spin-off titles that shift genre, and excursions into other media. It's this latter approach that sets up Arcane, the critically acclaimed Netflix animated series.

Part of celebrating the return of the League of Legends-inspired Arcane means Riot has brought some of that new season energy and visual flair to League of Legends, alongside a new Champion: Ambessa is making her debut in the Summoner's Rift, and she looks to be a beast in the field. Screen Rant was invited to an Arcane-themed preview event to see Ambessa in action and get a chance to witness how the game is tweaking itself in honor of Arcane.

Ambessa, League Of Legends' New Noxus Champion, Explained

How Ambessa Makes The Leap From Arcane To League Of Legends

League of Legends Arcane ARAM 5 screenshot of the character in armor

Introduced in Arcane season 1, Ambessa is making the leap to League of Legends ahead of season 2. Played by Ellen Thomas in the Netflix animated series, Ambessa is a Noxian general whose arrival in Piltover comes at a dangerous time for the city. The mother of council member Mel Medarda, Ambessa is a ruthless wartime commander who brings those tactics to government and civilian life. She is set to have a larger role in Arcane season 2, which picks up from the explosive ending of season 1.

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This is reflected by Ambessa's presence in League of Legends. While this doesn't reveal too much about her role in the show, Arcane's status as a prequel to the game means it's likely that she'll survive the show to make her way to Summoner's Rift. Designed as a Top Lane fighter with some adaptability for Jungle or Mid-lane play, Ambessa already looks to be a monster on the battlefield who can disrupt team strategies all on her own. She's the first Champion in some time to use Energy, giving her a unique edge over recent additions to the game's roster.

How Ambessa Controls The Battlefield

Ambessa Can Turn A Team Fight Into An Assassination

Ambessa is designed in League of Legends to be a deadly fighter capable of taking down enemies one-on-one. While she's sturdy enough to survive a team fight, she's best utilized almost as an assassin, who can suddenly shift the pitch of battle by popping up behind an enemy. Although she doesn't have the most mobility or greatest assets when it comes time to retreat, Ambessa can turn the tide of a fight by closing in on a specific enemy. Her powers, like Cunning Sweep and Drakehound's Step, make her efficient at keeping up with her targets.

Ambessa's Abilities	Ability Effect
(ive) Drakehound’s Step	When Ambessa casts an ability, issuing a move or Attack order will cause her to dash after the Ability finishes. Casting an ability also gives Ambessa a charge, which increases her attack range and speed. Attacks consume a charge to deal additional damage and restore Energy.
(Q) Cunning Sweep / Sundering Slam	Ambessa sweeps her blades forward in a semi-circle, dealing extra damage to enemies at the edge. If you hit an enemy, it readies Sundering Slam. Sundering Slam: Ambessa slams down her blades, dealing bonus damage to the first enemy hit.
(W) Repudiation	Ambessa gains a shield, braces herself, then slams the ground. If she braces herself from damage by an enemy champion, large monster, or structure, she does more damage with her slam.
(E) Lacerate	Ambessa whips her chains in a circle, damaging and briefly slowing enemies. Using Drakehound’s Step will trigger an additional strike.
(R) Public Execution	ive: Ambessa gains Armor Penetration and her Abilities heal her. Active: Ambessa becomes unstoppable and blinks to the farthest enemy champion in a line. She suppresses the target before slamming them for damage and a Stun.

Players at the Arcane-themed preview event got the opportunity to play as, team up with, and go up against Ambessa in ARAM. The execution of the character is incredibly impressive, with Ambessa capable of isolating players with relative ease. Playing as ranged Champions like Caitlin or Jinx feels extra dangerous when Ambessa is around, as her Public Execution allows her to move right through enemy teams to attack high-risk targets. Her Lacerate makes escape even harder, stalling anyone trying to make a break for it. Ambessa flows well within team fights, and is guaranteed to be a dangerous pick.

ARAM Gets An Arcane Makeover

Welcome To The Bridge Of Progress

Ambessa's inclusion in the game isn't the only way League of Legends is celebrating the arrival of Arcane season 2. The game mode ARAM is getting a limited-time make-over that celebrates and highlights the visual style and settings of Arcane. ARAM, which pits teams on a much more straightforward map than the sprawling jungles of Summoner's Rift, will be reimagined as the Bridge of Progress from Arcane. Both bases now represent the two warring cities of Zaun and Piltover, with little touches like the turrets and shop reflecting those locations.

This visual flair is a great tweak to League of Legends' ARAM mode, feeling like a genuine tribute to Arcane without distracting from the core mechanics of League of Legends. In fact, the little visual cues help ARAM stand out from the rest of the game around it, and could easily be a more permanent addition to the game.

For the time being though, fans might only have a little while to duke it out on the Bridge of Progress, making ARAM one of the best ways to play League of Legends in anticipation for Arcane.