In an unprecedented move, Riot Games has announced the release of two (not one!) groundbreaking champions, Smolder and Ambessa Medarda, in League of Legends for the 2024 season.
This announcement follows a series of updates and expansions that the game has undergone, marking a significant shift in the game’s character lineup. With the first ever Arcane-only character added to the roster, League of Legends champion diversity has reached new heights.
Development and Design
Riot Games has designed these champions to offer fresh gameplay experiences. Smolder, dubbed the Fiery Fledgling, is set to debut in Patch 14.3, slated for release on February 7, 2024. This character is expected to bring a new dynamic to the battlefield, combining fiery aesthetics with an innovative set of abilities.
Ambessa Medarda, on the other hand, emerges straight from the storyline of the acclaimed animated series Arcane. As a Noxian warlord, her presence in the game could be seen as a throwback to Arcane, which is scheduled to come back in 2024.
This crossover is a strategic effort to blur the lines between gaming and storytelling, offering players a more immersive experience.
Smolder – Expected Abilities
Smolder, the upcoming champion in League of Legends, is designed as a late-game scaling ADC (Attack Damage Carry) with abilities that focus on dealing damage and enhancing his combat effectiveness as the game progresses.
His abilities include:
- Passive – Dragon Practice: Smolder gains a stack every time he hits an enemy with an ability or defeats an enemy. These stacks increase the damage of his basic abilities.
- Q – Super Scorcher Breath: This ability allows Smolder to breathe fire at his opponents. The ability evolves as he accumulates stacks, enhancing its damage and effects. For example, at 25 stacks, it attacks all enemies around the target, and at 225 stacks, it deals maximum health true damage over three seconds.
- W – Achooo!: Smolder sneezes fire, damaging and slowing enemies hit. Hitting champions with this ability triggers an additional explosion.
- E – Flap, Flap, Flap: This ability gives Smolder flight, granting him movement speed and the ability to ignore terrain for a short duration. During flight, Smolder automatically attacks the lowest health enemy.
- R – MMOOOMMMM!: Smolder’s mother breathes fire from above, dealing extra damage and slowing enemies in the center of the fire. If Smolder is hit by this fire, he gets healed.
Smolder’s abilities suggest a focus on area-of-effect damage and mobility, with an emphasis on scaling power throughout the game. This is seen as a shift from the recent ‘high-skill’ AD carries that have been criticized for their overloaded kits.
Ambessa – Expected Gameplay
While specific details about her gameplay and abilities in League of Legends are not yet released, her character’s background suggests a likely focus on strength and agility.
Known for her formidable presence in Arcane, she might bring a similar style of combat to the game, potentially as a high-skill skirmisher. Ambessa’s inclusion in League of Legends is part of Riot Games’ ongoing efforts to integrate the Arcane universe more deeply into the game, promising an exciting blend of storytelling and gameplay.
Given her reputation as a Noxian warlord, it is anticipated that Ambessa’s gameplay will align with the aggressive and high-damage output characteristics typical of Noxian champions. Her in-game role might involve up-close combat, leveraging her physical prowess to dominate in skirmishes.
Conclusion
The introduction of Smolder and Ambessa Medarda to League of Legends represents a visionary approach to game development. It blurs the boundaries between different forms of storytelling, offering gamers an experience that might just shift League of Legends into another period of prosperity. As the industry watches, Riot Games continues to pave the way for the future of interactive entertainment.
