League of Legends Patch 14.6: A Bad Day for Smolder

Earlier Patch 14.5 significantly shifted the meta, but the League of Legends developers aren’t done cooking – let’s explore how 14.6 follows up with some sizzling changes.

League of Legends Patch 14.5 ushered in an era of change. The patch shifted Seraphine towards a support-based playstyle, redirected Twisted Fate from AD builds and concluded the ongoing Rek’Sai alteration saga. Partial Patch 14.6 changes have been revealed, and it confirms that while Rek’Sai’s character development arc may be over, Smolder’s has just begun – plus, plenty of Senna and Galio changes are on the horizon. Let’s examine everything we know about Patch 14.6 and how it will affect the Rift as we know it!

When will League of Legends Patch 14.6 take effect?

Patch 14.6 will hit League of Legends servers on March 20th. It will occur with the High Noon Event, and new skins will arrive with it. Patch 14.6’s release time is currently unknown.

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What champions are being buffed in League of Legends Patch 14.6?

Patch 14.6’s confirmed buffs are minor compared to previous patches. Cho’Gath and Ornn mains will appreciate a smoother early game experience, while Sion will enjoy better AD scaling when using Decimating Smash. Riot Games has also blessed Tryndamere and Diana with significant Attack Speed buffs.

Cho’Gath

• Feral Scream (W)
• Cooldown: 13-9 ⇒ 11-9
• Vorpal Spikes (E)
• Spike Damage: 22-70 ⇒ 22-82

Ornn

• Searing Charge (E)
• Cooldown: 16-12 ⇒ 14-12

Shen

• Ki Barrier (Passive)
• Cooldown Refund: 4-7.5, linear level scaling, buffs levels 2-17, especially 8-16

Sion

• Decimating Smash (Q)
• Min Damage: 40-120 (+ 45-75% tAD) ⇒ 40-120 (+ 40-80% tAD)
• Max Damage: 90-350 (+ 135-225% tAD) ⇒ 90-350 (+ 120-140% tAD)
• Soul Furnace
• Shield: 60-160 (+ 8-12% Max HP) ⇒ 60-120 (+ 8-16% AD)

Tryndamere

• Attack Speed Growth: 2.9% ⇒ 3.4%

Diana

• Attack Speed Ratio: .625 ⇒ .694
• Attack Speed Growth: 2.25 ⇒ 2%, level 1 Attack Speed Unchanged
• Moonsilver Blade (Passive)
• Attack Speed: 15-40% every 3rd level ⇒ 15-35% scaling linearly
• Active Attack Speed: 3 sec ⇒ 5 sec

Smolder is facing serious nerfs in Patch 14.6 / Riot Games

What champions are being nerfed in League of Legends Patch 14.6?

Nothing in this life is free – as of Patch 14.6, Briar will be able to ward hop, but at the cost of noticeable healing, attack speed and damage nerfs. In addition, Karma is on the receiving end of the devs’ wrath due to her ability to abuse malignance. Passive nerfs will gently push Senna's mains toward playing support. Finally, Smolder is once again facing adjustments after his adorable – and terrifying – recent hold on the meta. Smolder’s beloved mom won’t be able to rescue him from this nerf!

Karma

• Base Changes:
• Mana Growth: 50 ⇒ 40
• Mana Regen Growth: .5 ⇒ .8
• Gathering Fire (P)
• Passive Ult Cooldown Refund: 5 sec ⇒ 4 sec
• Inner Flame (Q)
• Mana cost: 45 ⇒ 40 - 80
• Inspire (E)
• R+E Bonus Shield: 25-175 +45% AP ⇒ 50-170 +45% AP
• Mantra (R)
• Cooldown: 40-31 ⇒ 40-34

Briar

• Head Rush (Q)
• Can now jump to Wards
• Blood Frenzy / Snack Attack (W)
• Heal: 25-45% of dmg ⇒ 24-40% of dmg
• Attack Speed: 55-115% ⇒ 54-110%
• Certain Death (R)
• Damage: 150-140 +50% bAD ⇒ 150-350 +50% bAD

