TFT patch 12.5 is coming, and it’s a big one: Riot are shipping the first major Neon Nights balance changes following the Set 6.5 launch, targeting Rek’Sai, Jhin, Ahri, and more. We’ve got a full preview of the March update here, including the early patch notes.
When is TFT patch 12.5?
TFT patch 12.5 is expected to roll out on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, right on time. Servers usually shut down at around 5am local time (depending on location), and open back up at 8am.
Oceania is the first region to get the patch, with notes typically dropping as the update starts in Australia. Then, the global rollout begins across the next 24 hours.
Fair warning: this patch will be live for longer than usual. With Riot taking a break in March, the next update won’t release for another four weeks on March 30, so expect some micro-patches between now and then.
What’s coming in TFT patch 12.5?
It’s like Andy in Toy Story — as soon as the new Neon Nights champions and traits came along, TFT players looked at units like Jhin and the Arcanist trait and said “I don’t want to play with you anymore”.
Jhin hasn’t been bad by any means, although he was outshone by Sivir and Irelia as premier four-cost carries before TFT patch 12.4b. Now, he’ll be getting a “slight” buff, along with common frontline pairing Braum, to help him out.
Arcanists will also be getting some love as the AP comp fell off without Lux. Ahri is getting an “adjustment to make her easier and more satisfying to play”, which should help both Syndicate players and Arcanist players. Vex was also recently buffed in the b-patch, helping the cause.
Rek’Sai rework to tone back powerful three-trait two-cost
TFT players have maybe been having a bit too much fun with some of the new units in Neon Nights though. One of the most glaring examples is Rek’Sai. While she was nerfed in the February 22 update, Riot are keen to push ahead with a rework of the two-cost unit.
Her synergy with Sejuani — also a three-trait two-cost unit — has made the duo a powerful early game pairing on every board. She can also transition well as a late-game secondary carry alongside Kha’Zix in Mutant comps, without much counter.
Rek’Sai’s resistance shred and damage has already been hit, but Riot wants to “open up more defensive builds that aren’t hard countered by a flexible three-trait two-cost” with big changes in TFT patch 12.5.
Brand, Corki, Lucian reroll buffs on the cards
Some reroll comps have been outperforming others in Neon Nights — Twitch, Tryndamere, and Malzahar to name them.
Riot are looking at adjusting other reroll carries like Brand, Corki, and Lucian to try and give them a bit more power in the meta. Even Ashe is getting a look in at one and two-star, although those will more than likely help her in a Syndicate comp versus being a reroll carry.
On the flip side, the aforementioned trio of overachievers will all be nerfed to bring the strategy, and its carries, closer to parity.
TFT patch 12.5 is set to go live on March 2. You can find the full list of changes below, which are currently in testing on the PBE.
TFT patch 12.5 notes:
Champions
1-cost
Brand
- Buffs TBC
Jarvan IV
- Nerfs TBC
Twitch
- Nerfs TBC
2-cost
Ashe
- Buffs TBC
Corki
- Buffs TBC
Lulu
- Buffs TBC
Rek’Sai
- Changes TBC
3-cost
Gnar
- Buffs TBC
Leona
- Buffs TBC
Lucian
- Buffs TBC
Malzahar
- Nerfs TBC
Morgana
- Buffs TBC
Tryndamere
- Nerfs TBC
4-cost
Ahri
- Buffs TBC
Braum
- Buffs TBC
Draven
- Buffs TBC
Jhin
- Buffs TBC
Vi
- Nerfs TBC
5-cost
Galio
- Buffs TBC
Jinx
- Buffs TBC
Tahm Kench
- Changes TBC
Zeri
- Buffs TBC
Traits
Bodyguard
- Buffs TBC
Chemtech
- Changes TBC
Enchanter
- Buffs TBC
Enforcer
- Changes TBC
Innovator
- Changes TBC
Augments
Numerous Augment changes TBC
Items
Morellonomicon
- Nerfs TBC
Radiant Zephyr
- Nerfs TBC
Statikk Shiv
- Nerfs TBC
Sunfire Cape
- Nerfs TBC
Systems
Tome of Traits
- Nerfs TBC
