From 17 to 170 Champions

League of Legends started small but has grown massively. As of 2025, its 170-strong roster spans Champions packed with different designs and skill kits.

Over the years, League of Legends has steadily expanded this champion pool, with each new addition bringing fresh mechanics, play styles, and unique lore to the game.

Below, we break down the game’s evolving champion releases, design shifts, and how 2025’s additions, like Mel Medarda, are rewriting League’s meta.

Mel

List of Available LoL Champions By Release Date

Champion	Release Date
Alistar	21/02/2009
Annie	21/02/2009
Ashe	21/02/2009
Fiddlesticks	21/02/2009
Jax	21/02/2009
Kayle	21/02/2009
Master Yi	21/02/2009
Morgana	21/02/2009
Nunu & Willump	21/02/2009
Ryze	21/02/2009
Sion	21/02/2009
Sivir	21/02/2009
Soraka	21/02/2009
Teemo	21/02/2009
Tristana	21/02/2009
Twisted Fate	21/02/2009
Warwick	21/02/2009
Singed	18/04/2009
Zilean	18/04/2009
Evelynn	01/05/2009
Tryndamere	01/05/2009
Twitch	01/05/2009
Karthus	12/06/2009
Amumu	26/06/2009
Cho'Gath	26/06/2009
Anivia	10/07/2009
Rammus	10/07/2009
Veigar	24/07/2009
Kassadin	07/08/2009
Gangplank	19/08/2009
Taric	19/08/2009
Blitzcrank	02/09/2009
Dr. Mundo	02/09/2009
Janna	02/09/2009
Malphite	02/09/2009
Corki	19/09/2009
Katarina	19/09/2009
Nasus	01/10/2009
Heimerdinger	10/10/2009
Shaco	10/10/2009
Udyr	02/12/2009
Nidalee	17/12/2009
Poppy	13/01/2010
Gragas	02/02/2010
Pantheon	02/02/2010
Mordekaiser	24/02/2010
Ezreal	16/03/2010
Shen	24/03/2010
Kennen	08/04/2010
Garen	27/04/2010
Akali	11/05/2010
Malzahar	01/06/2010
Olaf	09/06/2010
Kog'Maw	24/06/2010
Xin Zhao	13/07/2010
Vladimir	27/07/2010
Galio	10/08/2010
Urgot	24/08/2010
Miss Fortune	08/09/2010
Sona	21/09/2010
Swain	05/10/2010
Lux	19/10/2010
LeBlanc	02/11/2010
Irelia	16/11/2010
Trundle	01/12/2010
Cassiopeia	14/12/2010
Caitlyn	04/01/2011
Renekton	18/01/2011
Karma	01/02/2011
Maokai	16/02/2011
Jarvan IV	01/03/2011
Nocturne	15/03/2011
Lee Sin	01/04/2011
Brand	12/04/2011
Rumble	26/04/2011
Vayne	10/05/2011
Orianna	01/06/2011
Yorick	22/06/2011
Leona	13/07/2011
Wukong	26/07/2011
Skarner	09/08/2011
Talon	24/08/2011
Riven	14/09/2011
Xerath	05/10/2011
Graves	19/10/2011
Shyvana	01/11/2011
Fizz	15/11/2011
Volibear	29/11/2011
Ahri	14/12/2011
Viktor	29/12/2011
Sejuani	17/01/2012
Ziggs	01/02/2012
Nautilus	14/02/2012
Fiora	29/02/2012
Lulu	20/03/2012
Hecarim	18/04/2012
Varus	08/05/2012
Darius	23/05/2012
Draven	06/06/2012
Jayce	07/07/2012
Zyra	24/07/2012
Diana	07/08/2012
Rengar	21/08/2012
Syndra	13/09/2012
Kha'Zix	27/09/2012
Elise	26/10/2012
Zed	13/11/2012
Nami	07/12/2012
Vi	19/12/2012
Thresh	23/01/2013
Quinn	01/03/2013
Zac	29/03/2013
Lissandra	30/04/2013
Aatrox	13/06/2013
Lucian	22/08/2013
Jinx	10/10/2013
Yasuo	13/12/2013
Vel'Koz	27/02/2014
Braum	12/05/2014
Gnar	14/08/2014
Azir	16/09/2014
Kalista	20/11/2014
Rek'Sai	11/12/2014
Bard	12/03/2015
Ekko	29/05/2015
Tahm Kench	09/07/2015
Kindred	14/10/2015
Illaoi	24/11/2015
Jhin	01/02/2016
Aurelion Sol	24/03/2016
Taliyah	18/05/2016
Kled	10/08/2016
Ivern	05/10/2016
Camille	07/12/2016
Rakan	19/04/2017
Xayah	19/04/2017
Kayn	12/07/2017
Ornn	23/08/2017
Zoe	21/11/2017
Kai'Sa	07/03/2018
Pyke	31/05/2018
Neeko	05/12/2018
Sylas	25/01/2019
Yuumi	14/05/2019
Qiyana	28/06/2019
Senna	10/11/2019
Aphelios	11/12/2019
Sett	14/01/2020
Lillia	22/07/2020
Yone	06/08/2020
Samira	21/09/2020
Seraphine	29/10/2020
Rell	10/12/2020
Viego	21/01/2021
Gwen	15/04/2021
Akshan	22/07/2021
Vex	23/09/2021
Zeri	20/01/2022
Renata Glasc	17/02/2022
Bel'Veth	09/06/2022
Nilah	13/07/2022
K'Sante	02/11/2022
Milio	23/03/2023
Naafiri	19/07/2023
Briar	14/09/2023
Hwei	05/12/2023
Smolder	31/01/2024
Aurora	17/07/2024
Ambessa	06/11/2024
Mel	23/01/2025

