Patch 16.5 Guide
The most popular meta lines for the patch are included here. Use the tier list to see all lines. Tips for the patch:
- The Zaun bugfix was a MASSIVE nerf to 5 Zaun and 7 Zaun. As a result, Warwick is mostly dead and Jinx Reroll is also not playable
- The 5 and 7 Demacia nerfs were enough to make most Demacia comps fall a tier. Zaahen also is noticeably worse after the Prismatic augment got gutted.
- Piltover is making a return after the changes to T-Hex. It is no longer a Caitlyn reroll line. Push levels and try to unlock T-Hex the standard way. Emblem helps with this significantly.
- Aphelios buff has made both reroll comps with him noticeably stronger (Sion Bard and Neeko Nidalee Aphelios). Might be a premium 2-cost reroll option this patch, especially with any reroll augments.
- Noxus buffs might make it a defaultable line from Sion LeBlanc opener. This increases line flexibility from that opener from just Bruiser Flex to also including Noxus which is great.
- Item-wise, Flickerblade is noticeably weaker and Darkin Staff is noticeably stronger. Highly consider taking Darkin Staff if playing an AP line
AD Core Lines
These are the lines you should play in most games if provided attack damage (AD) items. Conditions are recommended, but not mandatory.
Reroll Augment
Aphelios Bard Opener
Aphelios
Bard 
Neeko
Vi
Loris
2
2
Bruiser Aphelios Opener
Illaoi
ShenAphelios
Sion
Dr. Mundo
4
AP Core Lines
These are the lines you should play in most games if provided ability power (AP) items. Conditions are recommended, but not mandatory.
Void Staff
Morellonomicon
Freljord Opener
Anivia
Jarvan IV
Sona
Ashe
Sejuani
3
2
2
2
Demacia Opener
Jarvan IV
LuluSonaNeeko
Poppy 3
2
2
2
0
The website has been updated for Patch 16.5. Check the bullets in the Guide section at the top for an overview of key changes for the patch. As usual, expect frequent updates for the first few days of the patch as we figure it out. Piltover in particular is not solved — Very few people have played Piltover for the last few patches, especially in high elo. I expect several optimizations for that line as high elo players experiment with it.