New LoL champion Gwen revealed: abilities, release date, more

Rumor had it that the newest champion to join League of Legends would be Isolde, Viego’s wife. However, we’ll be getting Gwen, one of her creations instead. Here’s everything you need to know about LoL’s newest champion.

After Viego was finally unleashed onto Summoner’s Rift, there’s been mass excitement regarding the lore that he brought with him.

Many believed that the next champion to enter the League of Legends fray would be his wife, Isolde, as leaks hinted towards her future involvement on Runeterra.

However, that isn’t quite the case, as instead, we see Gwen, one of Isolde’s doll-like creations, take to the Rift instead. Here’s everything we know about the latest champion to join the League of Legends roster.

Who is Gwen in League of Legends? Champion teaser

March 26 saw an ominous trailer drop from the official League of Legends Twitter, which went on the name this newest champion as Gwen.

Writing that “once upon a time, a talented seamstress made a darling little doll,” we see that very creation be transformed into a fully-fledged woman with an aquatic theme.

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Her full description discusses the fact that she and Isolde were unwillingly separated. “Tragedy ripped them apart, sending the doll to sink beneath sea and sorrow. Centuries passed, but the doll was not deterred, for she knew love would find her again.”

For Gwen, every moment of life is precious and she performs every action with purpose. Now separated from Isolde, she wanders across Runterra, looking to spread joy to those who are hurt or suffering.

Gwen’s abilities

Riot has finally announced the details of each of Gwen’s abilities from her Passive to her Ultimate. Without further ado, let’s check them out:

Passive – Thousand Cuts

Gwen’s basic attacks deal bonus on-hit magic damage based on a percentage of her health. Basic attacks against champions will heal her for some of the damage dealt.

Q – SNIP SNIP!

Gwen rapidly snips her scissors between two and six times, dealing magic damage in a cone. At a minimum, Gwen will snip twice, adding one snip per basic attack Gwen has landed on an enemy (up to four for a total of six)

Enemies in the center of each snip will take true damage, as well as the bonus magic damage from Thousand Cuts.

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W – Hallowed Mist

Gwen spins up the Hallowed Mist to surround her for five seconds, gaining some armor and magic resist when in it. Enemies outside the Mist cannot target Gwen or hit her with any abilities. The mist will move to follow Gwen the first time she tries to leave it but will dissipate next time.

E – SKIP’N’SLASH

Gwen dashes a short distance and empowers her attacks with increased range, speed, and on-hit magic damage for four seconds. Attacking an enemy during this time refunds 50% of this ability’s cooldown.

R – Needlework

Gwen can cast Needlework up to three times, but needs to hit an enemy without 8 seconds to unlock each subsequent cast. Each cast fires needles in a line that magic damage, slow enemies, and apply Gwen’s Thousand Cuts bonus magic damage.

The first cast will fire one needle, the second will fire three, and the final cast will fire five, for a total of nine needles and nine applications of Thousand Cuts to enemies hit.

Gwen Gameplay Trailer

If you’re looking for a preview of Gwen’s abilities, check out her official gameplay trailer below. It’s fair to say her kit looks incredibly mobile and fun.

Will Gwen have any skins on release?

By the looks of it, like most champions in League, Gwen will be releasing with a single skin. The skin will be based on the Groovy event that’s being released in patch 11.7. You can check out Gwen’s Space Groove skin below:

Gwen release date

Riot has confirmed that Gwen will release on League patch 11.8. That update is slated for April 14.

Although for a lot of players that’ll feel like a lifetime away, it’s worth noting that Gwen will be hitting the PBE on March 30!

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For now, it’s just a waiting game for the release of Gwen into League of Legends. Luckily, there’s a brand new Groovy event that’s set to start right away, check out the details here.