5 Broken Strategies in ARAM Mayhem After Patch 26.1
Discover the most overpowered builds and bugs in Patch 26.1, including Ryze 10k AP, infinite Flash Forward resets, Gangplank infinite barrels, and more.
Patch 26.1 dropped and players have already found some absolutely broken strategies. Some are intended, some are bugs that’ll probably get hotfixed. Either way, abuse them while you can.
1. Ryze Mana Scaling Monster (10,000+ AP)
The combination of Riftmaker + Horizon Focus provides double damage amplification, and Ryze is the biggest winner. Seraph’s Embrace active massively boosts his skill damage and cooldown reduction—perfect for his spell-weaving playstyle.
Why it’s broken:
- Tear items let Ryze scale mana infinitely
- Late game Ryze can break 10,000+ AP
- Every spell rotation deletes entire teams
- Books become weapons of mass destruction
Other champions this works on:
- Ekko
- Fizz
- Syndra
- Any burst mage with good AP ratios
If you get offered Riftmaker + any burst augment, take it. One-shots are guaranteed.
2. Infinite Flash Forward Resets
Several champions with charge-based abilities are currently insane with Flash Forward. When these champions get certain skill refresh augments, it resets Flash Forward stacks instead of just the ability.
Champions to abuse this:
- Riven
- Cho’Gath
- Swain
- Zyra
Some of these champions can literally Flash infinitely. If you see Flash Forward on any of these champs, it’s a must-pick. This is “random augment instantly wins the game” territory.
3. Gangplank Infinite Barrels (BUG - PLAY NOW)
When Gangplank gets the Judgment augment, infinite barrels are back.
This is 100% a bug. It’s a leftover from Riot fixing cooldown issues with charge-based abilities. Judgment was never supposed to interact with barrel charges this way.
Play this while you can. This will almost certainly get hotfixed within days. If you roll GP + Judgment, you’ve basically won.
4. HP Stacking Is Back
The Steel Your Heart fix in 26.1 now properly multiplies future stacks by 3x (not just stacks at completion time). Combined with Blade of the Ruined King nerfs, tank builds are back with a vengeance.
Best champions:
- Dr. Mundo
- Sion
- Cho’Gath
- Any Heartsteel builder
These champions can stack 10,000+ HP within 15 minutes. Without percentage-based damage dealers, they’re literally unkillable. Your enemies will be typing “ff” in chat while you’re still gaining stacks.
5. Duplicate Augment Stacking (BUG)
The current patch has a bug where the augment pool can offer duplicate Hextech augments. Many augment effects stack.
What this means:
- Double damage amplification augments = multiplied damage
- Double defensive augments = near-invincibility
- Some combinations are completely game-breaking
This is one of those bugs that’s so broken it’s almost funny. If you see the same augment twice, take both. Thank Riot later.
Quick Summary
| Strategy | Type | Urgency |
|---|---|---|
| Ryze 10k AP | Intended | Play anytime |
| Flash Forward Resets | Likely bug | Play soon |
| GP Infinite Barrels | Definite bug | Play NOW |
| HP Stacking | Intended | Play anytime |
| Duplicate Augments | Definite bug | Play NOW |
The bugs will get patched. The intended strategies are here to stay. Either way, go abuse these before everyone else figures them out.
Good luck in your games!