The latest patch for League of Legends, 25.S1.1, introduces a plethora of changes, including new items, runes, and significant gameplay adjustments. We will break down these updates and analyze the tier lists for each champion role, helping players navigate the evolving meta.

Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Patch 25.S1.1 introduces a new naming system for patches, with significant changes to items, runes, and gameplay mechanics.
- The new monster Atakhan adds strategic depth to the game with unique buffs and spawn conditions.
- Changes to teleport mechanics and spawn timers for Rift Herald and Baron alter gameplay dynamics.
- New items and runes, including tier three boots and the legendary item Blood Letters Curse, enhance champion builds.
Introduction to Patch 25.S1.1
Patch 25.S1.1 marks the beginning of a new season in League of Legends, introducing a host of changes that aim to refresh the gameplay experience. With a revamped patch naming system, players can now expect a more organized approach to updates throughout the year. Each season will feature multiple patches that bring balance adjustments, new items, and exciting gameplay mechanics.
Understanding the New Patch Naming System
The new naming convention for patches is designed to simplify communication about updates. The format 25.S1.1 indicates the year (2025), the season (Season 1), and the patch number (1) within that season. This streamlined system allows players to quickly identify the current patch and its context within the yearly update cycle.

New Items & Runes in Patch 25.S1.1
Patch 25.S1.1 introduces several exciting new items and runes that are set to shake up the League of Legends meta. Notably, the tier three boot upgrades and the legendary item Bloodletter’s Curse are among the most impactful additions, allowing players to develop unique strategies based on these enhancements.
Tier Three Boots Upgrades Explained
The introduction of tier three boots signifies an important evolution in itemization. Players need to complete at least two legendary items and have the Blessing of Noxus buff from the new mini-objective called Feats of Strength to upgrade their boots.

This buff is awarded to the first team achieving two of the following: first blood, first turret, or defeating three epic monsters. Here’s a breakdown of the new boots and their upgrades:
- Armored Advance: An upgrade for
Plated Steel Caps, providing +15 armor and a physical damage shield through the passive Noxian Endurance.

- Chainlanced Crushers: This upgrade for
Merc Treads grants +35 magic resist and a magic damage shield with the passive Noxian Persistence.

- Crimson Lucidity: An upgrade for
Ionian Boots, this offers +10 summoner spell haste and a passive Noxian Haste that boosts movement speed when healing or damaging enemies.

- Gunmetal Greaves: This upgrade for
Berserker’s Greaves increases attack speed by 15% and has the passive Noxian Gate that grants movement speed on basic attacks.

- Spellslinger Shoes: An upgrade for
, which provides additional magic penetration without a unique passive.

- Swift March: An upgrade for
Boots of Swiftness, offering an extra 15 movement speed along with the Noxian Fervor passive that grants bonus movement speed.

These upgrades encourage players to invest in legendary items while providing substantial benefits tailored to their champion’s needs, enhancing both survivability and offensive potential.
Legendary Item: Blood Letters Curse
The new legendary item, Bloodletters Curse, is a game-changer for AP champions. Priced at 2,900 gold, it combines the stats from a Haunting Guise and a Fiendish Codex, delivering:
- +60 Ability Power
- +350 Health
- +15 Ability Haste

The passive effect, Vile Decay, stacks up to six times, reducing the magic resist of enemies hit by magic damage. Each stack inflicts a 5% reduction, capping at a total of 30% at six stacks. This item promises to empower mages with high burst damage potential, particularly benefiting champions like Cassiopeia and
Ryze who can apply the stacks quickly in fights.
Other Notable Item Changes
In addition to the exciting new items mentioned above, several existing items have seen significant adjustments that will impact gameplay strategies. One such item is the Abyssal Mask, which now boasts increased health and magic resist. Its passive has been revamped to enhance magical damage dealt to enemies by 12%, making it a valuable choice for AP-heavy team compositions.

Another item that has caught players’ attention is Heartsteel, which has undergone a slight rework. While its passive base damage has decreased from 80 to 70, the ratio of bonus health from items has shifted from 12% to a more favorable 6% of max health, particularly benefiting champions with high base health like
Tahm Kench and Scion.

Unending Despair, previously one of the most favored tank items, has been restructured entirely. The new recipe requires an
Aegis of the Legion and a
Giant’s Belt, providing more health but considerably less armor (now 25 instead of 60). Its damage scaling has been severely reduced, prompting many players to reconsider its viability in the current meta.

Lastly, Warmog’s Armor has also seen adjustments, with substantial nerfs to its passive health regeneration and activation threshold increasing from 1500 to 2000 health. While it still offers a bonus health passive, its practicality has diminished significantly, making it less appealing in competitive play.

