League of Legends Patch 26.22 Reworks Mel as TFT Prepares Its Standalone Client

Riot Games has published the notes for League of Legends patch 26.22, and this one has more going on than a familiar round of champion buffs and nerfs. Mel receives a substantial mid-scope update, several high-profile champions see targeted balance changes, and Teamfight Tactics begins moving into its own standalone client on November 4.

There are also ARAM: Mayhem adjustments and new additions to League Classic. Here are the changes most likely to affect how players approach their next few matches.

Mel’s defensive tool works differently

The headline gameplay change is Mel’s redesigned W, Rebuttal. Instead of reflecting effects back in the old way, the ability now creates an expanding area that destroys enemy projectiles and shields Mel and nearby allies. Destroyed projectiles contribute to retaliation damage when the effect ends. The ability also offers movement speed to allies within the area.

That changes the decision Mel players face. Protecting teammates and choosing the right timing against incoming fire now sit at the center of her W, while the rest of her kit has been retuned around scaling. Riot says it is shifting some strength away from her early game and toward later levels, including changes to her Q and ultimate cooldowns. Her starting health also falls from 640 to 590, while health growth rises from 99 to 107 per level.

The full official patch notes are worth reading if you play Mel regularly, since the ability details and ratios matter more than the headline alone.

Other champion and item changes

Corki’s Missile Barrage gains damage, while Yasuo’s Steel Tempest loses a little of its total attack-damage scaling. Riot also lowers Thresh’s base attack damage and the damage on his ultimate. Kayle gains shorter cooldowns on Radiant Blast and Divine Judgment, giving players another reason to revisit her after the patch.

Items get attention too. Doran’s Bow drops from 8 to 7 attack damage, a targeted adjustment to an early-game option Riot believes has become too dominant. Overlord’s Bloodmail gains flat attack damage while its missing-health scaling is reduced. Those are different kinds of changes, so players should check how the new numbers fit their particular builds before assuming an item is simply stronger or weaker everywhere.

TFT begins moving to a standalone client

Riot says Teamfight Tactics starts moving to a standalone client on November 4, 2026. The transition also means the League patch download will be larger than usual. Players will still be able to move between the experiences, and Riot says existing TFT cosmetics remain usable in League during the transition.

According to the notes, the first TFT-only Little Legends arrive December 1, with a broader cosmetic separation planned for December 15. A future League patch is expected to offer an option to skip TFT downloads entirely.

League Classic and ARAM: Mayhem keep changing

League Classic adds the older versions of Volibear, Swain and Elise. ARAM: Mayhem receives augment tuning, bug fixes and the return of Butcher’s Bridge and Koeshin’s Crossing to the map rotation with Headliner performances.

With Worlds 2026 Fan Fest also approaching, the broader League ecosystem is busy. For ordinary matches, though, the biggest immediate question is how quickly players adjust to Mel’s new team-focused defensive timing and the shifting early-game item choices.