Riot released champion 100, Jayce, in 2012. In the 11 years since, we’ve only received a further 66 (as of Hwei). Meaning since then, the champions released year-by-year have become a lot more more reflective of their time of release, and came out to perhaps a tad more fanfare (sometimes).
So which year’s “Class of” champions is the best, considering how they were then, how they are now, their designs, teasers, kits, or any other metric you can think of? (This list doesn’t include VGUs, simply new champions)
- Class of 2013: Thresh, Quinn, Zac, Lissandra, Lucian, Jinx, Yasuo
- Class of 2014: Braum, Gnar, Azir, Kalista, Rek’sai
- Class of 2015: Bard, Ekko, Tahm Kench, Kindred, Illaoi
- Class of 2016: Jhin, Aurelion Sol, Taliyah, Kled, Ivern, Camille
- Class of 2017: Xayah, Rakan, Kayn, Ornn, Zoe
- Class of 2018: Kai’sa, Pyke, Neeko
- Class of 2019: Sylas, Yuumi, Qiyana, Senna, Aphelios
- Class of 2020: Sett, Lillia, Yone, Samira, Seraphine, Rell
- Class of 2021: Viego, Gwen, Akshan, Vex
- Class of 2022: Zeri, Renata, Bel’veth, Nilah, K’Sante
- Class of 2023: Milio, Naafiri, Briar, Hwei (upcoming)
I like a lot of the earlier champs but 2015 - 2016 are pretty special to me in terms of kits and design. I always try every champ when they come out but there haven’t been many I’ve liked since then. Looking forward to Hwei though, hope his kit is as fun to play as it looks