Welcome! Librarian Husky is here. Patch 25.18 is here, and it’s shaking up the League of Legends meta with some massive changes that will redefine how you climb in solo queue! From hard-hitting nerfs to top-tier champions like Yinara, Aurora, and Kiana to exciting buffs that bring tank junglers and off-meta picks back into the spotlight, this patch is packed with opportunities to dominate your games. Whether you’re a jungle main looking to capitalize on the Bami’s Cinder buff or a mid laner eager to master Cassiopeia’s newfound power, this guide has you covered with a comprehensive breakdown of every role, updated tier lists, and expert insights to help you climb faster than ever. Let’s dive into the chaos of Patch 25.18 and uncover the strategies that will carry you to victory!

Item Changes: Power Shifts in the Jungle and Beyond

The item changes in Patch 25.18 are poised to reshape build paths, particularly for tank junglers, with some exciting updates to core items. The standout change is the buff to Bami’s Cinder, where the passive bonus damage to monsters has doubled from 50% to 100%. This is a significant boost for jungle clears, but the impact might be more nuanced than it appears. Most tank junglers, such as Sejuani (who prioritizes Heartsteel), Amumu (favoring Liandry’s), Rammus (rushing Thornmail), and Skarner (also opting for Heartsteel), don’t typically rush Sunfire Aegis, the item most directly tied to Bami’s Cinder. Zac, however, is the exception, as he frequently builds Sunfire Aegis early. This makes Zac the primary beneficiary of the Bami’s Cinder buff, potentially elevating him to S-tier status if the clear speed improvement proves impactful.

That said, the buff could inspire a shift in build priorities. Tank junglers might experiment with rushing Bami’s Cinder to leverage the enhanced jungle clear, then transition into core items like Heartsteel or Liandry’s before completing Sunfire Aegis as a second item. If this strategy gains traction, the buff could have a broader impact on the tank jungle meta. For now, it’s a situational boost, and we’ll be monitoring high-elo games to see if build paths evolve in response.

Sunfire Aegis itself is also receiving a buff, with its passive minion and monster damage increasing from 50% to 60%. This is a straightforward power spike for tanks across all roles, particularly in the top lane, where champions like Ornn and Malphite have been dominating solo queue. These two are already strong picks, and this buff solidifies their position as top-tier choices for top lane players looking to control games.

For ADCs, Mercurial Scimitar is getting a notable upgrade. Its attack damage is increasing from 40 to 50, while magic resist is slightly reduced from 40 to 35. The active movement speed duration is also extended from 1.5 to 2 seconds. In terms of gold value, the 10 AD adds 350 gold worth of stats, while the 5 magic resist loss subtracts 100 gold, resulting in a net gain of 250 gold in stats. The movement speed buff further enhances the item’s utility. However, Mercurial Scimitar is rarely a core item for ADCs, typically purchased as a fourth or fifth item in specific situations. As a result, this buff, while decent, is unlikely to significantly alter ADC build paths or the meta.

Key Item Buffs to Watch

The item changes in Patch 25.18 provide specific opportunities for players to optimize their builds. Here are the most impactful buffs to keep an eye on:

• Bami’s Cinder: Passive monster damage increased from 50% to 100%, boosting jungle clear speeds, especially for Zac.
• Sunfire Aegis: Passive minion and monster damage up from 50% to 60%, enhancing tank durability in top lane and jungle.
• Mercurial Scimitar: Attack damage increased from 40 to 50, with active movement speed duration extended to 2 seconds, offering situational value for ADCs.

Top Lane: Garen Stays Strong, Malphite Rises

The top lane meta is seeing some exciting shifts in Patch 25.18, with buffs and nerfs creating new opportunities for players. Garen, already a dominant force, is receiving a buff to his E, with the AD ratio per spin increasing from 36-48% to 38-50%. At max rank with a completed Stridebreaker, this translates to approximately 20 additional damage if every tick of E lands. While not game-breaking, this change cements Garen’s place in the S-tier for top lane. His straightforward kit, combined with this slight power boost, makes him a reliable pick for players looking to climb with a low-risk, high-reward champion.

