League of Legends 12.2 Patch Notes: Release Date, Nerfs, Buffs and Balance Changes


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UPDATE 19 January 2022: Riot Games has revealed the now confirmed 12.2 Patch Notes.

"This patch, we're introducing an electrifying new personality to the Rift, plus a ton of champion balance changes. There's a champion refresh for Janna in the forecast as well as more item, dragon, and rune adjustments, too."

You can view a quick snapshot of patch 12.2 just below, but we've detailed all the confirmed changes further down the page in their relevant sections.
League of Legends 12.2 Patch Highlights
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League of Legends 12.2 Patch Highlights

ORIGINAL STORY CONTINUES: League of Legends first patch of 2022 has been released with patch 12.1, bringing with it a few buffs to Diana and Gangplank, as well as a few, nerfs to Rek'Sai and Sona. But now it's time to turn our attention to the next update in the game's regular cadence of content.

If you've played the game before, you likely know what to expect with the launch of a new patch. But for those who don't know, here's the gist: First of all each new patch is released on the game's PBE test server, and then normally two weeks later it's rolled out to live servers.

Keep reading and we'll give you a full rundown of what you need to know about the game's next patch, including the latest news, any early patch notes, champion changes, new skins, and much more.

Without further ado, here's everything we know about League of Legends 12.2 Patch.

Read More - League of Legends Lunar Event 2022

Latest News

17 January 2022 -

As a reminder, this week's new patch is dropping slightly later than usual. As per the LoL 2022 patch schedule, We should see patch 12.2 released on Thursday, January 20. It's only an extra day compared to when we normally see new updates launch, but it'll be worth it once new champion Zeri finally hits live servers. Stay tuned over the next few days for any last-minute changes on the PBE. Otherwise, we should have official 12.2 patch notes on Thursday.

12 January 2022 -

Phlox has shared yet more details on Patch 12.2 with a more in-depth preview. The update is described as "a meaty patch for sure". This is a follow-up on the details shared previously which said who was being buffed and nerfed, but now with further details on the specific changes.

You can view the changes on the image below, but we've also added the details to the patch notes further down the page.

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11 January 2022 -

We finally have a more in-depth look at the changes coming in Patch 12.2 thanks to Phlox, a Designer on the Summoner's Rift team. Talking about the changes Phlow Tweeted:

"Because I know y'all will be curious: We're buffing the wind brothers because they suffered substantially from the Shieldbow changes and dropped to around 47.5% winrate each, a fair bit lower than intended and lower than the other Shieldbow bound champs."

In addition, Riot Games Principal Character Designer (@RiotAugust) also shared more comprehensive details on some substantial changes to League Champion Janna.

We've detailed all the 12.2 changes in the patch notes box further down the page.

7 January 2022 -

League of Legends' new character Zeri has been finally revealed with a proper release trailer. For now though, there's still no firm news on when Zeri will be released.

We do however have a few more details (below) on the 12.2 patch courtesy of Matt Leung-Harrison, the Design Lead on the Summoner's Rift Team.

6 January 2022 -

The League of Legends PBE has now been updated to the new 12.2 patch cycle. For now, the update hasn't made any balance changes, but there is twelve new skins, a new ward skin, and more. It's also worth noting that despite the slightly early reveal for League of Legends Zeri Champion, the new AD Carry character has not been added to the PBE. Whether she is added at a later date isn't clear.

5 January 2022 -

League of Legends Patch 12.1 has been released, and that means we should see Patch 12.2 hit the PBE in the next couple of days. By the dev's own admissions, the 12.1 update to the game was 'unusual' and a bit of a 'micropatch' given most changes was prepped before the holiday break. As such we should likely expect to see some more substantial changes released with the 12.2 Patch later this month.

League of Legends Patch 12.2 Release Date

At the start of LoL Season 12 Riot Games revealed a full League of Legends patch schedule. This means we're already up to speed on exactly when the developers intend to release the next patch for the game. For the most part, the developers always stick to the date they provide fans at the start of the year. Although, it is worth noting that Patch dates can change at any time for any number of reasons.

