LoL Patch 12.23 Buffs & Nerfs | The Final Patch

LoL Patch 12.23 is going to be the last patch of the year. This is going to be another big patch for League of Legends, so we're going to let you know what buffs & nerfs will be heading your way.

While Sylas and Pantheon weren't the Ashen Knight's we'd hoped for, Riot is giving the community what they want with the final skin of this skin series for 2022. But, other than fancy new mythic skins, what else does Riot have planned for us?

Some major champion updates went live in LoL Patch 12.23 so let's go over all the buffs, nerfs and adjustments now!

LoL Preseason 2023: Huge Jungle Changes

Riot Adding a LoL Patch 12.23B-Patch Ahead of Holidays

Riot is also adding a b-patch for this patch since it's the final one of the year and Riot will be going on holiday break. Make sure to check out all the changes in our B-Patch article:

LoL Patch 12.23b | Mid-Patch Update Nerf Zed

LoL Patch 12.23: All Champion Buffs and Nerfs

After we've only received minor buffs and nerfs for champions over the first preseason patches, Riot decided it's now time to ramp it up again! So let's go lver all the balance changes this League of Legends patch.

LoL Patch 12.23: These Champions Will Be Buffed

Champions	Buffs in LoL Patch 12.23
Sion	Base Stats Base Mana: 330 ⇒ 400 Mana Growth: 42 ⇒ 52 Q - Decimating Smash Base Damage: 30/50/70/90/110 ⇒ 40/60/80/100/120
Cho'Gath	P - Carnivore Mana Restored on Enemy Kills: 3.5-7.75 (based on level) ⇒ 4.7-9.5 (based on level) W - Feral Scream Base Damage: 75/125/175/225/275 ⇒ 80/135/190/245/300 R - Feast Cooldown: 80 seconds ⇒ 80/70/60 seconds
Amumu	Base Health Growth: 89 ⇒ 100 Q - Bandage Toss Mana Cost: 30/35/40/45/50 ⇒ 40/45/50/55/60 W - Despair Damage per Second: 12/16/20/24/28 (+1/1.15/1.3/1.45/1.6% of target’s maximum HP) ⇒ 12/16/20/24/28 (+1/1.25/1.5/1.75/2% of target’s maximum HP) E - Tantrum Base Magic Damage: 85/110/135/160/185 (+ 50% AP) ⇒ 80/110/140/170/200 (+ 50% AP)
Shadow Kayn	P - The Darkin Scythe Shadow Assassin Bonus Damage: 8-30% (based on level) ⇒ 13-40% (based on level) E - Shadow Step Heal upon entering Terrain: 90/100/110/120/130 (+35% bonus AD) ⇒ 90/100/110/120/130 (+45% bonus AD)
Maokai	P - Sap Magic Heal: 4-34 (based on level) + (4-10% maximum health (based on level)) ⇒ 4-34 (based on level) + (4-12% maximum health (based on level)) Q - Bramble Smash Base Damage: 65/110/155/200/245 (+2/2.25/2.5/2.75/3% of the target’s maximum HP) ⇒ 70/120/170/220/270 (+2/2.25/2.5/2.75/3% of the target’s maximum HP) Bonus Damage to Monsters: 80/100/120/140/160 ⇒ 120/140/160/180/200
Zac	P - Cell Division Healing per Chunk: 4/4.75/5.5/6.25% (based on R Rank) maximum HP ⇒ 4/5/6/7% (based on R Rank) maximum HP Q - Stretching Strikes Cooldown: 15/13.5/12/10.5/9 seconds ⇒ 14/12.5/11/9.5/8 seconds Base Damage: 40/55/70/85/100 (+2.5% of Zac's maximum health) ⇒ 40/55/70/85/100 (+4% of Zac's maximum health)
Malphite	E - Ground Slam Magic Damage: 60/95/130/165/200 (+60% AP) (+30% Armor) ⇒ 70/110/150/190/230 (+60% AP) (+40% Armor) Mana Cost: 50/55/60/65/70 ⇒ 50 at all ranks
K'Sante	Base Stats Base Health Regeneration: 8.5 ⇒ 9.5 Health Growth: 104 ⇒ 108 E - Footwork [NEW] Auto Attack Reset: E will now partially reset auto attacks in K’Sante’s base form, and will be a full auto attack reset while in his All Out form Wall Forgiveness: Adjusted E so that if K’Sante is very close to dashing through a wall he will now go through the wall

As you can see, there is a lot of tanks set out to be buffed with Patch 12.23! Riot deems them too weak in their current state, aside from a few being playable because of great item synergy. Otherwise you see Tahm Kench and Zeri, both of them will receive rather extensive buffs, some might even say mini-reworks. If you want to find out more about those, read down below!