Jayce is another top laner benefiting from this patch. His Q damage at rank one is increasing from 60 to 80, enhancing his early game bullying potential. While the damage remains unchanged at max rank, this early game buff is significant for a champion like Jayce, who thrives on snowballing leads. As a result, Jayce is moving from C-tier to B-tier in the top lane tier list, making him a stronger pick for players who can capitalize on his early aggression.

Illaoi is receiving a mix of adjustments that leave her power level uncertain. Her passive no longer spawns tentacles during teleport, and her W max health damage is reduced from 4% per 100 total AD to 3.5%. This results in a loss of approximately 8 damage per W at one item, with the damage reduction becoming more pronounced as AD increases. However, her E vessel duration is extended from 3 to 4 seconds, which could improve her ability to pressure opponents in lane. Whether these changes are a net buff or nerf depends on how impactful the E buff proves to be. For now, Illaoi remains in the A-tier for top lane, with potential adjustments to her ranking in the mid-patch tier list based on performance data.

The top lane tier list for Patch 25.18 sees Malphite and Warwick holding strong in the OP-tier, joined by Quinn as a lane bully capable of hard-carrying games. Malphite’s dominance is further amplified by the Sunfire Aegis buff, making him arguably the best blind pick in the top lane. As long as you ban Sylas and avoid the Mordekaiser matchup, Malphite’s consistent impact and durability make him a go-to choice. Quinn and Warwick excel at winning lanes outright, with their ability to stomp matchups once players master their limits. Aurora, however, is dropping to C-tier due to nerfs to her passive damage, which we’ll cover in the mid-lane section.

Top Lane OP-Tier Champions

The top lane OP-tier is stacked with champions who can dominate games with the right playstyle. Here are the standout picks for Patch 25.18:

• Malphite: A top blind pick with enhanced power from Sunfire Aegis buffs, excelling in most matchups except Sylas and Mordekaiser.
• Warwick: A lane bully who can stomp matchups with aggressive play, ideal for players looking to hard-carry.
• Quinn: Excels at winning lanes outright, offering high mobility and damage to dominate early and scale into mid-game.

Jungle: Tank Power Rises, Volibear Holds the Throne

The jungle meta in Patch 25.18 is buzzing with potential, particularly for tank junglers, thanks to the Bami’s Cinder buff. As mentioned earlier, Zac is the primary beneficiary due to his reliance on Sunfire Aegis, but other tank junglers like Sejuani, Amumu, Rammus, and Skarner could see a small uptick in power if players adapt their builds to prioritize Bami’s Cinder. For now, Zac is the one to watch, and he’s likely to climb into S-tier if the buff significantly improves his clear speed and early game presence. We’ll keep him in A-tier for now, with a potential mid-patch adjustment based on performance.

Volibear remains the undisputed king of the jungle, sitting comfortably in the OP-tier despite a minor nerf. His passive attack speed AP ratio is dropping from 4% per 100 AP to 3%, resulting in a 1% attack speed loss per stack with a completed Cosmic Drive. At max stacks, this equates to a 5% attack speed reduction, worth approximately 125 gold. Since Cosmic Drive is typically the only AP item in Volibear’s build, this nerf is relatively light and unlikely to dethrone him. Volibear’s dominance stems from his versatility, strong clear, and ability to snowball games, making him a must-pick for jungle mains.

Sylas, the second most popular jungler behind Lee Sin, is facing a nerf to his clear speed, with passive monster damage dropping from 150% to 130%. This results in a roughly 70 damage loss per full combo, which is significant for his early jungle efficiency. Despite this, Sylas remains a strong pick, moving from the border of A-tier to a solid B-tier for Patch 25.18. His ability to steal ultimates and adapt to team compositions keeps him relevant, though players will need to adjust to the slower clear.

