Teamfight Tactics patch 9.15b nerfs Karthus, Kayle, Pyke

The latest Teamfight Tactics patch is live, and Riot Games developers have implemented a few balance changes with the purpose of broadening the current meta.

Players were excited to see the TFT patch 9.15b bring nerfs to Karthus and Kayle. Both of these high-cost units have been dominating the meta. In contrast, Runaan’s Hurricane got a big damage buff.

Karthus’s ability damage has been lowered from 400/700/1000 to 350/600/850. More importantly, he can now target fewer units and won’t have the potential to damage all nine of the opponent’s units at level 2, as his potential target max is down to seven. His level 3 targets have also been reduced, from 13 to 9.

This is a big nerf to Karthus as he is now dealing less overall damage to fewer targets, but it seems a necessary change given the champion’s power in the game mode.

Kayle got a simple mana nerf, as she will now require 25 more mana to activate her ability. As her ability to give immunity to up to three weakest allies can bring a huge advantage, players are now able to use it less often and thus cannot be as reliant on it as before.

Pyke is another unit worth five gold that got nerfed, with his stun now lasting a shorter amount of time. Meanwhile, Rengar’s ability attack speed bonus has been lowered.

Elise, Veigar, and Twisted Fate have gotten slight buffs to their damage, with Twisted Fate also getting a health buff.

From this patch on, players will have to think twice before building Guardian Angel since the revive won’t happen at a 1,000 health, but rather at 800. Another nerfed item, Morellonomicon will deal a bit less damage than before.

Players should have more reason to build Runaan’s now as its ability damage increase jumped to a high 75% from only 25%. Spatula is used to build the item and Runaan’s often wasn’t usually the most efficient use of a Spatula, but that could now change. Guinsoo’s Rageblade, Phantom Dancer, and Sword of the Divine have received minor buffs as well.

The patch also implemented two important bug fixes. Blitzcrank’s ability can now be properly prioritized, and Statikk Shiv won’t be dealing unintended damage when targeting fewer than four targets.