LoL Patch 12.23: These Champions Will Be Nerfed

Champions	Nerfs in LoL Patch 12.23
Yuumi	P - Bop'n'Block Cooldown: 14-6 seconds (based on level) ⇒ 18-6 seconds (based on level) R - Final Chapter Root Duration: 1.75 seconds ⇒ 1.25 seconds
Syndra	W - Force of Will Transcendent Upgrade Bonus Damage: 15% (+1.5% per 100 AP) ⇒ 12% ( 2% per 100 AP) E - Scatter the Weak Cooldown: 15 seconds ⇒ 17 seconds Magic Damage: 75/115/155/195/235 (+55% AP) ⇒ 75/115/155/195/235 (+45% AP)
Mordekaiser	P - Darkness Rise Damage Cap against Monsters: 180 ⇒ 28-164 (based on level) Passive Proc on Monsters: Generates a stack on all monster hits ⇒ Generates a stack on large monster hits
Shyvana	E - Flame Breath Empowered Basic Attacks vs Marked Enemies: 3.5% of target's maximum HP ⇒ 3% of target's maximum HP
Trundle	Base Stats Base Attack Speed: 0.67 ⇒ 0.60 R - Subjugate Damage Based on Target’s Maximum Health: 20/27.5/35% (+2% per 100 AP) ⇒ 20/25/30% (+2% per 100 AP)
Lillia	Q - Blooming Blows Magic Damage: 35/50/65/80/95 (+40% AP) ⇒ 40/50/60/70/80 (+40% AP) Outer Edge True Damage: 35/50/65/80/95 (+40% AP) ⇒ 40/50/60/70/80 (+40% AP)

"A surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one!" This is what Senator Palpatine would say about this list of champions. Yuumi is being nerfed. We're curious to see what exactly will be changed about her, but it's safe to say that the majority of the LoL community will be thrilled to see her being nerfed.

LoL Patch 12.23: System Buffs & Nerfs

Riot is focusing on champion balance with this patch. This doesn't mean that they won't act on items over- or underperforming in the current meta. Sunfire Aegis will be buffed after being subject to a rework during the Preseason item changes.

Combine Cost: 1000 ⇒ 900
Total Cost: 2800 ⇒ 2700
Health: 400 ⇒ 500

On the other hand, Ravenous Hydra will be nerfed. It's safe to say that this item has been one of the highlights during the first Preseason patch, but it's time to tone it down a little. We'll see if Riot will be able to successfully balance this item.

AoE Splash Damage: 60% AD for melee champions /30% AD for ranged champions ⇒ 50% AD for melee champions/25% AD for ranged champions
[REMOVED] Omnivamp from Stacks: 4% ⇒ Removed

LoL Patch 12.23: Balancing Changes to Jungle Role

This one might be interesting as well: Riot is planning to release further balancing changes for the Jungle role, after it has received some major updates with the release of Preseason 2023. It has sparked a lot of controversy, though. Many think it's too strong in it's current state, some say it got too easy. Let's see what Riot wants to change with Patch 12.23

Jungle Rules

20 Base True Damage ⇒ 16 Base True Damage for Pets
After first evolution, consume 2 bonus treats on kill of large monsters and get said benefits
Native 20% Damage Amp no longer works on epic monsters
10% Bonus AR/MR is converted to pet True Damage
Bonus HP Ration: 4% ⇒ 3%
Monster Kill Health per Level: 3 ⇒ 6
Monster Kill Mana per Level: 2 ⇒ 4
Treat Gold: 50 ⇒ 35 (Jungle Gold is up a fair bit, pulling a lot of gold out of the treats)
Exp. Multiplier: 1/1/1.025/1.075/1.15/1.15/1.25/1.25/1.35 Levels 1-9 ⇒ 1/1/1.025/1.075/1.2/1.2/1.3/1.3/1.45 Levels 1-9 (Partial compensation of jungle experience nerfs from start of season)

