Love is in the air, and it isn’t even February! League’s newest champions are now on the PBE, and what a sight they are. Enter Rakan, the Charmer and Xayah, the Rebel! This is the first time that two champions have ever been released as a pair. They are also the first champions to enter the Rift as an entirely new race, the mysterious Vastayan.
Rakan
I think I’m in love. Meet Rakan. Devilishly handsome and he knows it.
Abilities
Rakan is a support mage whose abilities truly go back to the roots of a true support champion.
Rakan’s passive, Fey Feathers, grant him an occasional shield, by means of his coat. The cooldown of this ability can be reduced by attacking enemy champions.
Rakan’s Q ability, Gleaming Quill, has Rakan sling an enchanted feather forward. If the feather makes contact with an enemy champion or epic monster, damage is dealt and his coat surges with magic. After a short time, a heal will trigger. If Rakan touches an ally before this time passes, the heal will trigger immediately.
Rakan’s W, Grand Entrance, consists of Rakan dashing to an area. Upon arrival, Rakan damages any enemies in the area and knocks them up for 1 second.
Rakan’s E is Battle Dance. Rakan flies to an allied champion, granting them a shield for 3 seconds. The ability can be recast once within 5 seconds. If it is Xayah that Rakan is flying to, he can do so from a greater distance (relationship goals).
Rakan’s R (ultimate) ability is The Quickness. Rakan gains 50% movement speed for 4 seconds. During this time, touching enemy champions deals magic damage and charms them the first time they are hit. The first champion Rakan touches will grant him an additional 150% movement speed, which decays over a short period of time.
Xayah
Meet the love of Rakan’s life, Xayah. She’s also a murderous rebel with a mysterious past.
Abilities
Xayah is an Attack Damage Carry (ADC), whose abilities feature feathers that cause a world of hurt.
Xayah’s passive is Clean Cuts. After using any ability, Xayah’s next 3 basic attacks will pierce through their targets, leaving a feather wherever they land. These feathers remain on the ground for 8 seconds and serve a purpose in her other abilities.
Xayah’s Q, Double Daggers, features Xayah throwing 2 knives that deal attack damage and leave behind 2 feathers.
In Xayah’s W, Deadly Plumage, she creates a storm of blades that surround her for 4 seconds. This storm grants Xayah additional attack speed and also allow her basic attacks to strike an additional time for 20% damage. If Deadly Plumage hits an enemy champion, Xayah gains 30% movement speed for 1.5 seconds. If Rakan is nearby, he will also gain the effects that this ability grants.
During Xayah’s E, Bladecaller, she calls forth all of the feathers that are on the ground. Any enemies these feathers strike through upon return to her will take attack damage. If at least 3 feathers hit an enemy, they will be rooted for 1 second. Minions will take 50% damage from Bladecaller.
Xayah’s R (ultimate) ability is Featherstorm. Xayah leaps into the air and becomes untargetable (that will be so much fun to do but so annoying to play against). She then rains down feathers which deal physical damage and leave behind a line of feathers. As if this ability were not amazing enough, she can also move while in the air.
Overview
These new champions seem amazingly impressive. And who doesn’t love a love story? I have personally never been as excited as I am now for new champions. I enjoy playing both support and ADC, and my boyfriend and I often play in bot lane together. In addition to the fact that they look stunning, they seem genuinely fun to play. I also like that some of their abilities grant them perks when used nearby one another. I am also excited for their lore. It will be nice to have a background for them. This new race seems very promising, as do they. ALL ABOARD THE HYPE TRAIN!
I mean, come on. Look at that. How can you not be in love?
What do you think of this pair? I’d love to know! Stay tuned for next week, where I will be discussing the new skins in Patch 7.8, and yes, Rakan and Xayah will each have one. I suppose you’ll have to come back to see them. 😉
Photos obtained via League of Legends.
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