LoL Champions by Release Date: A Complete Timeline

Have you ever wondered how League of Legends grew from its early days to its huge roster today? It now has 168 champions as of June 1, 2024. Let's explore the journey of LoL champions by release date and see how they've shaped this iconic MOBA.

From 20 champions at launch in 2009 to Smolder in January 2024, Riot Games has grown its champion pool. The number of new champions has changed over time. For example, 2022 saw 9 new champions, while 2010 had 18.

Looking at the League of Legends champion's timeline shows how the game has changed. Champions now have complex designs with unique mechanics. This keeps the game exciting. Whether you like tanks, assassins, or mages, there's a champion for you. Each champion has its own story and impact on the game.

The Birth of League of Legends: 2009 Champion Releases

League of Legends made its mark in 2009 with big plans for champion releases. Riot Games started with 20 unique characters and then doubled that number. This move led to the wide variety of champions we see today.

Alpha Week 2: The Original 17 Champions

On February 21, 2009, League of Legends introduced 17 champions during Alpha Week 2. Characters like Annie, Ashe, and Ryze became part of the game's legacy.

Beta Stage Additions: Expanding the Roster

Riot Games kept adding champions during the beta stage. In June and September, many new champions were released. This period was key in building the game's diverse roster.

Official Launch: 40 Champions Strong

By October 27, 2009, League of Legends had 40 champions. Favorites like Alistar, Fiddlesticks, and Teemo were part of the lineup. The year ended with more additions, including Nidalee in December.
 

The 2009 start was explosive, setting the stage for future champions. While new champions are fewer now, averaging 4-5 a year, their early impact still shapes the game we enjoy.

Rapid Expansion: 2010-2011 Champion Releases

The years 2010 and 2011 were big for League of Legends champions. Riot Games added 24 champions each year. This made the total number of champions over 80 by the end of 2011.

In 2010, champions like Poppy, Pantheon, and Miss Fortune arrived. They brought new playstyles and stories to the game. The next year, champions like Caitlyn and Vayne came out, along with the magical Ahri.

This time was key for the game's growth. Riot Games tried out different character ideas and abilities. This made the game exciting and tested the balance and variety of gameplay.

This rapid growth changed the game a lot. It made the champion pool more diverse and affected competitive play. Players had to learn new abilities and strategies fast, keeping the game exciting and unpredictable.

"The 2010-2011 period was a golden age for champion releases, laying the foundation for the diverse and complex game we know today."

The Golden Age of Champion Design: 2012-2014

From 2012 to 2014, League of Legends went through a golden age of champion design. This era brought us some of the most iconic and innovative champions ever. Let's explore what made this period so exciting.

Innovative Mechanics and Playstyles

In 2012, Riot Games released 19 champions, like Zyra, Zed, and Thresh. These champions introduced new mechanics that changed the game. For instance, Thresh's lantern mechanic opened up new ways for team play.

Lore Development and Champion Interconnections

This era also focused a lot on champion lore and how they connect. Champions like Jinx and Yasuo from 2013 and 2014 added depth to the game's story. These additions made the League of Legends world more immersive for players.

Impact on Competitive Play

The champions from this golden age changed competitive play a lot. Teams had to adjust their strategies to use these new champions well. The release of Braum and Kalista in 2014 brought new dynamics to the bot lane.

At the same time, League of Legends was getting more popular in the Middle East. Tournaments were held in cities like Cairo, Dubai, and Jeddah. This helped set the stage for the region's esports growth in the years to come.

Slowing the Pace: 2015-2017 Champion Releases

From 2015 to 2017, Riot Games changed how they added League of Legends champions. They focused on quality and innovation, adding fewer but more impactful champions.

In 2015, five new champions were added. Ekko, the time-bending assassin, and Tahm Kench, the River King, were among them. The next year, six champions debuted, including Jhin, the artistic sniper, and Camille, the precise fighter.

2017 saw five more champions come to Summoner's Rift. This year, Xayah and Rakan, the first champions meant to work well together, were released.

Riot aimed to create champions with unique abilities during this time. These new champions made players adapt their strategies and playstyles. This kept the game fresh and exciting.

his slower pace let players fully get to know and master each new champion. It also gave Riot time to perfect and balance these champions before adding more.

LoL Champions by Release Date: A Year-by-Year Breakdown

League of Legends has grown a lot since it started in 2009. Let's look at how new champions have shaped the game over time.

2009-2011: Laying the Foundation

When League of Legends launched in October 2009, it had 40 champions. Riot Games quickly added 24 new champions each year. By 2011, there were 88 champions, setting a strong base for the game.

2012-2014: Refining the Formula

This period was big with the release of Syndra, the 100th champion, in 2012. Riot added 33 new characters, focusing on innovative designs and deeper stories.

2015-2017: Quality over Quantity

Riot changed their approach, focusing on quality over quantity. They released 16 new champions, each with unique mechanics. This allowed for more impactful and refined designs.

2018-2024: Pushing Boundaries

The latest era has seen a lot of innovation. Riot added 29 new champions, including complex ones like Aphelios and Hwei. In 2019, Sylas became the 150th champion, showing the game's growth.

