Welcome back to yet another roundup of MMO and MMO-adjacent industry news! We’ve got quite a bit to cover today, so let’s not waste too much time with a preamble and hop right into this list of headlines. Regime change at Microsoft Gaming and Xbox: According to reporting at IGN this afternoon, Microsoft Gaming CEO […]

If I've learned anything about the games industry over the past few years, it's that there's such a thing as too much hype. Just take a look at Highguard, Wildlight Entertainment's ill-fated fantasy shooter that made its debut as 'the big trailer' at The Game Awards, but then released to mixed reviews. As soon as Marc 'Caedrel' Lamont's Los Ratones secured its spot in the League of Legends European Championship, I felt myself wince slightly - the hype was real, but the potential backlash even more so. I've followed the star-studded team since day one, and I've truly enjoyed watching Simon 'Baus' Hofverberg's solo bolos and Martin 'Rekkles' Larsson's Janna, but it always felt like there was an inevitable end - be it Baus' jovial threats to return to full-time streaming, or the sense that, for every flawless NLC and EU Masters run, there had to be a loss. It begged the question: can League of Legends' stream team sensation recover from losing? Unfortunately, the answer appears to be a no.

Read the full story on PCGamesN: League of Legends esports just lost its most exciting team, proving once again that hype can be a bad thing

I'm getting pretty fed up with recent video game adaptations. Some of my favorites have hit the big screen in recent years, and while some are hits, they fail to convey themes, emotional impact, or hold onto the artistry from the original. There are adaptations that bring new fans into an already established fanbase, while others (though gross millions of dollars...how?) seem to forget what made the original so bloody brilliant.

Now, you may have enjoyed the examples I'm going to bring up and rightly so, everyone's entitled to their opinion. By no means have I watched every video game adaptation, but I have noticed a pattern in recent years that is starting to exhaust me.

Where adaptations fail

Missing the point

If you go into one of these adaptations with knowledge of the original, it's safe to say that you're going to be disappointed. This seems to appear most frequently with horror movies.

Until Dawn was a 2015 interactive masterpiece that brought the iconic slasher subgenre to a video game format. It played like Scream or Friday the 13th, having a cast of both likeable and dislikeable characters that grew through shared trauma. Supermassive Games excelled here and haven't since reached the same heights this game packed with personality, charm, and jumpscares had (House of Ashes was close). While the cast did a great job in the adaptation, Until Dawn could have been so much more.

But Until Dawn was one of the toughest watches I've had this past year for how far it strays from its source material. Mixing Happy Death Day with Cabin in the Woods, Until Dawn is so far from its 2015 title that it truly frustrated me to watch. There was no signature red herring, the Wendigos were as tame as Walkers in the later The Walking Dead seasons, and everything was reduced to a tired time loop that had nothing to do with the original. Hiring Peter Stormare isn't enough.

Though its conclusion did something most horror wouldn't dare to do, this reimagining was unsatisfying and predictable. This is a shame, because if it didn't have the IP, I probably would have enjoyed it a lot more.

Then there's Return to Silent Hill, and this one destroys me. How can you fuck up an absolute masterpiece in psychological horror? The town of Silent Hill takes on a resident's psyche, becoming the physical manifestation of their trauma. Yet, James's story and its impact is greatly reduced and dimmed, having its lore adjusted for a worser viewing.

The complexity of Silent Hill 2 is severely missed from this adaptation; where playing as a man, a human, a monster—guilt-ridden and forced to face his irreparable actions, is pitied by altering his relationship and actions so that we have no choice but to feel for James. The original managed the same effect but with masterful storytelling. This poor adaptation paints a world where an audience cannot grasp depth beyond "X is good, Y is bad."

The Hollywood Effect

Then we have the crime of terrible casting decisions that many recent video game adaptations have done. These masterpieces don't translate well on-screen because what made them special is that they are video games with impactful storytelling and meaningful characters. So when I heard The Last of Us (TLOU), Uncharted, and Silent Hill 2 (SH2) were getting adapted, I was so excited... until I saw the cast.

The charm, banter, and personality of the Uncharted series made it addictive and unmissable. The characters felt real through their interaction with one another and the world that was continuously trying to kill them. Maybe I'm just a hater, but there isn't an ounce of acting prowess in Mark Wahlberg's abilities. The story is drastically different from the original as it acts as a prequel to Nathan Drake's endevors, yet that cannot stop me from hating the "chemistry" between the cast. Tom Holland lacks the charm of Nate and instead appears arrogant and "witty." Mark Wahlberg completely butchers Sully that he's just a paranoid, soulless, boring man that in no way resembles the reliable silver fox from the games.

