Riot Games has given us the first look at the next champion coming to LoL, Locke. Making a debut in a new “Back from the Brink” cinematic trailer, Locke fights alongside Vayne in a highly stylised trailer.
Much like the Act 2 trailers’ style, this latest Locke trailer follows on the format from the Season 2 Pandemonium update.
Locke League of Legends Release Date
Locke is due for release on the Rift on June 24th. He will take on the role of a mid-lane AP assassin. Similar in gameplay style to Diana or Ekko, though with an entirely unique kit.
The champion has been rumoured for some time, with a fair few leaks on X from the start of 2026. He has also been officially confirmed now by Riot, with Head of League Studio Andrei “Meddler” van Roon noting he’s perfect for “fans of assassins that offer high burst, if you get your setup right.”
It’s worth flagging: per a Reddit comment from Meddler, there will only be one champion released in 2026 overall, and that’s presumably Locke. So if you’ve been patiently waiting for a new face on the Rift, this is your moment.
Locke’s Abilities and Playstyle
Riot has kept ability specifics close to the chest, but the design intent is clear: Locke is a conditional assassin whose damage ceiling is high but gated behind proper execution. Think less “jump in and hit R,” more “set everything up perfectly, then absolutely delete someone.” That framing puts him in the same conversation as champions like Zed or Akali, where mechanical depth separates the player who pops off from the one who just feeds.
From earlier leaks, we do have a rough idea of what his kit involves. His Q is a skillshot called “Soul Nail,” involving tossing a giant nail forward. His second form, which is still unclear, also involves nails spinning around him during the transformation.
There’s also a “sealed artifact” interaction hinted at in leaked footage, though the full details of his abilities remain unclear. Executive Producer Paul “Pabro” Bellezza described Locke as “slinging nails and taking names.” It’s a vibe.
Locke’s Launch Skin
Locke’s debut in Patch 26.13 will also feature a launch skin from the popular High Noon line, and he’ll share this thematic release with Akshan, who is also receiving a High Noon skin in the same update. Launching with a High Noon skin on day one is a solid sign that Riot has confidence in the character commercially, and it means you won’t have to wait around if you fancy picking up a cosmetic right away.