Sunday, April 26, 2026
Home Blog Page 277

LoL 25.S1.4 Early Patch Notes Revealed by Riot

Sonu Banerjee
-
0
LoL 25.S1.4 Early Patch Notes Revealed by Riot

With just over a week remaining till the release of the highly anticipated League of Legends patch 25.S1.4, Riot Games has revealed the early notes for the upcoming LoL update.

The LoL 25.S1.4 patch is set to be a major update that’s expected to bring a bunch of exciting changes to the MOBA. As you might already have expected, tanks and some of their core items are set to receive nerfs, along with a balance adjustment for Mel.

LoL dev Matt “Phroxzon” Leung-Harrison has recently shared the early patch notes for LoL 25.S1.4 on his X (formerly Twitter) handle. Without further ado, let’s check out everything you need to know about the next big LoL patch.

LoL 25.4 Early Patch Notes

LoL 25.S1.4 Early Patch Notes Revealed by Riot

Here are the early notes for the LoL patch 25.S1.4, as confirmed by Phroxzon:

Tank Items

  • After an extended period last year of being quite weak and unsatisfying, tank items have found their footing in a strong way, especially for normal play but also in high levels for some of them
  • A lof of tanks in those times were opting into things like Thornmail 2nd item (in particular), which indicated that they don’t really have any good item choices
  • Being able to opt into specialized items like Thornmail 2nd sometimes is OK, but it feels pretty unsatisfying when it’s the option in most games, especially when playing against magic damage compositions
  • Unending Despair was reworked to be this 2nd baseline item to allow players to pivot off this foundation if an option is better (eg. MR heavy vs magic, AR heavy vs phys)
  • From our player surveys, champs like Mundo, Kench, Skarner, K’Sante, etc. who prominently use these items and are high on “perceived strength” will be nerfed.

Boots

  • We’re also doing a small pass to the boot options to ensure they are better balanced; these and the changes above will also systemically help ADC’s do more damage in most games.
  • Steelcaps in particular has been a bit too good at shutting down these types of damage

Attack Speed Cap

  • With the buffs to attack speed cap last patch, Kog has been pretty happy with that – A bit… too happy; so we’re taking him down a peg

Mel

  • For Mel, we are looking at some changes this patch to reduce her frustration, by bringing down her range and reliability slightly, lowering the forgiveness on her W a bit, now that players have had time to learn her, reducing her rank 1 root duration and making her R damage more dependent on having stacks
  • Mel sports a pretty low winrate on her first game in particular, but after players have played a few games, this rapidly increases

Elise

  • Elise is a champion who’s had a dramatic rise in the support role; we’re not looking to swat her out of there too quickly, but her jungle has been slightly weak and we’re looking to distribute a bit of power into that role without removing her from support

LoL 25.4 Release Date

The LoL 25.4 update is scheduled to hit the live servers on Thursday, February 20. Take a look at the expected release times for the update across the different servers below:

  • NA: 3 pm CT 
  • EUW: 5 am GMT
  • EUNE: 3 am CET
  • Korea: 8 am KR

That’s everything we know about the LoL 25.S1.4 patch as of yet.

Note that the full patch notes for the update haven’t been revealed by Riot at the time of writing.

Activision Extends Black Ops 6 and Warzone Double XP Weekend

Sarjyo Mukherjee
-
0
Activision Extends Black Ops 6 and Warzone Double XP Weekend

The Double XP weekend, originally scheduled to conclude on February 10, 2025, has now been extended till February 12, 2025, by the developers for undisclosed reasons. This extension will only affect players of Warzone and Black Ops 6 as now they have 48 hours more to farm up XP.

While reasons were not officially disclosed, it can be speculated that the developers are compensating for the PSN outage that prevented players from PlayStation from enjoying the Double XP weekend. For lack of official reasons, this looks like a compelling one.