The developers recommend checking a few days before each patch is scheduled to go live, just to be sure nothing has changed. That being said, the devs always endeavor to provide an alert for fans within 48 hours of each scheduled date, if a patch is delayed.

If you want to know when everything else is coming in 2022, follow that link above. As for the next update, League of Legends 12.2 Patch has a confirmed release date set for Thursday, January 20, 2022.

League of Legends Patch 12.2 Downtime

Maintenance times haven’t yet been confirmed by Riot Games, but we typically see new game updates released at the following times on the main LoL servers:

  • 3 am PT (NA servers)
  • 5 am GMT (WEU servers)
  • 3 am CET (EEU servers)

Following server downtime, the new patch will be released and ready to roll on live servers.

League of Legends Patch 12.2 Balance Changes

UPDATE - 5 January 2022: The below 12.2 patch notes have now been confirmed by the Riot dev team on the League of Legends blog.

For now you'll find all confirmed or tentative LoL changes for Patch 12.2, just below. Some of these could change in between PBE testing and the official release on live servers.

Champion Changes

12.2 Champion Buffs

Nocturne

  • Base stats - HP/lvl: 85 >>> 95
  • Q - AD Ratio: 75% >>> 85%

Volibear

Base stats - AD/lvl: 3 >>> 3.5

E - Cooldown: 15 >>> 13s

Yasuo

  • Q - AD Ratio: 100% >>> 105%

Yone

  • Q - AD Ratio: 100% >>> 105%

Veigar

  • Q -
  • Cooldown: 7/6.5/6/5.5/5 >>> 6/5.5/5/4.5/4
  • Stacks from Large Minions/Monsters: 2 >>> 3

Tristana

  • Base stats -
  • HP: 559 >>> 600
  • HP Regen: 3.75 >>> 4

Senna

  • Q - Now slows enemies by 20% (+6%/100 AP)(+10%/100 bonus AD) for 2s

Samira

  • R - Damage per bullet: 0/10/20 (+50% AD) >>> 5/15/25 (+50% AD)

12.2 Champion Nerfs

Shen

  • Q - Increased Q damage: 5/5.5/6/6.5/7% >>> 4/4.5/5/5.5/6% Target's Max HP

Talon

  • W - Bonus Monster Damage: 130% >>> 105%

Qiyana

  • Grass Zone Duration: 3.5 >>> 3s
  • HP Regen: 7.5 >>> 6

Lulu

  • W - Cooldown: 16/15/14/13/12 >>> 17/16/15/14/13s

Zed

  • R - Base Damage: 100% AD >>> 65% AD

Janna

Base stats and all abilities adjusted.

BASE STATS -

  • Movement speed: 315 >>> 330
  • Base AD: 46 to 71.5 >>> 52 to 103
  • AD growth: 1.5 >>> three
  • Base attack range: 550 >>> 500

Passive: Tailwind

  • Janna gains 8% bonus move speed only while moving toward allied champions. (Bonus move speed for allied champions moving towards Janna unchanged.)
  • [Removed] Janna's basic attacks and W - Zephyr no longer deal bonus magic damage based on her bonus move speed

Q - Howling Gale

  • Mana Cost: 60-140 >>> 60-100
  • Min Range: 1000 >>> 1100
  • Max Range: 1750 >>> 1760
  • Travel Time: 1.5s >>> 1.25s
  • Riot will be adding an indicator that shows Janna’s team where Q will go (might not work)

W - Zephyr

  • Range: 550 (Edge to Edge) >>> 650 (center to center)
  • Slow Duration: 2s >>> 3s
  • Cooldown: 8-6s >>> 12s
  • Damage: 55-175 >>> 70-190
  • Passive Move Speed: 6-10% >>> 8-12%

E - Eye of the Storm

  • Cooldown: 16-12 >>>15-9
  • Time before shield decays: .75s >>>1.25s
  • Shield amount: 80-220+.7AP >>> 80-200 (+65 AP)
  • CC'ing an enemy champion with a spell reduces E's cooldown by 20% >>> >>>Impairing an enemy champion's movement grants 20% heal and shield power for 5 seconds.

