LoL Dev Update: Locke, Ranked 5s, and Mayhem Traits Removed
Riot Games has released a 2026 Season 2 Development Update for League of Legends, announcing several significant gameplay changes and content additions.
The most notable announcement is Locke, the next champion coming to the game, confirmed as an AP (Ability Power) assassin. Riot has indicated that Locke will be the only new champion released throughout 2026, as the studio shifts its development focus toward VGUs (Visual and Gameplay Updates) for existing champions. While the dev update provided limited details about Locke’s abilities, gameplay screenshots allegedly featuring the champion leaked earlier in the year.
The update also brings back Ranked 5s, a competitive queue specifically designed for full premade teams, addressing player demand for organized team-based ranked play.
Additionally, Riot announced major changes to ARAM Mayhem mode. Most significantly, Traits will be removed from the mode, fundamentally altering its gameplay mechanics. The studio is also introducing a new purchasable item or feature exclusive to ARAM Mayhem, though specific details remain limited in the announcement.
These changes reflect Riot’s strategic approach to evolving League of Legends’ competitive and casual experiences while managing development resources throughout 2026.