League of Legends’ newest champion is an assassin made up of mean dogs
League of Legends‘ next champion is an ancient warrior, once captured in the form of a dagger, and now freed by the possession of a pack of wolves. Naafiri is a killer champion with an unusual premise: she is a gestalt intelligence scattered among the wolves. Naafiri moves into the mid lane and she is an accessible assassin who lacks the usual skill floor of the class.
Naafiri was once an ascended one, a demigod warrior who served the realm of Shurima. The emperor’s pride and folly led to civil war, in which the rebels used the caustic, extra-dimensional power of the Void. Shurima, in turn, sent their Ascended to dispatch the opposition. The Ascended were victorious, but at a great cost, and when the Empire later exploded (also due to hubris and folly), a faction went rogue. These “Darkin” were warlords fond of brutality and blood magic, and it took the work of ancient heroes to imprison them all.
In the modern era of League of Legends, the Darkin are on the rise. They were locked up in weapons and sealed, and after many years those weapons have fallen into the hands of mortals. We’ve seen Darkin appear like Rgaat, Aatrox, and Varus League of Legends, so far. Naafiri, on the other hand, found strength in owning a pack.
Passive – We are more
After a certain amount of time, Naafiri creates a Packmate that will attack enemies she targets for physical damage, which is increased after she uses an ability. Hitting champions with skills or killing enemies reduces the cooldown of this ability.
Q – Darkin Dagger
Naafiri hurls Darkin-tainted blades, dealing physical damage and causing a hemorrhage for a few seconds. This option can be rearranged. If hit enemies are already bleeding, deal the remaining blood damage plus additional physical damage and missing physical health damage. If the target was a champion, Naafiri recovers some health.
Packmates jump on the first hit, prioritize champions and attack them for a few seconds.
W – Chase of dogs
After a short delay, Naafiri runs towards an enemy, dealing physical damage and momentarily slowing her target or the first champion she collides with. This ability gains range based on final rank.
Packmates become unreachable and run alongside Naafiri, dealing extra damage per Packmate.
E – Strike out
Naafiri lunges forward, charging and dealing physical damage to enemies she passes through, then explodes out, dealing physical damage.
Packmates – Regroup! Packmates are drawn to Naafiri’s dash location and are completely healed.
R – Call from the platoon
Naafiri prepares to hunt, power up her Packmates and spawn bonus Packmates for a short period of time. Naafiri then gains a burst of movement speed, sight, and the first time she hits an enemy champion, she gains a shield. The first time a champion is knocked out, all ultimate effects are refreshed.
Riot has created new companion technology for Naafiri that makes her feel like a real collective; her Packmate wolves spawn over time and move next to the champion, who acts as an anchor point. Despite the fact that Naafiri is a terrifying ancient warlord revived by an unholy abomination of nature, you are absolutely can pet the dog.