R - Monsoon

  • Healing tick rate: .5 >>>.25
  • Total healing remains the same

Tahm Kench

"Q slow increased. E adjusted; damage stored as grey health decreased (unless near multiple enemies). R ally shield increased; now grants move speed upon devouring ally."

Q - Tongue Lash

  • Slow effect increased to 50% from 40%

E - Thick Skin

  • Damage dealt to grey health changed to 15/25/35/45/55%, increased to 45/50/55/60/65% if there are 2 or more visible enemy champions nearby (dead or alive)
  • Grey health to health changed from [45-100%, which scales from levels 1-18] from [30-100%, which scales from levels 1-18]

R - Devour:

  • Ally shield has changed to [500/700/900 (+150% AP)] from [400/500/600 (+100% AP)]

Rengar

"As a primary jungler, this battle kitty has been suffering a lot on the Chemtech Rift. While he's not the only champion affected, Rengar has certainly gotten the worst of it as so much of his power budget is dedicated to his passive's interaction with brush. Removing 12 spots of it is incredibly disruptive—not just to his core farming pattern, but his entire gameplay, really—so we're giving him a new way to pounce and prowl. No catnip needed. (Note that this passive is on his R and only takes effect once he ranks up his ultimate."

R - Thrill of the Hunt [Ultimate]

  • NEW: Innate - Rengar can leap to enemies with his next basic attack when he is in camouflage

Item Changes | Rune Changes | ARURF | VFX Updates

ITEMS

Lich Bane

  • Build path: Blasting Wand + Aether Wisp + Sheen + 600g > Fiendish Codex + Aether Wisp + Sheen + 550g (total cost unchanged)
  • Ability haste: Zero > 15
  • Spellblade damage: 150 percent base AD (+40 percent AP) > 75 percent base AD (+50 percent AP)
  • Spellblade cooldown: 2.5 seconds > 1.5 seconds

Rylai’s Crystal Scepter

  • Total cost: 3,000 gold > 2,600 gold
  • Combine cost: 815 gold > 415 gold
  • Ability power: 90 > 75
  • Health: 350 > 400

Jungle

Chemtech drake

Chemtech dragon soul

  • Zombie health: 80 percent base health + 50 percent bonus health > 70 percent base health + 40 percent bonus health
  • Zombie duration (without other health impacting factors): four seconds > three seconds

Chemtech rift

  • Offensive action camouflage timer: 1.5 seconds > 2.5 seconds
  • Bonus damage vs. enemies with more current health: Up to 10 percent > Up to 12 percent

Hextech drake

Hextech dragon soul

  • Chain lightning true damage: 25 to 75 (based on attacker’s level, one to 18) > 25 to 50 (based on attacker’s level, one to 18)

Runes

Lethal Tempo

  • Attack speed per stack (melee): 13 percent > 10 to 15 percent (levels one to 15)
  • Attack speed per stack (ranged): seven percent > five to nine percent (levels one to 12)

ARURF

ARURF returns on Jan. 26. The All Random Ultra Rapid Fire game mode is receiving a few changes ahead of the Lunar New Year. The devs have added some adjustments to runes to spice up Summoner’s Rift.

