Illaoi Rework ⇒ Discover Patch 25.15 Buffs & Faster Combos

Illaoi, the Kraken Priestess, is receiving significant updates to her E ability (Test of Spirit) and tentacle behavior in Patch 25.15. These changes focus on streamlining her gameplay, increasing responsiveness, and reducing frustration for enemies—without compromising Illaoi’s core identity as a heavy-hitting lane bully and teamfight threat. The adjustments are designed to enhance both her power and playability, giving players faster combos and more intuitive feedback, while offering her opponents clearer windows for counterplay.

Increased Tentacle Damage Scaling: +5% AD on All Sources

Patch 25.15 enhances Illaoi’s tentacle output by increasing total AD scaling on all tentacle-related sources by +5%. This includes:

Passive – Prophet of an Elder God
Q – Tentacle Smash
W – Harsh Lesson auto empowers

Gameplay Impact:

Stronger trading in lane due to better poke and punishment for missteps
Deadlier teamfights when tentacles are positioned well
Improved scaling for full AD builds, amplifying her burst potential

This is a straightforward buff—no new mechanics or conditions. Illaoi players will feel a clear increase in damage throughout the game, especially in mid-to-late fights, without altering her core rhythm.

E – Test of Spirit: Faster Tentacles, Smarter Flow, Less Frustration

The bulk of the patch revolves around changes to Illaoi’s E ability. Riot aims to make her gameplay more responsive and readable. Here are the core updates to Test of Spirit and its interaction with tentacles:

Key Changes:

Curse Duration (Vessel): Reduced from 10 seconds to 3 seconds.
First Tentacle Slam: Now triggers instantly when a target is marked.
Tentacle Slam Cooldown: Reduced from 5/4/3 seconds to 4/3.5/3, depending on ability level.
Removed Vessel Lockout: Tentacles begin slamming immediately after E lands—no delay before action begins.

Summary of Effects:

Faster combos: Elimination of the 1.1s delay means more immediate follow-ups.
Two tentacle slams possible within the new 3-second curse duration (with cooldown reduction).
Shorter curse = less oppressive for opponents disengaging or dodging Illaoi’s zone control.

These changes modernize her gameplay. There’s less “dead space,” and both players and opponents get faster feedback. Illaoi’s damage threat is maintained, but the oppressive nature of her old E curse is toned down significantly.

Developer Perspective: Balancing Power and Frustration

Freak, a prominent voice on Riot’s balance team, provided insight into the purpose behind these adjustments. The focus was on preserving Illaoi’s identity while solving longtime issues with her kit.

“The early E slam cooldown change is such that she now reliably gets two slams during the spirit phase. The slow still ends before the first slam hits, so there’s still some counterplay. But the goal is to remove dead space and let her engage faster.”

The balance team emphasized two primary goals:

More rewarding and responsive feel for Illaoi players through cleaner timing
Less prolonged punishment for opponents who disengage or side-step her abilities

The outcome is a better-flowing gameplay loop that demands execution from Illaoi and attention from her enemies.

Strategic Impact – What to Expect in Matchups

For Illaoi Players:

Greater burst potential following a landed E
Snappier combos that reward precise spacing and timing
More effective tentacle setups in both small skirmishes and full teamfights
Less reliance on long engagements; more focus on quick trades and decisive punishment

For Illaoi’s Opponents:

Reduced post-disengage pressure due to shorter curse duration
Clearer decision windows to engage or retreat after tentacle procs
Less zoning time from objectives and minion waves

Overall, the update reduces “feels bad” interactions without harming Illaoi’s identity as a powerful, punish-heavy lane boss.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s changing with Illaoi’s tentacles in this patch?

Tentacle damage scaling is increased by +5% total AD across her passive, Q, and W-enhanced attacks. Additionally, tentacles now attack instantly when E lands and have shorter cooldowns between attacks.

What’s changing with Illaoi’s E?

The post-spirit curse duration is now 3 seconds down from 10. The first tentacle strike is immediate, and her tentacles now slam more frequently during the short curse period.

Is this a buff or a nerf?

Collectively, these changes represent a power-neutral to power-positive shift. Illaoi becomes more responsive and damage-focused, while opponents have a shorter period of punishment after impact.

Will Illaoi be stronger in solo queue after this?

Yes, particularly in the hands of experienced players. Faster damage windows and improved tentacle mechanics mean more consistent damage per trade and better skirmishing tools.