League of Legends patch 12.9 is here, and Riot is ramping up the changes post-MSI. Two new “mid-scope updates” are launching for Olaf and Taliyah, as well as a support-centric change for Pyke. Another dozen champions are on the developer’s hit list ⁠— here’s the full patch notes.

After going easy on the balance changes, LoL patch 12.9 is Riot saying ‘we’re back.’

There are two reworks to look forward to, especially if you’re an Olaf and Taliyah main. Want some new supports to play? Braum and Thresh are getting buffs, and Riot is forcing Pyke back bot. Thebausffs fans should also lookout for the “inting Sion” changes too.

The changes won’t stop here either ⁠— Riot is promising big balancing updates as the second half of the year nears, starting with 12.10’s durability update. Those are for a fortnight away though.

And, as always, there’s a selection of new skins coming, including the Edward Gaming Worlds 2021 picks and new cosmetics for the High Noon line.

Here’s what you need to know about LoL patch 12.9.

Riot held back on the release of Olaf and Taliyah’s reworks until after MSI to stop the meta from changing too much, but now that time has come. With the international event to be played on the previous patch, both champions will receive their “mid-scope updates” on LoL patch 12.9.

Olaf’s changes are adding “significant excitement to his kit” by making him live up to his juggernaut identity. His jungle clear will be slightly worse due to Q and W changes, but he can now indefinitely have his ultimate, Ragnarok, active as long as he’s wailing away on enemies.

For Taliyah, the Stoneweaver is being pushed back into the mid lane with more DPS and utility, but a trade-off of lower burst damage. Her Worked Ground mechanic will now be less intrusive, and she’s getting plenty of waveclear back with the return of her AOE Q after nearly four years.

League developers are moving forward with nerfs to mid lane Pyke in LoL patch 12.9 despite community criticism. While Riot are scaling back the “very experimental” update that saw him get an infinitely stacking execute threshold on his ultimate, there’s still some changes inbound.

Pyke won’t get additional gold from the “Your Cut” passive if he gets the kill, or if an enemy dies before the cast finishes. However, he is being buffed in “support-focused ways” to try and drag him back to the bot lane.

There are also nerfs in tow for the recently-reworked Rengar and Ahri, while the “inting Sion” strategy is being targeted too. Swain has avoided any major changes after his mid-patch hotfix.

With the Pyke mid changes, as well as further nerfs to Renata Glasc, coming in LoL patch 12.9, the support meta might see a shake up. Those two changes in isolation aren’t enough, but decent buffs to Braum and Thresh will start swinging the tide as the durability update approaches.

For Braum, his passive is getting a shorter cooldown later in the game, making his stuns more effective in team fights. His E will now stop more damage too.

Thresh will also be getting some extra resistances with bonus armor and ability power on his souls — now back up to a flat 1 of each per soul — and bonus shielding based on souls on his W.

Plus, if you want a new AD carry to play, Riot are giving on-hit Varus some love after the Lethality build took over with the burst damage meta. It’s another change to watch as we approach the durability update, where burst builds will be nerfed and on-hit AD carries are expected to rise.

Riot is dropping not one but two skin lines across LoL patch 12.9. Both the new release of High Noon and the commemorative Edward Gaming Worlds 2021 cosmetics are due to release in the May update.

The former reigns supreme as one of League’s most popular cosmetics, with five new entries.

The High Noon skins will contain eight chromas a piece across all colorways.

As for the Edward Gaming skins, players will be able to buy them in a bundle or individually, with each skin getting a player’s signature mark to commemorate their Worlds 2021 victory.

There’ll be one chroma for each Edward Gaming Worlds 2021 skin, Dexerto has confirmed.

You can find the full League of Legends patch 12.9 notes below, courtesy of Riot.

Passive: Gift of the Drowned Ones

R: Weaver’s Wall

“Honoring Viper’s winning performance as Aphelios during the 2021 World Championship.”

“Honoring Flandre’s winning performance as Graves during the 2021 World Championship.”

“Honoring Jiejie’s winning performance as Viego during the 2021 World Championship.”

“Honoring Meiko’s winning performance as Yuumi during the 2021 World Championship.”

“Honoring Scout’s winning performance as Zoe during the 2021 World Championship.”

“My people got swindled. I aim to collect what we’re owed,” the Outsider says, pinning her dagger in a wanted poster of the Mechanical Devil. Her eyes burn like stoked coal as she fixes each dusty traveler in her gaze, “And I hear y’all plan on jumpin’ the Sulfur Rail, Harbingers. If you’re gonna take this devil down, I want in.”

“The Lady of House Solari lifts her chin against the scorching wind. Ahead lies her family’s salvation: the Sulfur Rail, carrying the stolen family fortune, churning across the desert. The only thing that stands in her way is the Mechanical Devil himself. Her sword hums like cicadas in the gloaming. The butterflies gather. Time for the Harbingers to ride.”

“Few meet the Mechanical Devil and live to tell the tale. They describe a behemoth: all steel and gears, fueled by hellfire and fierce enough to scare a man’s soul from his skin. He is the King of the Sulfur Rail, reigning over the train to Hell from a throne of stolen gold and infernal iron. Eternal, and unassailable.”

“Fate is catchin’ up to you, old friend,” Talon says, leaning back in his chair, predator’s eyes gleaming under the shadows of his hat. He still moves like a demon, even warped and corrupted by angel blood as he is. His smile, rueful and knowing, has too many teeth: “The end is comin’ for us all.”

“Devilishly handsome and wearing the latest in Western chic, Talon is equally ready to rock the runway or ride the open road. Those boots are made for walking, and he’ll walk all over anyone standing in his way.”

“Ain’t nothin’ for a dead angel to do but resign himself to grief. Varus was content to allow Mordekaiser to take him past the infernal gates themselves… Until a ragtag gang of thieves interrupted his mourning. Varus now picks up his bow once more, riding as a Harbinger. It’s high time he got revenge for the massacre of Heaven.”