According to rumors, the next
League of Legends champion will be a Darkin named
Zaahen, expected to release during Season 3 of 2025, which begins in September. So far, what is known is that he is rumored to be a fighter (role still unconfirmed). He wields a spear and has a body made of Petricite, a magical material produced in Demacia, adorned with golden wings and ornaments. He is not human — merely a vessel created for him.
The weapon used by the new champion is also expected to resemble the glaive wielded by Atakhan. This would mark the arrival of a new Darkin to the Summoner’s Rift, making him the fifth Darkin after Aatrox, Naafiri, Varus, and Kayn’s red form, Rhaast. This article will cover all the latest updates and rumors as they emerge about Riot Games’ next champion.
Zaahen revealed during the 2025 Worlds Final ceremony. Credit: Riot Games
Potential abilities
According to leaks from
@BigBadBear_ on his X account, Zaahen’s kit would look as follows:
- Passive: Zaahen stacks auto attacks, and after reaching a certain threshold he gains a revive effect and lifesteal.
- Q: An empowered auto attack that applies crowd control—either a stun similar to Leona’s or a knock-up like Xin Zhao’s Q3.
- W: A pull ability that drags enemies toward him, reminiscent of K’Sante’s Q3 or Darius’s grab. The ability also grants him lifesteal.
- E: A short dash dealing AoE damage around him and slowing enemies.
- R: Still unknown.
Based on BigBadBear’s leaks, Zaahen would likely be played either in the toplane, jungle, or as a tank support.
Over 170 champions
There are currently 171 champions in the game, with the most recent releases being Ambessa, Mel, and, most recently, Yunara. The game continues to grow in both diversity and complexity, with each new champion bringing not only unique abilities and gameplay, but also a multitude of combos and synergies to explore with the roughly 170 champions that came before them.
Header Photo Credit: Riot Games
