ARAM Buffs & Nerfs Overview
How ARAM champion buffs and nerfs impact gameplay. Learn which champions are strong and how to optimize your builds for the Howling Abyss.
ARAM Champion Adjustments: Top 10 Buffed & Nerfed Champions by Win Rate Impact
This chart highlights the champions who received the most significant ARAM balance adjustments in recent patches, based on estimated win rate impact.
ARAM Buffs & Nerfs: The Howling Abyss Balance
The Howling Abyss is a unique battlefield, distinctly different from Summoner's Rift. To balance champions for this single-lane, constant-teamfight environment, Riot Games implements specific ARAM-exclusive buffs and nerfs. Understanding these adjustments is key to mastering the mode and boosting your win rate.
What Are ARAM Adjustments?
ARAM adjustments are unique balance changes for the Howling Abyss. With its single lane and constant fights, many champions need tuning for fair play. These range from damage and healing mods to ability haste tweaks. Over 160 champions receive regular adjustments!
Common Adjustment Types
Riot uses percentage-based modifiers. Expect to see:
- Damage Dealt/Taken: +/- 5-20%
- Healing/Shielding: Often reduced by 15-20%
- Ability Haste: Up to +20 ability haste
- Resource Regen: Tweaks for mana/energy.
Impact on ARAM Meta
These buffs/nerfs directly shape the meta. A heavily buffed champion like Ziggs (+15% Damage Dealt) can dominate, while a nerfed one might fall off. Staying updated helps you pick stronger champions and understand power swings. Some champions can see up to a 3-5% win rate swing!
This ARAM Buffs & Nerfs Overview is a custom view we built for fellow Summoners. We’re constantly working on it to keep it accurate and up-to-date for your climb!
Key Takeaways from ARAM Adjustments
Understanding the current ARAM adjustments is paramount for any player looking to gain an edge in the Howling Abyss. These buffs and nerfs significantly alter champion power levels, making some champions far more (or less) viable than their Summoner’s Rift counterparts. Our data provides insights into which champions are currently benefitting most or suffering the heaviest penalties.
Top Impacted Champions (Example Data)
While the exact numbers shift with every patch, certain champions consistently receive notable adjustments due to their kit’s inherent strength or weakness in ARAM’s unique environment. Here are some examples of champions frequently found on the extremes of the ARAM adjustment spectrum:
| Champion | Typical Adjustment | Impact Type | Image |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sona | -15% Healing/Shielding | Significant Nerf | |
| Ziggs | +15% Damage Dealt | Significant Buff | |
| Yuumi | -20% Healing/Shielding | Significant Nerf |  |
| Corki | +5% Damage Dealt | Moderate Buff |  |
| Zed | +10% Damage Taken | Moderate Nerf |  |
Create synergies: Find our best champion COMBOS (Ultimate Toplist).
Tip: Embrace the Buffs!
Prioritize champions with strong ARAM buffs, even if they aren’t your main picks. A +10% Damage Dealt buff on a champion like Veigar can make a huge difference in your ability to carry games in the Howling Abyss.
Warning: Don’t Ignore Nerfs!
A champion you love on Summoner’s Rift might struggle in ARAM due to heavy nerfs. A Katarina with reduced damage output or increased damage taken will be significantly harder to play effectively. Always check their specific ARAM adjustments before picking.
Quick Fact: Constant Evolution
Riot Games continuously updates ARAM balance. These adjustments ensure no single champion or strategy dominates for too long, promoting a diverse and fun experience. Stay informed to stay ahead!
Deep Diving into ARAM Adjustments
ARAM’s unique map design, with its single lane and constant teamfights, necessitates a distinct balancing approach from Summoner’s Rift. Champions designed for solo lanes, jungling, or split-pushing often struggle or become overwhelmingly powerful without specific adjustments. This is where ARAM buffs and nerfs come into play, finely tuning each champion to fit the mode’s chaotic nature.
Why ARAM Needs Its Own Balance
Unlike standard play, ARAM removes factors like farming lanes, controlling vision, and strategic rotations, pushing champions into an environment purely focused on team fighting. Champions that excel in skirmishes and sustain, or those with global ultimates, often become dominant. Conversely, champions reliant on scaling or isolated duels may fall off without help. Riot’s adjustments aim to level this playing field, ensuring a wider variety of champions remain fun and viable.
Support Adjustments
Healers and shielders like Soraka or Yuumi often see their healing/shielding output reduced to prevent infinite sustain in poke-heavy ARAM games. This ensures fights resolve quicker and counterplay exists.
High Poke / AoE Adjustments
Champions with strong area-of-effect (AoE) or long-range poke like Karthus or Ziggs sometimes receive damage dealt nerfs or damage taken buffs to prevent them from dominating games too easily from afar.
Melee Carry Adjustments
Melee champions, especially carries like Master Yi or Samira, often receive buffs to their damage dealt or reductions to damage taken. This helps them survive the initial poke and engage effectively in a mode dominated by ranged champions.
Adapting Your Playstyle
Knowing the adjustments allows for smart counter-picking and build optimization. If your champion has a damage dealt buff, you might lean more into aggressive offensive items. If they take increased damage, defensive items or safer positioning become even more critical. Staying informed about these numerical tweaks gives you a significant advantage in every ARAM match.
Strategic Insight: Check the Patch Notes
Always review the official patch notes for the latest ARAM balance changes. Riot highlights specific champion adjustments, allowing you to instantly identify who’s stronger or weaker for your next Howling Abyss adventure.
Your 3 Steps to Master ARAM Adjustments
To truly leverage the ARAM buffs and nerfs for a higher win rate, follow these three systematic steps:
Identify Current Meta Shifts
Regularly check the latest ARAM patch notes. Our overviews highlight champions with significant adjustments. Pinpoint which champions received large buffs (making them strong picks) or substantial nerfs (making them less reliable).
Adjust Your Champion Pool
Based on current adjustments, adapt your champion select strategy. Prioritize buffed champions for your team composition when possible. Be cautious with heavily nerfed champions; consider alternatives even if they are your usual mains.
Optimize Builds & Playstyle
A buffed champion might benefit from more aggressive item builds, while a nerfed one might need defensive items or a safer playstyle. Adjust your itemization and in-game approach to maximize the benefits of buffs and mitigate the drawbacks of nerfs.
