League of Legends Patch 26.18 is now live, bringing a mix of esports celebration, Classic League content, champion balance changes, and updates for alternative game modes. Released on September 9, 2026, the patch adds five Classic champions, introduces several ARAM Mayhem adjustments, and celebrates European mid laner Rasmus “Caps” Winther with a new Hall of Legends collection. The new Hall of Legends skins became available on September 10. If you are new to the game or need a refresher, check out our beginner’s guide on how to play League of Legends before diving into the latest patch notes.
For ranked players, Patch 26.18 focuses mainly on shifting power between champions rather than completely reshaping the meta. Several strong picks receive nerfs, while a number of weaker champions gain additional tools. Outside Summoner’s Rift, Riot is also making changes to League Classic, ARAM Mayhem, and Guinsoo’s Rageblade.
Caps becomes the Third Hall of Legends Inductee.
The European mid laner becomes the third professional player inducted into the Hall of Legends and the first Western player to receive the honour.
Riot’s selection process considers several factors, including international appearances, regional and international titles, role-specific achievements, and contributions to League of Legends esports. Caps’ long-standing presence at the highest level of European competition made him a natural addition to the Hall of Legends.
The celebration includes a dedicated 100-level Battle Pass containing rewards connected to Caps’ career. Players can earn Risen Legend Orianna, 125 Mythic Essence, 11 Orbs, Caps-themed icons and emotes, a themed ward, and other cosmetics.
The collection also features Risen Legend Tristana and Immortalised Legend Tristana, which are separate from the Battle Pass rewards.
Caps’ induction is particularly significant for the Western competitive scene. He has been one of Europe’s most recognisable players throughout the modern era, so the event serves not only as a cosmetic release but also as a celebration of his competitive career and contribution to European League of Legends.
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Champion balance changes in Patch 26.18
For ranked players, the update brings a series of targeted champion changes, while Riot is also making adjustments to League Classic, ARAM Mayhem, and Guinsoo’s Rageblade.
On support, Nautilus loses early-game pressure. His base Attack Damage drops from 61 to 58, while Dredge Line damage falls from 85/130/175/220/265 to 85/125/165/205/245. Bard also receives a defensive nerf, with base Armour reduced from 34 to 32 and Armour growth from 5 to 4.7.
Bot lane sees further adjustments. Seraphine’s Beat Drop now has an 11-second cooldown at every rank instead of scaling to 9 seconds. Zeri’s Ultrashock Laser loses Attack Damage scaling, with the normal ratio reduced from 120% total AD to 100% and wall damage from 180% to 150%. These changes follow Zeri’s increased strength after recent item changes and growing professional presence.
Mid lane receives a mix of nerfs and buffs. Syndra loses some passive mana benefits, with her Splinters of Wrath mana scaling reduced from 20–255 to 20–199, while Force of Will‘s cooldown increases from 12/11/10/9/8 to 13/12/11/10/9 seconds. Cassiopeia’s Q damage falls from 75/110/145/180/215 to 65/100/135/170/205, while its AP ratio rises from 65% to 75%. Her passive movement-speed scaling also drops from 6–40% to 5–36%.
Meanwhile, Ekko’s Timewinder mana cost drops from 50/60/70/80/90 to 40/50/60/70/80, with return-damage AP scaling rising from 60% to 70%. Kassadin’s Null Sphere AP ratio increases from 70% to 80%, while Riftwalk damage rises from 70/90/110 to 80/95/110. Master Yi gains Armour growth from 4.5 to 5 and Highlander movement speed from 35/45/55% to 40/50/60%.
Viego gains AD growth from 3.5 to 4, alongside healing changes, while Zaahen’s Q2 damage increases from 25/50/75/100/125 to 30/60/90/120/150.
Five more champions return in League Classic.
Patch 26.18 also expands League Classic, allowing players to experience older versions of several champions.
These champions represent specific periods of their original designs:
- Fiora — 2012–2015
- Galio — 2010–2017
- Poppy — 2010–2015
- Shyvana — 2011–2013
- Xin Zhao — 2012–2017
These versions highlight just how much League’s champion designs have changed over the years.
Classic Fiora, for example, brings back Blade Waltz, an ultimate that allowed her to become untargetable while repeatedly dashing between enemies. The ability is completely different from anything found in her modern kit. Classic Galio, meanwhile, returns to his pre-rework identity, including Runic Skin, which converts Magic Resistance into Ability Power, as well as the original Idol of Durand.
Poppy restores her infamous Diplomatic Immunity ultimate, while Shyvana revisits her 2011–2013 gameplay and the older mechanics of Dragon’s Descent. Xin Zhao represents his 2012–2017 version, giving players another snapshot of how one of League’s early fighters played before later updates.
League Classic is also receiving balance changes for several existing Classic champions, including Anivia, Gangplank, Heimerdinger, Kayle, Malzahar, Nasus, and Warwick. Riot has additionally revealed the results of the first Classic Council player vote. Players voted to revive all three proposed items and add modern jungle timers in a future update.
ARAM Mayhem and Rageblade also get updates
Patch 26.18 extends beyond Summoner’s Rift and League Classic with several changes to ARAM Mayhem.
Riot is adjusting the mode’s Augment system to make champion-specific Augment pools more appropriate. The goal is to reduce situations where players receive options that have little practical value for the champion they are playing.
Individual Augments are changing as well. Clown College returns, while Spin to Win receives an increase to its R ability damage bonus from 30% to 50%. Ultra Hydra now prevents players from selling Hydra items while its effect is active. Riot has also addressed several bugs involving interactions between Augments, items, and champion abilities.
Meanwhile, Guinsoo’s Rageblade receives a smaller adjustment. The duration of its Seething Strike stacks increases from 3 seconds to 4 seconds. This change is intended to compensate for an earlier fix to the item’s double-hit behaviour, which affected Master Yi more significantly than other champions using Rageblade.
Final thoughts
Patch 26.18 is an unusually broad update that balances League’s competitive present with its history. The champion changes should have the clearest short-term impact on ranked play, while League Classic gives longtime players a chance to revisit mechanics that have long disappeared from the modern game.
At the same time, Caps’ Hall of Legends celebration gives the patch a strong esports identity. Taken together, these additions make Patch 26.18 more than a standard balance update, combining gameplay adjustments with a look back at the players and designs that helped shape League of Legends.
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