Ah, the life of a champion designer. One minute you're crafting the next big thing, the next you're staring at a spreadsheet wondering why Rell's pick rate looks like my coffee after I've forgotten it for three days. It's 2026, and with the roster now pushing past 160 champions, it's no surprise some get left in the dust. Gameplay evolves, metas shift, and sometimes, a champion's fantasy just doesn't match the clunky reality players experience. That's where my team and I come in with our trusty toolkit of mid-scope updates. Think of it as a champion's spa day, but with more ability tweaks and fewer cucumber slices.

So, who's next for a refresh? Well, I took to the socials a while back to announce our latest projects: Rell and Jax. Now, these two are fascinating case studies in champion struggles. Rell... oh, Rell. Where do I even begin? She's been a passion project for many of us since her release. Her lore paints this incredible picture of a defiant, living weapon, a ferromancer on a mission to topple an empire from atop her iron steed. It's epic! Then you load into a game and... well, let's just say the fantasy hits a speed bump. Or rather, a complete halt, because she's the slowest champion in the game when she's not mounted. Her base attack speed? Let's just say a sloth with a napalm addiction (looking at you, Graves) has more pep.

Her gameplay has always felt disconnected from that powerful identity. Clunky, sluggish, and with a presence in solo queue that could be measured with a microscope. Pro play saw some occasional flashes, but for the average player? She was a tough sell. Our goal with her update is substantial. We want to bridge that gap. We want you to feel like that living weapon when you charge into a fight. Smoother transitions, a more responsive kit, and maybe letting that horse really gallop. It's about delivering on the promise we made with her character.

Now, Jax is a different story. The Grandmaster at Arms is a legend, a staple. He's not fundamentally broken or unloved. But time marches on, and champions released more recently have certain... flourishes. Jax's update is what we'd call "on the smaller side." It's less about a complete overhaul and more about a polish. Bringing some modern sensibilities to his kit, specifically focusing on making his ultimate ability, Grandmaster's Might, feel more... grand. More impactful. More worthy of a fighter who's supposedly beaten everyone with a lamppost. He was still a solid pick at the 2021 Worlds, mind you, boasting a 20% presence! But even classics need a tune-up sometimes.

It's a delicate balance, these mid-scope updates. They're more than just number tweaks, but they're not the earth-shattering, "who-is-this-champion-now" level of a full VGU (Visual & Gameplay Update). We leave the model, the core voice, the lore untouched. What we do touch is everything in between:

• Abilities & Mechanics: Making them flow better or fulfill their fantasy.

• Animations & Visual Effects (VFX): Crisper, clearer, cooler-looking.

• Sound Effects (SFX): More satisfying clangs and whooshes.

We've had some great successes with this approach recently. Champions like Ahri, Janna, and Swain got new leases on life with their updates, finding better spots in the game without losing their souls. It's a process we're proud of.

And because I know you're all wondering... yes, we haven't forgotten about others who might be feeling a bit outdated. I mentioned it before, and it's still true: Neeko is on our radar. Her unique, quirky identity is something we love, but making it sing in today's game is a challenge we're excited to tackle. She's in the pipeline for her own refresh.

So, that's the view from the design trenches. It's a constant process of listening, tweaking, and trying to make sure every champion, from the newest star to the oldest veteran, has a moment to shine. No release dates to share yet for Rell and Jax—these things take the time they need—but know that the work is underway. After all, what's a living weapon without a little maintenance, and what's a grandmaster without a sharpened blade? The journey to keep Runeterra's roster feeling fresh and fantastic is never-ending, and honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some horse... I mean, ferromancy... to attend to. 🛠️⚔️