League of Legends Patch 14.4 has arrived, bringing a wave of impactful updates to both champions and core game systems. Whether you’re a casual player or climbing the competitive ladder, these changes are set to shake up the meta and enhance your gameplay experience.
What’s New in Patch 14.4?
Patch 14.4 brings critical updates to champions, items, and the game system—many of which will shake up the current meta, especially in high-ELO and competitive play.
Let’s break down the most impactful changes you need to know—plus how they’ll affect your gameplay.
TL;DR Summary: Meta Shifts to Watch
| Buffed Champs | Nerfed Champs | Major System Tweaks |
|---|---|---|
| Rek’Sai, Ahri, Bard (support) | Smolder, Janna, Renekton | Lethality item buffs, Ghostwalkers nerf, ARAM adjustments |
Champion Adjustments – What They Mean
Buffs
- Rek’Sai: Faster tunnels and stronger early game = More threat in jungle ganks. Could re-emerge in pro play.
- Ahri: Increased HP and regen make her safer midlane. Expect a rise in mage-sustain picks.
- Bard: Passive damage scaling makes support Bard more viable in roam-heavy comps.
Nerfs
- Smolder: Damage tuning down to reduce late-game hypercarry dominance.
- Janna: Cooldown increase on W — weakens her lane harass and mid-game peel.
- Renekton: Reduced healing and Q base damage → less oppressive top lane sustain.
System & Item Changes
- Ghostcrawlers (Ghostwalkers) Nerfed: These boots no longer enable abuse on melee champs like Olaf and Udyr.
- Lethality Items Buffed: Picks like Serpent’s Fang and Duskblade now offer more value. Expect lethality assassins (Zed, Qiyana) to spike.
- ARAM: Death timers adjusted to reduce snowballing. Champions like Ziggs and Teemo will see reduced dominance.
Who Benefits Most?
- Jungle mains: Rek’Sai is back. Her buffs mean early invades are more potent—take advantage before she gets rebalanced.
- Midlaners: Ahri and other AP mages now have safer laning vs assassins.
- Support players: Bard’s buffs reward map awareness and proactive roaming.
Final Thoughts
Patch 14.4 isn’t just a numbers tweak—it signals a shift toward early-game jungle control and support impact. Use this window to adapt your picks and build paths.
Pro Tip: Play around Bard/Rek’Sai if you want to climb early this patch!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Which champions were buffed in Patch 14.4?
A: In Patch 14.4, several champions received buffs to increase their viability in solo queue and pro play. Notable buffs include:
- Rek’Sai – Improved tunnel speed and early-game utility.
- Ahri – Increased health growth and HP regen for better lane sustain.
- Bard – Enhanced passive damage scaling to support roam-heavy playstyles.
Dr. Mundo, Karthus, Lucian, and Neeko also received targeted improvements.
Q2: What items were changed in Patch 14.4?
A: Key item changes in Patch 14.4 include:
- Ghostcrawlers (Ghostwalkers): Nerfed—less mobility abuse potential for melee champions.
- Lethality Items (like Serpent’s Fang, Duskblade of Draktharr): Buffed to make AD assassins more impactful.
- These changes are intended to rebalance item utility across mid and jungle roles.
Q3: How does Patch 14.4 affect ARAM?
A: ARAM saw a few system-level tweaks aimed at game pacing:
- Adjusted death timers to reduce snowballing from early kills.
- Balance changes to champions who were dominating on Howling Abyss (like Ziggs and Teemo).
- These updates aim to make ARAM games feel fairer and more competitive.