The fourth patch of the 2025 League of Legends season is here, bringing a wave of champion adjustments, item tweaks, and new skins. Riot Games continues to fine-tune the meta, with a focus on buffing ADCs, adjusting tank item dominance, and refining champion balance. The upcoming Patch 25.S1.4 aims to create a more dynamic gameplay experience, introducing significant buffs, nerfs, and item modifications to shake up both ranked play and professional matches.
Here’s everything you need to know about LoL Patch 25.S1.4, including release date, champion changes, item adjustments, and new skins.
Patch 25.S1.4 Release Date
The official patch schedule for 2025 has been confirmed, and Patch 25.S1.4 is set to launch on February 20, 2025. Players can expect the update to roll out globally, impacting ranked play and competitive scenes immediately.
Key Changes and Meta Impacts
This patch introduces several major adjustments aimed at balancing champion power levels and reshaping the current meta.
Notable Champion Adjustments
- Diana’s jungle clear speed is getting reduced, weakening her impact in Solo Queue where she has been a dominant pick.
- Elise is receiving buffs to her Spider form attack speed, which should improve her early-game presence.
- ADC champions will benefit from Infinity Edge changes, potentially increasing their play rate.
- Tanks like Sion and Cho’Gath may struggle more due to nerfs to Unending Despair, Fimbulwinter, and Abyssal Mask.
- Lulu’s nerfs could lead to a rise in alternative enchanter supports, shifting the support meta.
These adjustments could result in a shift toward crit-based ADCs, while tanks may see reduced dominance in extended fights.
Champion Changes in Patch 25.S1.4
Buffs and Nerfs to Champions
Buffed Champions
- Ashe – Q AD ratio increased, W scaling buffed, R damage increased.
- Ekko – Buff to Q1 damage.
- Elise – Spider form attack speed increased, cooldown adjustments, and improved Spiderling damage.
- Gangplank – AD growth increased.
- Jayce – W attack speed cap increased.
- Nautilus – Increased base Q damage.
- Sion – Base armor and health regeneration increased.
- Teemo – Monster damage from E increased.
Nerfed Champions
- Diana – Passive jungle damage reduced, slight buffs to Q and W damage.
- Hwei – Various ability power scaling nerfs.
- Kalista – W max HP damage reduced.
- Kog’Maw – Q damage reduced.
- Lulu – W attack speed and cooldown nerfed, E shield/damage reduced.
- Mel – Adjustments to missile speed, range, duration, and mana costs, making her less oppressive in fights.
- Twitch – Axiom Arcanist now categorized as AoE damage, slightly lowering its effectiveness.
- Warwick – Increased mana cost on Q.
- Yasuo – Passive critical damage modifier adjusted.
These changes are expected to shift the meta, reducing the dominance of certain high-performing champions while giving underplayed champions a boost.
Item Adjustments in Patch 25.S1.4
Items play a crucial role in determining champion power, and Riot has introduced several key adjustments to balance tanks, ADCs, and defensive options.
- Abyssal Mask – Magic resistance slightly reduced.
- Fimbulwinter – Shield values reworked.
- Infinity Edge – Price slightly reduced, but AD stat lowered.
- Heartsteel – Max HP conversion damage reduced.
- Mercury’s Treads – Cost reduced.
- Plated Steelcaps – Damage reduction lowered.
- Symbiotic Soles – Movement speed increased.
- Unending Despair – Anguish damage heavily reduced.
These changes decrease the effectiveness of tank items, boost mobility, and fine-tune scaling items for ADCs and bruisers. Expect a shift in item priorities across multiple roles.
Swiftplay Adjustments
Swiftplay mode also receives several updates, mainly targeting Yorick and death timer mechanics.
- Yorick – AD growth slightly reduced, R mark damage nerfed.
- Death Timers – Scaling adjusted for minutes 10–35, reducing the penalty for early deaths.
These changes encourage faster pacing and allow for more dynamic gameplay in Swiftplay mode.
New Skins in Patch 25.S1.4
Alongside balance changes, Patch 25.S1.4 introduces four new skins, adding fresh cosmetic options for players.
Masked Justice Skin Line:
- Masked Justice Senna
- Masked Justice Lucian
- Masked Justice Yone
Quantum Galaxy Slayer Collection:
- Quantum Galaxy Slayer Zed
These skins offer new visual effects, animations, and themed designs, continuing Riot’s tradition of high-quality champion cosmetics.
Final Thoughts on Patch 25.S1.4
This patch is set to bring significant changes to the game’s balance, targeting overpowered tank items, adjusting jungle efficiency, and refining ADC scaling. With nerfs to dominant champions like Diana and Mel, buffs to Ekko, Elise, and Gangplank, and adjustments to core items, Patch 25.S1.4 is expected to impact both solo queue and competitive play.
As the meta continues to evolve, players will need to adapt their strategies, explore different champion picks, and experiment with new builds to stay ahead. Whether you’re a ranked player or an Esports competitor, this patch sets the stage for an exciting season ahead in League of Legends.