The Early Days in 2009-2011

When League launched in October 2009, Riot planned to release under 20 champions. However, by Alpha Week 2, that number had doubled to 40, the largest number of champions Riot had ever released in a year.

By 2010 and 2011, the game had rapidly expanded, with 24 new champions added each year. This period introduced champions like Poppy, Pantheon, Miss Fortune, Caitlyn, and Vayne, each with unique mechanics that later influenced champion design.

At this point, the League of Legends developers were still experimenting with different playstyles, and this time, it laid the foundation for the game’s future evolution.

The Golden Age of 2012-2014

Between 2012 and 2014, League of Legends saw one of its most exciting phases of champion design. This period introduced some of the most beloved and game-changing champions: Thresh, Zed, and Yasuo.

Thresh brought a new level of team play with his lantern mechanic, while Zed and Yasuo became instant favorites due to their high-skill ceiling, high mobility, and outplay potential.

During this time, LoL expanded the game's lore, connecting champions with deeper backstories. Characters like Kalista and Braum introduced new gameplay elements, changing how bot-lane duos functioned.

The game's competitive scene also grew massively along with these new champion releases, with more international tournaments and an expanding esports presence in regions like the Middle East.

A Shift in Strategy During 2015-2017

Rather than focusing on quantity, League started prioritizing champion quality and innovation. Fewer champions were released, but each introduced something special to the game while presenting longer, more challenging development cycles.

Ekko introduced time-based mechanics that allowed for creative outplays. Tahm Kench, with his ability to protect his ADC, provides a unique support playstyle. Jhin was a champion who designed around a strict four-shot mechanic that required precision and patience. Xayah and Rakan became the first duo designed specifically to synergize.

Refinement and Innovation From 2018 to 2024

By this time, Riot had refined its champion release strategy, focusing on deeper lore, impactful mechanics, and game-changing abilities. Champions became more complex, often requiring mastery over multiple abilities or unique resources.