Now, League of Legends has 168 champions, more than Dota 2's 121 heroes. This variety keeps the game fresh and the meta changing, keeping League at the top of MOBAs.

Evolution of Champion Design: From Simple to Complex

League of Legends has seen a big change in champion design since its start in 2009. Back then, there were 40 champions with simple abilities. Champions like Annie and Ashe were easy to understand.

As the game grew, so did the complexity of the champions. By 2023, over 160 champions were in the game, each with unique abilities. New champions like Aphelios and Viego show how the game has become more complex.

Riot's focus on innovation has led to more complex champion designs. Now, champions have deep lore, varied playstyles, and abilities that change the game. This makes the game more engaging for players.

This evolution has made League of Legends more exciting and fresh for players. It's a big reason why the game remains popular in competitive gaming.

Impact of New Champions on the Meta and Gameplay

New champions in League of Legends change the game a lot. Each new champion adds fresh strategies and ways to play. Smolder, released on January 31, 2024, is the latest example of this.

Shifting Strategies and Team Compositions

New champions often change the game's meta. For instance, Huntress of Freljord will change top and bottom lanes with her special weapon. This will make players change their strategies to keep up.

Balancing Acts: Riot's Approach to New Champions

Riot Games must balance new champions to keep the game fair. Patch 14.6 brings big changes to items and champions, affecting the game's balance. Champions like Aatrox and Jinx might play more, while Zed and Seraphine might play less.

Community Reception and Adaptation

The League community is key to making new champions fit into the game. Players look forward to learning about new champions like Vastai from Freljord. The buzz around new champions often changes how players pick champions and try out new strategies.

As more champions join the game, the impact of new champions on the meta and gameplay is always changing. From the latest champions to updates like Skarner's new form, each change offers new ways for players to play and improve.

Notable Milestones in LoL Champion Releases

League of Legends has grown a lot since 2009. The game now has many more champions, each one adding to its growth. Let's look at some big moments in the history of LoL champions by release date.

50th Champion: A Turning Point

Draven, the Glorious Executioner, was the 50th champion to join League of Legends. His 2012 release brought a new level of complexity to champions. Draven's axe-catching mechanic changed how players could show their skills.

100th Champion: Celebrating Diversity

Zoe, the Aspect of Twilight, was the 100th champion, coming in 2017. Her arrival celebrated the wide range of champions in the game. Zoe's fun personality and her ability to create portals showed Riot's dedication to making unique champions.

Latest Additions: Pushing the Boundaries

New champions keep bringing fresh ideas to the game. K'Sante, added in 2022, had a tough start but is still learning. Udyr's update the same year did better, becoming the most banned and winning champion of 2022.

These milestones show how League of Legends has evolved from its early days to now. It's a game with over 160 champions, offering a lot of diversity and complexity.

Conclusion

The journey of League of Legends champions by release date shows how the game has grown and changed over time. It started with 40 champions and now has 168 unique characters as of July 2024. This growth highlights Riot Games' dedication to making the game better and more fun for players.

Over the years, the champions released in League of Legends have changed with the game. At first, champions came out fast, changing the game a lot. Later, Riot focused more on making each new champion add something special to the game. This has kept the game exciting for everyone, from casual players to those in esports.

New champions will keep playing a big part in League of Legends' future. Recent additions like Aurora and updates to champions like Skarner show Riot's effort to improve and innovate. Regular updates keep the game fresh, offering players new ways to play and strategies to try.

The timeline of LoL champions shows the game's history and its bright future. League of Legends remains a top game in competitive gaming. With new champions coming, players will have lots to look forward to for years.

FAQ

How many champions has League of Legends released as of July 17, 2024?

As of July 17, 2024, League of Legends has released 168 champions. The newest one is Aurora.

When did League of Legends officially launch, and how many champions were available at that time?

League of Legends launched on October 27, 2009. It started with 40 diverse champions.

Which champions were introduced during League of Legends' Alpha Week 2 in February 2009?

In February 2009, Alpha Week 2 introduced 17 champions. These included famous ones like Annie, Ashe, and Ryze.

How many new champions were typically released each year during League of Legends' early years?

Early on, Riot Games added about 24 new champions each year. Now, it's around 4-5 champions per year.

What was significant about the period between 2012 and 2014 in terms of champion releases?

From 2012 to 2014, champion design reached a peak. This era brought new mechanics, deep lore, and game-changing champions.

How has the champion design process evolved since League of Legends' launch?

Champion design has grown from simple kits to complex mechanics. Now, champions have unique playstyles and deep lore.

What impact do new champion releases have on the game's meta and gameplay?

New champions change the game's meta. They affect strategies, team setups, and need balancing from Riot Games.

What is Riot Games' vision for future champion releases?

Riot Games plans to add 4-5 champions a year. They focus on quality, innovation, and mechanics that deepen the game.

What were some notable milestones in League of Legends' champion releases?

Key moments include the 50th champion Draven, which marked a shift in design. The 100th champion Zoe celebrated diversity. Vex and Aurora have also expanded design possibilities.