Patch 12.18 full preview: Last balance patch before Worlds

Riot Phroxzon shared full preview details of the last balance patch leading up to the biggest League event of the year

Generally going for safe changes this patch so we can target accurately. There's a decent amount of unknown, with 12.16, 17, 18 having no Pro Play exposure, but we're relatively confident we'll be in a good spot post these changes. Udyr changes are buffs to DPS and nerfs to Tank pic.twitter.com/uF1EDHAHvR

— Matt Leung-Harrison (@RiotPhroxzon) September 13, 2022

Preview specifics

>>> Champion Buffs <<<

Ashe

• [Q] Ranger’s Focus bonus AS increased from 20/25/30/35/40% >>> 25/32.5/40/47.5/55%

---

Thresh

• HP per level increased 115 >>> 120
• [E-A] Flay base damage increased 65/95/125/155/185 >>> 75/110/145/180/215

---

Lee Sin

• HP per level increased 99 >>> 105
• [W2] Iron Will life steal and spell vamp increased 5/9.5/14/18.5/23% >>> 5/10.5/16/21.5/27%

---

Nasus

• [W] Wither AS slow increased 50% >>> 75% of the movespeed slow
• [R] Fury of the Sands cooldown reduced 120 flat >>> 110/100/90 seconds

---

>>> Champion Nerfs <<<

Miss Fortune

• HP per level reduced 107 >>> 103
• AD per level reduced 2.7 >>> 2.4

---

Kalista

• Base HP reduced 604 >>> 564

---

Hecarim

• [Q] Rampage nerfs:
  • Base damage bAD ratio reduced 95% >>> 90%
  • Per stack bAD ratio reduced 6% >>> 5% per 100 bAD
• [W] Spirit of Dread healing reduced 30% (+2.5% per 100 bAD) >>> 25% (+2% per 100 bAD)

---

Kayn (Rhaast)

• [Q-Darkin Slayer] Reaping Slash max HP damage bAD ratio reduced 5% >>> 3.5% per 100 bAD

---

Lulu

• [W] Whimsy nerfs:
  • Cooldown increased 17/16/15/14/13 >>> 17/16.5/16/15.5/15 seconds
  • Polymorph duration reduced 1.25/1.5/1.75/2/2.25 >>> 1.2/1.4/1.6/1.8/2 seconds
  • Base bonus movespeed reduced 30% >>> 25%

---

Nocturne

• AD per level reduced 3.1 >>> 2.6

---

>>> Champion Adjustments <<<

Maokai

• [P] Sap Magic max HP ratio reduced 4.8 – 14% >>> 4.5 – 12% (based on level)
• [Q] Bramble Smash bonus monster damage increased 40/60/80/100/120 >>> 80/100/120/140/160
• [E] Sapling Toss damage AP ratio reduced 42.5% >>> 40% (empowered 85% >>> 80%)

---

Udyr

• HP growth reduced 106 >>> 98
• Armor growth reduced 5.2 >>> 4.7
• [Q] Wilding Claw buffs:
  • Mana cost reduced from 45/41.6/38.2/34.8/31.4/28 >>> 20 flat
  • Now grants 50 bonus attack range for the first two attacks
  • Awakened lightning AP ratio increased 0.6% >>> 0.8% per 100 AP
  • Awakened max HP damage bAD ratio increased 6% >>> 9% per 100 bAD
  • Awakened max HP damage now deals an additional +2 – 5% max HP (based on level)
• [W] Iron Mantle changes:
  • Life steal increased 15% flat >>> 15/16/17/18/19/20%
  • Max HP heal reduced 1.2/1.26/1.32/1.38/1.44/1.5% >>> 1.2% flat
  • Max HP shield reduced 2/2.4/2.8/3.2/3.6/4% >>> 2/2.3/2.6/2.8/3.2/3.5%
• [R] Wingborne Storm changes:
  • Damage per second reduced 20/38/56/74/92/110 (+40% AP) >>> 20/36/52/68/84/100 (+35% AP)
  • Minion damage adjusted 50/60/70/80% >>> 40/55/70/85% (based on levels 1/6/11/16)

Riot playing it safe before Worlds

The previewed patch contains mostly minor changes as Riot does not wish to risk too much a meta shake-up right before Worlds, though they did manage to sneak in the mandatory annual Lee Sin Pre-Worlds buff.

Nasus is finally getting some love, but the hatred he will get from players trying to hit him with the new AS slow will balance it out.

A lot of players are expressing concerns that Yuumi was left untouched. The champion is consistently above 50% winrate in pubs and even more dominating in pro plays. Riot did attempt to nerf Yuumi in patch 12.16, but inexplicably buffed her again in a hotfix just 1 day later.

Patch 12.18 hits the client on September 21 and will likely come with brand new Halloween Fright Night skins