Riot Games has unveiled its newest League of Legends champion, Zaahen, The Unsundered, a formidable warrior built for players who crave high-intensity melee combat in the top lane. This latest addition to the Rift promises a blend of durability, ramping power, and strategic depth that could shake up the meta heading into Season 2026.
Who Is Zaahen, The Unsundered?
Drawing inspiration from champions like Xin Zhao and the Darkin line, Zaahen embodies resilience and relentless strength. His lore ties into the deeper mythos of Runeterra — a being who has faced centuries of conflict without ever truly being defeated. Riot describes Zaahen as a tribute to “unyielding endurance,” standing as both a protector and a relentless fighter.
Gameplay Overview: Ramp Up, Revive, and Dominate
Zaahen’s playstyle focuses on ramping combat mechanics — the longer he stays in battle, the stronger he becomes. His abilities are designed to reward persistence and smart positioning, allowing players to turn drawn-out skirmishes into devastating victories.
According to Blake “Squad5” Smith, Lead Gameplay Designer for Zaahen, the new champion’s kit “builds up power, until eventually gaining a large spike that lets him take down his opponents or revive from death.”
Smith adds that mastering Zaahen means timing multi-hits: “His abilities can stack his passive multiple times if he hits several champions. A Zaahen who multi-hits his W, E or R is going to get his full passive much quicker than one only hitting one enemy.”
Designed for the Top Lane — But Versatile
Zaahen is primarily designed as a top-lane bruiser, meant to thrive in extended duels and front-line engagements. However, Smith noted that he “may be able to jungle as well,” leaving room for experimental players to find creative uses for his kit in other roles.
This versatility could make Zaahen a meta-defining pick for players who favor sustain and scaling fights — especially in coordinated team play where long engagements are frequent.
Developer Insight: Building a Champion for Fighters
When asked about the design philosophy behind Zaahen, Smith shared that the team’s goal was to create a champion for “tougher, top-lane melee players” who enjoy strategic endurance battles.
“With every champion we typically start with goals for the types of players we want to make the champion for,” he explained. “For Zaahen, that meant making him into a kind of tougher, top lane melee character.”
This approach makes Zaahen a natural evolution of Riot’s melee champion design, offering a more dynamic rhythm that rewards patience and calculated aggression.
Tips for Playing Zaahen
Smith offered a few key insights for players preparing to master Zaahen:
- Stay in the fight. His power ramps up the longer he’s engaged in combat.
- Aim for multi-hits. Landing abilities on multiple enemies accelerates his passive, letting him hit peak power faster.
- Timing is everything. Knowing when to extend fights or pull back can be the difference between domination and defeat.
Expect Zaahen to be a favorite among players who excel at brawlers like Darius or Aatrox — champions that reward endurance and momentum.
The Unsundered Arrives Soon
Zaahen, The Unsundered, will debut on the Public Beta Environment (PBE) this week before heading to live servers later this month. Players can look forward to testing his abilities and uncovering his story as Riot continues to expand League of Legends’ champion roster heading into 2026.