Sylas, the 150th champion, introduced the ability to steal enemy ultimates, making him one of the most unpredictable characters in the game. K’Sante, released in 2022, was a milestone for representation, marking the game’s first Black LGBTQ+ champion, while Ambessa Medarda, the latest champion as of November 2024, continues the trend of pushing champion design in new directions.

With 170 champions, League of Legends surpassed other MOBAs in champion diversity, for example, Dota 2 only has 121 heroes. Riot’s approach ensures constant meta-shifts and strategic variety.

The Latest Champion Addition

Milio, the Gentle Flame (March 22, 2023)
Naafiri, the Hound of a Hundred Bites (July 20, 2023)
Briar, the Unrestrained Hunger (September 14, 2023)
Hwei, the Visionary (December 6, 2023)
Smolder, the Fiery Fledgling (January 31, 2024)
Aurora, the Witch Between Worlds (July 17, 2024)
Ambessa, the Matriarch of War (November 6, 2024)
Mel, the Soul's Reflection (January 23, 2025)

How Champion Design and Rework Have Evolved

The complexity of League Champs has increased significantly since the game’s launch. Early champions like Annie and Ashe had simple abilities that made them easy to pick up and play. Over time, Riot began adding more layered mechanics, leading to champions like Aphelios and Viego, who require careful ability knowledge.

Now, each champion has a strong identity in gameplay and story. Riot has expanded its champion designs beyond traditional roles, introducing abilities that allow for more flexible playstyles. These innovations have kept League of Legends fresh and engaging, ensuring players always have new challenges to overcome.

Early Champions vs. Newest Designs

2009-2010 (Foundation Era)

Simpler kits
78% had passive abilities without conditions
Over 60% received major reworks

2023-2025 (Complexity Era)

Multi-resource systems (Hwei’s paint spells)
Global map impact (Briar’s blood trails)
Lore-driven mechanics (Mel’s rebuttal)

The Impact of New Champions on Meta and Gameplay

Each new champion shakes up the game in different ways. Some introduce entirely new strategies, forcing players to adapt and change their playstyles. Others reinforce existing metas, strengthening particular roles or team compositions.

Balancing these champions is also an ongoing challenge. Riot frequently adjusts new releases through patches to ensure no champion is too dominant. For example, Patch 14.6 introduced major changes to items and champion power levels, influencing which champions are favored in competitive play.

Community feedback plays a huge role in how new champions fit into the game, as players constantly test and refine strategies based on each patch’s adjustments.

Milestones in Champion Releases

Some champions mark turning points in League of Legends lore. In 2012, the addition of Draven brought never-before-seen skill-based gameplay through his axe-catching mechanism. Zoe, the 100th champion released in 2017, brought in unpredictable, portal-based mobility that allowed for extremely unpredictable gameplay. Sylas, the 150th champion released in 2019, changed the game by allowing players to turn their opponents' most powerful abilities against themselves.

The Future of League of Legends Champions

League, with its current roster of 170 champions, continues to evolve. New champions come out less frequently, but each one has something new to bring to the game. Riot also focuses on updating champions already released, such as the Skarner rework, introducing new mechanics to old champions.

As the game expands, LoL’s constantly changing champion roster ensures that players never run out of new strategies to learn, and the synergy between new releases, constant updates, and the meta keeps the game fresh and fun for both pros and casuals.

How to Unlock New Champions Faster 2025

Blue Essence Farming: Daily wins yield 400 BE (50% boost with XP boosts)
Event Passes: Exchange tokens for champion shards
Smurf Accounts: Pre-unlocked rosters start at $5

The Legacy of League’s Champion Roster

The Legacy of League’s Champion Roster

League of Legends has progressed a great deal since its launch in 2009. From a modest start with only 40 champions, the game has gradually increased the number of champions to capture demand, with the current figure being an impressive 170 champions. While the early years focused on the number of champions, the following years emphasized depth, quality, and game-changing mechanisms.

LoL has a rosy future as the developers keep advancing in champion design, as new champions introduce new problems, new strategies, and an evolving professional scene for players to enjoy.