ARAM Mayhem Patch 26.12 Second Hotfix: Critical Augments and Bans
ARAM Mayhem Patch 26.12 second hotfix guide: ability augment exclusions, Spirit Bomb nerf, disabled augments, and critical augment impact.
0The second hotfix is not just a buff
During the ARAM Mayhem Patch 26.12 data cycle, the June 18 second hotfix does two things: it narrows ability-augment eligibility to reduce weak or abnormal interactions, and it puts critical augments back on the watchlist. Because the hotfix landed on June 18, 2026, this guide separates hotfix notes from performance around June 16.
Three change groups to check
| Change | Augments | Read |
|---|---|---|
| Ability augment exclusions | 19 ability augments | Reduces weak or abnormal rolls and makes the pool steadier |
| Numerical nerf |  Spirit Bomb | Shield duration changes from 4s to 2s, shortening the engage window |
| Global disables | Support Main, Void Dash, Pat On The Back | Do not plan around them as selectable options right now |
| Critical fixes | Jeweled Gauntlet, It’s Critical, Tank It Or Leave It, Critical Missile | Raises the ceiling for crit marksmen and assassins, but wait for samples |
| Still watch | Clown College, Vampirism | No stable return signal yet, so do not plan around them |
Ability augment exclusion list
The common logic is simple: remove obviously poor fits from the matching augment pools. High-frequency spells, low-damage tagged spells, ultimates, and mobility or shield-heal skills with abnormal repeat value are hit hardest. The upside is fewer rolls that look playable but give very little value.
| Augment | New restriction | Current Patch 26.12 data |
|---|---|---|
 Rejuvenation | No longer offered to Ashe E or skills over 7s cooldown | T3, about 51.6% win rate |
 Multishot | No longer offered to Kog’Maw Q or Rakan Q | T3, about 46.3% win rate |
| Echo Cast | Project data name is Echo Cast; excludes Azir Q, Graves E, Zed E, and more | T4, about 47.5% win rate |
 Quickstep | No longer offered to ultimates, Yuumi Q/E, Lissandra W, and many listed spells | T4, about 46.9% win rate |
 Terror | No longer offered to Sivir R, Twitch R, Vayne R, Qiyana R, or Zeri R | T5, about 48.7% win rate |
 Siphon | Excludes many listed spells such as Amumu Q, Annie Q, Ashe Q, Ezreal Q, and Zeri Q | T2, about 57.9% win rate |
| Stay Resolute | Excludes Alistar E, Kalista E, Kennen W passive, and more | T4, about 55.6% win rate |
 Ravenous Bind | Excludes Aatrox W, Alistar E, Camille E, Jinx E, Yone Q, and more | T1, about 57.9% win rate |
| Chain Reaction | No longer offered to Kled R | T5, about 47.0% win rate |
| Pursuit of Haste | No longer offered to Orianna E | T1, about 61.8% win rate |
 BONK! | No longer offered to Fizz W, Kassadin W, Leona Q, or Nilah Q | T3, about 55.3% win rate |
 Pursuit of Power | No longer offered to Low Damage tagged skills | T1, about 63.3% win rate |
| Overloaded | Excludes Akali W, Ashe E, Corki E, Ezreal Q, Udyr W, and more | T2, about 52.5% win rate |
| It's Go Time | No longer offered to Diana W orbs, Fizz W, Kai’Sa E, Leona W, or Xin Zhao R | T4, about 52.7% win rate |
| Mercy's Strike | No longer offered to self-heal or shield skills plus many listed spells | T3, about 51.9% win rate |
 Pin Cushion | Excludes Aatrox R, Blitzcrank W, Fizz W, Xin Zhao R, Zeri R, and more | T4, about 48.1% win rate |
| Trusty Weapon | Many high-frequency skills are excluded | T2, about 55.6% win rate |
| Adaptive Ward | Many low-cooldown, reset, or high-frequency skills are excluded | T3, about 51.3% win rate |
| Bolstered | Excludes Annie E, Azir E, Diana W, Orianna E, Yone W, and more | T5, about 51.4% win rate |
Gameplay impact
With critical augments back in testing, crit marksmen, burst skirmishers, and some assassins regain ceiling, especially 
Jeweled Gauntlet because it can convert spell burst into critical value. At the same time, Spirit Bomb has a shorter shield window, so protective comps cannot rely on a long shield to absorb the first burst.
After these exclusions, the short-term change is not one champion instantly taking over. The bigger effect is fewer dead augments. Fizz, Zed, Nilah, LeBlanc, Kled, Ashe, Yuumi, Lee Sin, Veigar, Zeri, Nidalee, Camille, and Azir are among the names touched often, so check whether the exact spell still triggers the effect.
FAQ
Does this hotfix mean crit builds are fully back?
Not fully or stably yet, but the direction is positive. Once Jeweled Gauntlet, It’s Critical, Tank It Or Leave It, and Critical Missile are observable again, crit marksmen and assassins gain ceiling. Until post-hotfix performance is clearer, judge by live availability first.
Why exclude so many spells from ability augments?
The goal is to reduce low-value and abnormal interactions. Some spells have long cooldowns, low damage tags, or poor fit with copy, trigger, shield, or healing mechanics. Keeping them in the pool creates more dead combinations.
Can Support Main, Void Dash, and Pat On The Back still be picked?
They are treated as globally disabled in this hotfix stage. If they do not appear in champion select, that is expected. Their return depends on later patch notes and data collection.
Why do current stats not fully match the June 18 hotfix?
This hotfix landed on June 18, 2026, after the Patch 26.12 stats timestamp on June 16, 2026. Win rate, pick rate, and availability after the hotfix need later collection, so treat this as a hotfix checklist rather than a full power ranking.