League of Legends’ next champion is Naafiri, the first monster-based champion in quite some time.

Dropping on the Rift in update 13.14, this champion has been well received and will change the way we look at champions.

The ruthless midlaner utilises their companions to deal damage and will no doubt be a popular choice when releases.

Here’s all you need to know about Naafiri in League of Legends.

Release Date

Naafiri will release on the 19th of July 2023, which is a day after the schedule 13.14 patch.

Lore

The evil dog resides in Shurima, previously being held captive in an ancient throwing dagger.

Lore details that a human found her in the crypt she was residing in, aware of how her soul was bound to this blade and any touch would allow her to possess her host.

Upon exiting the crypt, the human was attacked by a pack of Dune Hounds, to which the Darkin Naafiri called out to.

When it was all said and done, Naafiri had taken a host of not just one but all of the Dune Hounds.

While she may have to settle to this form and life for now, that’s not to say she won’t reach her true form and ambitions some day.

You can read the full lore here.

Skins

Naafiri only has two confirmed skins.

Her default skin.

And her Soul Fighter skin.

Abilities

• Passive: We Are More
  • Naafiri spawns Packmates that attack the targets of her attacks and abilities.
    • Naafiri crates a Packmate every 30 = (30-15) seconds that will attack enemies that she targets for 6 = (6-30 +4.5% bonus) physical damage, increased to 8 = (8-39 + 5.85% bonus) after she uses an ability.
    • Hitting champions and large monsters with abilities reduces this ability’s cooldown by 4 seconds. Killing enemies reduces it by 0.5 seconds
    • Max packmates = 2 (2-3)
    • Packmates take 76% = (76%-50%) damage from AOE abilities and effects
    • Packmates take 50% damage from monsters and minions

• Q: Darkin Daggers
  • Naafiri hurls up to two daggers, each inflicting bleed, or each inflicting bonus damage if the target is already bleeding. Packmates leap to attack champions hit by this skill.
    • Naafiri hurls Darkin-tainted blades, dealing 16 = (15+20% bonus) physical damage and inflicting a bleed for -1 = (-5 + 80% bonus) physical damage over 4 seconds.
    • This ability may be recast. If enemies hit are already bleeding, it instead deals the remaining bleed damage plus between 24 = (20 + 70% bonus) and 48 = (40 + 140% bonus) physical damage, based on their missing health. If that target was a champion, Naafiri restores 27 = (25 + 40% bonus) Health.
    • Packmates will leap at the first champion hit and attack them for 3 seconds
    • Cooldown: 11/10/9/8/7
    • Initial Damage: 25/35/45/55/65
    • Second Cast Damage: 35/50/65/80/95
    • Bleed Damage: 30/65/100/135/170
    • Healing: 45/65/85/105/125
    • Mana Cost: 55/60/65/70/75

• W: Hound’s Pursuit
  • Naafiri and her packmates dash at an enemy, colliding with the first champion hit and dealing damage.
    
    • Naafiri dashes at an enemy, stopping at the first champion she hits, dealing 34 = (30 +80% bonus) physical damage and briefly slowing them.
    • This ability gains a bonus range based on Ultimate rank.
    • Packmates become Untargetable and dash alongside Naafiri, dealing 3 = (3+8% bonus) physical damage per packmate
    • Cooldown: 22/20/18/16/14
    • Damage: 30/70/110/150/190
    • Mana Cost: 70/60/50/40/30

• R: The Call of the Pack
  • Naafiri empowers her pack and spawns additional Packmates, gaining a burst of speed and vision and a shield when she attacks a champion. On first champion takedown, all effects are refreshed.
    • Naafiri prepares to hunt, gaining 15% + 10 Bonus Attack Damage, empowering her pack and spawning 2 bonus packmates for 15 seconds.
    • Naafiri then gains of 35% Move Speed, doubled to 70% while out of combat, decaying over 4 seconds and vision of her surroundings. The first time she hits a champion she gain 128 = (125 + 50% bonus) Shield for 3 seconds.
    • On first champion takedown, all effects are refreshed
    • Empowered Packmates gain 25% bonus Health and their spawn Cooldown is reduced by 50%
    • Hound’s Pursuit gains bonus range per rank of this ability.
    • Cooldown: 120/110/100
    • Packmates Gained: 2/3/4
    • Shield Amount: 125/325/525
    • Move Speed: 35%/42.5%/50%
    • Hounds’ Pursuit Range Increase: 80/160/240
    • Percent Bonus Attack Damage: 15%/20%/25%
    • Bonus Attack Damage: 10/20/30

Best Build

Items

Naafiri is all about AD damage, so you’ll need to build accordingly.

She also has her own built-in healing and anti-healing mechanics.

For this reason, we’d recommend amplifying these characteristics, so items such as Eclipse, and Chempunk Chainsword are great.

Your wolf pack will thus reduce the healing of champions, while also healing yourself.

Equally, some armour pen items like Serylda’s Grudge will increase armor pen, reduce ability cooldowns and apply a slow. As Naafiri is a melee champion, you’ll only be able to do damage at close range and slowing quick champions will help you stay in pursuit.

Black Cleaver is also a good item, due to the number of times you will attack in quick succession, you’ll quickly stack ‘Carve’ and the extra health will be great in skirmishes.

Death’s Dance is also a great item for the damage and survivability.

Runes

• Domination
  • Electrocute
  • Sudden Impact
  • Eyeball Collection
  • Relentless Hunter
• Precision
  • Legend: Alacrity
  • Coup de Grace
  • Attack Speed
  • Adaptive Force
  • Armor

Best Match Ups

Naafiri will do their best against the champion without escapes and champions who have skill shots as her packmates can block a lot of incoming attacks.

She will do well against champions such as:

• Anivia
• Lux
• Yasuo
• Samira
• Zyra
• Brand
• Vel’Koz
• Twisted Fate
• Diana
• Corki

Counters

Naafiri is going to struggle against anyone that has AOE damage, moves that make the opponent untargetable or ranged attacks; she is only going to be at her best in close combat.

• Vladimir
• Ezreal
• Akali
• Pantheon
• Aurelion Sol
• Ziggs
• Xerath

Tips & Tricks

• Do not engage with an enemy unless you have packmates available as they will help deal more damage and provide an obstacle for your opponent.
• Try to spawn as many dogs before you all in or activate your ultimate
• Poke down your opponent in lane by using Q as your packmates will leap towards the champion if it hits
• Use your W to engage with an enemy when a Jungler ganks