Introduction of New Runes
This patch also brings forth four new runes that cater to various playstyles:
- Axium Archinist: Replacing
Nullifying Orb in the Sorcery tree, this rune increases ultimate damage and reduces cooldown upon takedowns.

- Deep Ward: This new Domination tree rune rewards players for placing
stealth wards in enemy territory, enhancing vision control.

- Grisly Momentos: Offers stacking trinket haste upon takedowns, allowing for more frequent ward placements.

- Sixth Sense: Automatically reveals nearby untracked wards at level 11, enhancing map awareness for the team.

These runes not only provide strategic advantages but also encourage players to focus on vision control and objective play, making them vital in the ever-evolving landscape of Summoner’s Rift.
In summary, the new items and runes introduced in Patch 25.S1.1 are set to enhance the gameplay experience, offering players new tactical options and strategies to explore. As the meta develops, understanding these changes will be crucial for success in the new season.
Introducing the New Monster: Atakhan

The introduction of Atakhan adds an exciting new dimension to gameplay. Spawning at the 20-minute mark, Atakhan’s appearance is determined by the performance of each team in the early game. Teams that secure more kills or damage within the first 14 minutes will dictate the spawn location of Atakhan, creating unique strategic opportunities.

Atakhan’s Forms and Buffs
- Veracious Form: Grants temporary resurrection and a permanent gold bonus upon defeat.

- Ruinous Form: Provides experience and damage buffs to teammates, enhancing their overall effectiveness in battles.

Crown of Carnage
One of the most exciting additions in Patch 25.S1.1 is the new monster, Atakhan, which comes with unique buffs depending on the form it takes upon spawning. Among these buffs is the Crown of Carnage, a powerful effect that enhances the capabilities of players who manage to defeat Atakhan. Specifically, players who take down the Ruinous Form of Atakhan will gain this crown, which increases the buffs acquired from epic monsters by a notable 25%.

This change not only encourages teams to strategize around the timing of Atakhan’s spawn but also amplifies the importance of securing epic monsters like Baron and Dragon. When equipped with the Crown of Carnage, champions can significantly bolster their power, making skirmishes and team fights even more pivotal as the game progresses. This means controlling the map and having the right team composition to secure Atakhan can lead to overwhelming advantages in late-game scenarios.
Overall, the introduction of the Crown of Carnage adds a layer of depth and excitement to the gameplay, reinforcing the strategic elements that League of Legends is known for while providing new opportunities for teams to capitalize on their early-game performance.
Rift Herald & Baron Spawn Timer Changes
Riot has adjusted the spawn timers for both the Rift Herald and Baron, shifting their timings to promote more strategic play. The Rift Herald will now spawn at 16 minutes instead of 14, while Baron will enter the game at 25 minutes instead of 20. This change encourages teams to prioritize objectives and enhances the competitive nature of the game.


Teleport Changes Explained
Teleport receives a significant overhaul in this patch, introducing a new visual effect and adjusting its mechanics. Players will now travel in an orb to their target location, making the teleportation process more visible and predictable. The cooldown has been reduced, and players can once again target minions and wards, adding strategic depth to its use in both solo queue and professional play.

Impact on Gameplay
This change will likely affect high-level play more than casual matches, as the visibility of teleport will hinder sneaky plays. Players must adapt their strategies accordingly, considering the new mechanics when planning flanks or escapes.
Minion Changes and Their Impact
The recent patch has introduced significant changes to minions, impacting their role in the game. Minions now deal increased damage to structures and champions, rising from 50% to 55%. Additionally, the experience range for minions has been boosted from 1400 to 1500 units. These adjustments aim to enhance the overall effectiveness of minions in the early game.
Minion Health and Damage Adjustments
- Melee Minions: Early health is reduced, but health increases later in the game. Their attack damage has been slightly decreased by one early on.
- New Mechanic: Melee minions will now deal bonus damage on hit against lane minions, equal to 2% of their current health.

- Changes to Caster and Cannon Minions: Similar adjustments have been made to caster and cannon minions, enhancing their performance in lane.

Furthermore, the timing for cannon minions has shifted. They will now spawn at 2:35 instead of 2:05, meaning they will arrive on the fourth wave rather than the third. This change will alter lane dynamics, providing both teams with a more balanced approach to early pressure.

Turret Changes: What You Need to Know
The patch has also brought notable changes to turrets, significantly affecting gameplay strategies. The first turret will no longer grant the standard 300 bonus gold, which alters the incentive for early game aggression. Additionally, the fortification damage reduction that turrets have prior to 5 minutes has been lowered from 85% to 50%.

Nexus Turret Respawn Mechanics
Perhaps the most impactful change is the introduction of a respawn mechanic for Nexus turrets. They will now respawn 3 minutes after being destroyed, providing teams with another chance to defend their base. This change can lead to more dynamic late-game scenarios, as teams will need to strategize around the potential return of these crucial structures.

