The New League of Legends Champion Revives Aatrox's Old Mechanics
Zaahen, the latest addition to League of Legends, brings back the legendary revive mechanic once owned by Aatrox. For players like me who primarily play squishy supports, facing top laners is always nerve-wracking—especially against Aatrox, a champion known for his relentless presence and raw kill potential.
Aatrox, also known as the Darkin Blade, remains a constant threat in the meta due to his durability and power, often causing dread for those playing champions like Janna and Senna. The introduction of Zaahen combines the aggressive, melee chase style of Aatrox with Xin Zhao's damage stacking style, creating a formidable opponent.
Zaahen’s Unique Kit
- Zaahen is described by lead gameplay designer Blake "Squad5" Smith as a "tougher, top lane melee character".
- He draws inspiration from Xin Zhao and other Darkin champions, striking a balance between familiarity and originality.
- His abilities include dashes, pulls, and double strikes reminiscent of Aatrox’s combat style.
- Zaahen’s passive features a damage-stacking system similar to Xin Zhao's attack damage stacking.
- Most notably, Zaahen has an Anivia-like revive mechanic, a throwback to the days when Aatrox had revive.
"We tried to make something that felt like he hit similar notes but at the end of the day was uniquely his own thing." — Blake "Squad5" Smith
Smith admitted the revival mechanic is ironic, as Riot Games removed Aatrox’s revive passive back in patch 9, yet Zaahen brings it back in a fresh way.
Impact and Player Reaction
Zaahen's arrival has stirred mixed feelings. While some are excited by his unique blend of playstyles, others—particularly squishy support players—find the return of the revive mechanic intimidating and frustrating.
"As soon as I see one of them in my games, I die a little inside (and on the Rift)." — Support Main Player
Conclusion: A Dangerous Revival
Zaahen revives one of the strongest parts of Aatrox’s old kit while adding Xin Zhao’s stacking damage, resulting in a challenging champion that could reshape top lane dynamics.
Author’s summary: Zaahen blends Aatrox’s relentless melee power with Xin Zhao's stacking damage and a rare revive mechanic, making him a uniquely threatening new top lane champion in League of Legends.