Riot goes all in on buffs for Swarm in LoL mode’s first major patch

League of Legends‘ newest game mode, Swarm, is set to receive a massive power injection with its first update. Patch 14.15 heavily focuses on buffing champions and refining gameplay elements in Swarm. Players can also anticipate the arrival of the new Battle Animals and Primordian skins on the main client.

The upcoming patch, set to be released tomorrow, July 31, is a treasure trove of improvements for League players who have been enjoying Swarm since mid-July. At its core, substantial buffs to multiple champions and bosses empower players with a wider array of strategies to conquer the relentless alien hordes—in simple terms, it’s going to be way more fun. 

Swarm’s first patch is not solely about amplifying power, however. Riot has also addressed areas that need refinement, ensuring a more balanced and enjoyable experience. Some champions will receive quality-of-life enhancements, too. Aurora‘s period of invulnerability will be extended during her ultimate, allowing for safer repositioning and increased survivability. Seraphine is receiving a reduced cooldown on her crowd control abilities, enabling her to disrupt enemy formations more effectively. 

In line with Riot’s commitment to avoiding nerfs, Patch 14.15 brings significant changes to bosses without reducing their overall power too much.

Boss behaviors are set to be adjusted to provide clearer cues and more predictable patterns, making them both challenging and fair. For example, Aatrox’s second phase will have more telegraphed attacks, allowing players to react more effectively. Additionally, Patch 14.15 also clarifies the Bosses Enrages mechanic so that, after five minutes in combat, they visibly enrage and start to glow red—like in Rek’Sai’s encounter—to improve player preparedness for the second phase.