Riot Games has unveiled the abilities of Zaahen, a new melee top-lane champion, designed to be a durable Darkin warrior in its popular online game, League of Legends.
The reveal details a character intended to be a robust frontline fighter for the game’s top lane, expanding the roster of the ancient, corrupted Darkin race. Zaahen is projected to arrive in the game around November 19.
Blake “Squad5” Smith, Lead Gameplay Designer for Zaahen, stated that the primary objective was to create a “tougher, melee top lane attacker.”
Smith added that the design drew inspiration from existing champions like Xin Zhao and other Darkin characters, aiming for a similar feel while ensuring Zaahen possessed a unique identity.
Zaahen’s passive ability, “Cultivation of War,” grants him stacks of Determination when attacking enemy champions, increasing his Attack Damage. With sufficient Determination, Zaahen gains additional Attack Damage and the unique ability to revive.
His “Q” ability, “The Darkin Glaive,” allows him to deliver two cuts with his next attack, dealing extra damage and healing himself. Players can re-cast this ability to make the subsequent attack inflict further damage and knock up the target.
The “W” ability, “Fearsome Return,” involves Zaahen thrusting in a direction, damaging any enemies hit and pulling them closer to him.
With “Golden Momentum,” his “E” ability, Zaahen dashes to a target location and slashes in a circle around himself upon arrival.
Finally, Zaahen’s ultimate ability, “Fateful Outcome,” sees him rise and thrust downwards, damaging enemies in the area and healing him for a portion of the damage inflicted.