LoL Patch 12.23 Preview: 17 Champions to Undergo Changes in the Last Patch

It only feels like yesterday Riot Games released the first patch of Season 12 in League of Legends but we’re already looking at the preview of the last patch of the season before we jump into Season 13. Riot Games will be balancing an array of champions as a way of setting the stage for the next season's reveal. The publisher revealed that it will be focusing on tank champions and junglers in LoL Patch 12.23. Notably, a total of 17 champions will be undergoing changes in LoL Patch 12.23.

Lead designer on game balance Matt “Phroxzon” Leung-Harrison said on Twitter, “Systems seem ~right, so we're doing champ changes. Tanks are weak, barring individual outlier synergy with items, so we're buffing them (over items) to avoid poaching. JGL (jungle) changes for balance & feel. Obj [Objective] Planning: pinging spawn timer won't trigger a vote & autofire disabled.”

Additionally, in LoL Patch 12.23 Riot Games is addressing concerns surrounding objective planning. Phroxzon said, “We're making some fast changes (above) to address some initial pain points (like frequency and wanting to inform team objective is spawning, but not a vote). We think it's doing an OK job at alerting teams of intent, but some ignore it as the info isn't useful.”

Champions getting buffed and nerfed in LoL Patch 12.23

The champions who will see their powers get stronger in the upcoming patch are:

• Zeri

• Sion

• Cho’Gath

• Amumu

• Kayn (Shadow Kayn)

• Maokai

• Zac

• Tahm Kench

• Malphite

The nerfs are targeted at the following champions:

• Yuumi

• Syndra

• Mordekaiser

• Shyvana

• Trundle

• Lillia

Kassadin and Dr Mundo are the two champions who will see ability kit adjustments. While Sunfire Cape is getting buffed, Ravenous Hydra is going to get a power trim-down.

Top lane addressed

Notably, in this preseason, bruiser champions have been having a field trip with a lot of key item changes, whereas, tanky top-laners have been left out in the cold. Most of these changes in LoL Patch 12.23 will address this issue. 

While Heartsteel is a problematic item currently, Riot Games has ignored it and is moving forward with buffing tank champions. Explaining this, Phroxzon said, “Most of the tanks on the list have lost 2-3%. We're nerfing Heartsteel for ARAM, but on SR [Summoner’s Rift], it's a performant item and it's fine for items to have the best users (Shen, Sejuani, Mundo, with Cho/Sion situational), As for Tank meta, we're targeting smallish buffs.”

Jungle Adjustments in LoL Patch 12.23

Miscellaneous pet changes

• Base true damage for pet: 20 ⇒ 16

• After the first evolution, consume two bonus treats on kill of large monster and get said benefits

• Native 20% damage amplification no longer works on epic monsters

• 10% of bonus armor and magic resist is converted to true damage for pet

• Bonus health ratio: 4% ⇒ 3%

• Monster kill health per level: 3 ⇒ 6

• Monster kill mana per level: 2 ⇒ 4

• Treat gold: 50 gold ⇒ 35 gold

• Experience multiplier: 1/1/1.025/1.075/1.15/1.15/1.25/1.25/1.35 (Levels 1-9) ⇒ 1/1/1.025/1.075/1.2/1.2/1.3/1.3/1.45 (Levels 1-9)

Monsters

• Gromp auto attack range: 175 ⇒ 150

• Large Razorbeak auto attack range: 300 ⇒ 200

• Leash range centers have been offset from camp spawn location, giving more space for champions to move and kite

Mosstomper

• Tenacity buff duration: 3 seconds ⇒ 1.5 seconds

• Tenacity type: Item ⇒ Champion

Notably, LoL Patch 12.23 is scheduled to go live on 7th December.