TL;DR
- League’s storyline remains stagnant since Viego’s defeat in the Ruination event
- Darkin Aatrox ward on PBE suggests potential Darkin-focused narrative for 2023
- Historical patterns show PBE cosmetic items often precede major story developments
- Void invasion theories lost momentum despite Bel’Veth’s introduction
- New Darkin dagger champion in roadmap strengthens Darkin storyline evidence
Since Viego’s defeat as the Ruined King, League of Legends’ overarching narrative has experienced significant stagnation. The community eagerly anticipates what antagonist might emerge to drive the next major world event.
For years, League’s lore existed in developmental limbo—new champions received backstories, but the world’s central plot remained static. The Ruination event broke this pattern, though it received polarized reactions from the player base as Sentinels of Light mobilized against Viego’s corruption.
Like many MOBA titles, League’s core gameplay mechanics don’t naturally facilitate expansive world-building. Riot Games has actively worked to overcome this limitation through supplementary content including short stories, canonical cinematics, and projects like the acclaimed Arcane series.
Despite these efforts, the in-game narrative has seen minimal advancement post-Ruination. Bel’Veth’s emergence earlier this year sparked speculation about an imminent Void invasion event for 2022 that ultimately never materialized. Recent clues from Season 13’s cinematic teases suggest a new antagonist may be emerging, but the identity remains speculative.
The strongest evidence currently points toward the Darkin, supported by the appearance of a Darkin-themed Aatrox ward on the Public Beta Environment during the Preseason 2023 transition period.
The Darkin represent corrupted Ascended beings—former god-warriors similar to Nasus and Renekton who fell during Shurima’s imperial collapse. This discovery follows a established pattern: last year, an Ornn ward surfaced during preseason testing, followed by Ornn’s prominent role in the Season 2022 cinematic “The Call.”
If this pattern holds consistent, the 2023 seasonal narrative will likely center on Darkin conflicts, particularly given the upcoming Darkin dagger-wielding champion revealed alongside K’Sante in the development roadmap. While the anticipated Void invasion event failed to materialize, making a 2023 World Event unlikely, the Darkin currently represent the most compelling narrative candidates available.
Current evidence strongly suggests Riot is building toward a Darkin-centric narrative arc. The combination of PBE cosmetic teases, champion roadmap reveals, and established narrative patterns creates a compelling case for Darkin prominence in upcoming seasons.
The Void remains a lingering threat despite Bel’Veth’s introduction failing to trigger an invasion event. This suggests Riot may be saving the Void for a later, potentially larger-scale narrative confrontation.
Community speculation should focus on monitoring PBE updates for additional Darkin-themed assets and analyzing champion teasers for narrative clues. Understanding Riot’s established pattern of preseason cosmetic hints can provide early insight into upcoming storyline directions.
Action Checklist
- Monitor PBE updates for Darkin-themed cosmetic items and assets
- Analyze champion roadmap reveals for narrative connections and hints
- Track seasonal cinematic releases for antagonist teases
- Compare current patterns with historical precedent (Ornn ward → cinematic)
No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » Who will League of Legends’ next villain be? Exploring the Darkin threat and potential new villains in League of Legends' evolving narrative universe