Tank items to receive buff in LoL patch 11.2, Galeforce nerfed

The second patch of 2021 is fast approaching, and to warm up, LoL gameplay design director Mark “Scuffy” Yetter has released a fresh preview of the patch. 

As fans are getting used to by now, patch 11.2 will have a mixed focus on balancing all of the game’s new items and making changes to its champions. For now, Riot hasn’t given that much info on the specific changes to champions, but the details for several items have been dropped already. The main focus for Riot will be to buff tank item options outside of the popular Sunfire Aegis. 

Tank items get buffs on LoL patch 11.2

Turbo Chemtank

• Cost 3200 >> 2800 gold
• Build path items’ gold costs adjusted
• Ability Haste 15 >> 20
• Magic resist 50 >> 25
• Mythic passive 5% tenacity and slow resist >> 5 ability haste

Frostfire Gauntlet

• Cost 3200 >> 2800 gold
• Build path items’ gold costs adjusted
• Ability Haste 15 >> 20
• Armor 50 >> 25

Right after the big preseason patch hit back in 2020, the Sunfire Aegis Mythic item was the go-to for all tank champions. The item alone instantly boosted tank win rates and made it very difficult for marksmen and assassins to do anything in the game. Since then, Riot has adjusted the item several times to the point that tanks have once again fallen out of favor. 

To change this, Riot is looking to buff other tank items and provide more versatility to builds when playing champions such as Amumu, Malphite, Cho’Gath, and others. Both the Turbo Chemtank and Frostfire Gauntlet will see a lot of changes, both to their total cost and all the stats connected to it. These items will get a good buff all around and will likely be more viable options when patch 11.2 hits. 

Galeforce, Hextech Rocketbelt, and more nerfed in patch 11.2

Items nerfed

• Galeforce
• Hextech Rocketbelt
• Imperial Mandate

While Riot will buff a good chunk of items on patch 11.2, there are also some items that are simply too strong at the moment. Galeforce especially has become a go-to item for many marksmen and will now be tuned down. Galeforce started out the preseason as one of the weakest Mythic items for the marksmen role, but has slowly climbed its way into most builds. 

Galeforce is a unique item that provides an active dash that can’t be found elsewhere. The dash has become very important for many marksmen over recent patches, both to peel for themselves in solo queue and to make aggressive plays that wouldn’t be possible without it. 

The specific nerfs for Galeforce are yet to be announced, but it will hopefully allow other items to be considered in the bot lane position. To add on to this nerf, Riot will also look at toning down Hextech Rocketbelt and Imperial Mandate. 

Dr. Mundo and Shaco buffed for patch 11.2

Riot has outlined a total of nine champions set to receive a buff in the upcoming patch. The specifics are still unknown, but some interesting champions can be found on the list. Dr. Mundo will get some attention ahead of his rework, while the joker from the jungle, Shaco, will also get some attention. 

To add on to the fun, Riot will be looking to buff a few marksmen who are currently in a poor spot. The marksman role has been generally lacking in the preseason, with only a few viable champions at this time. For patch 11.2, Caitlyn, Varus, and Senna will get some buffs and might become strong meta picks once again. 

On the nerf list are Aatrox, Olaf, Darius, Nunu & Willump, Maokai, and Akali. Most of these champions rely heavily on healing, which is something Riot has struggled to balance recently.

When does LoL patch 11.2 come out?

LoL patch 11.2 is set to hit the live servers on January 21. This will be the second patch of 2021 and Riot will continue to balance out the big preseason changes as much as possible. Patch 11.2 will also be where the newest champion Viego gets released. He will likely enter the game a few days after the patch is live.