LoL Champions by Release Date: A Complete Timeline

LoL Champions by Release Date: The Complete Evolution Timeline

Ever stopped to wonder how League of Legends went from a handful of characters to a colossal cast of champions? As of April 30, 2025, the game boasts 170 champions—and every single one has played a part in shaping this legendary MOBA. Let’s rewind the clock and follow the timeline of champion releases, where each new face added fresh flavor and changed the meta in ways big and small.

From Humble Beginnings to a Global Phenomenon

Back in 2009, League of Legends launched with just 20 champions. Fast forward to January 2025, and Mel joined the roster as the latest addition. Riot’s pace has shifted over the years—from explosive bursts like 18 new champions in 2010 to a more calculated drip-feed in recent times, with 4–5 champions per year.

This timeline isn’t just a list of names—it’s a reflection of evolving design philosophy, playstyle diversity, and Riot’s ever-growing ambition. Whether you prefer burly tanks, sneaky assassins, or skill-intensive mages, there’s something for everyone in this lineup. And behind every champion? A unique backstory and gameplay twist that keeps Summoner’s Rift thrilling.

🛡️ The Origin Story: 2009’s Founding Champions

The spark was lit in 2009. Riot Games didn’t just drop a game—they kicked off a revolution. Starting with 17 champions in Alpha Week 2 (February 21), the game steadily expanded through beta phases. By the official launch in October, the roster had ballooned to 40.

Names like Annie, Ryze, and Teemo didn’t just enter the game—they became legends.

The Alpha Originals (Feb 21, 2009)

From Annie’s incinerating teddy bear to Ashe’s chilling arrows, the original 17 set the tone:

• Annie – Mage / Support

• Ashe – Marksman / Support

• Ryze – Mage

• Jax – Fighter

• Soraka – Support / Mage

• …and more

Beta Phase Surges & Launch Day (April–October)

Between April and October, champions like Zilean, Evelynn, and Dr. Mundo entered the fray. Each arrival expanded strategic options—and soon, 40 champions stood ready for battle by launch day.

⚔️ The Boom Years: 2010–2011

These were the years of expansion. Riot dropped 24 champions per year, doubling the game’s champion pool.

Highlights from 2010:

• Poppy (Tank / Fighter)

• Pantheon (Fighter / Assassin)

• Miss Fortune (Marksman / Mage)

Notable 2011 Additions:

• Lee Sin (Fighter / Assassin) – A fan-favorite, still dominating today

• Vayne (Marksman / Assassin) – A duelist’s dream

• Ahri (Mage / Assassin) – Iconic charm and burst

With so many new faces, the game’s complexity grew rapidly. Players adapted, experimented, and the eSports scene began to take form.

🌟 The Golden Era: 2012–2014

Champion design reached a creative high between 2012 and 2014. Riot’s designers weren’t just thinking of stats—they were building personalities.

Innovations & Lore Connections

• Thresh (Support / Tank): Introduced game-changing lantern mechanics

• Zed and Yasuo: Champions with skill ceilings sky-high

• Jinx and Vi: Stories interwoven in Piltover’s chaos

By 2014, Riot had truly mastered the art of blending gameplay with storytelling.

🎯 The Shift: 2015–2017 – Slower, Smarter Releases

With the foundation strong, Riot pivoted. Instead of flooding the Rift, they focused on surgical precision.

• Ekko (Assassin / Mage): Manipulated time, twisted fights

• Kindred (Marksman): A two-in-one champion representing death itself

• Camille (Fighter / Assassin): Clean, elegant, deadly

2017 also marked a first: Xayah and Rakan, designed to complement each other in duo synergy.

🚀 The Modern Age: 2018–2025 – Innovation Unleashed

This era pushed boundaries. Riot released 29 champions, each more intricate than the last. Think Aphelios with his rotating arsenal or Hwei, a painter who reshaped battlefield control.

The Milestone:

• Sylas, the 150th champion (2019), set the stage for more radical mechanics—copying ults and flipping matchups upside down.

And in January 2025? Enter Mel, ushering in the 170th champion milestone and showing Riot’s design ambition is far from over.

📊 Year-by-Year Champion Releases: A Quick Breakdown

🎮 Why It Matters

Each champion release changed the game—some by flipping the meta, others by inspiring fan stories or shaking up pro play. League of Legends hasn’t just grown—it has evolved, embracing creativity, diversity, and complexity.

With 170 champions and counting, one thing’s certain: Summoner’s Rift never gets old.