TL;DR
- Zeri introduces revolutionary AP marksman mechanics with spell-proccing auto attacks
- Udyr’s rework focuses on silhouette clarity while enhancing shaman aesthetics
- Three new champions teased: Void jungler, dark enchantress, and mysterious bot laner
- Event systems overhauled with new Challenges feature following player feedback
- Strategic insights provided for mastering new champion mechanics and avoiding common pitfalls
Riot Games launched their highly anticipated Season 2022 Opening Day presentation, unveiling a comprehensive roadmap of new champions and substantial gameplay enhancements scheduled throughout the year.
Beyond the initial cinematic spectacle, developers shared crucial updates about Udyr’s comprehensive rework while dropping substantial hints about completely original champions currently in development pipelines.
Udyr rework, Zeri details, and new champion revealed
The development team confirmed Zeri, the Spark of Zaun, as the inaugural champion release for 2022. While her core abilities and background narrative surfaced through earlier leaks, the official presentation provided definitive mechanical details and strategic context.
Zeri’s Q ability generates her signature electrical cone attack, functioning as her primary damage tool. This unique design makes her Q effectively replace standard auto-attacks for most combat scenarios, requiring players to master rapid ability execution. Her conventional auto-attacks serve as precision tools designed for strategic weaving between ability rotations.
The revolutionary aspect of Zeri’s kit lies in her auto-attacks triggering spell effects—including Liandry’s Anguish burn damage and Rylai’s Crystal Scepter slow effects. This mechanical innovation potentially establishes her as League’s first viable AP-focused marksman since Kai’Sa’s introduction, opening unprecedented build diversity.
Pro Tip: Practice alternating between Q spam and timed auto-attacks in training mode—this rhythm-based gameplay separates average from exceptional Zeri players.
Udyr’s comprehensive visual overhaul includes significant silhouette refinements, notably removing his decorative antler apparatus. The design team recognized these elements weren’t essential for maintaining his distinctive in-game presence.
Instead, developers enhanced Udyr’s primal aesthetic through increased hair volume and additional physical mass, amplifying his spirit-walker shaman identity while improving visual clarity during team fights.
Common Mistake: Many players initially struggle with Udyr’s updated visual cues—spend time in custom games familiarizing yourself with his new animations and stance transitions.
New champions teased in 2022 stream
Riot Reav3’s theatrical performance hinted heavily at a female Void jungler champion, using deliberate terminology like “swarm” suggesting potential AI-controlled minion mechanics.
The dark enchantress teaser strongly indicates Corina Veraza, a Chembaron previously established in League’s narrative universe. Key evidence includes matching prosthetic arm details and the distinctive bronze-silver device emitting purple energy, potentially representing her Magnum Opus trap mechanics.
The final teaser showcased ice-white and blue hands forming intricate spiral patterns, suggesting two compelling origin theories.
The first possibility connects to the Watchers—ancient Void entities frequently depicted with multiple appendages, explaining both the frozen aesthetic and hand multiplicity. Alternatively, this could represent an Ionian spiritualist summoning ethereal hands for ranged combat, potentially enabling melee champions to function effectively in bot lane roles.
Advanced Insight: Monitor PBE updates for these champions—early testing phases often reveal crucial mechanical details that can inform your preparation strategy.
Responding to community feedback regarding the Debonair event, Riot announced substantial event system enhancements. The new Challenges feature introduces achievement-based progression systems separate from ranked competition, scheduled for implementation later in the year.
These systemic improvements reflect Riot’s commitment to addressing player concerns while expanding engagement opportunities beyond traditional competitive formats.
Action Checklist
- Practice Zeri’s Q-auto attack rhythm in training mode for 15-20 minutes daily
- Study Udyr’s updated visual cues in custom games
- Research AP marksman itemization options in preparation for Zeri’s release
- Monitor PBE updates for new champion mechanics as they enter testing
No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » New champion and big changes teased for LoL in 2022 Complete breakdown of League's 2022 champion roadmap with gameplay insights and strategic analysis