The Next League of Legends Patch is Bringing Back Melee Supports
Riot Games is moving to address the overwhelming dominance of ranged supports in League of Legends through balance changes in Patch 26.11. Throughout 2026, the support role has been heavily skewed toward ranged champions, with Bard, Lulu, Neeko, Seraphine, and Nami accounting for the vast majority of picks in professional competition.
Lead gameplay designer Matt ‘Phroxzon’ Leung-Harrison announced that the patch will include adjustments to the support ecosystem aimed at improving champion diversity, specifically rebalancing the melee versus ranged dynamic. Rather than buffing individual melee support champions directly, Riot is implementing systemic changes designed to address the underlying imbalance. These adjustments include modifications to role quests, a core mechanic that shapes the support meta.
The initiative reflects Riot’s commitment to maintaining a diverse competitive environment where multiple champion options remain viable, rather than allowing ranged champions to dominate the role.