Since its debut in 2009, League of Legends has evolved from a modest roster of 20 champions to a complex universe with over 160 unique characters. But while the champion pool has steadily grown, the pace of new releases has shifted dramatically over time. So, how often does Riot Games actually release new champions – and why has that rhythm changed?
The Early Years: Fast and Furious
In its early days, League of Legends saw a rapid rollout of champions. Riot Games would often release a new champion every few weeks, resulting in over a dozen new additions per year. The focus was clear: expand the game quickly, offer players new experiences, and keep the competitive scene fresh with constant updates.
At the time, quantity was the name of the game. New champions brought flashy abilities and introduced experimental playstyles, giving the community plenty to explore and master.
The Modern Era: Slower, Smarter Releases
Fast forward to today, and the release frequency has slowed considerably. In recent years, Riot has been introducing roughly three to four champions per year. That’s a far cry from the early pace, but it reflects a deliberate and strategic shift.
Rather than focusing on sheer volume, Riot now emphasizes depth, balance, and storytelling. Each new champion is developed with careful attention to lore integration, gameplay mechanics, visual design, and how they fit into the evolving meta.
Why the Change?
There are several reasons for Riot’s move toward fewer but higher-quality releases.
1. Game Balance: With such a large champion roster, maintaining balance has become more challenging. Each new release has the potential to disrupt the competitive equilibrium, and Riot takes extra time to ensure new characters enhance rather than destabilize the game.
2. Player Expectations: The community now demands more than flashy abilities. Players expect rich lore, innovative gameplay, and visual polish. Riot is responding by spending more time on development to meet these expectations.
3. Investment in Reworks: Rather than continuously adding new champions, Riot also focuses on updating older ones – visually, mechanically, and narratively. These reworks modernize outdated characters and keep the entire roster relevant without overloading players with too many new additions.
What to Expect Going Forward
Looking ahead, Riot seems committed to a “quality over quantity” model. Seasonal content, region-based storytelling, and thematic events now guide the timing and nature of champion releases. Instead of a predictable cadence, new champions often arrive as part of a broader narrative or gameplay update.
This slower pace may be a source of frustration for players craving novelty, but it also reflects the maturity of League of Legends as a live-service game. Riot appears to be playing the long game – aiming for sustainability, stability, and deeper engagement.
Conclusion
So, how often does League of Legends release new champions? Currently, you can expect around three to four new champions each year. While that may feel slow compared to the early years, the shift signals Riot’s commitment to thoughtful, meaningful additions that enrich the game’s world rather than simply expand it.
In an era where less is more, League of Legends continues to evolve – not by speeding up, but by slowing down with purpose.
Written by:
Christian