I would have taken literally anyone else to star in TLOU and Uncharted, but alas, we get the Hollywood treatment—where the most popular stars riding the wave of infinite money and relevancy get to perform roles with mediocrity and expect fans to lap it up.

Race-swapping in TLOU, reducing the age gap in Uncharted to switch Nate and Sully's dynamic from father-son to brother-brother, and the woefully terrible casting in Borderlands and Minecraft Movie turn adaptations into a cash grab with no soul, passion, or creativity. Bad casting decisions turn the adaptation into a joke that isn't funny. It becomes an easy paycheqck for the lucky actors whose role would never be made for them.

The falling dominos of wrong choices

I understand when shows or films make changes from the source material for the better. This is especially the case with book adaptations as a lot of dialogue is needed to fill the film's runtime. But there are multiple instances where game adaptations make writing changes that worsen the storytelling. I previously mentioned Return to Silent Hill, but TLOU, The Witcher, Halo, FNAF, and Uncharted are all culprits of this.

Shows like The Last of Us blew up and won awards, driving many new fans to the IP in the process. But (like with Silent Hill), Naughty Dog's adaptations change their detailed, flawed, and very real characters for the worse (aside from Bill's episode). Joel Miller is reduced to a frowning grumpy man who looks like he doesn't want to be there, Abby is a monologuing Bond villain, and Ellie is...well...dim, immature, and fond of violence. Eugh.

Henry Cavill left The Witcher at the end of season 3 due to various changes writers made that prevented the show from being faithful to its source. Halo shows Master Chief's face which, though makes sense, is a jarring change for fans of the franchise who grew up with this legend. It's even stranger when someone like the Mandalorian is allowed to spend most of his screentime inside a helmet. There are drastic relationship changes in Five Nights at Freddy's which makes the movie all the more convoluted. Plus, there is nothing scary about FNAF's adaptation yet it features on-screen gore with a script that only five-year-olds can enjoy.

When video game adaptations work

Characters characters characters

Adaptations thrive when they study its characters. What made games like Until Dawn, Silent Hill, or TLOU difficult to put down is their characters. Satisfying arcs, personalities with dimension, questions of morality, humility, and the human condition are covered to showcase beautiful imperfections. We can see this in Arcane, Fallout, and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners.

These shows are packed with emotion, where both internal and external conflict are featured in every episode. Their believable characters allow us to fully immerse in the rich world, much like reading Tolkien or Martin. We stay for the story not only to see how it concludes, but because we're here for the journey flawed characters go on.

Rich worlds full of possibility

Where adaptations like TLOU or SH stumble in replicating nuance, Iron Lung and Arcane shine. They're not restricted by the source material, but expand upon and strengthen particular aspects from the original. Iron Lung dives into the psychological when faced against a cosmic threat. Arcane delves into social and class systems, poor versus rich, and the threat of technology and magic; inviting us into a fantastical world that I for one, cannot get enough of. In a similar vein, there's Fallout. These adaptations have so much material that they can cherry-pick what to adapt and tune it until it's perfect.

Finally, there is a lot of entertainment value in movies, Super Mario Bros. and Sonic the Hedgehog. While they're not for me, films like these are a good time because the original franchise doesn't take itself seriously. These are the perfect games to adapt for blockbusters as it doesn't need to go beyond the surface.

I'll end my rant on this question: If video game adaptations are fanservice, which fans are they serving? Certainly not me.

The post If video game adaptations keep being unfaithful, we as fans should walk away from the relationship appeared first on Destructoid.

The rich reactionary is as gamer-pilled as ever

Popular MOBA League of Legends was briefly unplayable over the past 24 hours, as the digital licence for the game expired.

Read more

A new year of tabletop releases is upon us, with trading card game adaptions of Cyberpunk 2077 and League Of Legends, and more mega evolutions for Pokémon TCG.

2026’s biggest gaming release won’t be GTA 6 but the new Cyberpunk trading card game, well maybe… but CD Projekt is following Riot Games in releasing a card game based on their biggest IP, thereby staking a claim in the lucrative tabletop market.

With this year marking the 30th anniversary year of Pokémon, card culture is shaping up to be the year’s defining scene for tabletop players. And it’s not just Pokémon, trading card fans can look forward to a huge slate of releases from other major properties, including Magic: The Gathering, Yu‑Gi‑Oh!, Lorcana, and more.

