ARTICLE DETAIL

League of Legends Patch 25.16: New WASD Controls, Champion Adjustments, and More | Fortnite Update May 28, 2026: Weapon Rebalancing and Server Maintenance | LoL ARAM: Mayhem Update - Augments, Abilities, and More! | League of Legends: WASD Controls Arrive in Ranked Play | League of Legends' New Champion Locke: Gameplay Leaks and Details | League of Legends Voice Chat Confirmed and LoLdle Updates | League of Legends Patch 26.5 Overview: New Battle Pass, Champion Changes, and Last Hit Assistance | League of Legends Patch 26.4 Notes: Lunar Revel, Champion Adjustments, and More | Discord Checkpoint 2025: Your Year in Review | League of Legends Patch 25.16: New WASD Controls, Champion Adjustments, and More | Fortnite Update May 28, 2026: Weapon Rebalancing and Server Maintenance | LoL ARAM: Mayhem Update - Augments, Abilities, and More! | League of Legends: WASD Controls Arrive in Ranked Play | League of Legends' New Champion Locke: Gameplay Leaks and Details | League of Legends Voice Chat Confirmed and LoLdle Updates | League of Legends Patch 26.5 Overview: New Battle Pass, Champion Changes, and Last Hit Assistance | League of Legends Patch 26.4 Notes: Lunar Revel, Champion Adjustments, and More | Discord Checkpoint 2025: Your Year in Review

Game Updates / League Of Legends

League of Legends Patch 25.16: New WASD Controls, Champion Adjustments, and More

Patch 25.16 for League of Legends introduces a host of changes aimed at shaking up the meta, improving gameplay, and making the game more accessible. Key updates include the introduction of WASD controls in public beta, champion adjustments...

Aug 13, 2025 08:01 Patch 25.16 Notes

league of legends

Image via League of Legends

Key Insights

**WASD Control Scheme:** A new WASD control scheme is being tested in the public beta environment to provide a more intuitive control option for new and veteran players. This could lower the barrier to entry for players coming from other games. Why does this matter? It broadens the game's appeal and could attract new players.
**Champion Adjustments:** Numerous champions have received adjustments, including buffs to Brand, Gnar, Illaoi, Kalista, Mordekaiser, Morgana, Nautilus, Qiyana, Rek'Sai, Sion, Sylas, Varus, Viego, Warwick and Zyra, and nerfs to Jarvan IV, Lulu, Master Yi, Nocturne, Rell, Rumble, Shaco, Singed, Trundle, Xin Zhao, and Yuumi. These changes aim to balance the meta and address underperforming or overperforming champions. Why does this matter? It keeps the gameplay fresh and competitive.
**Arena Updates:** Arena mode receives updates focused on fighters, including item buffs, reduced movement speed, and a rework of the Mystic Punch augment. There are also quality-of-life changes such as target dummies spawning earlier in the shopping phase and the ability to leave early after elimination. Why does this matter? These adjustments aim to improve the balance and enjoyment of the Arena mode.
**Battle Pass Changes:** The Battle Pass is being adjusted for Season 3, reducing the number of core milestones from 50 to 48 to make it faster to complete. The total rewards and BXP required per milestone remain unchanged. Why does this matter? This makes progression more streamlined and rewarding for players.

In-Depth Analysis

### New Control Scheme League of Legends is testing a new WASD control scheme, a significant departure from its traditional point-and-click interface. This change aims to make the game more accessible to players familiar with WASD controls in other PC games. Riot Games plans to roll out the WASD controls slowly, starting with the public beta environment to ensure competitive balance. Learn more here.

### Champion Adjustments Patch 25.16 brings a wide array of champion adjustments. Here's a quick rundown:

**Buffs:**
**Brand:** Increased passive damage to monsters, Q stun duration, and decreased R cooldown.
**Gnar:** Decreased Q cooldown.
**Illaoi:** Increased passive damage and decreased cooldown.
**Kalista:** Increased AD growth and E damage AP scaling.
**Mordekaiser:** Added Q AD ratio.
**Morgana:** Adjusted W damage.
**Nautilus:** Increased E damage to monsters.
**Qiyana:** Increased Q damage and W bonus attack speed.
**Rek'Sai:** Increased base AD and bugfixes.
**Sion:** Decreased passive health loss, increased E armor shred, and increased R damage.
**Sylas:** Passive now does bonus damage to monsters.
**Varus:** Increased W damage late and bugfix.
**Viego:** Q nerfed against monsters and buffed against non-monsters.
**Warwick:** Increased base AD and decreased passive damage early.
**Zyra:** E cooldown decreased and R damage increased.

**Nerfs:**
**Jarvan IV:** Decreased armor growth.
**Lulu:** Increased E cooldown, decreased damage and shield.
**Nocturne:** Decreased armor growth and Q bonus AD.
**Rell:** Decreased W shield.
**Rumble:** Decreased Q damage and QoL improvements, power impacting bugfixes.
**Shaco:** Passive and Q damage decreased, Q cooldown increased.
**Trundle:** W attack speed decreased late, cooldown increased.
**Xin Zhao:** Decreased base health and Q damage.
**Yuumi:** Q damage decreased, W heal and shield power and on-hit heal decreased.

These adjustments aim to fine-tune champion balance and address specific issues in their gameplay.

### Arena Updates Arena mode has received several significant updates:

**Item Adjustments:** Fighter item buffs, including Sterak's Gage, Overlord's Bloodmail, Eclipse, Death's Dance, Experimental Hexplate, and Goredrinker.
**Augment Rework:** Mystic Punch augment reworked to adjust on-hit synergies.
**Move Speed Reduction:** Reduced movement speed on several prismatic items.
**Quality of Life:** Target dummies now spawn earlier in the shopping phase, and players can leave early after being eliminated.

These changes are intended to enhance the fighter experience and improve overall balance in Arena mode.

### Items - **Experimental Hexplate:** Attack Speed: 30% ⇒ 50%, Movement Speed: 15% ⇒ 20%

### ARAM Clash The ARAM Cup will occur this patch! Registration began August 11, and tournament dates are August 16 and 17. Check the Clash FAQ support page for more details.

### Bug Fixes & QoL Changes - Champ Select Improvement: Swapping disabled during the last 5 seconds of champ select. - Vladimir passive now also restores HP gained from his passive if he is in the fountain. - Numerous bug fixes addressing champion abilities and item interactions.

Read source article

FAQ

- **Q: When does Season 2 end and Season 3 begin?

- **Q: What are the key changes to the Battle Pass?

- **Q: What is the purpose of the WASD control scheme?

Takeaways

League of Legends Patch 25.16 brings a mix of exciting changes, from the experimental WASD control scheme to significant champion and item adjustments. These updates aim to improve game balance, enhance accessibility, and provide a fresh experience for all players. Keep an eye on your favorite champions and adapt to the new meta!

Sources

Patch 25.16 Notes League of Legends is testing a new WASD control scheme, 16 years in League of Legends Season 3 brings back beloved mode, and I've got high hopes for Halloween

Disclaimer

This article was compiled by Yanuki using publicly available data and trending information. The content may summarize or reference third-party sources that have not been independently verified. While we aim to provide timely and accurate insights, the information presented may be incomplete or outdated.

All content is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or professional advice. Yanuki makes no representations or warranties regarding the reliability or completeness of the information.

This article may include links to external sources for further context. These links are provided for convenience only and do not imply endorsement.

Always do your own research (DYOR) before making any decisions based on the information presented.