League of Legends to release assassin Locke on June 24

Riot confirmed Locke will launch on June 24, 2026. The developer identified him as champion 173 and said no other new champions are scheduled for 2026.

Riot described Locke as an AP midlane assassin with high mobility and a kit built for quick kills and flashy plays. The studio called him “cool, stylistic,” adding that he can “relate really well to his target audience.” Previews drew visual and thematic comparisons to action-game characters such as Dante and Vergil.

Riot’s presentation shows Locke’s ultimate involves an artifact that traps souls and that using it imposes a cost on the character. The kit emphasizes mobility and burst damage, with tools intended for fast engagements instead of slow scaling or broad utility.

Locke’s full name is Corvin Locke and his title is the Ashen Exorcist. His official biography places him among Demacia’s occultists and frames his mission as purging human sin through violent means when necessary. The cinematic “Back from the Brink” depicts Locke fighting a demon-possessed Vayne and using his artifact-driven powers; the cinematic suggests those powers are consuming him over time.

In-game dialogue and the cinematic indicate prior connections with other champions. After the fight with Vayne, she tells Locke, “this doesn’t mean we’re even.” A biography scene shows Locke confronting Evelynn, who refers to having a “huntress” on her tail and names Vayne. Additional voice lines reference a strained relationship with his mother.

Riot attributed the reduced champion schedule to a shift of development focus toward League Next, a major update scheduled for reveal at MSI in July. Locke will appear on live servers on June 24, 2026, after which players can test his matchups and competitive viability.