I also can’t wait to find out more about the Starcraft miniatures game that is finally bringing Terran, Zerg, and Protoss into physical battles that echo the iconic real-time strategy. That hasn’t been revealed yet, but the following picks are all either out now or imminent, in what is a very promising start for tabletop gaming this year.

Cyberpunk TCG

The new Cyberpunk 2077 card game distils Night City’s chrome-plated chaos into something you can sling across a kitchen table, sharp edges and moral compromises intact. CD Projekt hasn’t revealed much about how the gameplay is going to work, but it will combine elements from both the video game and the Edgerunner animated show.

As such, it’ll feature characters ‘from across the franchise’, with the likes of Panam Palmer, Jackie Welles, and Judy Alvarez already confirmed. Cards such as Kiroshi Optics, Mantis Blades, and Mandibular Upgrade suggest the trading card game is going to feature all the main elements from the video game, no doubt including backstabbing and changing allegiances.

The cards will feature all-new, original artwork and if you want to get the upper hand as an Edgerunner you can sign up now for the exclusive Lucy ‘Nova Rare’ card free, at the game’s official website. The Kickstarter campaign won’t start until later in the year but that still means it’ll be out a lot sooner than the video game sequel.

Release date and RRP: TBA

Battletome: Maggotkin Of Nurgle

The Maggotkin slither into 2026 with a fresh wave of grotesque, irresistible models that push the pestilent hordes to new extremes. The updated Battletome revamps rules, battle traits, and narrative options, giving you both tactical tools and rich-but-disgusting story content. At the forefront of the narrative is Festus the Leechlord, a former plague doctor ascended into daemonhood, mounted on the bloated slug-like horror Gathoblyt, who with tentacles protruding from its belly rains down parasitic leeches and disease across the battlefield.

Cavalry, like the corrupted Sloven Knights, Putrid Blightkings, and savage Pestigors, bring thematic menace while dominating objectives. Infantry units, from swarming Pox-Wretches to elite Rotswords, also add variety to the tabletop, while specialists such as Spoilpox Scriveners and the Regiment of Renown: The Pustules round out the plague army.

Mechanically, the wave leans into attrition and contagion, rewarding careful positioning and strategic patience. These toxic knights drip with textured pustules, worms, and rot, making the Maggotkin a great excuse to get my new metallic paints out.

Release date: 17th January
RRP: £57 for Festus the Leechlord

Pokémon Trading Card Game: Mega Evolution – Ascended Heroes

It’s Pokémon’s 30th birthday this year, so hold on to your hats as The Pokémon Company always likes to make a big fuss about such things. Ascended Heroes is already one of 2026’s most anticipated tabletop releases, as the expansion reframes mega evolution, not as a gimmick, but as a moment of transformation that can tilt an entire match.

The new cards revolve around Ascended Heroes pokémon, with mechanics that reward timing and restraint as much as raw force. Mega Evolution now feels earned rather than automatic, demanding set-up, sacrifice, and nerve. The extremely sought after Mega Dragonite ex (mega hyper rare) card, in all its golden glory, heralds an accessible but sharper-edged upgrade from earlier sets, nudging competitive play without abandoning the joy of Pokémon.

Collectors will all be hoping to pull special illustration rares (SIRs) but they will be as hard to get hold of as a ticket to the Pokémon pop-up at London’s Natural History Museum. With the 30th birthday celebrations and Pokémon European International Championship just around the corner, this is going to be one of the biggest years ever for the franchise.

Release Date: 30th January
RRP: £54.99 for elite trainer box

Magic: The Gathering’s Universes Beyond – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

The team-up between Magic: The Gathering and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is shaping up to be one of 2026’s most nostalgic and fun tabletop releases, pulling the heroes in a half-shell straight out of the sewer and into Magic’s multicoloured chaos. This isn’t a novelty crossover, it’s a full-scale Magic: The Gathering release, designed to sit comfortably alongside core sets and Commander staples.

Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael arrive as legendary creatures, each reflecting their personalities through colour identity and playstyle, while villains like Shredder and Krang bring high-threat build-arounds.

Expect mechanics that riff on teamwork, ambush tactics, and mutation, with playful twists that still respect Magic’s fundamentals. Universes Beyond has already expanded Magic’s audience and this looks set to do it again. Can we have Masters of the Universe next?

Release Date: 6th March
RRP: £64.99

Marvel: Crisis Protocol Adam Warlock, Moondragon, Quasar Character Pack

With Avengers: Doomsday set to hit cinemas this year, you can play out your own superhero battles in Marvel: Crisis Protocol, with the new Adam Warlock (as seen in the last Guardians of the Galaxy movie), Moondragon, and Quasar (Phyla-Vell from Marvel Cosmic Invasion) figures.

