Get ready to meet Zaahen, the 172nd champion in League of Legends! We’re revealing all the details about his abilities, including a unique way he can return to the fight after being defeated.
League of Legends has introduced its newest champion, Zaahen, also known as the Darkin Glaive! He’ll be joining the game soon, and you can find details below about his abilities – including a unique revive ability reminiscent of the old Aatrox – and when you can expect to play him.
When is Zaahen’s release date?
Zaahen will be on live servers on League of Legends Patch 25.23, scheduled for November 19, 2025.
Zaahen abilities
According to his backstory, Xin Zhao is his host. This occurred after a defeat against Atakhan, where he and Yunara were losing the fight. As a final act, Xin Zhao volunteered himself to become a vessel for the Darkin, a scene shown in the ‘Twilight’s End’ cinematic.
Because of this, many of his skills feel similar to those of Xin Zhao. He also shares design elements and gameplay features with other Darkin champions such as Aatrox and Kayn.
The champion preview was shown during the Grand Finals of Worlds 2025.
Blake Smith, known as Squad5, is the lead gameplay designer. He’s designed many of the game’s champions, including Ivern, Ornn, Sylas, Samira, Nilah, Renata Glasc, and Aurora.
Zaahen’s role
The developers at Squad5 created this champion to be strongest as a top lane player, and that’s where they’ll focus balancing him. However, he could also be played effectively as a jungler.
Passive – Cultivation of War
Zaahen gains power by attacking and using abilities on enemy champions, building up stacks of Determination. Each stack increases his Attack Damage. Once he’s fully charged with Determination, Zaahen gets even more Attack Damage and the ability to revive after being defeated.
He relies on willpower instead of mana or energy. His ability to return to life after being defeated works similarly to how Aatrox could revive, both before and after his recent updates.
Squad5 also pointed out how often people mention Aatrox losing his ability to revive while Zaahen is getting one – he finds it pretty funny. However, he thinks Zaahen’s revive should be designed to be more reliable and long-lasting than Aatrox’s, which ultimately had to be taken out of the game.
Q – The Darkin Glaive
  |
Zaahen’s next attack hits twice, adding extra damage and restoring his health. He can use this ability again to make his following attack deal even more damage and briefly lift his enemy into the air.
This is similar to Xin Zhao’s Q ability – both abilities improve basic attacks and finish with an attack that knocks enemies upwards.
W – Dreaded Return
Zaahen stabs in a direction, damaging enemies hit and pulling them toward him.
This champion’s ability is very similar to Xin Zhao’s W, but with the added effect of pulling enemies slightly when it pierces through them.
E – Aureate Rush
Zaahen dashes to a location and slices around himself.
This is incredibly similar to Kayn’s Q.
R – Grim Deliverance
 |
Zaahen rises then stabs downward, damaging enemies and healing for a portion of the damage dealt.
Read More
- Clash Royale Best Boss Bandit Champion decks
- PUBG Mobile or BGMI A16 Royale Pass Leaks: Upcoming skins and rewards
- Mobile Legends November 2025 Leaks: Upcoming new heroes, skins, events and more
- Clash Royale Season 77 “When Hogs Fly” November 2025 Update and Balance Changes
- Zack Snyder’s ‘Sucker Punch’ Finds a New Streaming Home
- The John Wick spinoff ‘Ballerina’ slays with style, but its dialogue has two left feet
- Deneme Bonusu Veren Siteler – En Gvenilir Bahis Siteleri 2025.4338
- Tom Cruise’s Emotional Victory Lap in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
- Kingdom Rush Battles Tower Tier List
- Clash Royale November 2025: Events, Challenges, Tournaments, and Rewards
2025-11-09 17:41