Monsters

Gromp AA Range: 175 ⇒ 150
Crimson Raptor Attack Range: 300 ⇒ 200
Leashing Range: Leash range centers have been offset from Camp spawn location giving more space for champions to move and kite
Jungle Camp Experience Given Multiplier: 1/1/1.025/1.075/1.15/1.15/1.25/1.25/1.35 (levels 1-9) ⇒ 1/1/1.025/1.075/1.2/1.2/1.3/1.3/1.45 (levels 1-9)r

Mosstomper

Tenacity Buff Duration: 3 seconds ⇒ 1.5 seconds
Tenacity Type: Item (additive with item tenacity) ⇒ Champion (multiplicative with item tenacity)

LoL Patch 12.23: Dr. Mundo Jungle Changes Ahead

Dr. Mundo just received his VGU in 2021, but it's already time for Riot to already rework his abilities once more. His kit hasn't felt as great since the rework and some of the abilities feel underwhelming. So, Riot is looking to rework some abilities.

You might encounter K'Sante when playing top lane Mundo...

Dr. Mundo Ability Changes

Ability	Changes
Base Stats	Base Magic Resist: 32 ⇒ 29 Magic Resist Growth: 2.05 ⇒ 2.3 Base Attack Speed: 0.72 ⇒ 0.67 Attack Damage Growth: 3.5 ⇒ 2.5
Passive - Goes Where He Pleases	Cannister Health Loss: 7% of current health ⇒ 3% of current health Cannister Heal: 8% of maximum health ⇒ 4% of maximum health Max Health Regen per 5 seconds: 0.8-1.6% (linear progression) ⇒ 0.4-2.5% (non-linear progression, equal at level 11)
Q - Infected Bonesaw	Health Cost: 50 ⇒ 60
W- Heart Zapper	Health Cost: 5% of current health ⇒ 8% of current health Gray Health Healed after Not Taking Damage: 0% ⇒ 50% Damage Stored as Gray Health: 25/30/35/40/45% ⇒ 80-95% based on level in the first 0.75 seconds, then 25% afterwards Duration: 4 seconds ⇒ 3 seconds
E - Blunt Force Trauma	Passive Bonus AD: 15/20/15/30/35 (+ 25/30/35/40/45 based on missing health) ⇒ 2.5/3/3.5/4/4.5% maximum health Health Cost: 10/20/30/40/50 ⇒ 20/30/40/50/60 Cooldown: 8/7.5/7/6.5/6 seconds ⇒ 9/8.25/7.5/6.75/6 seconds Bonus Damage to Monsters: 200% ⇒ 150%
R - Maximum Dosage	Missing Health Gained as Maximum Health: 8/11.5/15% ⇒ 15/20/25% [NEW] Mega Mundo Heals: At rank 3, Mundo’s R’s healing effects are increased by an additional 5% per nearby enemy champion [REMOVED] Mundo Mad: R no longer gives bonus AD

These changes should make Mundo a much better late game champion. He will still gain extra AD thanks to his E, so even the removal of the bonus AD from the ultimate shouldn't be too big of a deal.

The biggest and most impactful change will definitely come from the update to his W, which has felt very lack luster thus far. So, hopefully Dr. Mundo will be played more often, because he's actually a super fun tank to play.

Withered Rose Zeri — Zeri hasn't been looking too hot lately... | © Riot Games

Zeri Ability Update to Improve Her in Solo Queue

LoL Patch 12.23 is also going to see some major changes for another struggling champion and that is none other than Zeri. Soon she will turn 1-year-old, but she hasn't been a very popular champion... due to her being broken as hell and then nerfed beyond repair after.

Now, Riot is looking to make some major changes to her kit, so she will be more forgiving in solo queue, as well as less OP in the pro scene with the proposed changes from Riot.