Even though the outage only affected PlayStation players, the developers have extended their gratitude which will let players from other platforms get ahead with two extra days of XP farming. Overall, players on PC and Xbox will get to enjoy 48 extra hours of double XP while the PlayStation players will only be compensated for the lost time.

If the weekend was not rewarding enough, two weekdays of grinding will make sure you get the XP you were waiting for. It is not every time you get this opportunity so make sure to farm as much as you can.

Two Characters of Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 2 Battle Pass Leaked

Sarjyo Mukherjee
-
0
Two Characters of Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 2 Battle Pass Leaked

Popular Fortnite data miner Loolo has revealed the two new characters that are supposed to be a part of the Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 2 Battle Pass and fans now have something to look up to for the next season.

“Pickle Peely” and “Flex” NPC may be included in the Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 2 Battle Pass, according to the leak. Nothing more has been revealed but given the way EPIC has built hype around the next battle pass, players are likely to enjoy it as much as the previous ones.

Given that Season 8 is scheduled for release later this year, it may even confirm the rumor that Rick and Morty will again be a part of it. Being themed for a “Heist”, Season 8 will have more exciting elements to be revealed later.

The leaks indicated nothing beyond the two leaked characters but more information will come down as the date of release comes closer. Till then hold your horses and keep an eye out for any further leaks.

Marvel Rivals Ditches Mid-Season Rank Reset After Player Backlash

Aritra Patra
-
0
Marvel Rivals Ditches Mid-Season Rank Reset After Player Backlash

Marvel Rivals developers NetEase have listened to their player base and reversed their decision to implement a mid-season rank reset in Competitive mode. This change comes after significant feedback from players concerned about the impact of frequent resets.

Just hours before the reversal was announced, NetEase released Dev Talk Vol. 10, outlining their initial plan for seasonal rank adjustments. In the talk, they stated that after careful consideration, they believed first-half season ranks were the most accurate reflection of player skill. They indicated an additional rank reset would be implemented to better align with upcoming content and changes.  

This announcement ignited a firestorm of discussion within the Marvel Rivals community. Player concerns reached a peak after the Dev Talk, prompting NetEase to quickly reassess its strategy.

Marvel Rivals Ditches Mid-Season Rank Reset After Player Backlash

In a surprisingly rapid follow-up, Dev Talk Vol. 11, NetEase announced the change of plans. They acknowledged the widespread concern about the pressure of half-season rank resets, which many players felt detracted from their enjoyment of Competitive mode.

While the first half of Season 1 will still conclude on February 21st, and rewards will be distributed as planned (including a Gold rank costume, Crests of Honor for Grandmaster and above, and a special Crest for the top 500), there will be no rank reset when the second half begins. Players will retain their ranks and scores.  

To be eligible for new ranked rewards in the second half, players will need to complete 10 Competitive mode matches and meet the specific criteria by the season’s end. These rewards include a new Gold rank costume and a fresh set of Crests of Honor with unique designs for Grandmaster, Celestial, Eternity, and One Above All ranks.

Valve Bans Steam Games with Mandatory In-Game Ads

Aritra Patra
-
0
Valve Bans Steam Games with Mandatory In-Game Ads

Valve has recently clarified its policy regarding in-game advertising on Steam, explicitly prohibiting developers from including mandatory ads that players are forced to watch or interact with. A new page in the Steamworks Documentation details this long-standing rule.

The documentation clearly states that for games released on Steam “Developers should not utilize paid advertising as a business model in their game.” This means that gating gameplay content behind unavoidable advertisements, or those requiring player interaction, is strictly forbidden. Furthermore, the documentation emphasizes that if a game relies on advertising on other platforms, these elements must be removed before the game is released on Steam.  

Valve Bans Steam Games with Mandatory In-Game Ads

While this may seem like a new policy, seasoned Steam users on Reddit have pointed out that Valve has maintained this stance for several years. The creation of a dedicated Steamworks Documentation page appears to be simply a move towards greater transparency and clarity for developers.