This character pack is less about raw damage and more about control, tempo, and the unseen forces shaping the board. Adam Warlock plays as a balancing presence, rewarding careful sequencing and punishing with his new bonded soul gem. His abilities lean into survivability and counterplay, making him feel like a living pause button in the middle of battle.

Moondragon, by contrast, is sharp and invasive. Her psychic toolkit disrupts enemy plans, bending activations and forcing opponents into awkward decisions they didn’t plan to make. Quasar rounds out the trio with kinetic energy manipulation, excelling at zone control and sudden repositioning that can flip objectives late in a round.

Together, they form a set that asks players to think laterally. Positioning matters, timing matters more, and mistakes are quietly amplified. These new miniatures reflect that tone: elegant, cosmic and restrained. This is Crisis Protocol at its most cerebral, proving the game’s future isn’t just louder battles but smarter ones.

Release Date: 13th February
RRP £59.99

Dobble Spider-Man

The frantic, eye-straining, name-shouting joy of Dobble swings into the Marvel multiverse, as the competitive card slammer launches a new Spider-Man themed variant. This family friendly edition keeps the rules simple, while coating every card in bold, web-splashed iconography, pulled from across Spider-Man’s many lives. It’s immediate, accessible, and extremely fast-paced.

Instead of abstract symbols, players race to spot matching images of masks, gadgets, and villains, from classic Peter Parker to Miles Morales and beyond. The character chaos isn’t just cosmetic; it adds narrative throwdown, turning each split-second win into a tiny comic book beat. Games may be over in minutes, but the energy is as loud as my love for Spider-Ham.

Release Date: 9th January
RRP: £16.99

Disney Lorcana Set 11: Winterspell

Winterspell wraps the Disney trading card game’s luminous fantasy in frost, shadow, and slow-building tension. Preceding the opening of World of Frozen at Disneyland Paris, it leans into seasonal magic where patience, control, and perfectly timed reveals matter more than brute force. Plus, who doesn’t love Stitch on a snowboard!

The new set introduces new ice mechanics that reward stalling, delayed payoffs, and subtle manipulation, while deepening the complex narrative of the Illumineers. Characters linger on the inkwell, freeze rivals in place, or quietly gain strength over time, shifting matches into slower, more deliberate rhythms, in fitting locations such as Graveyard of Christmas Future – Lonely Resting Place.

This deepens the strategy without sacrificing accessibility, letting newcomers find their footing while experienced players explore sharper interactions, all while letting you play Scrooge McDuck straight out of a Christmas Carol.

The accompanying Illumineer’s Trove set is packed with boosters, storage, and premium accessories, as crystalline cards recast familiar Disney characters as mythic, winter-bound figures. Winterspell delivers a perfect winter atmosphere and sets up Lorcana for another big year.

Release Date: 20th February
RRP: £49.99

Alien: The Roleplaying Game – Evolved Edition

Arriving late last year, following the Alien Earth TV show, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on some new alien miniatures for my tabletop. The Evolved Edition takes what was already one of the most immersive sci-fi horror systems around and refines it into a lean, intense starter experience perfect for both terrified newbies and hardened role-playing veterans (COUGH unlike the TV series).

Inside the box you get streamlined Evolved Edition rules, an expanded Hope’s Last Day scenario, five ready-made characters, and maps that evoke claustrophobic corridors and alien wilderness – as well as custom dice, initiative and gear cards, tokens, and even a little alien miniature to stalk your crew around the table.

It’s designed to drop you straight into the tension, dread, and drama without needing an encyclopaedia of rulebooks or adult children to take care of. Equal parts cinematic dread and tactical play, it’s the kind of game that actually does justice to the series.

Out Now from around £35

Riftbound: League Of Legends – Spiritforged Champion Deck

One of the best new trading card games of 2025 gets its first expansion (which is already out in China), with a promise of high stakes adventure and deep strategic tension. Spiritforged pushes players to master timing, positioning, and resource management, with a new Gear card subtype that you can attach to your units.

Mechanically, the set introduces a new Dauntless Vanguard card that can be played onto an occupied enemy battlefield, forcing players to adapt rather than rely on static strategies. Spiritforged enemies have layered abilities that punish overextension and reward teamwork, while new hero archetypes allow for experimentation with hybrid classes and combination tactics.

