The December 2025 Mobile Legends: Bang Bang patch has once again sparked intense debate among players. Several heroes have appeared to receive adjustments that looked like nerfs at first glance, but a deeper analysis has revealed hidden power increases.

This situation has commonly been referred to by the community as an MLBB Fake Nerf. On paper, certain numbers have been reduced or mechanics have been altered, yet the compensation provided by Moonton has actually unlocked stronger gameplay potential.

In a competitive META context, adjustments like these have often been underestimated. Heroes that were initially considered weaker have instead become more effective when played with proper mechanical understanding and optimized builds.

This article breaks down three MLBB Fake Nerf cases from the December 2025 patch that have truly made the heroes stronger, whether in terms of damage output, game tempo, or teamfight flexibility.

3 Heroes With Fake Nerfs That Have Actually Become Stronger

Zhuxin

Zhuxin has become the clearest example of an MLBB Fake Nerf in the December 2025 patch. At first glance, she has seemed weaker due to the reduction of her sustained control, including the limitation that she can lift only one enemy within a certain timeframe.

However, Moonton has significantly increased Zhuxin’s damage potential as compensation. After successfully lifting a target, Zhuxin has gained additional damage amplification, allowing her to burst down enemies much faster than before.

As a result, even though her crowd control has been more restricted, Zhuxin has evolved into a far more lethal burst mage. In pick-off situations or short teamfights, she has fully embodied the concept of an MLBB Fake Nerf that has actually resulted in a power increase.

Hayabusa

Hayabusa has also been listed among the most controversial MLBB Fake Nerf cases. The travel distance of his Skill 2 shadows has indeed been shortened, which has initially made him appear less capable of reaching the enemy backline.

That change, however, has been heavily compensated by a major cooldown reduction. With a significantly faster Skill 2 cooldown, Hayabusa has been able to rotate, poke, and escape far more frequently than in previous patches.

In optimized setups, Hayabusa’s Skill 2 cooldown can drop to around four seconds when combined with Red Boots and War Axe. This has turned him into an assassin with much faster rotation tempo, reinforcing his identity as an MLBB Fake Nerf hero who has actually become stronger.

Grock

Grock has initially been perceived as heavily nerfed after the removal of crowd control immunity from his Skill 1. Many players have assumed that this change would make Grock far easier to stop while zoning or opening the map.

However, Moonton has shifted that immunity to a more impactful moment. Grock now gains crowd control immunity during the charging and execution of his ultimate, which has proven far more relevant in decisive teamfights and objective contests.

In practice, this adjustment has not weakened Grock significantly. With proper ultimate timing, he has remained a dominant frontliner and has even become harder to interrupt at critical moments. This has solidified Grock’s place as another successful MLBB Fake Nerf in the December 2025 patch.

Overall, the December 2025 patch has demonstrated that not every nerf has resulted in an actual loss of power. Some adjustments have instead refined hero identities and strengthened their effectiveness within the META.

For players who have carefully studied the patch notes, MLBB Fake Nerf heroes like Zhuxin, Hayabusa, and Grock have even shown the potential to become new META weapons. The key has been proper build adaptation, precise timing, and strong mechanical execution.

When utilized correctly, all three heroes have been capable of delivering significant advantages, both in ranked matches and across the competitive scene.

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