  • ARURF First Strike ooldown: 25 to 15 seconds (levels one to 18) > 15 to nine seconds (levels one to 18)
  • ARURF Glacial Augment cooldown: 25 seconds > 15 seconds

VFX updates

Sona

  • Base Sona: Complete overhaul
  • Muse Sona: Minor details added to new base
  • Pentakill Sona: Same as new base
  • Silent Night Sona: Recolored from new base
  • Guqin Sona: Minor details added to new base
  • Arcade Sona: Complete overhaul
  • DJ Sona: Complete overhaul and additional special celebration effects for each passive aura
  • Sweetheart Sona: Same as new base, plus some cleanup
  • Odyssey Sona: Minimal tweaks
  • Pentakill III: Lost Chapter Sona: Minimal tweaks

Vayne

  • Base Vayne: Complete overhaul
  • Dragonslayer Vayne: Recolored from base with added smoke and flames
  • Heartseeker Vayne: Recolored from base with heart in W decal
  • SKT T1: Same as new base, different missiles to match model
  • Arclight Vayne: Recolored from base with more golden, divine sparks

Bugfixes and QoL Changes

  • Fixed a bug where Teleport could sometimes still target certain units other than towers before 14 minutes
  • Fixed a bug where Unleashed Teleport would permanently replace one of your Summoner Spells if acquired and used via the Unsealed Spellbook rune
  • Champions will now correctly drop Unleashed Teleport spell shards if used after 14 minutes into a game with Zoe
  • Fixed a bug where Yone could sometimes cast Unleashed Teleport while his E - Soul Unbound was active
  • The exclamation point stealth indicator has been fixed and will correctly reappear above your champion if you are visible to an enemy inside the Chemtech Fog after completing certain stealthing abilities (such as Akali's W - Twilight Shroud)
  • Fixed a bug where towers would incorrectly target enemy champions who took damage from Kog'Maw's Passive - Icathian Surprise or Karthus's Passive - Death Defied
  • Rengar's Passive - Unseen Predator leap basic attacks will correctly trigger Navori Quickblades' Deft Strikes effect
  • Fixed a bug where taking damage from certain jungle monsters would sometimes incorrectly grant stacks toward Force of Nature's Absorb passive
  • Fixed a bug where triggering Glacial Augment's passive would incorrectly count toward triggering Eclipse's Ever Rising Moon passive
  • Fixed a bug where Mythic or active item icon borders would sometimes appear in incorrect locations. (Yes, the mysterious orange squares...)
  • Enemy player chat and emote mute toggle buttons have been fixed and will no longer overlap with other icons in the scoreboard
  • DJ Sona and K/DA Seraphine's in-game music mute toggle buttons have been fixed and will display correctly next to their champion icon in the scoreboard every game
  • Chat restriction notifications have been fixed and will once again inform players how many messages they have left in their limit

League of Legends Patch 12.2 New Champion Skins & Splash Art

League of Legends makes a habit of adding new skins to the game with every patch, and there is one skin that could arrive (on top of the new skins we've seen added) since it was delayed from the 12.1 patch. That is of course the Firelight Ekko Skin, seen below:

The skin was originally intended to release with the 12.1 patch, but was delayed so the dev team could address the skin's lack of SFX. You can read the full developer comments, just below:

In addition, there's also plenty of new skins and splash art available in Patch 12.2. We've listed all the skins just below and if you want to see the skins in action with gameplay from the PBE, it's worth checking out SkinSpotlights, a YouTube channel dedicated to sharing the latest League skins.

  • Crystal Rose Akshan - 1350 RP
  • Crystal Rose Janna - 1350 RP
  • Withered Rose Elise - 1350 RP
  • Firecracker Diana
  • Firecracker Sett
  • Firecracker Teemo
  • Firecracker Tristana
  • Firecracker Xin Zhao
  • Firecracker Yuumi
  • Porcelain Amumu
  • Porcelain Ezreal
  • Porcelain Kindred
  • Porcelain Lissandra
  • Porcelain Lux

For now, you can also view all the skins new splash art on the below gallery:

This is all the information available regarding update 12.2 in League of Legends. We will keep updating this page as more information is made available on the PBE servers. In the meantime, why not have a quick read of our League of Legends Beginners Guide for some quick tips. You might also want to make time to read our guide detailing the Best League of Legends Champion For Beginners.

For more articles like this, take a look at our League of Legends and Gaming News page.