Heeding calls for more original art, this second set of Spiritforged dazzles with great looking cards of luminous, fractured landscapes and characters like Irelia, Blade Dancer. For fans of League Of Legends, as well as anyone who likes card games with tactical depth and immersive storytelling, this expansion transforms Riftbound into something sharper, darker, and beautifully unforgiving.

Release Date: February 2026
RRP: £18-£20 for decks

Yu-Gi-Oh! Rarity Collection 5

Konami’s new rarity collection arrives with the kind of quiet confidence that suggests it already knows it will sell out immediately. And these cards deserve to, they are stunning! Designed as much for collectors as competitive duellists, the new designs lean into spectacle, wrapping familiar power cards in wall-to-wall foil and presenting every booster as a small event. The headline addition is the debut of extended art cards, with 10 iconic picks given edge-to-edge illustrations that spill beyond traditional frames and invite a second look.

Cards like Wake Up Your Elemental HERO, Shooting Quasar Dragon, Kurikara Divincarnate, and Dominus Purge feel less like reprints and more like gallery pieces, reframing nostalgia through modern design. There’s a sense here, of Yu-Gi-Oh! acknowledging its own history while reframing it for a new era.

For long-time fans and newcomers alike, Rarity Collection 5 doesn’t reinvent the game. Instead, it polishes and upgrades the look of it, reminding you that opening a booster can still feel like magic… and I’m under its spell.

Release Date: 9th April
RRP £6.99 per booster

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It's not a new League of Legends season if something doesn't go wrong. As the MOBA kicks off 2026 with a bang (the For Demacia cinematic slapped), there are plenty of huge changes to contend with, including the massive adjustments to each of the game's roles, the removal of Atakhan and addition of Crystalline Overgrowth, and changes to pacing to ensure that you get into game faster. But, as part of the Demacia-themed Act 1, all eyes have been on Demacia Rising, a brand new, city builder-inspired minigame that casts you as a young Lux trying to carve out a place in the world. It's the thing that I was most excited to try out, but, unfortunately, it's not working.

Read the full story on PCGamesN: Riot disables League of Legends Demacia Rising following loading issues, with no signs of when it'll return

Riot has just dropped the full details for League of Legends 2026 Season One upon us, and there's plenty to be excited for. The new 'For Demacia' update is here, and alongside the much-anticipated Shyvana rework, there's confirmation that ARAM Mayhem will be extended for at least a while longer, and a look at exactly what we'll be doing in the Demacia Rising event. If Riot is able to deliver on everything it's been teasing, then 2026 is shaping up to be a pretty transformative year for the long-running MOBA.

Read the full story on PCGamesN: League of Legends ARAM Mayhem is here to stay, as Riot reveals the Shyvana rework, a city-building minigame, and new anti-griefing tools

January 8, 2026: 9:12am PT: Riot has since confirmed the legitimacy of the email, noting that "a delay in production" led to the Arcane boxes' late shipping. It has also provided more information on Spiritforged's rollout. Riftbound, Riot Games' League of Legends card game, has had an odd start to life. While the TCG itself is genuinely fun, with a unique identity that sets it apart from competitors like Magic: The Gathering, Lorcana, and Star Wars Unlimited, Riot has consistently struggled to meet demand. The first lot of packs went out with missing rares (something Riot has confirmed will impact Set 2, Spiritforged's, release as well), with the developer admitting that it "missed the mark" on supply and demand.

Read the full story on PCGamesN: Riot delays League of Legends Riftbound's Arcane box, so here's how long you'll need to wait

Who’s ready for a big chonky pile of Not-So-Massively game news pieces? You must be since you clicked here, so welcome! Pull up a chair. Read through about some of the most recent updates to the smaller scale multiplayer games in our orbit. Have a cranberry scone and maybe some of this chai. It’s pretty […]

League of Legends has become a very different game in 2025. With the introduction of the battle pass system and ever-changing seasonal Rifts, it's taken a moment to get used to Riot's new and 'improved' LoL, and I'm still unsure whether or not I like it. 2026, however, is dropping radical, much-needed adjustments to balance, game time, and epic monsters, hopefully making things a bit smoother for top laners and ADCs. There are 11 new items - two of which are fan favorites - and we're being transported back to Demacia at the peak of its power. On paper, this season looks like it solves a lot of the MOBA's problems, and it's honestly quite exciting.

