The most powerful Arcane characters, ranked
NetflixThe Zaun vs Piltover war is in full swing in Arcane Season 2, with Act 2 ending with a shocking death. Who will come out on top? It’s a tough one to call when there are so many powerful Arcane characters on opposing sides.
In the first chapter of the League of Legends series, we were introduced to a memorable lineup of characters who we fell in love with as the series unfolded. At the heart of it all is Vi and her sister Powder, now known as Jinx, whose descent into madness broke hearts faster than the zealous Zaunite can blow up a building.
With Arcane Season 2, the stakes are higher than ever, and new champions like Warwick – the terrifying werewolf-like beast created by Singed/Dr. Reveck – have joined the fray.
So, get ready for a showdown as we rank the 15 most powerful Arcane characters, each with their unique hidden strength – and maybe even a touch of Shimmer.
15. Isha
NetflixVoice actor: Lucy Lowe
Who they are: An orphan child from the Zaun undercity, Isha is a plucky, brave young girl who becomes Jinx’s adoptive little sister after saving her from Chem-barons Chross and Smeech.
Powers explained: As a kid, Isha’s yet to reach her full potential. However, she’s already proved incredibly useful in the burgeoning civil war between Piltover and Zaun. Her bravery is what sets her apart, as are her surveillance skills: she used herself as a human shield in Jinx’s fight with Vi; retrieved the Hextech gun from the commune unnoticed; and looked into the eyes of the beast to protect her adoptive big sis’.
Hidden strength: Stealth skills
14. Mel Medarda
NetflixVoice actor: Toks Olagundoye
Who they are: A shrewd, influential member of the Piltover Council from a prominent family, she is the wealthiest woman in the city, and one who ends up in a relationship with Jayce. She is voiced by Toks Olagundoye.
Powers explained: Mel’s power lies in her political cunning and her influence within Piltover’s governing force, but also in her integrity. While she lacks combat abilities, her strategic mind and political sway make her an indispensable player in Arcane (even if she is in a bit of a pickle with the Black Rose right now).
Hidden Strength: Unwavering resolve
13. Sevika
NetflixVoice actor: Amirah Vann
Who they are: As the late Silco’s trusted lieutenant, Sevika is an intimidating force in Zaun’s underworld, joining forces with Jinx in Season 2.
Powers explained: With enhanced strength from a Shimmer-infused mechanical arm, Sevika is a formidable fighter and strategist. Her loyalty to those she serves and her brutality make her a respected and feared Zaunite, but this also proves to be a weakness down the line (especially when anything happens to that arm).
Hidden strength: Tireless determination
12. Silco
NetflixVoice actor: Jason Spisak
Who they are: The villainous leader of Zaun, whose ambition for the undercity’s independence was marred by the chaos unleashed through his Shimmer empire. Silco was also the adoptive father of Jinx.
Powers explained: Silco wielded no physical powers, but his intelligence, persuasive nature, and sheer charisma made him one of the most feared figures in Zaun. You need only look at his protege Jinx to see his capabilities; he transformed Powder into one of the most feared champions in the whole of Arcane. However, this proved to be his downfall too: Jinx accidentally killed him in Season 1.
Hidden strength: Master manipulator
11. Ambessa Medarda
NetflixVoice actor: Ellen Thomas
Who they are: A ruthless Noxian warlord and Mel Medarda’s estranged mother, Ambessa embodies military power and will put her ruthless efforts above her children.
Power explained: Ambessa wields significant power as the ruler of the Medarda territory, commanding both influence and military might. But she’s not exactly versed in currying favor with those around her, which undermines her authority when she needs it most. Has she never read How to Win Friends and Influence People?
Hidden strength: Sledgehammer diplomacy
10. Heimerdinger
NetflixVoice actor: Mick Wingert
Who they are: An ancient Yordle and inventor, Heimerdinger has guided Piltover for centuries as a Council member and professor.
Powers explained: As the brains behind many of Piltover’s greatest inventions, Heimerdinger’s scientific prowess allows him to create advanced technology and formidable gadgets. While he might be small in stature, his intellect and strategic mind are colossal. Just remember, never underestimate an eccentric scientist with a strong will – he might just have a trick up his sleeve.
Hidden strength: Ancient wisdom
9. Caitlyn Kiramman
NetflixVoice actor: Katie Leung
Who they are: A skilled Enforcer-turned-dictator and daughter of the wealthy Kiramman family. Caitlyn is in an on-again-off-again relationship with Vi.
Powers explained: While Caitlyn doesn’t possess magical abilities or enhanced strength, her resilience, keen detective skills, and killer aim with a rifle make her a formidable force. Her true power lies in her unwavering commitment to justice, although this takes a terrifying turn after the death of her mother, Cassandra. Thankfully, she returns to the good side by the end of Act 2.