Briar is receiving adjustments that redistribute power in her kit. Her Q damage at max rank is reduced from 180 to 160, and the damage type switches from magic to physical. Her R loses its bonus AD ratio and has a delayed sound effect trigger (1 second after cast), but the range increases from 10,000 to 12,000 units, allowing her to reach objectives like the grub or Baron pit from bot lane. These changes are likely a net nerf, as the damage reductions to Q and R are felt in every game, while the R range buff is situational. Briar remains in the S-tier for now, but her performance will be closely monitored.

Kiana is dropping to B-tier in the jungle due to significant nerfs, which we’ll cover in the mid-lane section. The jungle tier list remains largely stable, with Volibear leading the OP-tier, followed by strong S-tier picks like Briar and potentially Zac if the Bami’s Cinder buff proves impactful.

Jungle Champions to Prioritize

The jungle meta favors a mix of dominant carries and tanky utility picks. Here are the top jungle champions to focus on in Patch 25.18:

• Volibear: The OP-tier king with unmatched versatility and snowball potential, minimally impacted by his nerf.
• Zac: A rising star with the Bami’s Cinder buff, offering strong clears and gank potential, likely S-tier material.
• Briar: A high-damage carry with strong S-tier presence, despite nerfs, thanks to her reliable engage and sustain.

Mid Lane: Mages Shine, Nerfs Hit Hard

Mid lane is where Patch 25.18 brings some of the most impactful changes, with buffs and nerfs reshaping the meta. Cassiopeia is a major winner, with her base mana increasing from 400 to 450 and her E poison base damage rising from rank two onward. These buffs enhance her early game kill pressure, making her a formidable laner. As a result, Cassiopeia is moving from A-tier to S-tier, cementing her as one of the best mid-lane picks for players who can manage her mana and land her skillshots.

Kennen is also receiving buffs, with his passive AP ratio increasing from 30% to 35%, WQ movement speed rising from 20-30% to 30-40%, and the AP ratio on WQ movement speed going from 2% to 3% per 100 AP. His E AP ratio is also buffed from 60% to 65%. These changes push Kennen into S-tier, as he was already close to this rank in recent patches. His enhanced mobility and damage make him a strong pick for players looking to dominate lane and roam effectively.

Annie, however, is facing nerfs, with her W base damage dropping from 70-250 to 70-230 and her passive magic penetration reduced from 15-20% to 10-20%. This results in a roughly 27 damage loss in the mid-game when using Q and W. While Annie remains a solid pick, these nerfs push her from S-tier to A-tier, as her early game dominance is slightly curtailed.

Aurora’s nerfs are significant, with her passive percent health damage dropping from 2.5% to 1%. This reduces her standard combo damage by at least 10 at level three, with the impact growing as enemies gain health. Combined with her already lackluster performance in solo queue (outside of elite tiers), Aurora is dropping to B-tier, with a potential slide to C-tier in the mid-patch tier list if the nerfs hit harder than expected.

Azir, a pro-play staple, is also being nerfed, with his attack speed growth dropping from 5.5% to 5% and his W AP ratio reduced from 45-65% to 40-60%. These changes keep Azir in the C-tier, as his solo queue performance remains underwhelming. Galio’s nerfs include a passive AP ratio drop from 45% to 40% and a 2% health tick damage reduction from 2.5% to 2%, resulting in a 26 damage loss at two items. This moves Galio from S-tier to A-tier, though he remains a viable pick.

Kiana’s nerfs are substantial, with base AD dropping from 66 to 64, armor growth reduced from 4.7 to 4.5, and passive bonus AD ratio lowered from 30% to 25%. These changes drop her from S-tier to A-tier, as her early game power takes a hit. Taliyah is also facing significant nerfs, with Q damage reduced (407 to 353 at Archangel’s completion), boulder damage lowered from 231 to 211, and E base damage dropping from 25-105 to 15-95. While her Q mana cost is reduced and E AP ratio slightly buffed, these are net nerfs, keeping Taliyah in B-tier with a potential drop to C-tier.

