Soon, the new champion Naafiri will be released in League of Legends. She is a pack of hounds and is said to be a midlane assassin according to Riot. On Reddit, the champion is currently perceived positively, but not in the position that Riot intends for her.
Who is Naafiri? Naafiri is the next champion who will enter the Rift of Summoners. Visually, she is a red hound from the desert that fights with a pack. She actually belongs to the Darkin like Aatrox and took over a pack of dogs. Visually, she is a quite unique champion, but her in-game size has been discussed.
Gameplay-wise, Naafiri is supposed to be a midlane assassin. She fights with blades and all her abilities interact with her pack companions, who are involved through the passive. She is supposed to be a playfully simple assassin and is suitable for less skilled players.
You can watch a trailer for the new champion here:
People Love Naafiri – But in the Jungle
How does the community view the new champion? The User marques_fillipe posted on Reddit his positive experiences. He feels that Naafiri is the most fun jungler
he has ever played. He gives the following reasons:
- Good clear in the jungle
- Strong gap closer when ganking
- The hound companions can block skill shots
- The hound companions can tank jungle camps
Actually, Riot advertises the new champion as a midlaner. However, marques_fillipe finds that Naafiri feels terrible
against most ranged match-ups. Many champions would not be reachable for her on the lane.
Other users agree with the jungle assessment and are already fearing in the comments that Riot will nerf Naafiri’s jungle level:
- chomperstyle:
She has been confirmed as a midlaner […] Her minions and monster design do give jungle vibes like Neeko, but Naafiri will be balanced for the midlane and nerfed for the jungle if it gets out of hand.
- PaintItPurple:
Now that I see her, she looks very much like a jungler, so I’m confused why [Riot] says she is a midlaner.
- PerfectExecutioner:
Yeah, I think she will also be a great jungler. You have move speed and a dash for gap-closing when ganking.
The comments also agree and find that Naafiri fits great in the jungle. Whether Riot will really adjust her for the midlane and nerf her jungle is uncertain. In LoL, several champions have already departed from their intended role and adapted. Just look at Seraphine or Karthus.
When will Naafiri be released on the live server? Naafiri will be released with the next patch 13.14 on July 19, 2023. Along with Naafiri, a new game mode will also be released, as well as the start of the second ranked split of the current season.
How do you find Naafiri so far and are you looking forward to the release? Let us know in the comments.
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