Previously, information regarding the ban on mandatory in-game ads was tucked away in the “Pricing” section of the documentation and within a FAQ entry addressing whether Steam pricing supported games with paid ads. This new, dedicated page provides a more comprehensive explanation of the policy, clearly outlining which types of advertisements are acceptable and which are not.  

Notably, Valve’s policy does allow for some forms of in-game advertising. Product placement, such as in-game billboards, is permissible and aligns with the stated guidelines.

PGL Returns to Krakow for 2027 Kickoff

Aritra Patra
-
0
PGL Returns to Krakow for 2027 Kickoff

PGL has revealed that Krakow, Poland, will host its first tournament of 2027, running from January 13th-25th. This marks a return to the city for the tournament organizer, who previously held the memorable PGL Major Krakow there in 2017.

The 2027 tournament will once again take place in the impressive TAURON Arena. With a seating capacity of over 15,000 for sporting events, the arena provides a fitting stage for top-tier esports competition.

The PGL Major Kraków 2017 was a truly special moment for PGL and the entire esports community. The energy of the fans and the incredible matches created memories that have lasted. We’re thrilled to be heading back to Krakow and adding to that legacy.

Silviu Stroie, CEO of PGL

Interestingly, PGL’s 2027 event avoids a direct clash with ESL’s schedule, unlike the situations in 2025 and 2026. Instead, it will coincide with part of the BLAST Bounty Season 1, which features online stages.

This scheduling decision reflects the ongoing competition among tournament organizers to secure their place within the increasingly busy esports calendar.

IEM Katowice 2025 Sets Non-Major Counter-Strike Viewership Record

Aritra Patra
-
0
IEM Katowice 2025 Sets Non-Major Counter-Strike Viewership Record

The Counter-Strike esports scene is alive and well, with IEM Katowice 2025 proving to be a resounding success. Defying naysayers who claimed the game had lost its edge or that the transition to CS2 was underwhelming, the tournament shattered viewership records and showcased the thrilling intensity of top-tier competition.

According to Esports Charts, IEM Katowice 2025, held from January 29th to February 9th, peaked at an astounding 1,299,747 viewers. This figure represents a new benchmark for non-Major Counter-Strike events. The remarkable achievement underscores the growing interest in CS2 esports and the enduring appeal of IEM Katowice as a premier tournament.

The grand final clash between Team Vitality and Team Secret, a thrilling best-of-five showdown, further amplified the excitement. The match not only captivated a massive international audience but also set a new viewership record for French broadcasts, demonstrating the growing popularity of esports in France.

Moreover, IEM Katowice 2025 witnessed the second-highest peak viewership in history for both Mongolian and Ukrainian language broadcasts, highlighting the global reach of CS2 esports.

Adding to the significance of these statistics, Esports Charts’ data excludes viewership from Steam.tv, and Chinese video streaming platforms, suggesting that the actual numbers may be even higher.

Daigo’s Voice Lines Revealed in Fortnite Mini-Event Leak

Sarjyo Mukherjee
-
0
Daigo’s Voice Lines Revealed in Fortnite Mini-Event Leak

Popular Fortnite data miner blortzen has revealed some of the voice lines for Daigo. This comes as a part of the leak that has revealed everything about the upcoming Fortnite mini-event.

Daigo, who now owns The Thousand Faces store in Masked Meadow and makes magic masks, seems to be going to be the main attraction. As the event progresses, we will get to know more about his background and what he means to the story of the mini-event.

The lines are as follows:

“Did my brother send you? Tell him I have a plan, and to not get in my way.”

“I am the only one strong enough to face the darkness in the Spirit Realm. I can feel the power of the Spirit Realm. It’s beginning. I can hear its whispers! It knows me, my family, our bloodline. It wants to take me too.”

“I don’t know you. I don’t trust you. I won’t let you touch that Shard. I failed my sister once. I will not do so again. I feel a presence in the Spirit Realm…what is it, demon?”

“I have a plan. When things are at their darkest, remember: I know who I am. I’m responsible for my family, and for this island. You know the feeling, I suspect. I’m taking my sister back, demon. Don’t get in my way.”

