Season 2026 Dev Update — All Major Changes Explained
- Settshow
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Riot Games has revealed a massive batch of updates coming with Season 2026, including matchmaking adjustments, new systems, gameplay mechanics, vision reworks, and structural changes. This is one of the biggest seasonal overhauls in years, aiming to make League more fair, faster, and strategically deeper.
Below, you’ll find every update clearly separated and explained.
1. Matchmaking & Dodge Penalty Changes
Dodging No Longer Resets Autofill Status
Starting in 2026, dodging will not reset your autofill status.The matchmaking system will now:
Match autofilled players by position when possible
Try to balance autofilled players evenly between the two teams
Dodging = Full Loss in Master+
Players in Master and above will receive a full loss for every dodge.
2. Champ Select Improvements
Champ Select Reduced by 30 Seconds
The pre-game lobby will be shorter, with:
Faster animations
Shorter timers
You can’t ban champions that an ally has pre-picked
This aims to speed up the pregame and reduce frustration.
3. Homeguard Rework
Champ Select Reduced by 30 Seconds
The pre-game lobby will be shorter, with:
Faster animations
Shorter timers
You can’t ban champions that an ally has pre-picked
This aims to speed up the pregame and reduce frustration.
4. Turret System Overhaul
T1 Plates
Tier 1 turret plates no longer fall at 14 minutes.
T2 & T3 Plates
Both turrets now have 3 plates each.
Each destroyed plate grants a share of tower gold.
Nexus Turrets
Nexus turrets respawn, but with 40% HP instead of 100%.
These changes make sieging more interactive at all stages of the game.
5. Introducing: Aegis of Valor (New LP System)
A brand-new system designed to reduce LP frustration during autofill games.
How It Works
If you are autofilled and finish the game with a C mastery score or higher, you will receive one of the following:
Double LP for winning, or
Full LP protection on loss
Players who frequently play autofilled roles (support/jungle) will receive Aegis rewards automatically at a similar rate.
6. Introducing: Role Quests (Top, Mid, ADC)
New Role Quests will reward players for performing role-specific tasks such as:
Farming efficiently
Trading or fighting
Destroying turrets in your lane
Helping secure objectives
Jungle and Support quests will also be revamped to match the new system.
Top:
- Level cap increased to lvl 20
- More XP from all Sources
- TP as a 3rd spell or enhanced TP
Jng:
- Smite damage: 600/1000/1400
- More Gold and XP from Jng camps
- Bonus MS in the Jng
Mid:
- Empowered Recall
- Reworked Tier 3 Boots Upgrade
ADC:
- Extra gold
- Increased gold gains
- Seventh Item Slot
Sup:
- Cheaper Control Wards
- More Gold over time
- New Slot for Control Wards
7. Introducing: Crystalline Overgrowth (New Pushing Mechanic)
Towers will accumulate crystals over time.If you damage these crystals:
They shatter
They deal extra damage to the tower
Demolish Rune Update
Demolish now activates after 3 consecutive hits to a tower.
8. Introducing: Faelights (New Vision Mechanic)
A completely new vision layer in the game:
Faelights are special map locations
They grant temporary increased vision range to wards placed on them
Some spawn at game start
More appear when the Elemental Rift takes form
This adds a new strategic element to map control.
9. Removals: Atakhan, Blood Roses, Feats of Strength
These systems will be removed in 2026.
With their removal:
Baron Nashor spawns at 20 minutes again
First Blood: 100 gold
First Turret: 300 gold
This reverts the early-mid game pacing back to a more classic structure.
10. New Demacia-Themed Skins (Season 1, Act 1 of 2026)
First look at the new skins arriving next season:
Taliyah - Battle Pass
Nautilus - 1350rp
Cho'Gath - Battle Pass
Morgana — Battle Pass Prestige (Act 1)
11. WASD Controls Coming to Live Servers
WASD movement arrives on December 3, limited to non-ranked modes.
12. “Your Shop” Returns
Your Shop launches again on December 9 on live servers.
Final Thoughts
Season 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most transformative updates League has ever seen. From matchmaking to objectives, turrets, vision, and LP systems, Riot is clearly aiming to modernize the entire experience.
Which of these changes are you most excited for? And which ones do you think will shake the meta the hardest?Share your thoughts in the comments — let’s talk about it!
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