Update – January 5, 2022: Patch 12.1 has headed to live! Check out our League of Legends patch 12.2 notes for what’s coming next.
The first patch of the League of Legends 2022 season has hit the PBE. League of Legends patch 11.24 has headed to live servers to make its debut on the Rift and, following a bunch of teases from Riot Games on social media, the latest batch of new content has begun trickling onto the testing grounds ready for patch 12.1’s arrival in the live game soon. Let’s take a look.
First up, we’ve got some new Elderwood skins on the way, this time for lucky champions Gnar and Rek’Sai. Riot also revealed a new skin for Ekko called Firelight Ekko, which is inspired by his style in the tremendously successful LoL spin-off Netflix show Arcane. However, this now won’t be shipping with 12.1 as “an unfortunate mistake on [the studio’s] part due to a miscommunication internally” means that the skin wasn’t given new special effects, which the team now wants to make sure it adds. So, the skin has been taken off the PBE for now and will return in a few patches’ time.
In the way of balance changes this patch, we’ve got some nerfs coming up for Rek’Sai and Sona, while Diana and Gangplank are getting buffed. It looks like Janna could be getting some changes, too, all of which you can check out below.
Without further ado, here are the tentative League of Legends patch 12.1 notes (cheers, Surrenderat20!):
LEAGUE OF LEGENDS PATCH 12.1 RELEASE DATE AND DOWNTIME
The League of Legends season 12 patch schedule has now been rolled out, so we know that League of Legends patch 12.1 is due to go live on Tuesday, January 4, 2022.
Maintenance times haven’t yet been confirmed, but usually begin at 3am PT for NA servers, 5am UK time for EUW servers, and 3am CET for EUNE servers, and last for approximately three hours, so expect downtime to start sometime around then.
League of Legends Patch 12.1 Balance Changes
Champion Changes
Diana – buffed
- Moonsilver Blade (Passive):
- AP ratio increased to 50% from 40%
- Monster damage ratio increased to 300% from 250%
Gangplank – buffed
- Parrrley (Q):
- Ability’s mana cost decreased to 55/50/45/40/35 from 60/55/50/45/40
- Ability cooldown decreased to 4.5 seconds from 5 seconds
Rek’Sai – nerfed
- Furious Bite (E):
- Physical damage dealt decreased to [55/60/65/70/75 (+85% bonus AD) ] from [50/60/70/80/90 (+85% bonus AD)]
- Tunnel (E):
- Ability cooldown increased to 26/24/22/20/18 seconds from 26/23/20/17/14 seconds
Sona – nerfed
- Stats:
- Armour growth has decreased to 3 from 3.3
- Song of Celerity (E):
- Ability cooldown increased to 14 seconds from 12 seconds
We have a Janna update for 12.1 that should be showing up on the PBE soon (feedback is appreciated).
Summary: We’re draining lane poke power out of her W + AA’s and focusing it into utility. Q is now a much stronger spell when used offensively. pic.twitter.com/rvpxtn722Y
— August UwU (@RiotAugust) December 9, 2021
Item Changes
Eclipse
- Effects:
- Ever Rising Moon cooldown increased to 8 seconds from 6 seconds
Force of Nature
- Effects:
- Absorb stack duration increased to 7 seconds from 5 seconds
- Dissipate magic damage reduction increased to 25% from 20%
Immortal Shieldbow
- Effects:
- Attack damage decreased to 50 from 55
- Lifeline shield decreased to 275-650 (based on level) from 300-800 (based on level)
Wit’s End
- Effects:
- Build path changed to: Hearthbound Axe + Null-Magic Mantle + Pickaxe + 675 gold (total cost unchanged) from Hearthbound Axe + Negatron Cloak + Long Sword + 750 gold
- Magic resist decreased to 40 from 50
Summoner Spell Changes
Teleport
- Effects:
- Tooltip now reads:
- “After channeling for four seconds, your champion teleports to target allied structure.
- Upgrades to Unleashed Teleport when Turret Plates fall at 14 minutes. Unleashed Teleport has a 270-second cooldown, can be used on allied structures, minions, or wards, and grants a 50% move speed boost for three seconds”
LEAGUE OF LEGENDS PATCH 12.1 New Champion Skins
New Champion Skins
FIRELIGHT EKKO – 1350 RP*
*NOTE – This skin is no longer shipping with patch 12.1 – see details above
#PBE Preview Firelight edition! 🦟🔦
Firelight Ekko! ⏱️ pic.twitter.com/46fHnnmU6o
— League of Legends // UK, IE & Nordics (@LoLUKN) December 7, 2021
Here’s the FIRELIGHT EKKO splash art:
ELDERWOOD GNAR – 1350 RP
“Stories have long been told of a monster that stalks the wood, rending massive oak trees asunder bare-handed – but few realise 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”
#PBE Preview Elderwood Edition! 🌳
Elderwood Gnar & Rek'Sai! 🥀 pic.twitter.com/sQndG2Vu5N
— League of Legends // UK, IE & Nordics (@LoLUKN) December 7, 2021
Here’s the ELDERWOOD GNAR splash art:
ELDERWOOD REK’SAI – 1350 RP
“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”
Here’s the ELDERWOOD REK’SAI splash art:
MISCELLANEOUS CHANGES
GOTH ANNIE SPLASH ART CHANGE
The splash art for GOTH ANNIE has been updated, which you can check out below:
That’s all there is for the League of Legends patch 12.1 notes for now, folks, but keep heading back to this page as there’s sure to be more to check out in the way of gameplay updates and other changes ahead of its arrival on live servers soon.
Go catch up on the League of Legends patch 11.24 notes if you’re keen to see what’s just dropped. Plus, our sister site The Loadout has a LoL ranks explainer if you’re looking for some tips on how to climb those tiers. If you’re thinking of getting into the game as a newbie, then our best League of Legends champions for beginners and LoL beginners’ guides can help you get started.