Top Lane Analysis
The top lane tier list has seen minimal direct champion changes for this patch. However, the item adjustments, particularly regarding unending despair and
heartsteel, have influenced the overall meta. Champions like
Maokai will likely feel the impact of these changes more than others.
Champion Adjustments and Their Implications
Maokai: Dropping from S tier to A tier due to the nerfs to unending despair.
Kennen: Expected to benefit from the new rune, axium archinist, which provides increased damage on his ultimate.
Aurelion Sol: Continues to excel in higher elos but will remain in S tier for the time being.

Overall, the top lane remains competitive, with several champions still holding strong despite the lack of direct changes. Players should adapt their strategies based on the new item dynamics and rune adjustments.
Jungle Insights
In the jungle role, there are no direct champion changes this patch, and we can expect the meta to remain relatively stable. The introduction of the new item, bloodletters curse, may provide some interesting synergies for certain champions.
Top Junglers for the Season
Wukong: Continues to dominate across all ranks, benefiting from buffs received in the previous season.
Warwick: Remains a strong pick, particularly in lower elos, where he thrives.
Nocturne: Solidified as a top-tier pick due to his versatility and power.

Additionally, champions like Zyra and
Udyr are expected to perform well with the new item changes, particularly with
bloodletters curse enhancing their damage output. Players should keep an eye on these champions as the season unfolds.
Mid Lane Changes
Mid lane has seen some interesting adjustments, particularly regarding Cassiopeia. Her new scaling bonus movement speed when her team possesses the blessing of noxus buff aims to provide her with more power in the late game.
Mid Lane Champion Tier List
Victor: Remains the most powerful carry due to recent buffs.
Cassiopeia: While she retains her S tier position, the new changes may affect her gameplay dynamics.
Vel’Koz: A strong contender with the new rune providing additional damage.
Lux: Benefits from the health and haste provided by blood letters curse.
- Battle Mages: Champions like Swain and Vladimir are expected to perform well with the new item, blood letters curse.

As the mid lane meta continues to evolve, players should consider the potential impact of these adjustments and adapt their champion pools accordingly.
Overall, players should focus on adapting to the evolving mid lane meta, utilizing the new items and runes to maximize their effectiveness in matches.
ADC Role Changes
The most notable shift comes from adjustments to Ashe,
Kalista, and
Varus, each experiencing changes that will directly affect their gameplay in various tiers. The intention behind these changes is to promote a more balanced ADC dynamic across all levels of play.
Ashe
Ashe has received significant buffs, especially regarding her passive ability. Previously, her passive Frost Shot required frost to be applied to enemies before she could deal bonus damage. Now, Ashe’s auto-attacks will automatically deal bonus damage equal to 75% plus 40% of her critical strike chance.

This change enhances her mid-game power significantly while slightly nerfing her early-game dominance due to the removal of the frost application requirement. Furthermore, adjustments to her Q
(Ranger’s Focus) will see her bonus attack speed increase from 25-55% to 25-65%, and her W
(Volley) base damage has received a notable increase from 20-80 to 60-200.
However, the adjustment from a total AD ratio to a bonus AD ratio means Ashe’s overall scaling remains delicate, giving her a better mid-game presence without overwhelming her early performance.
Kalista

Kalista’s changes have been focused on her mana management and scaling. Her mana regeneration growth has been doubled from 0.4 to 0.8, but her Q (Pierce) base damage is reduced by 10 at all ranks, and its mana cost has increased.
While these changes may make her slightly less viable in lower tiers, they aim to maintain her C tier status overall. Kalista’s adjustments reflect an effort to refine her strength without diminishing her unique playstyle.
Varus

Varus has also undergone significant changes, aimed primarily at his early-game performance. His base mana has been reduced from 360 to 320, which will impact his sustain in lane. Adjustments to his Q (Piercing Arrow) mana cost have decreased it but increased his W
(Blighted Quiver) on-hit base damage.
These changes might lead to a negative shift in his overall power level, placing him firmly in the B tier, as his early game will be more punishing due to the reduced base mana.
Overall ADC Tier List Implications
The ADC role now presents a diverse tier list, with options like Miss Fortune and
Sivir standing out due to the relative strength of their kits compared to other ADCs. Even with the adjustments to traditional ADCs, mages such as
Seraphine,
Victor, and
Lux are emerging as powerful alternatives, often outperforming ADCs in the bot lane. This shift suggests that players may benefit more from diversifying their champion pool to include these mages, especially in the evolving meta where traditional roles are being challenged.
Overall, the ADC changes in Patch 25.S1.1 illustrate Riot’s intention to create a more balanced environment, both for traditional ADCs and mages, encouraging players to adapt to these dynamics as they navigate their way through the season.
Champion Adjustments
Ashe: Her passive now allows bonus damage without requiring frost application, scaling with crit chance. This change boosts her mid-game power while slightly nerfing her early-game dominance.
Kalista: Adjustments to her mana regen and Q base damage make her less viable in lower tiers, keeping her in the C tier.
Varus: Base mana and Q mana cost decreased, but overall changes lead to a negative impact on his early-game presence, placing him in the B tier.

