Everything You Need to Know About New LoL Champion Locke
Riot Games has announced Locke, the 173rd playable champion for League of Legends. The character will be released during Patch 26.13, marking a significant moment for the game as Locke is the only new champion planned for the entire year of 2026.
Locke is a Demacian exorcist and nail-slinger who specializes in fighting demons. Thematically, he prioritizes freeing souls and combating humanity’s darkness over personal glory. His character design reflects this philosophical approach to his craft.
In-game, Locke functions as a high-mobility AP assassin with a unique mechanical identity centered around ritual nails. His kit allows him to stack these nails on opponents and ultimately execute them, sealing their souls away in his artifact. This execute mechanic gives him a distinct playstyle compared to other assassins in the game.
The announcement of Locke comes alongside news that Riot is significantly shifting its 2026 development priorities. Rather than releasing multiple new champions, the studio is focusing on visual and gameplay updates (VGUs) for existing champions. Shyvana has been confirmed as one of the champions receiving a VGU refresh, highlighting Riot’s commitment to modernizing its champion roster.
This strategic pivot suggests Riot is prioritizing the health and balance of its existing roster over introducing new content. The decision to release only a single new champion in a full year is notable and indicates a long-term vision focused on quality updates to legacy content rather than rapid new champion releases.