Zaahen-171st Champion: Ability Preview Reminds Players of Old Aatrox
Zaahen debuted in the League of Legends cinematic universe with the Twilight’s End cinematic. He took control of Xin Zhao’s body to defeat Atakhan. Perhaps that might spell the end for Atakhan as a League objective. During the Worlds Finals, Riot released a gameplay preview of him. He is primarily a top lane melee bruiser with abilities that resemble Xin Zhao.
Zaahen Release Date
Zaahen will be on the PBE server from November 10th. He will be released to the live servers with patch 25.23 on November 19th.
Ability Rundown
All information is courtesy of SkinSpotlights.
Passive – Cultivation of War
Zaahen’s attacks and abilities grant him stacks of Determination, gaining bonus Attack damage per stack.
When filled with Determination, he gains increased Attack Damage and can revive once taking fatal damage.
Q – The Darkin Glaive
Zaahen slashes twice on his next attack, dealing bonus damage and healing himself.
He can recast his ability to have his next attack deal bonus damage and knock up his target.
W – Dreaded Return
Zaahen stabs in a direction, damaging enemies hit, and then pulls them towards him. He gains Determination stacks from the initial stab and pull.
E – Aureate Rush
Zaahen dashes and then slices around himself.
R – Grim Deliverance
Zaahen leaps into the air, becoming unstoppable, and takes reduced damage.
He then slams down into the ground, doing AOE damage and healing for a portion of the damage dealt.
Initial Thoughts
He will likely dominate games if he is ahead. The increased AD and revive in a fight will ensure that he is a threat that teams must focus on. When behind, he might not have the sustain to reach maximum stacks. However, that is speculation. His wave clear seems okay, but he might need the assistance of Tiamat items to help him. We might see him in professional games. If he can be blind picked and survive in lane swap scenarios, he will be ideal for top laners.
