Aphelios: League of Legends’ Newest Champion Set to Hit the Rift
League of Legends fans may still be getting accustomed to the recently released champion, Senna, but Riot Games is wasting no time in teasing their next addition to the game. Meet Aphelios, a marksman with a mysterious past and a unique set of abilities.
Aphelios’ Release Date
According to the League client, Aphelios is set to debut on December 11th, following the latest patch update (Patch 9.23). Before his official release, players can expect to test him out in the Public Beta Environment to ensure balance and address any potential issues.
Aphelios will mark the fifth champion released in 2019, joining the ranks of Senna, Qiyana, Yuumi, and Sylas. This release schedule is a significant improvement compared to the quiet year of 2018, which introduced three champions: Neeko, Pyke, and Kai’Sa.
Players will have ample time to explore Aphelios’ abilities during the preseason before diving into the ranked grind of season 10.
A Unique Marksman’s Arrival
While specific details about Aphelios’ abilities have yet to be revealed, his biography provides some insight into his playstyle. As a marksman, Aphelios utilizes mystical moonblades granted by his sister’s magical power.
According to his bio, Alune’s magic amplifies Aphelios’ assassin training, transforming his blades into an arsenal of mystical weapons that were perfected through their many missions together.
This unique combination of marksman and assassin traits is likely to shake up the bot lane meta. The presence of melee assassins like Yasuo or Garen in the bottom lane has been a temporary trend, but if Aphelios establishes himself as a marksman melee assassin, the meta could undergo a significant shift.
Similar to the impact Pyke had on the support champion pool, Aphelios has the potential to bring a fresh and exhilarating experience to bot lane gameplay.
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