Read the full story on PCGamesN: League of Legends is giving every role a transformative rework as part of the best slate of changes I've seen in years

"It's been 3,000 years..." is an iconic gif I hope has been posted in response to the official announcement that a stack of fan-favorite Fortnite skins have returned after years on the bench. Having missed the chance to make their mark in the brightly-colored recreation of Springfield in one of the best battle royale games of the lot, you can, at the very least, have Jinx and Vi, the problematic Piltover personas from Arcane, bring their chaotic energy back to Fortnite around Hawkins, Indiana, where there are stranger things afoot than Homer Simpson drunkenly pottering around in his underwear.

Read the full story on PCGamesN: After four years, two of the most requested Fortnite skins are finally back on the menu, but fans are screaming for more

The introduction of WASD controls is arguably one of the biggest changes in League of Legends' history, giving players a secondary way to play the game. Riot Games' aim is to help make the game accessible to a wider array of players, many of whom will be used to similar controls in other games.

Lore & Legends (set 16) of champions for TFT (Teamfight Tactics) has been released on December 3rd, 2025, bringing 40 new champions that you can unlock during the game and buff up your team. In the guide below, we will explain how to unlock all set 16 champions in TFT, their classes, origins, and every other important detail regarding them.

How to Unlock All Set 16 Teamfight Tactics Champions

In the table below, you can check out all the information on how to unlock every set 16 characters in Teamfight Tactics (TFT), as well as level requirements, and each character’s classes and origins. Use it as a cheat sheet for unlocking these new characters when playing TFT.

Champion	Details	How to Unlock	Required Level
Bard	2 Caretaker	Reroll 4 times before Stage 2 Carousel	None
Graves	2 Bilgewater Gunslinger	Field in combat: Twisted Fate with 2 items equipped	None
Orianna	2 Piltover Invoker	Field in combat: 3 unique Piltover units	None
Poppy	2 Yordle Demacia Juggernaut	Field in combat: Demacian or a Yordle with 2 items equipped	None
Tryndamere	2 Freljord Slayer	Field in combat: Ashe with 2 items equipped	None
Yorick	2 Shadow Isles Warden	Field in combat: 2-star Viego with 2 items equipped	None
Darius	3 Noxus Defender	Have Draven drop 1 Gold	None
Gwen	3 Shadow Isles Disruptor	Collect 20 Shadow Isles Souls	None
Kennen	3 Ionia Yordle Defender	Field in combat: 8 unique star levels of Ionia, Yordle, or Defender	None
Kobuko & Yuumi	3 Yordle Bruiser Invoker	Field in combat: 6 unique star levels of Bruiser, Yordle, or Invoker	Req. Lvl 7
LeBlanc	3 Noxus Invoker	Field in combat: Sion with 2 items equipped	None
Diana	4 Targon	Field in combat: 2-star Leona with 3 items equipped	Req. Lvl 6
Fizz	4 Bilgewater Yordle Disruptor	Field in combat: 5 unique Yordles or Bilgewater units	Req. Lvl 7
Kai’Sa	4 Void Assimilator Longshot	Field in combat: A Longshot unit with 3 items equipped	Req. Lvl 8
Kalista	4 Shadow Isles Vanquisher	Collect 70 Shadow Isles Souls	None
Nasus	4 Shurima	Lose 2/4/5 combats in a row with Azir	None
Nidalee	4 Ixtal Huntress	Field in combat: Two 2-star Neekos	None
Renekton	4 Shurima	Lose 2/4/5 combats in a row with Azir	None
Rift Herald	4 Void Bruiser	Have Void active for 8 player combats	None
Singed	4 Zaun Juggernaut	Field in combat: 4 unique Zaunites or Juggernauts and lose 35 Player Health	None
Skarner	4 Ixtal	Field in combat: A non-Tank with a Gargoyle’s Stoneplate equipped	None
Veigar	4 Yordle Arcanist	Field in combat: Unit with 2 Rabadon’s Deathcaps equipped	None
Warwick	4 Zaun Quickstriker	Field in combat: 2-star Jinx and 2-star Vi	None
Yone	4 Ionia Slayer	Field in combat: 3-star Yasuo	None
Aatrox	5 Darkin Slayer	Field in combat: A champion who starts combat with 40% Omnivamp	Req. Lvl 8
Galio	5 Demacia Heroic	Field in combat: 12 unique star levels of Demacia	None
Mel	5 Noxus Disruptor	2-star Ambessa with an item dies in combat	None
Sett	5 Ionia The Boss	Field in combat: Only 1 unit in the two front rows of the battlefield	Req. Lvl 8
T-Hex	5 Piltover HexMech Ginslinger	Field in combat: 9 unique star levels of Piltover	None
Tahm Kench	5 Bilgewater Glutton Bruiser	Spend 500 Bilgewater Silver Serpents	None
Thresh	5 Shadow Isles Warden	Collect 175 Shadow Isles Souls	None
Volibear	5 Freljord Bruiser	Field in combat: A unit that starts combat with 3,800 Health	Req. Lvl 8
Xerath	5 Shurima Ascendant	Alternate winning and losing for 3/5/6 combats with Azir	None
Ziggs	5 Zaun Yordle Longshot	Field in combat: A Yordle or a Zaunite with 3 items equipped	Req. Lvl 9
Aurelion Sol	7 Targon Star Forger	Field in combat: 5 unique Targonians	None
Baron Nashor	7 Void Riftscourge	Field 7 unique Void units	Req. Lvl 10
Brock	7 Ixtal	Collect 500 Ixtal Sunshards over the course of the game	None
Ryze	7 Rune Mage	Field in combat: 5 Region Traits together	Req. Lvl 9
Sylas	7 Chainbreaker Defender Arcanist	Sell a 2-star Jarvan, a 2-star Garen, and a 2-star Lux	None
Zaahen	7 Darkin Immortal	Have the ‘Trials of Twilight’ Augment and field a 3-star Xin Zhao for 5 combats	None

