Starting January 9th, League of Legends is diving into a Noxian-themed extravaganza to kick off its new season with style. Riot Games has dropped a cinematic trailer, adding an intriguing twist to the lore of this first season, aptly named “Welcome to Noxus.” In this intriguing setting, the elusive Black Rose hosts a shadowy ball filled with treachery and clandestine plots. At the same time, Mel makes her way to the Immortal Bastion following the gripping events of “Arcane,” the recently concluded series on Netflix.
Riot kept the excitement rolling on Wednesday with a dev diary video dishing out more details about the upcoming season. It’s official: Mel will be stepping into the Summoner’s Rift as the new champion. Fans of “Arcane” will appreciate her bringing that powerful magic to the battlefield, where she’ll protect her teammates with her formidable abilities.
Known as the Soul’s Reflection, Mel stands out in her striking red and black Noxian-themed attire. Her unique skills revolve around reflecting projectiles, putting a fresh spin on defense mechanics. While champions like Yasuo and Nilah have mastered blocking or soaking up attacks, Mel’s ability, Rebuttal, takes it a step further by redirecting targeted abilities back to their senders and non-targeted ones back toward foes.
The good news for players is that Mel can be unlocked for free through seasonal missions. Additionally, there’s more to be discovered about her backstory in “Ambessa: Chosen of the Wolf,” an upcoming novel that promises to explore the dynamics between Ambessa, Mel, and the complex world of Noxus.
As “Welcome to Noxus” unfolds, expect the storyline to deepen and expand. The fan-favorite Arena mode is making a comeback, rebranded as the Reckoning Pits of Noxus, where warriors vie for glory and riches. Alongside this, there’s a fresh minigame in store, along with engaging content like motion comics outside the game. Plus, players will notice some visual revamps, especially for LeBlanc and possibly another champion, with Vladimir being hinted at in the closing scenes of the latest cinematic.
