The final update of the year usually winds things down, but Patch 25.24 is doing the exact opposite. League of Legends is officially testing WASD movement controls in limited queues, a change that defies sixteen years of click-to-move muscle memory. Alongside this massive experimental feature, Riot has confirmed the hard deadline for the current ranked split and dropped a heavy ban hammer on some of the most frustrating assassins in the meta.
The End of Ranked Season 3
If you are still grinding for your Victorious skin or trying to break into a new tier, the clock is officially ticking. The 2025 Season 3 ranked split concludes on January 7, 2026. Unlike previous years that featured lengthy preseasons, the turnaround is immediate: Season 1 of 2026 kicks off the very next day on January 8.
This leaves you with roughly a month to finalize your climb. Given the balance changes in this patch, the meta you play in today is likely the one you will finish the season with, so adapt your champion pool now.
How do the new WASD controls work?
For over a decade, movement in League has been tied exclusively to mouse clicks. Patch 25.24 introduces keyboard-based movement (WASD) as an option in limited game modes. This mirrors the control schemes seen in Swarm and Arena, offering a twin-stick shooter feel that completely changes how you kite and dodge.
While this isn't replacing the traditional control scheme on Summoner's Rift yet, its inclusion in live queues signals that Riot is serious about modernizing the game's accessibility. For players coming from MMORPGs or shooters, this lowers the barrier to entry significantly. For veterans, it might feel alien, but it opens up new mechanical possibilities for directional skill shots.
Champions: The Holiday Nerf List
Riot clearly wants a slower, more deliberate pace for the holidays. Several high-mobility, high-burst champions are taking significant hits in this update. If you main assassins, check the numbers before you queue up.
- Mel: Since her release, Mel has dominated the mid-lane with oppressive zoning. Her damage output and safety are both being nerfed to give opponents breathing room.
- The Assassins (Zed, Kayn, Kha'Zix): This trio has been terrorizing the jungle and mid-lane. Riot is reducing their burst potential, forcing them to commit more risks to secure kills.
Who Got Buffed?
It's not all bad news. Control mages and tanks are eating well this winter. Viktor and Swain are receiving buffs aimed at helping them survive the early game and scale into their late-game powerhouse fantasies. Braum, Nasus, and Sejuani are also seeing stat increases, which should make frontline tanks more viable against the shred-heavy items currently in rotation.
ARAM and Skins
For the Howling Abyss enthusiasts, ARAM is getting a dose of chaos with new "Mayhem" augments, including the destructive Earthwake and Orbital Laser. Visually, the rift is freezing over with the release of new winter-themed skins:
- Reindeer Smolder
- Winter Wonder Milio and Zeri
- Sunken Shadows Lucian and Nami
- Prestige Winterblessed Mel
These changes are live now. Whether you are testing out WASD or panic-queueing for Diamond, good luck on the Rift.
Soren