Aatrox champion rework ability kit announced

Aatrox, the Darkin Blade, has been re-named to Aatrox, the World Eater, and he looks metal as hell.

Riot officially revealed Aatrox’s new kit today after teasing it Monday with an equally metal video. The new Aatrox looks to fulfill the promise that the Aatrox of five years ago couldn’t: a lifestealing fighter ready to take on the top lane. This time around, he looks more like Riven than like a bruiser. And that’s exciting for some, scary for all.

It’s worth noting that Aatrox is actually losing all of his old abilities. Some of his themes still remain, however. For example, Aatrox will still be able to revive himself if he’s killed during his ultimate. But his Blood Well will not be accessible outside of that limited time. He also has healing, percent of health damage and extended auto attack range — although all of those features are attached to very different core abilities.

Here’s the full kit breakdown for Aatrox, The World Eater.

Passive: Deathbringer Stance

Aatrox’s next basic attack has increased range and deals a percentage of the target’s maximum health as damage. This attack also significantly reduces all healing and shielding on the target for a few seconds.

Deathbringer Stance’s cooldown is slightly reduced whenever Aatrox casts a spell or when he lands the edge of The Darkin Blade on a champion.

Q: The Darkin Blade

Aatrox swings his greatsword up to three times. Each cast increases in damage, impacts a unique area of effect, and can hit with the edge of the blade (a second, smaller hitbox).

Edge of the blade: Hitting enemies at the far end of the first two casts and the center of the third briefly knocks them up and deals significantly more damage.

W: Infernal Chains

Aatrox smashes the ground, damaging the first enemy hit and briefly slowing them. If it’s a champion or large monster, they are chained to the impact area.

If the chained enemy is still in the impact area after a few seconds, they are dragged to the center and take damage again.

E: Umbral Dash

Passive: Aatrox heals for a portion of the damage he deals.

Active: Aatrox dashes, increasing his attack damage for a few seconds. Umbral Dash can store up to 2 charges and can be used simultaneously with The Darkin Blade.

R: World Ender

Aatrox unleashes his full might, becoming monstrous in size and taking flight on massive wings. As he transforms, Aatrox fears nearby minions and briefly increases his movement speed (this bonus is reactivated when out of combat).

While transformed, Aatrox increases his attack damage and gains a Blood Well that stores health over World Ender’s duration, reviving him if he takes lethal damage while in his true form.