League of Legends Patch 26.16 Preview: ADC Magic Resist, Camille Support Nerf, and More

Patch 26.16 is set to bring another wave of changes to League of Legends, giving players plenty to adjust to as the current meta continues to evolve. The update will arrive on Wednesday, August 12, so let’s take a look at some of the biggest changes expected to come with the new patch. 

ADC Magic Resist 

The bot lane has become much more than just an ADC’s domain, with AP mages, junglers, and even top laners finding ways to take advantage of the role and put pressure on their opponents.

Over time, you’ve probably noticed some unusual champion picks making their way into the bot lane, and now Riot Games is introducing changes aimed at making ADCs more viable and competitive against AP mages.

As part of Patch 26.16, all Marksman champions will receive increased base Magic Resist, with Riot looking to preserve the class’s intended relationship with burst damage regardless of which lane they are played in.

The affected champions are: Akshan, Aphelios, Ashe, Caitlyn, Corki, Draven, Ezreal, Graves, Jhin, Kai'Sa, Kalista, Kindred, Kog'Maw, Lucian, Miss Fortune, Quinn, Samira, Senna, Sivir, Smolder, Tristana, Twitch, Varus, Vayne, Xayah, Yunara, and Zeri.

Kennen, Azir, and Gwen buffs on the way

Azir has been largely absent from the competitive meta and has seen even less presence in regular play, so Riot Games is giving him a significant buff to the damage of his Q [Conquering Sands].

However, the team has committed to closely monitoring Azir’s performance in the coming weeks to see how the changes affect his overall strength as more players experiment with Press the Attack.

Meanwhile, Kennen is receiving significant buffs to his ultimate [Slicing Maelstrom] and scaling, with Riot looking to make him more impactful in teamfights rather than simply a strong laner.

As for Gwen, her passive [A Thousand Cuts] is also receiving a buff that will make her healing more impactful during 1v1 fights in the top lane.

Gwen has been one of the champions most affected by balance changes, particularly throughout 2025, when she underwent what could be considered a mini-rework. Since then, she has received multiple buffs and nerfs as Riot Games continues to search for the right place for her in the meta.

The End of Camille Support?

In Patch 26.16, Camille is receiving a series of nerfs that could significantly impact her presence, particularly in the support role.

While her base mana is being increased, her passive [Adaptive Defenses] shield will have a longer cooldown and provide less maximum health in the early game. Her W [Tactical Sweep] outer-edge damage is also being reduced, while her E [Hookshot] will have a longer cooldown at later ranks.

Overall, these changes should make Camille less reliable when looking for frequent trades and engages, potentially weakening the aggressive support playstyle that has made her a viable pick in the bot lane.

You’ll probably still see Ryu “Keria” Min-seok pull out Camille from time to time, but you may not be seeing her nearly as often in your ranked games.

Still on the nerf side, Poppy is also receiving a series of changes in Patch 26.16, with several of them targeting her core stats and abilities. Given her ability to find success across multiple roles, these adjustments could make it easier for opponents to punish her aggressive playstyle.

As for Bel’Veth, who received a rework in Patch 26.15, Riot Games is already making a few small adjustments based on player feedback

AD Fighters, AP Jungles, and AD Mids

Riot Games is also looking to create more room for AD champions in the mid lane by buffing Berserker’s Greaves, while simultaneously improving the damage of the AP jungle pet.

These changes are designed to work together, as stronger AP junglers could make it easier for teams to pair them with AD mids and create a more balanced in-game relationship.

At the same time, Sundered Sky is being targeted as an outlier due to its strength as an all-around item. Its combination of damage, healing, and durability has made it an extremely reliable choice for AD fighters, leaving fewer reasons to consider alternative options. Riot is therefore nerfing Sundered Sky while buffing some of its competitors, aiming to make the first- and second-item slots more competitive.

Rather than having one generalist item that provides a strong answer to almost every situation, they want AD fighters to have more meaningful choices between items with clearer strengths and weaknesses. This should make itemization more diverse while giving players more opportunities to adapt their builds to the game and their specific needs.

Patch focused on opening up the meta

If Patch 26.15 was about kicking off the new season, Patch 26.16 feels more focused on opening up the meta. Riot Games is making several systemic changes aimed at creating more diversity across roles, from giving Marksmen additional Magic Resist to encouraging more AD picks in the mid lane through buffs to Berserker's Greaves.

It may not be the biggest patch of the season, but there are enough changes here to make Patch 26.16 an interesting one to watch as the new meta continues to take shape.

All information about LoL Patch 26.16 was taken from an X (Twitter) post made by Matt "Phroxzon" Leung-Harrison, Lead Gameplay Designer for League of Legends. If you'd like to have a look at the complete list of changes, make sure to check out the post!

---

Follow Strafe Esports for the latest League of Legends news, and our X account for the latest content and coverage. Also, stay tuned to Strafe's YouTube channel for exclusive interviews, press conferences, and more.

Featured Image Credits: Riot Games // League of Legends

Read More: 

Riot Games Opens Doors for League of Legends Community Tournaments

Best Champions to Climb League of Legends Ranked in Patch 26.15

Major Item and ADC Changes Coming with League of Legends Patch 26.16