League of Legends Patch 25.14 isn't just a bugfix patch—it brings major shifts to the ADC item meta. From nerfs to Kraken Slayer to buffs for Bloodthirster and Statikk Shiv, the current patch rewards strategic itemization more than ever. If you're climbing as a bot laner, especially in Ranked, knowing what to build and when can make the difference between snowballing or struggling to scale.
This guide breaks down the top 5 item changes in Patch 25.14, what they mean for your go-to ADC champions, and how you should adapt your builds moving forward.
🛠️ Top 5 Item Changes (LoL Patch 25.14) Every ADC Should Know
1. Kraken Slayer – Nerfed Again
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Change: True damage on every third hit reduced
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Effect: Weaker against tanks and frontline bruisers
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Who’s Affected: Vayne, Kai’Sa, Jinx
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What to Do: Consider switching to Galeforce for burst or BT for sustain unless you're against a tank-heavy comp.
TL;DR: Kraken isn’t dead, but it’s no longer a must-rush.
2. Bloodthirster – Lifesteal & Shield Buffed
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Change: Lifesteal increased; shield activates faster below 30% HP
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Effect: Better durability and lane recovery
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Who’s Affected: Aphelios, Ezreal, Zeri
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What to Do: Slot BT as a second item if you expect extended fights or need survivability.
TL;DR: BT is no longer niche—it’s a top-tier pick into poke or dive-heavy comps.
3. Infinity Edge – More Consistent Crit Scaling
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Change: Slight tuning for crit damage scaling
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Effect: More reliable damage output mid-to-late game
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Who’s Affected: Jhin, Tristana, Samira
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What to Do: Pair with Statikk Shiv or RFC to hit spike earlier.
TL;DR: Infinity Edge regains its crown in crit-based builds.
4. Statikk Shiv – Buffed Waveclear & Hybrid Scaling
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Change: Higher magic damage & better AP scaling
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Effect: Improved waveclear and hybrid synergy
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Who’s Affected: AP Kai’Sa, Ezreal (Hybrid)
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What to Do: Try Shiv first on Kai’Sa into heavy-push lanes to keep tempo.
TL;DR: More than a meme again—viable on hybrid ADCs and poke comps.
5. Galeforce – Dash Cooldown Increased
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Change: Active cooldown increased
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Effect: Less frequent outplay/escape potential
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Who’s Affected: Lucian, Samira, Xayah
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What to Do: Rely more on positioning or switch to Shieldbow if survivability is key.
TL;DR: Still great—but play more carefully around the longer CD.
🧠 What This Means for ADC Mains in Patch 25.14
🔄 Build Paths Will Be More Situational
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You’ll need to flex between lifesteal, crit, or hybrid options depending on the lane matchup and enemy comp.
🧪 Experiment with BT + IE Combos
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The buffed BT + IE core now outpaces the Kraken + Collector combo in many standard fights.
⚠️ Support Synergy Matters
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Enchanter supports? BT is god-tier. Engage or dive-heavy? Stick with Shieldbow or Galeforce.
🔧 Sample Builds to Try (By Champion Style)
| Style | Suggested Core Build |
|---|---|
| Crit Carry | Shiv → IE → BT (Kai’Sa, Tristana) |
| Lifesteal | Noonquiver → BT → Kraken/IE (Ezreal, Aphelios) |
| Hybrid Burst | Manamune → Shiv → Nashor’s (AP Kai’Sa, Ezreal Hybrid) |
| Safety First | Shieldbow → BT → Hurricane (Xayah, Twitch) |
🌟 Final Thoughts: Adapt or Fall Behind
The Patch 25.14 item changes won’t break the ADC meta, but they do offer room for adaptation. If you’re still auto-piloting your Kraken → IE builds, it’s time to update your item pathing. With Bloodthirster and Shiv both receiving meaningful buffs, expect to see more build diversity in high-ELO and pro play too.
🗣️ Join the Discussion / Related Articles
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