, one of the newer additions to the roster, also sees buff support to find her footing in the meta.

🩸 Senna Nerfed: Too Much Damage for a Support

Senna has been too efficient for too long. According to Riot, she "does a bit too much damage given how durable she is," leading to a nerf targeting her damage output. This is a direct response to her dominance in both solo queue and pro play, where she provided too much value for almost no risk.

The nerf won't remove her from the support pool, but it should pull her back into a more reasonable power level for MSI.

🔻 Other Nerfs: K'Sante, Brand, Bard, Rek'Sai, Rumble, Sion

K'Sante continues his slow departure from the spotlight, receiving another adjustment after several patches of pro-level dominance. Brand is getting hit to address his tank-shredding damage output, which has been too efficient across multiple team compositions.

Bard's tank roaming builds are targeted specifically: his damage is too high given how mobile he is. Rek'Sai, Rumble, and Sion round out the nerf list. Cassiopeia also sees her mid-game durability tuned while Riot preserves her early all-in pressure.

⚙️ Item Changes: Doran's Helm and Imperial Mandate

Doran's Helm is nerfed to reduce its stranglehold on the ADC itemization path and push players toward more varied first-item choices. This pairs directly with the ADC buffs above, creating more reason to explore different openers.

Imperial Mandate is buffed to better position it as a go-to option for support champions. With Senna nerfed and the support pool reshuffling, Imperial Mandate could see more play in MSI.

🆕 Locke Arrives in 26.13 (But Not at MSI)

The Ashen Exorcist mid-lane AP assassin hits live servers in Patch 26.13. However, Locke is banned from MSI competition, following standard Riot rules about newly released champions not being eligible for major tournaments. If you want to know his full kit and how to play him, check the complete Locke guide published earlier this season.

This means MSI will be the purest read possible on the current meta, without the disruption of a new champion.

The MSI 2026 Meta Outlook

Patch 26.13 sets up a competitive landscape built around two tensions: ADC-carry compositions vs. established control mage + engage support pairings. The ADC buffs create real alternatives, but K'Sante nerfs and Brand nerfs should open up the top and mid lane as well.

The LoL Tier List Patch 26.12 was heavily influenced by Senna and tank supports. Patch 26.13 shifts both of those axes. If you want to grind ranked before MSI starts, focus on Aphelios, Draven, or Kai'Sa while they're on the rise.

Want to put your skills to the test? Compete in LoL ladders on Amber.gg and climb the ranks on the exact patch that MSI will be played on.