Vel’Koz and Zeri are emerging as strong mid-lane picks, with Vel’Koz benefiting from a 2-second E cooldown reduction and increased R damage at ranks two and three. This pushes Vel’Koz into S-tier, making him a top mage pick for players who enjoy under-the-radar champions. Zeri, alongside Vel’Koz, capitalizes on the Horizon Focus buffs from Patch 25.17, making both mages excellent choices for Patch 25.18.

ADC: Ashe Rises, Yinara Falls

The ADC role sees fewer changes in Patch 25.18, but the adjustments are impactful. Ashe is receiving a buff to her AD growth, increasing from 2.95 to 3.45, resulting in an 8 AD gain at level 18. This modest buff adds roughly 0.5-1% to her win rate, solidifying her as an S-tier pick. Her consistent performance and utility make her a strong choice for ADC players.

Yinara, on the other hand, is hit with heavy nerfs. Her base health drops from 600 to 575, base AD decreases from 56 to 53, even speed is reduced from 50-70% to 30-50%, and E movement speed duration is capped at 1.5 seconds. These changes could reduce her win rate by 1.5% or more, dropping her from A-tier to B-tier. Yinara’s reduced durability and mobility make her a riskier pick in solo queue.

Vayne is moving up to OP-tier, as her synergy with Hexplate as a third item makes her a late-game monster. The 20% movement speed boost and 450 health from Hexplate enhance her kiting and durability, making her nearly unstoppable in the right hands. Senna, bolstered by Patch 25.17 buffs to her attack speed scaling and Q, is also climbing to S-tier, offering a strong alternative for ADC players.

Heimerdinger is a solid off-meta pick for bot lane mages, benefiting from the same Horizon Focus buffs as Vel’Koz and Zeri. While Ziggs remains the go-to mage ADC, Heimerdinger is a great option for players looking to diversify their champion pool.

Support: Amumu and Vel’Koz Shine

Support players have plenty to be excited about in Patch 25.18, with Amumu and Vel’Koz emerging as top picks. Amumu’s Q cooldown is reduced from 16-12 seconds to 16-10 seconds, and its mana cost is adjusted to a flat 50. These buffs are massive for support Amumu, as Q is his primary maxed ability. The 2-second cooldown reduction at level 9 significantly improves his skirmishing power, pushing him into S-tier. His consistent 50-51% win rate over recent patches, combined with these buffs, makes Amumu a must-try for support mains.

Vel’Koz is another big winner, with his E cooldown dropping from 14-12 seconds to 12-10 seconds and R damage increasing at ranks two and three. The E cooldown reduction allows Vel’Koz to be more aggressive in lane, as it’s his only self-heal tool. While the R damage buff is less impactful for support (as level 11 comes late), these changes make Vel’Koz a strong S-tier pick, particularly in lower elos where games last longer.

The support meta remains diverse, with enchanters like Nami and Milio leading the way, followed by mages like Zyra, Brand, and Vel’Koz. Melee supports, including Braum, Poppy, Leona, and now Amumu, offer strong alternatives. Morgana remains a versatile S-tier pick across mid, jungle, and support, making her an excellent choice for flex players.

Conclusion: Seize the Patch 25.18 Meta

Patch 25.18 is a game-changer for League of Legends, with buffs to tank junglers, mages, and off-meta picks like Amumu support creating new opportunities to climb. Volibear continues to dominate the jungle, while Cassiopeia and Vel’Koz rise as top mid-lane mages. In the top lane, Malphite and Garen remain reliable carries, and Ashe and Vayne shine in the ADC role. Support players can capitalize on Amumu and Vel’Koz to control the bot lane. By mastering these champions and adapting to the item changes, you’ll be well-equipped to dominate solo queue. Stay tuned for mid-patch updates as we track how these changes play out in high-elo games!

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