Riot Games Dev Explains That Akshan is More Than Just a Complex Champion

Riot Games explains that the new champion Akshan is more than just a complex champion. According to lead designer, Jeevun 'Jag' Sidhu, Akshan is built to be a new kind of assassin that can also serve as a semi-support for his allies. A champion who can roam and play aggressively in the early game but with a risky mechanic that forces him to go against the strongest enemy to maximize his potential. Akshan’s mechanic is connected to his lore as he is a member of the Sentinels of Light that seeks to connect with people and help them even if it costs him his life. More details regarding Akshan’s complex in-game mechanics can be found below.

Riot Games states that Akshan can be optimized by the community

Jag stated in a blog post, that Akshan is meant to be a roaming assassin who can be very aggressive early game but is risky to play when behind in gold income. His main feature is that he is able to instantly revive his allies whenever he kills the champions that were responsible for their deaths. This is why it is important for Akshan to not get left out or else he won’t be able to maximize his potential.

According to the dev, these are the intended strengths and weaknesses of Akshan;

Strengths

• Strategic flanking and target access due to stealth and mobility from grappling hook.

• Long-range kill pressure with ultimate.

• Unique utility by reviving slain allies.

• Highly self-sufficient due to built-in shield and ability to choose engagements.

• Strong burst damage, particularly when snowballing.

• Windows of top tier roaming from increased movement speed when hunting Scoundrels.

Weaknesses

• Access to revive requires killing an enemy (often the most dangerous one)

• Weak reactive defenses, particularly against aggressive melees that can bodyblock his grappling hook.

• Worst-in-Marksman-class sustained DPS.

• Worst-in-Marksman-class attack range.

• Damage falls off significantly with game time.

• Extremely unreliable damage in teamfights.

• No crowd control, and very low value to the team when behind.

Jag stated that Akshan is designed to give players something new and unique in the game. He also added that it will be up to the community on how they can optimize the champion and explore its mechanics to build fun and surprising playstyles.

“If our teams can perfectly optimize a champion through internal playtests alone, there's not enough substance. Watching the community finally get to play a new champion is the most exciting part of the project for me when players discover the ins and outs and the new mains show us something new,” stated Jag.

The dev states that the idea of hunting enemies to avenge your allies instead of just securing kills for your team is one of the key things that makes Akshan such a unique and fun champion to play which adds a new experience to players, both new and veteran.

The release date of Akshan in Wild Rift will be on 27th July 2021 along with the next phase of the Sentinels of Light event which brings more exciting prizes for players. Fans can expect more surprises from Riot Games as they are also hinting at more champions to be released soon in Wild Rift.