League of Legends patch 9.17 to nerf Qiyana, buff Pantheon, more

League of Legends patch 9.17 is scheduled to go live on August 28. Riot Games has shared what kinds of nerfs and buffs champions will likely receive this time around.

As Riot is preparing for the new patch, the title’s lead gameplay designer Mark “Scruffy” Yetter shared on Twitter the list of champions that will be getting rebalanced. Qiyana is the only champion getting nerfed in this patch, while many are getting buffed, including Galio, Ryze, Kalista, Lucian, Zyra, Leona, and Pantheon.

Kayle, Aurelion Sol, and Neeko will also be changed.

Qiyana’s Audacity’s (E) damage is getting lowered from 70-210 to 50-190, while her Supreme Display of Talent (R) ultimate will have a 120 second cooldown regardless of its level. These nerfs will decrease Qiyana’s damage and force players to time the windblast more strategically.

The buffs champions are receiving are mostly slight balance buffs that will make them more competitive on the Rift.

Galio’s Winds of War (Q) cooldown will be decreased, and his Shield of Durand (W) will do more damage overall. Kalista, Lucian, and Ryze are getting higher stats. Kalista and Lucian will have their base attack damage increased to 69 and 67, from 67 and 64, respectively. Kalista will also have higher base mana and gain more mana per level. These changes should bring about a more efficient laning phase for Kalista, and consequently easier snowballing throughout the game.

Ryze will have higher mana regen and slightly increased Spell Flux (E) damage. The second cast of the newly reworked Pantheon’s Comet Spear (Q) won’t simply deal increased damage to champions below 25% health, but will now deal critical damage as well. His Aegis Assault (E) won’t have monster damage reduction anymore.

Leona will be able to stun opponents more often with Shield of Daybreak (Q) having its cooldown decreased from 6 to 5.

Riot is looking to increase Zyra’s low play rate by increasing Stranglethorns’ (R) damage, lowering its mana cost, and lowering its cooldown, making her ultimate ability both more dangerous and more frequently available.

Initially, Riot planned on nerfing Aatrox and Akali while buffing Yasuo in this patch. However, changes to Aatrox and Akali have been delayed as the balance team needs more time to get them right, and Yasuo won’t be getting buffed after the community’s mixed feedback to the change.