Zeri Abilities Update in LoL Patch 12.23

Abilities	Changes
Base Stats	Move Speed: 325 ⇒ 330 Base Attack Damage: 50 ⇒ 53 Base Armor: 20 ⇒ 24 Base Health: 600 ⇒ 630 Attack Speed Ratio: 0.568 ⇒ 0.625HP Growth: 109 ⇒ 115
Passive - Living Battery	Fully Charged Basic Attack Damage: 90-200 (based on level) (+90%AP) (+1-15% (based on level) target maximum HP) ⇒ 90-200 (based on level) (+110%AP) (+1-15% target maximum HP) Gotta Zip Shield Bonus: 10% multiplicative Move Speed ⇒ 10% Move Speed (Note: this should make the shield stack worse with other Move Speed sources) Bonus Move Speed Duration: 3 seconds ⇒ 2 seconds
Q - Burst Fire	Range: 825 ⇒ 750 Conversion of Excess Attack Speed to Bonus AD: 60% ⇒ 70% Physical Damage: 8/11/14/17/20 (+ 100/105/110/115/120% AD) ⇒ 15/18/21/24/27 (+ 104/108/112/116/120% AD)
W - Ultrashock Laser	Damage Type: Magic ⇒ Physical Physical Damage: 20/55/90/125/160 (+100% AD)(+40% AP) ⇒ 20/60/100/140/180 (+130% AD) (+25% AP) Cast Time: 2.5x Attack Time ⇒ 0.55-0.3 seconds (based on Attack Speed) Missile Speed: 2200 ⇒ 2500 Beam Cast Time: 0.75 seconds ⇒ 0.85 seconds
E - Spark Surge	Mana Cost: 80 ⇒ 90/85/80/75/70 Cooldown: 24/22.5/21/19.5/18 seconds ⇒ 22/21/20/19/18 seconds [NEW] Lightning Rounds are Magic: For 5 seconds after using her E, Zeri gains Lightning Rounds and her Q - Burst Fire will deal additional magic damage to the first enemy hit [NEW] Bonus Magic Damage to First Target Hit with Lightning Rounds: 20/22/24/26/28 (+20% AP)(+12% bonus AD).This damage is increased by up to 65% based on Zeri's Critical Strike Chance. Lightning Rounds Pierce Damage Falloff after First Target Hit: 60/70/80/90/100% ⇒ 80/85/90/95/100% Vision while Sliding on Terrain: 850 units ⇒ 1500 units
R - Lightning Crash	[REMOVED] Short Circuited: Zeri’s Overcharged attacks no longer deal 5/10/15(+15% AP) Bonus Magic Damage On-Hit Chain Lightning Range: 450 ⇒ 650 On-Cast Magic Damage: 150/250/350 (+80% AP)(+80% bonus AD) ⇒ 175/275/375 (+110% AP)(+100% bonus AD) Kerchow: If Zeri’s R hits at least one enemy champion, Zeri gains 10% Move Speed, 30% Attack Speed, and chaining shots for 5 seconds. Hitting champions with Q or auto attacks refresh this buff by 1.5 seconds. (Note: this buff cannot be extended to be longer than its original duration.) Boundless Energy: Hitting enemy champions grants Zeri 1 stack (3 stacks for critical strikes) of Overcharge for 1.5 seconds. Zeri gains 0.5% Move Speed for each stack of Overcharge, stacking infinitely.

Most fans seem rather confused about the upcoming changes to her ultimate. Is Zeri still going to infinitely stack the ability or is there now a cap of 10s for the ability? Riot has further elaborated on the confusion, stating that the ability is "essentially broken into 2 parts, a baseline buff and Overcharge. Overcharge is the MS that stacks infinitely, these only last 1.5s so flashing/CC will drop all the MS".

You will have to keep auto attacking to keep your stacks every 1.5s otherwise you'll lose them. This will make it harder for Zeri to infinitely scale, but it's still there in her kit for those of you who want to continue to abuse this champion.

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Tahm Kench Changes in LoL Patch 12.23

Tahm Kench will also be receiving some updates this coming patch. It seems like Riot isn't sure how to balance this champion ever since his mini rework. He's just been a bit underwhelming, but the catfish could make his comeback to the scene. Will these proposed changes help him?

Tahm Kench Ability Names	Abilities
Passive - An Acquired Taste	On-Hit and On-Q Bonus Magic Damage: 8-60 (based on level) (+ 3% bonus health) ⇒ 8-60 (based on level) (+ 3% bonus health) (+ 2% AP per 100 bonus health)
Q - Tongue Lash	Magic Damage: 80/130/180/230/280 (+ 90% AP) ⇒ 80/130/180/230/280 (+ 100% AP) Self Heal: 10/15/20/25/30 (+ 3/3.5/4/4.5/5% missing Health) ⇒ 10/15/20/25/30 (+ 5/5.5/6/6.5/7% missing Health)
W - Abyssal Dive	Magic Damage: 100/135/170/205/240 (+ 125% AP) ⇒ 100/135/170/205/240 (+ 150% AP)
E - Thick Skin	Damage Stored to Gray Health: 13/21/29/37/45% ⇒ 15/23/31/39/47% Increased Damage Stored to Gray Health: 40/42.5/45/47.5/50% ⇒ 42/44/46/48/50%
R - Devour	Magic Damage: 100/250/400 (+ 15% (+ 5% per 100 AP) of target's maximum health) ⇒ 100/250/400 (+ 15% (+ 7% per 100 AP) of target's maximum health) Shield: Lasts 2.5 seconds after Devour ends ⇒ Decays by 50 health per 0.25 seconds after Devour has ended until gone