I’ve gifted you some magical weaponry. Now, FIGHT! If you’re thinking of stopping me…don’t. In the end, it always falls on me to fix everything. The genius. The eldest son.

“It’s pathetic, binding another to your service against their will.”

“Jade! Jade, I can see you! Look at the sound of my voice!”

The event starts on 15th February and is likely to be one of the most promising mini-events of recent times and will pave the way for some of the bigger events that Epic has planned for the coming months.

Imperial Qualifies for Blast Open Lisbon 2025

Sarjyo Mukherjee
-
0
Imperial Qualifies for Blast Open Lisbon 2025

After impressing at the regional level, Imperial have booked their spot in the Blast Open Lisbon, making this their first top-tier tournament in a while after failing to make it to tier-1 events.

Imperial has qualified for the BLAST Open Lisbon 2025 with their victory at ACE South American Masters Spring. The Brazilians have seen a significant improvement in form after adding Richard “⁠chayJESUS⁠” Seidy in the off-season. While most of their recent victories have been in lower tiers, this marks a significant milestone for the team.

The teams set to play BLAST Open Lisbon are:

  •  Spirit
  •  G2
  •  Natus Vincere
  •  Vitality
  •  FaZe
  •  Eternal Fire
  •  MOUZ
  •  North America qualifier
  •  The MongolZ
  •  Liquid
  •  FURIA
  •  Falcons
  •  Astralis
  •  Virtus.pro
  •  Imperial
  •  Asia qualifier

Goes without saying that they will be coming into the tournament as underdogs but having little expectations would free them from any pressure that they might feel against top European sides which may make them one of the dark horses of the tournament and only time can tell if they can step up to the task.

CS2 Teams Oppose Flawed Valve Competitive Ecosystem

Sarjyo Mukherjee
-
0
CS2 Teams Oppose Flawed Valve Competitive Ecosystem

Top CS2 teams like Falcons, FURIA, MOUZ, and many more have presented a united front in an open letter directed at the flawed competitive ecosystem that Valve has implemented since 2025 by moving away from partnered tournament organizers.

The letter highlighted that smaller tournament organisers hold invite-only tournaments because they lack the resources to manage open qualifiers making the Valve Regional Standings (VRS) the only way to enter several tier-one events. This limits the opportunity for top teams to get into many of the tier-1 events.

“This creates a layered ecosystem: the biggest tournaments offer a small chance at a dream OQ run that catapults teams to relevance, while the tier below runs on invites only,”

“As a result, any new up-and-coming team can only enter the ranking, paradoxically, through Tier 1 events, and these are few and far between. Unless the ranking system changes, there must be stronger incentives for smaller TOs to run open qualifiers.” the letter read.

  • Signed by:
    • Ninjas in Pyjamas
    • Metizport
    • Endpoint
    • JANO
    • ENCE
    • MOUZ
    • BIG
    • HAVU
    • EYEBALLERS
    • IMPERIAL
    • LEGACY
    • FALCONS
    • OG Esports
    • 3DMAX
    • 9z
    • FURIA
    • M80
    • Monte Esports
    • Fnatic
    • GamerLegion
    • 9INE
    • Aurora

While pointing out the flaws in the system was the highlight of the letter, teams have suggested bringing back open qualifiers and moving away from the reliance on VRS which would preset everyone with a leveled playing field ,and teams performing well will make it to the tournament without having to worry about the points they have accumulated leading up to the tournament.

1...276277278...2,049Page 277 of 2,049

EDITOR PICKS

Opinions

POPULAR CATEGORY

ABOUT US

TalkEsport is world's premier stop for esports scores, news and coverage! In the industry since 2009, TalkEsport has garnered immense authenticity and credibility, making it the top destination for Esports!

Contact us: [email protected]

FOLLOW US

© TalkEsport Media & Broadcasting (P) Ltd. All Rights Reserved 2009-2026.