Teamfight Tactics Lore & Legends Set 16 Champions FAQ

That covers all you need to know on how to unlock all champions in Teamfight Tactics set 16 (Lore & Legends). For more useful guides, be sure to check out the Guides category here on Gamepur!

Riot Games has officially unveiled the massive gameplay overhaul coming to League of Legends Season 1 2026, and the changes are game-changing. From removing controversial mechanics like Atakhan to introducing new strategic elements like Faelights, this season promises to reshape the meta completely. Whether you’re a casual player or grinding for Challenger, understanding these updates will give you a competitive edge when the new season drops in January 2026.

What’s Being Removed in League of Legends Season 1 2026

Riot is cleaning house for the new season, removing several mechanics that caused objective fatigue and cluttered gameplay. Atakhan and Feats of Strength are being completely removed from Summoner’s Rift. These Baron Nashor alternatives never quite hit the mark with the playerbase, often creating confusing priority decisions during mid-game teamfights.

Blood Roses and Petals are also getting axed. While these mechanics added some strategic depth, they ultimately contributed to visual clutter and unnecessary complexity. The removal streamlines decision-making and lets players focus on core objectives like Dragon Soul and Baron.

Baron Nashor is reclaiming its throne as the primary late-game objective. The legendary monster will spawn at the 20-minute mark again, restoring the classic power spike timing that veterans know and love. This change brings back the iconic Baron plays and game-ending teamfights that define League’s most exciting moments.

New Vision System: Faelights Explained

Vision control is getting a strategic upgrade with the introduction of Faelights. These special ward locations appear across Summoner’s Rift and grant extended vision range when you place a ward on them. Think of them as premium warding spots that reward players who understand map control.

Faelights add a new layer to support gameplay and jungle pathing. Teams that master Faelight positioning will gain significant information advantages, making vision control even more valuable in Season 1 2026. Support mains should start theorycrafting optimal Faelight routes right now.

ADC Buffs: Seven Item Slots and Crit Damage Changes

Bot lane mains are celebrating as Riot delivers substantial buffs to marksman scaling. The most significant change is a seventh item slot reserved exclusively for boots. This means ADC champions can now build an extra legendary item without sacrificing mobility, allowing for stronger late-game carries and better itemization flexibility.

Critical strike damage is returning to 200% base damage for all champions. This revert to the classic crit formula means your auto-attacks will hit harder once you complete core items. Expect champions like Jinx, Caitlyn, and Tristana to dominate the late-game meta with their improved scaling potential.

These changes address long-standing complaints about ADC agency in Season 2025. With better scaling and an extra item slot, marksman players can finally match the impact of bruisers and mages in extended teamfights.

Split Pushing Returns: Turret and Siege Updates

Riot is bringing back strategic diversity with major changes to turret mechanics and siege gameplay. A new system called Crystalline Overgrowth acts as a universal demolish effect, helping champions push lanes regardless of their damage type.

Crystalline Overgrowth works through special crystals that grow over time on turrets. When you attack a turret, these crystals deal bonus damage, making it easier for low-DPS champions like enchanters and tanks to contribute to split-pushing. This levels the playing field and opens up more strategic options beyond grouping for teamfights.

