TL;DR
- Pantheon receives complete visual and kit rework with modernized abilities
- Azir, Corki, Ezreal, Sivir, and Yuumi face significant nerfs affecting pro play priority
- Lux and Dr. Mundo get meaningful buffs to restore their competitive viability
- Biscuit Delivery rune undergoes comprehensive changes affecting early game sustain
- Bot lane meta shifts toward Caitlyn and Varus as Ezreal combinations lose power
The latest League of Legends update has officially arrived, bringing substantial modifications to the competitive landscape that will reshape champion priorities across all levels of play.
This significant patch introduces both a comprehensive champion rework and targeted adjustments to dominant professional picks, creating new strategic opportunities while curtailing previously overwhelming combinations.
LoL Patch 9.16 champion changes
Patch 9.16 delivers the highly anticipated Pantheon rework, featuring completely modernized abilities and visual effects that bring the warrior in line with current design standards.
Following extensive testing on the PBE server, the revitalized Pantheon now offers players enhanced gameplay mechanics and updated combat flow that addresses previous kit limitations.
As Riot Games previously indicated, Corki and Azir face targeted nerfs designed to reduce their overwhelming presence in professional competitions.
- Azir: Q – Conquering Sands, cooldown 15/12.5/10/7.5/5 seconds ⇒ 15/13/11/9/7 seconds
- Corki: Base stats, Attack Damage 60 ⇒ 55, Attack Damage Growth 3 ⇒ 2.5
While these adjustments won’t completely remove Azir and Corki from competitive viability, their pick priority will substantially decrease, opening opportunities for alternative mid lane selections.
Ezreal undergoes significant ability modifications that impact both his damage output and mobility.
- Ezreal: Q – Mystic Shot, ratio 0.3 ability power ⇒ 0.15 ability power. E – Arcane Shift, cooldown 19/17.5/16/14.5/13 seconds ⇒ 25/22/19/16/13 seconds
Professional bot lane dynamics are shifting toward traditional marksmen like Caitlyn and Varus, as the previously dominant Ezreal and Tahm Kench combination loses reliability due to coordinated nerfs.
Sivir experiences early game power reduction that extends her scaling timeline.
- Sivir: W – Ricochet, ratio 50/55/60/65/70% attack damage ⇒ 30/40/50/60/70% attack damage
Sivir’s diminished early level strength makes her more vulnerable during laning phase, requiring more cautious play until she reaches critical item thresholds.
The magical cat Yuumi receives her second round of nerfs following previous adjustments.
- Yuumi: Q – Prowling Projectile, empowered damage 50/95/140/185/230/275 ⇒ 50/85/120/155/190/225, slow 40/48/56/64/72/80% ⇒ 20/32/44/56/68/80%, slow duration 1.25/1.35/1.45/1.55/1.65/1.75 seconds ⇒ 1.5 seconds, cooldown 11/10/9/8/7/6 seconds ⇒ 13.5/12/10.5/9/7.5/6 seconds.
Previous Yuumi adjustments proved insufficient to curb her professional dominance, but these comprehensive changes may finally remove her from must-pick status in competitive drafts.
Patch 9.16 provides targeted enhancements for Lux and Dr. Mundo that address specific weaknesses in their current kits.
- Lux: W – Prismatic Barrier, shield 50/65/80/95/110 ⇒ 50/75/100/125/150, max shield 100/130/160/190/220 ⇒ 100/150/200/250/300
Lux’s shield ability regains substantial power after the Patch 9.14 modifications that significantly reduced her competitive presence.
With these restorative buffs, Lux may reemerge as a viable support option in professional play, particularly against engage-heavy compositions where her protective capabilities provide crucial counterplay.
- Dr. Mundo: W – Burning Agony, tenacity 10/15/20/25/30% ⇒ 30% at all ranks. E – Masochism, cooldown 6 seconds ⇒ 6/5.5/5/4.5/4 seconds.
During Season 8, Dr. Mundo established himself as an nearly unkillable top lane presence who dominated extended teamfights.
Following multiple system changes and meta shifts, the madman of Zaun finally receives meaningful improvements that enhance his durability and combat consistency throughout all game phases.
Rune changes in Patch 9.16
The Inspiration tree undergoes significant modifications in Patch 9.16, with Biscuit Delivery receiving comprehensive adjustments that impact early game sustain strategies.
- Biscuits Delivered 4 ⇒ 3
- Delivery Interval 3:00, 6:00, 9:00, 12:00 ⇒ 2:00, 4:00, 6:00
- Health Per Biscuit 15% of missing health ⇒ 10% of missing health
- Health Per Biscuit (manaless champions) 20% of missing health ⇒ 12% of missing health
- Mana Per Biscuit 15% of missing mana ⇒ 10% of missing mana
- Healing Duration 15 seconds ⇒ 5 seconds
- Permanent Maximum Mana Increase 40 mana per biscuit consumption ⇒ 50 mana per biscuit consumption
These rune modifications substantially reduce the early game safety provided by Biscuit Delivery, making aggressive laning strategies more rewarding while punishing passive play patterns.
For comprehensive details on all adjustments, consult the official League of Legends patch notes available through the game client and official website resources.
Action Checklist
- Test Pantheon’s reworked kit in practice tool to understand new ability interactions and combos
- Adjust Ezreal build paths to prioritize attack damage over ability power items
- Practice updated Biscuit Delivery timing windows for optimal sustain usage
- Experiment with Lux support in normal games to evaluate her renewed shield effectiveness
- Analyze professional VODs to identify emerging champion priorities and ban strategies
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