League of Legends Patch 13.9 Preview: Neeko Rework, New Skins, and More

Following the conclusion of the 2023 Mid-Season Invitational, Riot Games has shifted its attention towards League of Legends ranked play balance, focusing on champions and items with spiking win rates in the early stages of season 13.

League players can expect the next update, 13.9, to be released on Wednesday, May 3, with matchmaking and competitive queues disabled three hours before the official deployment.

One of the headlining gameplay changes is the rework of Neeko, the Curious Chameleon, after a week of heavy testing on the League PBE. Her passive now allows her to transform into characters, plants, minions, and more, making her one of the trickiest champions in League. Riot devs have also promised “significant” changes in the upcoming Patch 13.10, which will be the most significant patch since the start of the season.

In addition to the Neeko rework, the patch will also bring eight new Inkshadow skins to the game. Players can get their hands on Inkshadow skins for Master Yi, Volibear, Aurelion Sol, Yone, Yasuo, and more. Yasuo will also have a Prestige version that will be available in the 2023 MSI Event Pass for 2,000 MSI tokens.

Here are some of the notable changes coming to champions in League Patch 13.9:

• Aatrox: Passive damage health ratio increased from 4-12 percent (based on level), ultimate bonus movement speed increased from 50-80 to 60-100.
  
  
• Volibear: W damage health ratio increased from 5 to 6 percent, heal health ratio increased from 7-13 percent to 8-16 percent.
  
  
• Swain: Q base damage increased, bonus damage per bolt increased.
  
  
• Trundle: Base attack speed and base mana increased.
  
  
• Sion: Passive health loss increased.
  
  
• Jinx: Attack damage growth reduced.
  
  
• Bel’Veth: Q modified monster damage increased, attack damage growth reduced.
  
  
• Taliyah: R cooldown lockout changed.
  
  
• Kayle: Passive Aflame base damage increased, E passive ability power ratio reduced, R cast time reduced, area of effect delay increased, duration changed, effect radius increased, base damage reduced, ability power ratio reduced, and self-casts no longer reduce attack range.

League Patch 13.9 is shaping up to be a patch with significant changes to champions, items, and gameplay. Remember, until Riot releases the official notes, any of these buffs, nerfs, and changes are still tentative and could be pulled for a later League update at any time.