League Of Legends: Most Evil Champions, According To The Lore

As a seasoned summoner with years of experience traversing the lands of Runeterra, I must say that the rogues gallery of villains in this realm is truly a sight to behold. From the twisted minds of the game’s creators at Riot Games, these characters have been crafted with such intricate detail and depth that they feel almost too real.

One of the unexpected side effects of everyone watching Riot’s Arcane, both season 1 and season 2, is that people are suddenly becoming interested in the League of Legends lore again. Since the story of Vi, Caitlyn, and Jinx did so well, who’s to say that the next story can’t do equally as well focusing on a League of Legends character from another Region, like Noxus or Ionia? Or, what about a story focused on the more ‘evil’ Champions?

Absolutely, the realm of Runeterra isn’t strictly divided into good and bad, but it does house several characters who could plausibly be labeled as villainous (not just disliked champions). Let me share a few standout instances.

9. Mordekaiser

The Iron Revenant

In the realm of Runeterra, Mordekaiser stands out as the quintessential embodiment of unadulterated malevolence. His wickedness is so profound that even a figure as potent and equally corrupt as Leblanc appears to be singularly determined to thwart his potential resurrection.

In simpler terms, Mordekaiser, formerly known as Sahn-Uzal, is a warlord hailing from an ancient era, even predating the Rune Wars. His ambition was to conquer the world as a testament to his faith in his dark religion, aiming to reach a place similar to Valhalla called the Hall of Bones. However, upon his death, he discovered that the afterlife was merely an endless fog, which drove him mad with anger and hatred. Now in this afterlife, Mordekaiser is constructing an undead empire using the souls of those he defeated as building materials, patiently waiting for his chance to return to Runeterra and wreak destruction.

8. Naafiri

The Hound of a Hundred Bites

Moving on from an instance that’s quite clearly malevolent to one that’s rather puzzling, let’s delve into the character known as Naafiri. Naafiri belongs to the Darkin race, an ancient group of lifeforms that are innately evil and possess immense power. They were eventually imprisoned within various weapons. Typically, when these weapons come into contact with humans, the humans in question become hosts for the Darkin, completely overtaken by them. Characters like Aatrox, Kayn, and Varus serve as examples of either Darkin themselves or individuals who have been (partially or fully) controlled by a weapon possessed by a Darkin.

Despite a string of misfortunes, Naafiri unwillingly assumed leadership over a swarm of Shuriman Dune Hounds. Since his consciousness was scattered among these wild creatures, the malicious schemes Naafiri once harbored are now impossible to execute, even though he yearns for violence. Over time, as he dwelled within these animals, they began to comprehend pack behavior, a trait not inherently wicked. Thus, Naafiri’s influence is gradually becoming less malevolent over time.

7. Xerath

The Magus Ascendant

It is widely believed that the character Xerath, known for his villainous deeds, was instrumental in sealing Shurima beneath the sand. Originally bonded with Azir, Xerath served him both loyally and secretively, plotting and manipulating behind the scenes without Azir’s knowledge. As a human, Xerath would go to great lengths for both Azir and his own schemes, resorting to dark magic to ensure that no other heir more deserving than himself could be born from Azir’s mother.

However, the most heinous act by Xerath occurred during Azir’s Ascension, a day when the new Emperor was poised to transform into a divine being like Nasus and Renekton. But instead of witnessing this transformation, Xerath shoved Azir off the platform, causing his death. The ritual intended for Azir had an unforeseen effect on Xerath; rather than empowering him as planned, it transformed him into an energy-based entity. Tragically, this same power destruction resulted in the obliteration of all life and structures within the stunning city of Shurima.

6. Singed

The Mad Chemist

In my gaming world, I’ve found myself quite intrigued by Singed from the show Arcane. Even though his character is portrayed differently in Arcane compared to League lore, he remains a fascinating figure. Unlike most, Singed isn’t a fan of Hextech; instead, he holds a strong belief in the power of natural and alchemical sciences over magic.

My relentless pursuit for edge in gaming led me down a dark path, transforming me from an ally to a foe. The twisted experiments Singed conducts in his quest for innovation are truly horrifying, making him the epitome of a ‘mad scientist’ within the realm of League.

5. The ‘Demonic’ Champions

The Ancient Fear, Agony’s Embrace, The River King, & The Eternal Nightmare

In the realm of Runeterra, demons are essentially malevolent entities born from the intense emotions such as hatred, torment, and pain experienced during the Rune Wars. Once they manifested physically, these demons continued to grow stronger, acquiring consciousness, sentience, and a more tangible form by draining energy from others. Interestingly, each of these known demons embodies a single emotion, which appears to be their preferred source of sustenance. So far, four demons have been identified:

Fiddlesticks: A Demacian-borne menace and folktale ‘boogeyman’ who is solely focused on making its victims feel as much Fear as possible before devouring them.
Evelyn: A demon obsessed with drawing victims in using her expertly crafted voluptuous human female forme, only to feast on their Lust (and their life) once they’ve let their guard down.
Nocturne: A demon very similar to Fiddlesticks who feeds on Terror and Fear, but usually through nightmares and endless sleep.
Tahm Kench: The recent ‘Demon’ Champion to come out, and one with an endless stomach that feasts on all of the Greed in Bilgewater and even Zaun using deals and contracts.

