LoL patch 12.1 notes: date, PBE leaks, buffs & nerfs, skins, balance changes

September 2022 · 6 minute read

League of Legends patch 12.1, and the very first balance changes of Season 12, are here. This time around, Riot Games targeted the infamous mythic Immortal Shieldbow, enchanter support Sona, and Rek’Sai to go along with her new skin.

The twelfth League of Legends season has officially begun, starting with all the champion, item, and Summoner’s Rift changes in December’s hefty preseason update.

Dexerto was able to get hands-on with several changes including long-awaited Immortal Shieldbow nerfs, major Force of Nature buffs, several Eclipse changes, and more.

Champions changes were also made in the new patch — although they were rather tame all things considered.

On top of everything, the Essence Emporium’s doors have flung open again. Here’s all the details on League of Legends patch 12.1.

Sona nerfs highlight the LoL patch 12.1 champion changes.

What’s coming in LoL patch 12.1?

Shieldbow finally hit with nerfs

Riot finally took a look at one of the more powerful Mythic items in League of Legends, with plans to finally knock the Shieldbow off its Season 11 throne.

The LoL devs focused on nerfing the popular AD Mythic through its damage, which drops down to 50, as well as its iconic shield. The protective dome will now block between 275 and 650 damage per activation, down from a lofty 300 to 800 at its strongest state.

Immortal Shieldbow wasn’t the only item to change in 12.1 either. Eclipse, Force of Nature, and Wit’s End are all set for changes of varying degrees too.

Several meta AD champions should take a hit via the Shieldbow nerfs.

Teleport changes nerf iconic LoL spell

Riot Games tested huge nerfs to summoner spell Teleport ahead of the start of League of Legends Season 12, with these 12.1 changes nerfing the strength of the famous ability in the earliest stages of games on Summoner’s Rift.

The basic Teleport no longer allows players to teleport to minions, wards, traps, or Zac blobs. Players are restricted only to teleporting to friendly towers until the 14-minute mark, when the spell would upgrade to “Unleashed Teleport,” which is basically the same Teleport version that we have now.

The new Teleport now reads, “After channeling for four seconds, teleport your champion to target allied structure. Upgrades to Unleashed Teleport at 14 minutes.”

The Teleport summoner spell may fall out of the LoL meta with these changes.

Riot adds Elderwood skins to start 2022

The first patch of Season 12, arriving on January 4, has just two new skins — both additions to the mystical Elderwood line.

Here’s all the skins in this update:

The Arcane Ekko skin, named Firelight Ekko, was set to release this patch, but has since been delayed due to player criticism.

Both Elderwood Rek’Sai and Gnar will receive eight chromas a piece on top of their base look.

Rek’Sai breaks her LoL skin drought with a gorgeous Elderwood release.

Take a full look at the League 12.1 patch notes below, courtesy of Riot Games.

League of Legends patch 12.1 notes

Champions

Diana

Passive – Moonsilver Blade

Gangplank

Q – Parrrley

Rek’Sai

E – Furious Bite

E – Tunnel

Sona

Base Stats

E – Song of Celerity

Items

Eclipse

Force of Nature

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Immortal Shieldbow

Wit’s End

Summoner Spells

Teleport

Bugfixes and QoL Changes

Skins

Elderwood Gnar

Stories have long been told of a monster that stalks the wood, rending massive oak trees asunder bare-handed– but few realize this titan is also the small, curious creature that collects baubles and bones and chitters through the treetops. The wise leave both to their devices. The foolish? Well, it depends which Gnar they meet.

Elderwood Rek’Sai

Spore-fiends stalk the deepest reaches of the forest, and Rek’sai is the broodmother from which all others spring. Those who see her hulking form of bloom and bark swimming through the trees rarely live long enough to tell the tale.

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Firelight Ekko

Celebrating the RiotX Arcane event.

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