LoL Patch 12.23b: It’s Raining Nerfs as Riot Games Prepares for Season 13

League of Legends Season 12 was a roller coaster ride and it is finally coming to a stop with the ‘b’ patch of LoL Patch 12.23. Two weeks ago, Riot Games balanced champions to set them up for the start of the next season, but this time around, the publisher has gone all-out to nerf the balance outliers. Riot Games previewed LoL Patch 12.23b on 13th December and has surprised the player base by listing an array of nerfs. A total of eight champions will have their powers mellowed down alongside a bunch of system nerfs.

Lead designer on game balance Matt “Phroxzon” Leung-Harrison stated that LoL Patch 12.23b will be released on 14th December. He wrote, “We're opting to go more nerf heavy this patch to address some of the balance outliers. More on specifics tomorrow. Some champs are getting Riot special, but those that are, we think have viable alternatives that are balanced.”

The only buff in LoL Patch 12.23b

According to Phroxzon’s patch preview, Lux will be the only champion to receive buffs in LoL Patch 12.23b. Lux has always been a strong support pick and can sustain and do well in the middle lane also. On the other hand, Riot Games will also be making adjustments to Udyr’s ability kit. At the time of writing, it is still unclear as to how these two champions will be changed. One can hope that the changes are on a broader sense rather than focusing on just one role. 

• Champion buff: Lux

• Champion adjustment: Udyr

Champions and systems getting nerfed in LoL Patch 12.23b

The following are the champions that are getting nerfed in this patch:

• Zed

• Rammus

• Dr. Mundo

• Janna

• Nilah

• Mordekaiser

• Hecarim

• Lillia

The in-game systems that are getting nerfed are:

• Mossstomper

• Small jungle role

• Jak’Sho

• Ravenous Hydra

It is not a surprise to see many of the junglers on the nerf list since the entirety of the preseason was built around the reimagined role of jungle in League of Legends. Following these big changes, jungle has become one of the strongest roles and determines the outcomes of games. Impactful junglers including Rammus, Hecarim, and Lilla are in the mix for the nerfs along with jungle items and jungle gold. The preseason buffs also played right into the hands of powerful champions like Zed, Nilah and Mundo, hence the trimming of power. 

Players will soon be getting more information on the nerfs and buffs as LoL Patch 12.23b goes live on 14th December.