Patch 25.10 arrives with a thunderous impact, not through the addition of new champions or game modes, but via a sweeping overhaul to Ability Power (AP) items. With 13 items receiving buffs, reworks, or cost changes, this update aims to refresh how mages and AP users itemize—and ultimately, how they perform.
It’s not just about the numbers; this patch attempts to redefine the strategic identity of many items while correcting balance issues tied to overused champions and underwhelming tools. May 14th marks the start of what may become one of the biggest meta shifts in recent seasons.
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II. The Arcane Arsenal Overhauled: A Look at the AP Item Reworks
The biggest headline in patch 25.10 is the AP item rework. Instead of introducing brand-new items, Riot has opted to refine existing ones, making them more purposeful and distinct.
A. Buffs & Reworks: Adding Identity and Power Where It Was Missing
Riot’s goal is clear: make items feel less interchangeable and more tailored to specific champion needs and playstyles.
- Bloodletter’s Curse
This item now stacks magic resist shred faster, reaching its 30% cap in just four hits instead of six. On paper, it’s a buff—but it’s also a shift toward faster impact in shorter trades. Champions like Malzahar or Swain, who rely on quick bursts of magic shred, will benefit more than poke-focused mages.
- Cryptbloom
This one’s a trade-off: you get more AP and pen, but the healing aspect is significantly reduced. Riot seems to be repositioning Cryptbloom as an aggressive mage’s item, better suited for damage-focused builds than utility enchanters or hybrid supports.
- Rocketbelt
Now cheaper, more damaging, and slightly less tanky. A clear nudge toward assassins or aggressive roamers like Kennen and Diana, who will welcome the added burst potential at the cost of survivability.
- Horizon Focus
Gone is the unique Hypershot effect; in its place is a boatload of raw AP (110). While less “flashy,” it now competes directly with Deathcap for high-scaling builds. This change trades gimmicks for stat brute force.
- Lich Bane
The more affordable build path makes this item more reachable in the mid-game, especially for auto-attack reliant mages like Ekko or Twisted Fate. Losing 15 AP isn’t a big deal if it means finishing your item during critical power spikes.
5. Stormsurge
The removal of the movement speed passive on proc is a noticeable nerf to its hit-and-run potential. But with a cheaper cost and baseline speed buff, it leans more into consistent mobility rather than situational bursts.
B. Minor Buffs and Price Tweaks: Faster Power Spikes Across the Board
Let’s not downplay these—while individually small, these changes collectively lower the cost of doing business for mages:
- Luden’s and Nashor’s being 100 gold cheaper means faster first items.
- Rabadon’s and Mejai’s also got discounts, rewarding snowballing or late-game scaling more reliably.
- Malignance gains just 5 AP, but it’s enough to push it into more competitive territory.
Across the board, the AP class benefits from earlier access to core power, which could drastically impact early-game matchups and teamfight timing.
C. Liandry’s Torment Nerf: Long Overdue or Strategic Overkill?
This is the only AP item nerfed, which says a lot. With its strong scaling and near-universal application, Liandry’s had become a no-brainer pick, particularly on mages who love prolonged fights (Cassiopeia, Brand, Malzahar).
Dropping its AP from 70 to 60 forces players to reconsider if it’s still the best-in-slot. With all the buffs to competing items, this nerf doesn’t feel punishing—it feels corrective.
III. Champions on the Chopping Block (and Pedestal): Winners and Losers of Patch 25.10
Item changes aside, Riot’s balance team has also nudged a handful of champions up or down to maintain equilibrium.
A. Buffs with Purpose: Scaling, Identity, and Role Reinforcement
1. Cho’Gath
His improved base attack speed and E scaling help him trade better and threaten tanks, while a small nerf to Q damage keeps his burst in check.
2. Senna
Her buffs are clearly targeting the ADC role—more crit, faster soul scaling—while nerfing her AP healing keeps her support scaling in check. This is Riot trying to cleanly separate ADC Senna from support Senna.
3. Smolder
A solid round of scaling buffs gives Smolder more relevance in the mid to late game, especially with stack-based abilities hitting harder.
B. Nerfs & Adjustments: Trimming Excess, Not Gutting Kits
1. Fiddlesticks
Support Fiddle takes a hit (lower fear duration and damage), while jungle Fiddle stays viable through increased AP ratios. A nice example of fine-tuned balance instead of blanket nerfs.
2. Vi
Vi’s damage is down, but her ult costs less mana. This slightly reduces her burst threat in pro play, while keeping her solo queue utility intact.
3. Lulu, Yuumi, and Xin Zhao
Small, surgical nerfs to reduce power without pushing these champions out of viability. Riot clearly understands how sensitive these picks are to over-nerfing, especially in organized play.
4. Naafiri & Kayn
Both receive modest nerfs focused on durability and jungle efficiency, aiming to tone down their early-game dominance without affecting their entire identity.
IV. Rune Refresh: A Subtle Yet Meaningful Buff to Unsealed Spellbook
- Cooldown reduced from 5 to 4 minutes
This may seem small, but it means 20% more summoner flexibility over a 30-minute game. Champions like Twisted Fate, Karma, or top-lane Singed—anyone who relies on utility—now get more out of this rune. It won’t break the meta, but it might broaden strategic pick potential.
V. Final Thoughts: A Patch of Purposeful Rebalancing
Patch 25.10 feels like more than just a spring cleaning—it’s a strategic redesign. Riot isn’t just buffing items or trimming numbers; they’re redefining roles, item purpose, and champion identity.
This update:
- Rewards players who adapt to new build paths
- Encourages more specialized itemization
- Creates space for underused champions and items to shine
- Nudges the meta toward faster spikes and more distinct strengths
Rather than brute force change, Riot uses this patch to say: “Hey, try something different—there’s power in it now.” For casual and competitive players alike, League of Legends patch 25.10 offers a dynamic new sandbox to explore.
