A new champion is on the horizon in League of Legends, rumored to be up for release later this month. What do we know about Lillia, the dreamy jungler?
A name for an enigma
A series of hidden sound files and a mysterious icon recently rocked the public beta environment fanbase, teasing a new name - Lillia. The sound files were the first time we heard that name and they teased a lost home and lost spirits:
- “They took your home Lillia, do not forget this loss, let it course through you”.
- “Oh lost spirits beckoning to bloom, I’ve been waiting for you”.
Now, this did not come completely out of the blue. In fact, around the start of the season Riot Games published a champion roadmap, stating that after Sett’s release they would focus on reworking Volibear and Fiddlesticks, then promised more champions during the summer, including a “familiar face.” Not Lillia, then - but perhaps the owner of the creepy voice trying to turn her towards the dark side?
Scattered Clues
Throughout the year, Riot offered a few updates. The initial video mentioned a jungler to “fawn over”, mentioning that one of the champions is going to be a skirmishing jungler, focused on keeping the right distance and going in and out of fights. A June update to the roadmap spoke of this jungler being a “dreamy” figure and in a roundabout way teased several abilities. She can spring into action and dart away, while making someone drowsy and slow. This is probably what her “dreamy” aspect will be about, though maybe Riot will find another way to expand on this theme with her kit. Mobile skirmisher with crowd control? That sounds like trouble. There is also a video of a rolling energy ball traveling several screens before splashing against a rock. If that is a dash, it is a pretty long-ranged one, more like Rammus’ Powerball.
A new token can be obtained on the PBE, and the text for it indicates that it can be opened on July 22. What players found made many think of a dryad-like creature - perhaps the “fawn over” in the January video points towards Lillia looking like a mythical fawn? Speaking of which, take a look at the Greenglade Caretaker art from Legends of Runeterra:
A dark rival
Lillia’s story will be intertwined with that of another champion that is likely coming around the same time, a masked assassin who according to the lore teaser might have something to do with a spiritual tug and cold steel blades, including a “presence” in one. One theory is that this may indicate a sentient weapon being involved - so a Darkin champion - but after we were promised a “familiar face” some internet guessed that we may be seeing the Ruined King whose blade has been rather popular in the item shop. The twin blades could also be a pointer towards Yone, Yasuo’s brother who we have also seen in Legends of Runeterra - but he does not seem to be much for masks.
According to the June update, Lillia will be coming first, but both champions will be introduced as part of the same event and players could “form bonds” with either. This could be as simple as two alternate mission chains, something we have seen in many events before, but perhaps Riot plans to go the extra mile.
These are only conjectures, of course, and Riot will soon give Lillia and her dark rival much more fitting introductions. We should have a more definite answer soon. In the meantime, make sure to check our regular coverage of League of Legends news here!
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