TL;DR
- Next champion is first-ever designed mid-lane marksman, part of Viego storyline
- New yordle mage delayed for technical innovation, features anti-mobility mechanics
- Udyr VGU development underway with initial concept art revealed
- Additional bot-lane marksman teased for later in 2021
- Dr. Mundo rework and Udyr overhaul progressing simultaneously
Riot Games has unveiled their latest Champion Roadmap, providing crucial details about the final two characters that will conclude the ongoing Viego narrative arc. This announcement marks a significant milestone in League’s evolving storyline.
The comprehensive roadmap outlines two distinct champions with unique mid-lane roles. First arrives the “Sentinel of Light” marksman, followed by a melancholic yordle mage. Both champions represent strategic additions to the game’s roster while advancing the overarching plot.
It’s time to give you some information on the upcoming champions, including:
???? The midlane Marksman
????♂️ The next mage
???? The arrival of Dr Mundo’s rework
???? The progress of the Udyr overhaulRead more:
https://t.co/FJiCYtOnCQ
????
pic.twitter.com/0WkYvuUlN2— League of Legends // UK, IE & Nordics (@LoLUKN)
April 26, 2021
Next LoL Champion Will Be Marksman Midlaner
Earlier this year, Riot confirmed that three champions following Viego’s release would share direct lore connections. Gwen debuted on April 15th as the initial installment, with this innovative marksman scheduled for summer deployment to Summoner’s Rift.
Historically, marksmen have occasionally found viability in mid-lane positions, but none were originally conceived for that role. Champions like Lucian, Corki, and Tristana achieved temporary meta relevance without establishing permanent lane associations. This new champion breaks that pattern by being specifically engineered for mid-lane dominance from initial design phases.
The strategic implications are substantial: mid-lane marksmen can exert consistent pressure through ranged harassment while maintaining objective control capabilities. However, players should anticipate vulnerability to ganks during early laning phases, requiring careful ward placement and map awareness. Optimal rune setups will likely prioritize sustain and mobility over pure damage output.
New Yordle to Be Released in LoL to End Viego Saga
Following the Sentinel of Light’s introduction, Riot will debut a new yordle character, marking the first addition to this beloved species in considerable time, addressing long-standing community requests.
Originally slated for immediate release, developers opted to extend the yordle’s development cycle to implement groundbreaking visual technology that better communicates her power origins.
Current intelligence indicates she’ll occupy the mid-lane mage role and exhibits particular annoyance toward champions utilizing dash mechanics around her positioning. This characteristic potentially hints at crowd control abilities or area-denial spells within her kit. Additionally, her design has shifted from artillery mage classification toward traditional mage archetypes.
Players should prepare for a mage who likely excels at controlling engagement distances and punishing aggressive positioning. Her anti-mobility focus suggests she may counter popular dash-reliant champions, creating new strategic dynamics in mid-lane matchups.
First Look at Udyr VGU and What’s to Come Later in 2021
Concluding the Champion Roadmap with significant impact, Riot provided preliminary insights into Udyr’s upcoming Visual Gameplay Update. Following community voting that selected Udyr for modernization, the development team shared initial concept sketches by Justin “RiotEarp” Albers, illustrating Udyr’s diverse forms and potential visual direction.
These artistic concepts represent early indicators of Udyr’s post-VGU appearance, with more comprehensive reveals anticipated throughout subsequent months.
As an additional preview, Riot hinted at another champion launching the next phase of 2021’s content schedule. This character appears to be a bot-lane marksman designed to showcase one of Runeterra’s most resilient regions through electrifying visual and gameplay elements.
For players preparing for Udyr’s rework, focus on understanding his current stance-dancing mechanics to better appreciate the upcoming changes. The VGU process typically preserves core identity while modernizing visuals and gameplay flow.
Action Checklist
- Practice mid-lane positioning and wave management with existing marksmen to prepare for the new champion
- Study current anti-mobility champions to understand potential yordle mechanics
- Review Udyr’s current kit and playstyle to appreciate VGU changes
- Analyze Viego’s storyline to understand new champions’ narrative context
- Monitor official channels for additional teasers and development updates
No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » New info revealed on next LoL champion, will be a mid marksman League of Legends reveals mid-lane marksman, new yordle mage, and Udyr VGU progress in latest roadmap