Smolder

• Super Scorcher Breath (Q)
• 225 stack execute threshold: 7.625% + 0.025% ⇒ 6.5%, no scaling
• Achooo! (W)
• Missile width: 125 ⇒ 115
• Flap, Flap, Flap (E)
• Bonus movement speed: 100% ⇒ 75%

Senna

• Mist Wraith pawn rate on minion kill: 8.333% ⇒ 2.8%

Volibear

• Thundering Smash (Q)
• Movement Speed: 12-32% ⇒ 12-28%
• Stormbringer
• Cooldown: 130-100 ⇒ 140-100

Gragas

• Base Health: 670 ⇒ 640
• Barrel Roll (Q)
• Mana Cost: 80-60 ⇒ 80

Galio adjustments are shaking up the Champion's playstyle.  / Riot Games

What champions are being adjusted in League of Legends patch 14.6?

Patch 14.6’s Galio adjustments shift him to a tankier and less burst-heavy playstyle. In addition, Kayn changes are continuing previous work to balance his Assassin and Darkin forms. These two champions are the only confirmed adjustments as of now.

Galio

• Base Changes
• Health Growth: 126 ⇒ 114
• Move Speed: 335 ⇒ 340
• Colossal Smash (P)
• Cooldown is reduced by 3 sec when hitting champions or monsters with abilities, once per cast.
• Attack Gains 40% Attack Speed
• Base Damage: 15-200 ⇒ 15-115
• AP Ratio: 50% ⇒ 40%
• Winds of War
• Cooldown: 12-8 ⇒ 12-7
• AP Ratio: 75% ⇒ 70%
• Shield of Druand (W)
• Damage Reduction: 25-35% (+ 5% per 100 AP) (+ 12% per 100 bonus MR) ⇒ 20-40% (+ 4% per 100 AP) (+ 8% per 100 bonus MR) (+ 1% per 100 HP)
• Base Damage: 20-80 ⇒ 20-60
• Justice Punch (E)
• Base Damage: 90-250 ⇒ 75-235
• Non-champ damage: 50% ⇒ 80%

Kayn

• Reaping Slash (Q)
• Locks out items during animation (Profane Hydra)
• Reaping Slash - Rhaast (Q)
• Damage : 65% total AD + 5% (+ 3.5% bonus AD) Target Max HP ⇒ 65% total AD + 6% (+ 3.5% bonus AD) Target Max HP
• Umbral Trespass (R)
• Base/Assasin Damage: 150-350 + 175% bAD ⇒ 150-350 bAD + 150% bAD
• Non-champ damage: 50% ⇒ 80%

What items and systems are changing in League of Legends Patch 14.6?

Item changes in Patch 14.6 heavily favor ADC builds. Buffs to Infinity Edge, Lord Dominik’s Regards, and Navoi Quickblades mean ADCs will be out for blood and stronger than ever.

Item and System Buffs

• Infinity Edge
• Crit Dmg: 40% ⇒ 50%

• Lord Dominik’s Regards
• Armor Penetration: 30% ⇒ 35%

• Mortal Reminder
• Armor Penetration: 30% ⇒ 35%

• Navori Quickblades
• AD: 60 ⇒ 65
• Recipe: Pickaxe was replaced by BF Sword. The cost is unchanged.

Item and System Nerfs

• Epic Items:
• Many nerfed to 100-110% gold efficiency
• Support Items:
• Active gold reduced 25%; Target quest 500/1000 ⇒ 400/800

• Solstice Sleigh
• Buff Duration: 3 sec ⇒ 2 sec
• Movement Speed: 25 sec ⇒ 20 sec

Item and System Adjustments

• Voidgrubs
• Decaying Heal on Death
• Doran's, Atlas, Jungle Eggs
• Tagged as 'Starting Items' and can't be bought together

How will the League of Legends 14.6 changes affect the current meta?

Much of Patch 14.6 continues work from Patch 14.5. Senna and Kayn are settling down after numerous fixes, redirections and adjustments. Kayn’s Darkin form continues to become more powerful, while his Assassin form declines. Smolder’s grasp on the meta has gone up in flames (pun intended) after severe nerfs. In terms of items, Solstice Sleigh continues its decline in efficiency – however, ADC champions will thrive with intense armor penetration and damage changes. Life on the Rift is always changing, and no Champion is safe – keep an eye out for future developments!