Patch 26.7 Meta Guide: What Changed and What to Play

Patch 26.7 is a smaller balance update that brings meaningful shifts to the meta. Assassins got nerfed, scaling champions got buffed, and the support gold penalty was removed entirely. Here is what changed and what you should be playing right now.

The Biggest Change: Support Gold Penalty Removed

The most impactful change in 26.7 is the removal of the gold penalty for supports farming minions. Previously, supports earned reduced gold from CS after completing their support item quest. Now, supports can freely farm waves when their ADC is not present without any penalty.

This has massive implications. Expect to see more aggressive and scaling support picks that can transition into mid- and late-game damage threats. Champions like Brand, Zyra, and Vel'Koz support now have a viable path to building real damage items when given farm opportunities.

Champion Nerfs

Several overperformers were brought in line:

• Nami — Healing numbers reduced. She was dominating bot lane with too much sustain
• Graves — Base damage lowered on his Q. His jungle clear was too fast and too healthy
• Ornn — Brittle damage reduced. Still strong but no longer oppressive in teamfights
• Singed — Poison trail damage ticked down. He was running over top lane with very little counterplay
• Veigar — Event Horizon (E) cooldown increased. His cage was available too frequently for such a powerful zoning tool
• Karma — Shield values reduced on Mantra E. Her team shielding was too efficient

Champion Buffs

Some underperformers got help:

• Kalista — Attack speed growth increased and Rend (E) base damage buffed. She needed help keeping up with other ADCs in the late game
• Cassiopeia — Twin Fang (E) mana cost reduced. This lets her trade more aggressively in lane without running dry
• Rell — Armor and magic resistance per level increased. Combined with Bandlepipes, she is now one of the strongest engage supports in the game

How the Meta Has Shifted

Longer Games

The assassin nerfs and scaling champion buffs naturally push games longer. When burst champions deal less damage, carries survive longer and teamfights become more about sustained damage and positioning. This benefits champions like Jinx, Kog'Maw, Kayle, and Veigar who ramp up over time.

Engage Supports Are King

With the gold penalty removed, supports now have more resources. But the biggest winners are engage supports who benefit from the new Bandlepipes item. Rell, Leona, and Taric create teamfight-winning moments while also providing an attack speed aura to their carries.

Tanks Are Back

Protoplasm Harness gives tanks a powerful survivability tool, and the longer game length means tanks scale better into the late game. Ornn (even after nerfs), Cho'Gath, and Dr. Mundo are all strong choices right now.

What to Play Right Now

Based on the 26.7 changes, here are the strongest picks by role:

• Top — Gnar (56.5% WR), Tryndamere (55.5% WR), Kayle (scaling meta favourite)
• Jungle — Nocturne, Briar, Master Yi, Amumu (53.2% WR)
• Mid — Ahri, Xerath, Neeko (54.9% WR), Malzahar (53.0% WR)
• ADC — Jinx (52.6% WR), Kog'Maw (52.9% WR), Ziggs (53.8% WR)
• Support — Rell (buffed), Thresh (52.4% WR), Sona (54.5% WR)

Looking Ahead

Patch 26.7 is a transitional patch. The removal of the support gold penalty is a systemic change whose full impact will take a few weeks to settle. Expect Riot to make follow-up adjustments in 26.8 if certain support champions become too dominant with extra income.

For now, lean into the scaling meta. Pick champions that thrive in longer games, prioritise farming and objectives over risky early fights, and take advantage of the new items that reward patient play. The meta rewards discipline — play smart, build well, and the LP will follow.