Support Evaluation
Patch 25.S1.1 has introduced several significant changes to the support role, impacting the gameplay dynamics for various champions. With the new tier three boots, legendary item adjustments, and rune updates, the supports will need to adapt their strategies to leverage the changes effectively.
One of the most notable changes for supports is the introduction of tier three boots, which can be upgraded under specific conditions. Supports will need to complete at least two legendary items and acquire the Blessing of Noxus buff from the new mini-objective, Feats of Strength, to access these upgrades.
The unique passives of the tier three boots provide additional durability and utility, allowing supports to be more impactful during skirmishes and team fights. For example, Armored Advance grants a physical damage shield, while Chainlanced Crushers provides a magic damage shield, which can help mitigate damage during critical moments.
Furthermore, the new legendary item, Bloodletters Curse, adds an exciting dimension for AP supports like
Vel’Koz and
Seraphine. This item enhances their burst potential by stacking magic resist reduction on enemies, making it easier to secure kills during engagements. The item’s combination of ability power, health, and ability haste makes it a versatile option for supports looking to deal damage while still being resilient in team fights.
Additionally, the introduction of new runes such as Axium Archinist and Deep Ward encourages supports to focus on vision control and takedown strategies. Axium Archinist boosts damage for ultimate abilities and provides cooldown reduction upon takedowns, which can significantly enhance a support’s effectiveness in early game skirmishes. On the other hand, Deep Ward rewards supports for placing wards in enemy territory, promoting a more aggressive vision control strategy during matches.
As a result of these changes, the support tier list is expected to see some shifts. Champions like Vel’Koz are likely to rise in viability due to the synergy with the new runes and items, as they can capitalize on the high damage output.
Tahm Kench remains a top-tier pick, as the changes to heart steel have only slightly impacted his effectiveness, allowing him to still serve as a durable frontline presence. Meanwhile,
Poppy continues to be a strong choice due to her crowd control abilities, which can greatly influence the outcome of skirmishes.

Conclusion
Patch 25.S1.1 heralds a new era for League of Legends, introducing a variety of gameplay changes that will undoubtedly reshape the competitive landscape. With the new tier system for patches and the array of item and rune adjustments, players are urged to explore fresh strategies and adapt to the evolving meta.
The introduction of the Atakhan monster adds an exciting layer of strategy, incentivizing early game performance to secure advantageous buffs. Teleport changes and minion adjustments further enhance gameplay dynamics, fostering a more strategic approach to both individual and team play. As the season unfolds, understanding these updates will be crucial for players aiming to climb the ranks. Embrace the changes, experiment with your champion builds, and gear up for an exhilarating journey ahead in Summoner’s Rift!
FAQ
What are the key changes for ADCs in Patch 25.S1.1?
The key changes include adjustments to champion abilities for Ash, Kalista, and Varys, impacting their overall effectiveness in different tiers.
How does the new item Blood Letters Curse affect ADC gameplay?
Blood Letters Curse enhances AP champions and provides additional health and ability haste, making it a valuable item for champions with consistent damage output.
Which ADC champions are currently top-tier?
Top-tier ADCs include Misfortune and Caitlyn, while Ash and Varys have seen their power levels shift due to recent changes.
Can mages be effective in the bot lane?
Yes, mages like Victor and Seraphine have proven to be strong picks in the bot lane, often outperforming traditional ADCs in various matchups.
What changes were made to the jungle role in Patch 25.S1.1?
While there were no direct champion changes for junglers, the introduction of new items like Blood Letters Curse may create interesting synergies for certain champions, enhancing their gameplay.
How do tier three boots impact the support role?
The new tier three boots can provide significant upgrades to supports, enhancing their durability and utility during skirmishes and team fights, depending on the completion of legendary items and acquiring the Blessing of Noxus buff.
What is the significance of the new monster Atakhan?
Atakhan introduces unique strategic opportunities by spawning based on early game performance, and defeating it provides valuable buffs that can shift the game dynamics in favor of the team that secures it.
How will teleport changes affect gameplay strategies?
The teleport changes introduce a new visual effect, making it more predictable and reducing the potential for sneaky plays, which may lead to more strategic planning in high-level play.
What adjustments have been made to minions in this patch?
Minions now deal increased damage to structures and champions, with changes to their health and damage that enhance their overall effectiveness in the early game, impacting lane dynamics significantly.