Hidden strength: Right place, right time-ism
8. Viktor
NetflixVoice actor: Harry Lloyd
Who they are: An ambitious Zaunite and Heimerdinger’s former assistant, Viktor worked his way up the ranks in Piltover, becoming Jayce’s partner in developing Hextech magical technology.
Powers explained: Although Viktor was physically weak, in Arcane Season 2 he’s fused with the Hexcore, giving him healing abilities and magical power at his fingertips. But while his vision is noble, his technological genius has made him vulnerable – and as was shown in the Act 2 finale, he’s not immune in the physical realm.
Hidden strength: Spectral dominance
7. Singed/Dr. Reveck
NetflixVoice actor: Brett Tucker
Who they are: Also known as Doctor Reveck, Singed is the twisted scientist who invented Shimmer and created Warwick in a bid to achieve immortality and save his dying daughter, Orianna.
Powers explained: He might look like a gust of gray could blow him over but don’t underestimate the man behind the madness. What makes him so powerful isn’t just his intellect and mastery of alchemy but also the fact that he operates within the shadows. But it’s his one-track mind that makes him so scary; he’ll stop at nothing to save his daughter, destroying anything that gets in his way.
Hidden strength: Moral flexibility
6. Ekko
NetflixVoice actor: Reed Shannon
Who they are: A Zaunite prodigy and the leader of the Firelights, Ekko is resourceful, quick, and a skilled fighter, as well as a childhood friend of Vi and Jinx.
Powers explained: He’s strong, he’s smart, and he’s a dab hand at technology, making him one of the most powerful Arcane characters (he even went toe-to-toe with Jinx in Season 1). But more than that, he’s a survivor who channels his power for good, leading the resistance against Shimmer corruption and fighting to reclaim Zaun for its people.
Hidden strength: Hoverboard heroics
5. Vander (pre-Warwick)
NetflixVoice actor: JB Blanc
Who they are: A fearless boxer bartender whose attempted uprising against Piltover made him the most respected individual in the Lanes of Zaun. Vander was the adoptive father of Vi and Jinx.
Powers explained: Vander’s brute strength and fighting skills made him a legend, but his true power came from his compassion and dedication to protecting all people, making him, in many ways, the opposite of his former bro, Silco. His iron gauntlets symbolize his enduring legacy and strength. Sadly, it was the love for his family that ultimately led to his demise. We’ll always raise a glass to Arcane’s #1 pops.
Hidden strength: Bullsh*t detection
4. Jayce
NetflixVoice actor: Kevin Alejandro
Who they are: A visionary inventor and powerful Council member in Piltover, Jayce creates Hextech in a bid to protect the city and push technology forward.
Powers explained: He might not have seemed all that powerful to begin with, but Jayce has risen the ranks to become one of the strongest of the bunch – and it’s not all about that Hextech Hammer. The boy’s got it all: he’s a people person, he’s got influence, he’s proven his combative skills, and he sticks to his guns. Whether this is still true after his trip into the anomaly is yet to be seen…
Hidden strength: Multitasking wizard
3. Warwick
NetflixWho they are: In Arcane, Warwick is a werewolf-like killing machine created by Singed using Vander’s heart and monster DNA.
Powers explained: It may be controversial for Warwick to be so high on the list, but there’s no denying the sheer power of this beast. When the Vander side of him is repressed, he’s simply a blood-thirsty animal, driven only by rage and with a high tolerance for pain. And then there’s the fact that he’s built like a brick shi*house, ripping opponents to shreds like they’re tissue paper.
Hidden strength: Animal instincts
2. Jinx
NetflixVoice actor: Ella Purnell
Who they are: The Zaunite formerly known as Powder, Jinx is Vi’s sister who took a dark path after Silco took her under his wing. Her unpredictability stems from the trauma she’s faced, leaving her constantly battling the voices in her head.
Powers explained: The chaotic wild card of Arcane, Jinx’s unpredictable nature and explosive gadgets make her a whirlwind of destruction. She’s strong, sure, but her manic energy and mischievous spirit ensure she’s always one step ahead – just when you think you’ve caught up, she’s already blown up the bridge behind you. Jinx is the embodiment of mayhem and powerful enough to make grown men cower like babies.
Hidden strength: Unpredictability queen
1. Vi
NetflixVoice actor: Hailee Steinfeld
Who they are: Vi is a fierce, streetwise brawler and Jinx’s older sister, known for her relentless drive and impressive fighting abilities. She has a strong moral compass and wants more than anything for Jinx to become Powder again.
Powers explained: As a fighter with a heart of gold, Vi followed in Vander’s footsteps. Even without her Hextech-powered gauntlets, a right hook from her would take you an eternity to recover from (literally, because you would be dead). But it’s her fierce loyalty, unwavering determination, and resilience in the toughest of circumstances that make her the most powerful character in Arcane.
Hidden strength: Fists of steel
Arcane Season 2 Part 3 lands on Netflix on November 23. Until then, read about the show’s most traumatizing scene, other great animated series to watch, and why Season 2 had to be the last.