Riot Games has provided an inside look at Naafiri, League of Legends’ next new champion after Milio
The champion was revealed earlier this year and is expected to be released in 2023. Riot revealed Naafiri’s playstyle today in a Champion Roadmap penned by head champion producer Alexia Gao.
Assassins have always been incredibly micro-focused in League; the ability to discover windows of opportunity to knock down opponent champions and execute precise kills is essential to the assassin gaming experience. However, Riot’s goal with Naafiri is to decrease the cost of that killing and allow much more level on the macro plays, according to today’s Champion Roadmap.
“We hope to lower the burden of that execution and allow much more concentration on the macro plays with Naafiri.”
“With the change to assassin gameplay that Naafiri brings, we also built a lot of new tech to accommodate her unique gameplay thematic that should help make it feel more alive, dynamic, and decluttered.”
Since the Darkin Assassin was first teased earlier this year, the champion design team has made it readily apparent that the champion is an assassin. The champion is intended for gamers “who want to focus on the hunt,” according to Gao. However, there could be a world where assassins can make the flashy play while still assisting their team in the macro game.
“While working on Naafiri, game designer Glenn “Riot Twin Enso” Anderson explored tons of kits with fervent hunger. But the team felt like they were losing control over Naafiri’s kit, so they decided to icebox what Riot Twin Enso had uncovered, especially since they felt it was more in-line with a diver/skirmisher’s gameplay rather than an assassin’s.”
Despite having known some details of Naafiri’s gameplay style and background, players are still unaware of the champion’s appearance and kit. The champion is rumoured to be the next champion to be introduced to the League roster, and he looks to be the most advanced of all champions in the development process, so gamers should learn more about him soon.