The New League of Legends Champion Revives Aatrox's Old Mechanics
The upcoming League of Legends champion Zaahen brings back one of the strongest features from Aatrox's former kit: a revive mechanic. This return introduces a blend of familiar elements coupling Aatrox's relentless melee combat style with Xin Zhao's stacking damage system.
A Dangerous Mix for Support Players
As a support main with a fragile champion, encountering top laners is always intimidating. Among them, Aatrox stands out as a persistent threat. Known for his constant presence in the meta due to his strong kill potential, the Darkin Blade threatens champions like Janna and Senna, challenging players’ patience and skill.
Zaahen’s Unique Kit and Design
Zaahen merges Aatrox's chase and melee combat with Xin Zhao's damage stacking, making him a formidable opponent. The champion’s passive ability includes a revive similar to Anivia's, adding a layer of complexity and making players reconsider their approach. This mechanic is especially notable since Riot removed Aatrox's revive passive in patch 9.
Lead gameplay designer Blake "Squad5" Smith explains: "Zaahen is a tougher, top lane melee character inspired by Xin Zhao and other Darkin in the game. We tried to make something that felt like he hit similar notes but at the end of the day was uniquely his own thing."
- Zaahen has dashes, pulls, and double strikes similar to Aatrox's abilities.
- His passive combines Xin Zhao’s stacking AD mechanic with an Anivia-like revive.
Despite the nostalgia, some players may find the return of the revive mechanic controversial, as it changes the dynamics of solo lane matchups.
Author's Summary
Zaahen revitalizes iconic aspects of League of Legends by blending Aatrox's resilience with Xin Zhao's damage stacking and adding a revived passive, creating a fresh but challenging top lane champion.