Tahm now has some of the best AP scaling in the game, but will this even help him in the laning phase and his wave clear? We doubt it, so we except some more Tahm changes in the future.

Kassadin to Receive Quality of Life Changes in LoL Patch 12.23

Kassadin will be receiving some nice quality of life changes as well. These changes are aimed to be released for 12.23, but they could also come at a later time if the team isn't happy with these updates. So let's go over these upcoming quality of life changes. Will you be a Kassadin main after these?

Q - Null Sphere

Shield Strength: 60/90/120/150/180 (+ 40% AP) ⇒ 80/110/140/170/200 (+ 30% AP)
Shield Spawn Speed: Shield is granted when the Q projectile leave’s Kassadin’s hand ⇒ Shield is granted when Q is cast

E - Force Pulse

Cooldown: 5 seconds ⇒ 21/19/17/15/13 seconds
[REMOVED] Stacks Be Gone: This spell no longer requires a certain number of stacks in order to be cast
[NEW] Send Your Energy: Ally and enemy spells cast nearby Kassadin reduce E’s cooldown by 1 second

Howling Abyss — Some major changes heading out for ARAM players! | © Riot Games

Huge ARAM Changes Coming in LoL Patch 12.23

ARAM is getting huge changes in the coming patch. The map will change completely, with more brushes added, as well as hexgates now also being part of the map. You can now use these hexgates to move to the outermost turret of your team. So, if your outermost turret falls you can then hexgate to your second tower.

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Towers will also crumble and fall realistically when they're destroyed, obscuring a path along the way for players. This means you can only go around one side of the fallen tower. But you'll still be able to use hook abilities to pull in opposing champions. So they won't be safe hiding behind the other side of the fallen tower.

ARAM Death Timer Changes

ARAM death timers are also getting some updates in the coming patch. Seriously guys, there is so much happening right now! The death timers will be longer, but with the added Hexgates you'll be with your team way faster than before, so these changes shouldn't impact your ARAM games too much.

+2 seconds at lvl 3
+5 seconds at lvls 4 - 8
+4 seconds at lvl 9
+3 seconds at lvls 10 - 18

ARAM Champion Adjustments

As the League of Legends patch has gone live, Riot implemented a few hotfix patches to champions. Almost 20 champions will be getting buffed and nerfed in ARAM. For a full list of champions, make sure to check out our dedicated article for these ARAM hotfix adjustments:

A Number of LoL Champions Got Hotfixed for ARAM in LoL Patch 12.23

ARAM Clash Tournament

The final Clash tournament will also be starting, and it is going to be a unique Clash like never before. ARAM Clash will be the final Clash of the year. Any fans of the game mode should be hyped for some actual competition and if Riot sees a good turnout, then we might also get more love for ARAM.

New Mythic Skin Released in LoL Patch 12.23

A brand-new mythic skin will hit the rift as well. This is going to be the final Ashen Knight skin, and it's finally going to be the Ashen Knight skin the fans want. Sylas and Pantheon were criticized heavily for not looking like knights, but our big man Mordekaiser fits the bill to a tee!

So, expect the new Ashen Knight Mordekaiser to be in the mythic shop come LoL Patch 12.23 along with an Emberwoken Chroma to give him the true knightly look from hell. Hopefully we get to see this skin line as a regular returning skin line in 2023. Pyke and Morde have shown the potential for these skins.

Which mythic theme we're getting in 2023 has not yet been revealed, but we hope that Riot can do something dark and gritty once more.

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These are some of the biggest changes heading into LoL Patch 12.23. If there are any other updates to the patch, we will be sure to update you guys, so you know what could go live just before Christmas. You want to make it through the holidays, right?