4. Veigar

The Tiny Master of Evil

Originally a novice-friendly character, Veigar was once an innocently naive Yordle who joined early Noxite mages in their celestial magic studies. However, after Mordekaiser seized power over the lands, he slaughtered these mages for their lack of combat skills and abducted Veigar to serve as his own immortal spellcaster.

For centuries, Veigar did just that, until his own memories and magic became just as twisted as the place he was bound. Funnily enough, once Vegiar found himself free of the Immortal Bastion, he doesn’t actually commit all that much genuine villainy, but he believes that he does, and that’s all that really matters.

3. The Voidborn

The Entire Collection of Voidborne Champions

The Voidborne, similar to demons, constitute a group of enigmatic characters with a dark reputation. To clarify, creatures from the Void aren’t inherently evil; instead, they act according to their biological instincts, shaped and given consciousness by the Watchers in the Void. However, their actions are significantly malevolent compared to most other Champions. It’s important to note that not all characters linked with the Void are villainous (Kassadin and Kai’Sa are exceptions). Nevertheless, there are five characters who meet the criteria of being evil Voidborne.

Cho’Gath is one of the oldest Champions, and yes basically has almost no lore. He suddenly came into being in Runeterra one day, and as soon as he was given life Cho’Gath knew hunger. His sole purpose in life is to eat and grow, no matter who (or what) he eats.
Vel’Koz is basically the longest-lasting Voidborn ‘scout’ of the Watchers. It has been scouring the highs and lows of Runeterra since the early days of history, learning, studying, and deconstructing, all for the sake of giving The Watchers more intel.
Kog’Maw is basically a tiny version of Cho’Gath. Like Cho’Gath, Kog’Maw is best known for his ability to devour anything and everything, no matter how much or how large it is. But unlike Cho’Gath, Kog’Maw does this to learn about and understand the world around him. All this is to subtly say that he eats people too.
Kha’Zix: Where Vel’Koz was created to learn, Kha’Zix was created to hunt, and to hunt the most capable warriors in Valoran more specifically. Given an innate ability to adapt to his surroundings, Kha’Zix is the ‘hunter’ and/or the ‘assassin’ Champion of the Voidborn.
Rek’Sai, like Kog’Maw and Cho’Gath, is another eater Voidborn, but Rek’Sai tunnels and digs by eating, which can actually be more destructive. She’s like a bloodthirsty shark that can swim through just about anything.
Bel’Veth is the leader of the Voidborn overall, and basically a ‘perfect’ being crafted by the Void to slowly devour, convert, and overtake all of Runeterra. What Bel’Veth devours, she leaves new twisted replicas behind her. Bel’Veth is by far both the most evil of the Voidborn and simultaneously the least evil, as she is just following the ‘logic’ she was given at birth and doesn’t seem to relish or enjoy any of the mass destruction she participates in.

2. The Shadow Isle Champions

The Spider Queen, The Shadow of War, & The Chain Warden

Originally called the Blessed Isles, these islands were once vibrant lands filled with life, wisdom, and treasures of immense magical power. However, under the rule of a certain Undying King (also known as Viego), they have transformed into a haunting realm shrouded in Black Mist, which taints anyone unfortunate enough to meet their end there. Although characters like Vex, Viego, Kallista, and Maokai are not strictly evil, they possess more intricate moral complexities. Here are some Champions who are decidedly villainous in nature.

Elise: A member of Noxian nobility who murdered her husband, went to the Shadow Isles, and was turned into a spider-esque abomination by Vilemaw. She now works for LeBlanc in exchange for a steady supply of victims to sacrifice to her spidery god.
Hecarim: A glory-obsessed man who was once the head of the Iron Order under Viego’s command. He has now been mutated and merged with his trusty steed to give his current appearance. Still obsessed with conquest, glory, and bloodshed, Hecarim is at the frontline of every Black Mist invasion.
Thresh: A fiend who was once tasked with guarding cursed artifacts deep underground in Helia of the Blessed Isles, but was soon corrupted by these curses and became a shadow of his former self who was sickeningly obsessed with torture. After the Harrowing, Thresh is now able to bind souls to his lantern and torture them for all eternity.

1. Jhin

The Virtuoso

Ultimately, Jhin represents one of the few individuals in Runeterra who comes close to being a pure human psychopath – a twisted serial artist. Originally imprisoned in Ionia, he was eventually set free by a mysterious group that secretly controls the Ionian council. Now, Jhin is once more at liberty to pursue his ‘artistic’ endeavors.

Currently, he holds dual roles: one as a hired assassin through this organization, and another as a part-time manifestation of psychopathy. In his twisted perspective, he considers the deaths he orchestrates as artistic expressions. Using his firearm like a painter’s brush, Jhin embodies one of the most sinister and disturbed characters ever introduced by Riot Games.

2024-12-02 04:54