League of Legends’ Newest Champion: Hwei
The upcoming release of League of Legends’ new champion, Hwei, marks the realization of an idea that has been brewing at Riot for years. Hwei, the “paint mage” or “ink mage,” has been a concept that has caught the interest of many Riot employees throughout the company’s history.
In a recent press briefing, Lexi Gao, LoL’s lead champion product manager, shared the origins of Hwei and expressed that the champion’s release is long overdue. Gao mentioned that every new Riot employee goes through an initiation process where they pitch a champion idea, and the idea for a paint mage has been pitched many times over the years. Finally, Hwei is making his debut in the game.
The Development Process
Hwei’s long development cycle is evident in the complexity of his character and abilities. With 10 abilities across three different forms, Hwei is an AP mage specializing in damage and protection. The champion has had ample time to incorporate various tricks and influences into his kit.
Riot also wanted to break away from the traditional blue/cool color aesthetic of humanoid mages like Malzahar, Aurelion Sol, Ryze, Vex, and Veigar. Hwei introduces a more diverse color scheme to the mid lane mage role.
Release Date
Hwei, initially introduced as an “artistic mid laner,” is now a fully-fledged champion. Players can expect his release before the start of the 2024 ranked season in January.