League of Legends Patch 25.10: How will the esports meta be affected ahead of the race to MSI?

League of Legends’ latest Patch comes at a critical time for the game’s competitive scene.

Most major regions, like the LEC, LPL, and LTA North and South, start their respective Playoffs around May 24th, and this patch will likely influence team strategies for those aiming to qualify for this year’s Mid-Season Invitational.

Having looked through the recent patch notes, here’s how the changes could affect the esports meta.

Patch 25.10 will be released today (May 14). As such, teams will have over a week before the Playoffs to test out different strategies based on the adjustments made by Riot to champions and items—especially AP ones.

Many AP items have been rebalanced, which could shift the power of mid-lane champions and magic damage dealers. Some underperforming items have been buffed to make them more viable, like Luden’s Echo which saw an increase in its magic penetration. Meanwhile, other items have been toned down, such as Crown of the Shattered Queen, which had its passive damage reduction lowered.

The balance adjustments of Patch 25.10 also make several champions standout playoff contenders, like Cho’Gath and Jax, who both received direct buffs and could now re-enter the meta as high-value solo lane picks.

Speaking of solo lanes, Evelynn’s buffs to her E damage could make her a stronger pick in the jungle, especially for teams that go for high-risk, high-reward fights. But for those looking for a safer-choice, Swain is another champion some players might be sleeping on—especially in support or mid roles—since his improved durability and damage scaling could easily make him one of the most sought-after picks.

The buff to Unsealed Spellbook also can’t be understated. This rune was often used by flexible utility picks like Gragas, Twisted Fate or Karma and could lead to new draft patterns that emphasise mid-game macro and summoner spell cycling, which would pair well with the uncertainties of Fearless Draft.

At this moment in the competitive year, pro League of Legends teams are looking to consolidate a place in the region while securing a spot at the 2025 MSI, which will be held in June. So Patch 25.10 brings some critical changes that teams will try to exploit to gain footing in the race for the first international event of the year—the one which also gives the first ticket for Worlds 2025. 

Each region will likely interpret Patch 25.10 differently. LEC teams might lean into scaling mid laner AP control mages, LPL and LCK organisations might focus more on surprising AP jungle picks—especially with the added flexibility from Unsealed Spellbook—while LTA North and South teams might see support experimentation for utility-heavy comp options.

The champion buffs, changes to items and new possibilities in the rune system, paired with Fearless Draft, will surely shake up the Spring Playoffs across all regions. The teams that can quickly adjust and find success with these changes may have the upper hand in the regional and international tournaments.