League of Legends fans have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of a “paint mage” champion for years, and their wait is finally over. Hwei, the newest addition to the game’s roster, is the realization of an idea that has been brewing at Riot Games for a long time. This champion has been in development for years, with countless Riot employees expressing interest in bringing the concept to life.
During a recent press briefing, Lexi Gao, the lead champion product manager for LoL, revealed that the idea of a “paint mage” or “ink mage” has been circulating within Riot since its early days. Every Rioter who joins the company goes through an initiation process that involves pitching a champion concept, and the idea of a paint mage has been a recurring theme in these pitches. Gao acknowledged that the release of Hwei is long overdue, given the amount of interest and enthusiasm surrounding this unique champion.
Hwei’s development has allowed for the incorporation of numerous gameplay elements, abilities, and thematic elements. With a total of 10 abilities across three different forms, Hwei is an AP mage who excels in both dealing damage and providing protective measures. The extensive development time has undoubtedly allowed for the refinement and expansion of Hwei’s kit, resulting in a champion with a diverse range of skills.
In addition to Hwei’s gameplay mechanics, Riot also aimed to break away from the traditional blue/cool color aesthetic often associated with humanoid mages like Malzahar, Aurelion Sol, Ryze, Vex, and Veigar. Hwei brings a fresh and vibrant color scheme to the mid lane mage role, adding visual diversity to the game.
Originally teased as an “artistic mid laner” earlier this year, Hwei has now evolved into a fully-fledged League of Legends champion. Fans can expect his release sometime before the start of the 2024 ranked season in January.
Champion Details
| Champion Name | Abilities | Forms | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hwei | 10 | 3 | AP Mage |
Source: DOTESPORTS
