New League of Legends champion Yuumi leaked ahead of official release [UPDATED]
Riot GamesThe League of Legends devs have been steadily ramping up for 2019’s second new champion, and after months of clues and cryptic messages Yuumi has been leaked ahead of release.
Like with any League of Legends rumors it should always be taken with a grain of salt until Riot can confirm it, however the images and lead up in which the leak occurred point to it being all too real.
The new leak has clear images of the new support enchanter Yummi. Though specifics about how the champion fits in the game’s lore have yet to be released, fans now have a good look at the upcoming feline champion.
New Support enchanter Yuumi
In previous Champion Roadmaps, the devs strongly hinted that the champion had something to do with cats. Now the tale seems to have come full circle with the early reveal for the new character.
As an enchanter and cat, Yuumi is sitting atop a book. It looks like the champion will make their way around the Rift by taking a ride on their magical, floating tome.
With the thumbnail of the leaked video showing off Yuumi’s ability kit’s icons, it looks their the new champion’s Q will be some kind of strike or projectile. Their E looks like some kind of Area of Effect ability.
Some Redditors said more in-depth looks at Yuumi are being leaked in a private Discord which reportedly gives a concrete look at the champ’s W and R.
“W: Becomes un-targetable and latches onto an ally, and can re-cast the ability while on the ally to either dash OUT of them or dash to another ally. Can cast her abilities while latched onto the ally, but can’t auto attack,” Redditor ‘hashtagtylerh’ said. “R: Sends out 7 waves, rooting all enemies hit by 3 waves, all doing magic damage in an AOE. She can move, auto-attack, and cast abilities while she’s ulting. More specifically, she can ult while she is in W.”
How do leaks like this happen?
Content creator ‘Nasteey’ works closely with Riot Games through the company’s League of Legends Partner Program, and it looks like a video detailing the new support champion released before it was due to come out.
Through the program, partners can get specific perks with Riot Games such as official promotions, access to developers and even “co-reveals” for upcoming champions.
It looks like that last part might have had a hand in the leak, since Nasteey had a video all primed and ready to go for his channel.
Riot Games has yet to comment on the leak but players are already warming up to Yuumi as they anticipate their debut on the Rift.
UPDATE – April 26
Riot Games have officially announced their new support enchanter, Yummi the Magical Cat.
:smiling_cat::smiling_cat::smiling_cat:
When her Master goes missing, the Magical Cat hops on the case
:smiling_cat::smiling_cat::smiling_cat: pic.twitter.com/OOqwiBB4MD— League of Legends (@LeagueOfLegends) April 26, 2019
The announcement video gives a full shot of Yuumi in action, from how she plays in teamfights to her interactions with her sentient magical book.
There was no release date for the champion at the time of the announcement.
Updated: April 26, 2019 – 11:05 AM PST