Turret platings are getting a massive overhaul. Instead of only appearing on outer turrets during the early game, platings will now stay permanently on outer turrets and extend to inner and inhibitor turrets. This change rewards aggressive laners and makes split-pushing a viable win condition again.

The combination of these mechanics brings back the glory days of split-push champions like Fiora, Jax, and Tryndamere. Top laners can now pressure side lanes effectively while their team stalls objectives, adding tactical depth to macro gameplay.

Ranked System Overhaul for Season 1 2026

The ranked experience is getting its biggest update in years. Duo queue is now enabled at all ranks, including Challenger. This reverses the controversial solo-only restriction from previous seasons and lets friends climb together regardless of their MMR.

To prevent boosting and maintain competitive integrity, Riot is implementing new anti-boosting controls. These systems detect suspicious duo patterns and MMR discrepancies, protecting the ranked ladder from exploitation while still allowing legitimate duos to play together.

The autofill system is receiving major improvements to reduce frustration. When you get autofilled, a new reward system called Aegis of Valor provides compensation. While exact details haven’t been revealed, this mechanic aims to make off-role games less punishing and encourage players to fill when needed.

League of Legends Map Theme: Welcome to Demacia

Summoner’s Rift is getting a stunning visual makeover for 2026. The map is heading to Demacia, featuring white gold and blue petricite-themed aesthetics. This replaces the Noxian arena look from Season 2025 and brings a fresh visual identity to the Rift.

The Demacian theme fits perfectly with League’s lore, showcasing the kingdom’s iconic architecture and magical stone. Expect to see petricite crystals, grand fortifications, and blue-gold color schemes throughout the map. The new visuals maintain gameplay clarity while delivering an immersive thematic experience.

When Do Season 1 2026 Changes Go Live?

All these changes hit the PBE (Public Beta Environment) on December 2nd, 2025. This gives players about a month to test the new mechanics and provide feedback before the official launch. The PBE testing phase is crucial for balance adjustments and bug fixes.

Season 1 2026 officially launches in January 2026. Riot hasn’t announced the exact date yet, but seasons typically start in early to mid-January. Make sure to finish your Season 2025 ranked grind and claim your rewards before the split ends.

How to Prepare for Season 1 2026 Meta

Start adapting your champion pool now to take advantage of the new mechanics. ADC mains should practice scaling carries that benefit from the extra item slot. Top laners need to refine their split-push fundamentals with the new turret mechanics. Support players should study Faelight locations and vision patterns.

Don’t sleep on the PBE testing phase. Jumping onto the test server lets you experiment with builds, practice new strategies, and discover hidden OP picks before the ranked grind begins. Early adopters always have an advantage in the first few weeks of a new season.

Study macro gameplay and objective control. With Atakhan removed and Baron back at 20 minutes, the strategic landscape is shifting back to classic League fundamentals. Teams that master vision control around Dragon Soul and Baron Nashor will dominate the early meta.

FAQ: League of Legends Season 1 2026 Changes

When does League of Legends Season 1 2026 start? Season 1 2026 launches in January 2026, with PBE testing beginning December 2nd, 2025.

Is Atakhan removed in Season 1 2026? Yes, Atakhan and Feats of Strength are completely removed from the game in Season 1 2026.

Can you duo queue in Challenger in Season 1 2026? Yes, duo queue is enabled at all ranks including Challenger, with new anti-boosting protections.

What are Faelights in League of Legends? Faelights are special ward locations that grant extended vision range when you place wards on them.

Do ADCs get 7 item slots in Season 1 2026? Yes, a seventh item slot reserved for boots allows ADCs to build an extra legendary item.

When does Baron spawn in Season 1 2026? Baron Nashor returns to spawning at the 20-minute mark in Season 1 2026.

What is Crystalline Overgrowth? Crystalline Overgrowth is a new mechanic that acts as a universal demolish effect, helping all champions push turrets more effectively.

League of Legends has made me cry many times. Whether it's Silco's untimely demise in the first season of Arcane, or getting absolutely obliterated during a ranked promo match, for all my complaints about Riot's MOBA, I still truly love it. But my mind can't help but wander back to the good ol' days of Butcher's Bridge and Snowdown Showdown, and while we saw the Gangplank-inspired ARAM map return earlier this year, the one I've been waiting for has always been Winter Rift. Baron's been missing his Santa hat for far too long, but League of Legends patch 25.23 has brought it back, and I won't lie, I got a little teary.

Read the full story on PCGamesN: Forget the new champion, the latest League of Legends patch just made me cry with an addition I've waited almost a decade for