Patch 26.13 — Final Tuning Before MSI
League of Legends Patch 26.13 went live on June 24, 2026 across all servers. It is the balance baseline for MSI (Mid-Season Invitational) 2026, opening June 28 in Daejeon, South Korea — every buff and nerf that shipped stays locked for the duration of the tournament.
New Champion — Locke, the Ashen Exorcist
League's 173rd champion, Locke, the Ashen Exorcist, has arrived. He is a mid-lane AP burst assassin, launching day one alongside a High Noon skin.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Role | Mid-lane AP assassin |
| Concept | A Demacian-born exorcist versed in forbidden rites |
| Kit | Set up Soul Nails, then cash in on clearly telegraphed skillshots |
| MSI eligibility | None — as a 26.13 release, he is barred from the tournament |
His design leans on visible threat windows — opponents are meant to see the danger coming and react.
Nerfs — Senna at the Center
Eight champions were nerfed: Bard, Brand, Cassiopeia, K'Sante, Rek'Sai, Rumble, Senna, and Sion.
The competitive headline is Senna. The season's most dominant marksman, sitting at a 54% win rate, took her deepest cut of the year. Paired with a push to revive traditional ADC carries, Riot is reshaping the bot lane right before Daejeon.
MSI 2026 — Hosted in Daejeon
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Venue | Daejeon Convention Center (DCC) II, Daejeon, South Korea |
| Dates | June 28 – July 12 |
| Play-In | June 28 – July 1 |
| Bracket Stage | July 3 – 12 (Grand Final July 12) |
| Teams | 11 — two each from LCK, LCS, LCP, LEC, LPL, plus one CBLOL side |
| Format | Double elimination, best-of-five, Fearless Draft |
The opener is T1 vs Team Liquid — the June 28 headline match. Karmine Corp, in their first-ever MSI appearance, face Deep Cross Gaming.
GamePeak Take
| Item | Key Point |
|---|---|
| New champion | Locke — mid AP assassin (MSI-ineligible) |
| Biggest nerf | Senna (54% win rate → heavily cut) |
| Meta direction | Reviving traditional ADC carries |
| Tournament | MSI 2026, opens June 28 in Daejeon |
The new champion won't appear at the tournament, but the 26.13 balance defines the entire Daejeon stage. How the bot lane reorganizes after the Senna nerf is the thing to watch.