While Valve pause momentarily to give their MOBA time to launch, work continues apace at Riot on a self-righteous magic-hurler they hope will be somebody’s next favourite champion. Lucian is a self-described Purifier who hasn’t managed to channel his urges into filtration, smelting, electrolysis or any other relatively harmless chemical cleansing processes you could name. Instead, he does all his purification on the battlefield, with two dirty great guns.
It’s those same guns that make Lucian an excellent ranged carry, say Riot. He specialises in “pummelling” opponents with fast shots, incessant dashes and barrages of brilliant-white bullets.
Players will find that Lucian’s single-shot Piercing Light ability, which burns through enemies in a direct line, makes him perfect for harassing enemies even when gridlocked by minions. Opponents will be forced to choose between taking damage or missing last hits, and will find that Lucian can quickly capitalise on their low health – closing gaps using Relentless Pursuit’s dash and Ardent Blaze’s marked-target speed burst effect.
The dash also comes in handy during teamfights, where Lucian can extricate himself from tricky situations, kite pursuing enemies, and scout out priority targets with ease. Ardent Blaze can be used to tag multiple enemies, and Piercing Light can make short work of a bunched group. Lightslinger, meanwhile, offers the Purifier an advantage in one-on-one duels; it’s a passive that has him fire two quick auto attacks after using any ability.
Lucian’s ultimate is The Culling, which sends a hail of bullets in one direction, damaging the first champion it hits while still enabling free movement and dashing.
“Simultaneous use of Relentless Pursuit allows Lucian to quickly dash away from his approaching enemies or move in towards fleeing foes,” writes Riot marketing bod Tyler Eltringham. “Earning kills with The Culling also refreshes Relentless Pursuit, making Lucian a swift death dealer while his ultimate is active.”
As ever, LoL’s latest champion reads like unbeatable opponent. The thing is, they’re all like that. It’s all in the execution, right?
Thanks, Polygon.