League of Legends Champion Release Dates (2016-2019)

League of Legends champion release dates from 2016 to 2019. 

In League of Legends, champions' release dates span from October 2009 at the game's launch to January 2019, when new champions hit Summoner's Rift near ten years later. Of the 143 champions currently in the game, 15 were released in the past three years. 

Jhin Release Date: 1 February 2016

Jhin the Virtuoso was the first AD Carry champion released in over a year since Kallista in 2014. With an ammo mechanic previously exclusive to Graves, Jhin has quickly become a mainstay of League of Legends and was recently shown off in the Awaken cinematic in all his musical glory. 

Aurelion Sol Release Date: 24 March 2016

Aurelion Sol the Star Forger set a new scope of scale for the world of League of Legends, as the first being explicitly celestial in origin rather than a chosen vessel or creature of the Void. With his Stars circling around him, Aurelion Sol is a mechanically unique champion who strikes a distinctive figure on the Rift. 

Taliyah Release Date: 18 May 2016

Taliyah the Stoneweaver was brought by a need for a traditional mage after a few years in which champion design had become increasingly idiosyncratic. With her traditional Q-skillshot, crowd-control W, combination E and utility R, Taliyah was a return to form whose strong kit helped secure her place as a powerful displacer. 

Kled Release Date: 10 August 2016

Kled the Cantankerous Cavalier was the first Yordle champion released in almost exactly two years since Gnar. With his unique dual-form mechanic, Kled quickly became a terror on the Rift for players who dreaded the call of his horn. 

Ivern Release Date: 5 October 2016

Ivern the Green Father was the only champion in 2016 explicitly designed as a jungler. With his unique pacifist method of clearing camps as well as unique mechanic of sharing buffs, Ivern added a new niche as a fully supportive jungler. 

Camille Release Date: 7 December 2016

Camille the Steel Shadow was the last champion of 2016. With her confident gait and sleek design, she added a flair of Bond-esque spy drama to the Rift.

Xayah and Rakan Release Date: 19 April 2017

Xayah the Rebel and Rakan the Charmer were the first dual release in League of Legends as the Lovers Duo explicitly designed to function together in the bottom lane as AD Carry and Support, with specific interactions exclusively programmed to each other. They are also the first Vastayan champions released since Nami in 2012.

Kayn Release Date: 12 July 2017

Kayn the Shadow Reaper brought a new mechanic of divergent champion evolution into the game, and the only jungler released in 2017. Kayn as his alternate form, Rhaast, is also one of only three Darkin champions alongside Aatrox and Varus, and the first since 2013.

Ornn Release Date: 23 August 2017

Ornn, the Fire Below the Mountain, was in development from as early as 2013 before finally hitting the Rift in 2017. With his specific ability of forging items, Ornn is one of the only champions in the game whose abilities interacts directly with the gold. 

Zoe Release Date: 21 November 2017

Zoe the Aspect of Twilight is the last champion released in 2017 and the second champion who was cosmic in origin after Aurelion Sol. She became infamous not long after launch as one of the most powerful champions on release in the past few years. 

Kai'Sa Release Date: 7 March 2018

Kai'Sa was the first champion released in 2018, but was originally conceived as a single champion called Husk who was later split into her and Camille. As the daughter of Kassadin, Kai'Sa is also the first character who is the child of another champion. 

Pyke Release Date: 31 May 2018

Pyke the Bloodharbor Ripper was the first Assassin character released since Ekko in 2015, and the first ever explicitly designed as an Assassin Support. 

Neeko Release Date: 5 December 2018

Neeko the Curious Chameleon was the last champion released in 2018 and the first Vastayan champion released since Xayah and Rakan. Neeko is also the first confirmed homosexual champion, identifying as lesbian. 

Sylas Release Date: 25 January 2019

Sylas the Unshackled is the first champion released in 2019, the first Demacian character since Lucian in 2013, and the first Demacian villain in the lore. With his mechanic of stealing ultimates, Sylas has been named as the most technically challenging character developed by Riot.

Images courtesy of Riot Games