If you just binged every episode of Arcane and immediately downloaded League of Legends, you’re not alone. The hit animated show brought millions of new players to Riot’s flagship MOBA, all eager to play as their favorite chaotic, emotionally complex characters from the streets of Piltover and Zaun. Your first question is probably what characters from arcane are in league of legends, and how closely their in-game versions match the people you grew attached to on screen. We’re breaking down every crossover character, key differences between their show and in-game lore, and tips for playing them if you’re brand new to League.
Full List: What Characters From Arcane Are in League of Legends
All the core characters from both Arcane season 1 and 2 that are currently playable in League are listed below, with quick notes on their roles in the game. A handful of fan-favorite side characters haven’t been added to the game yet, but Riot has teased future releases for some of the most requested names.
Note that characters like Silco, Mel Medarda, and young Powder (before she becomes Jinx) are not currently playable in League. Riot has hinted that Silco may be added as a champion in a future update, so keep an eye on patch notes if you’re holding out to main him.
How In-Game Abilities Match Arcane Character Personalities
Riot intentionally designed most of these champions long before Arcane was released, but the show’s writers worked closely with the game team to make sure on-screen actions aligned with existing in-game kits. The result is a surprisingly seamless match between how characters act in the show and how they play in League.
For example, when Vi uses her Vault Breaker ability to charge through minions and stun an enemy, it’s exactly the same move she uses to break up fights in Zaun’s undercity in season 1. Vi’s ultimate ability, Assault and Battery, lets her charge across the map to stun a high-priority enemy, which mirrors her habit of rushing headfirst into danger to protect people she cares about.
Jinx’s kit is even more aligned with her on-screen personality. Her entire kit revolves around chaos: she places explosive chomper traps, fires long-range zaps, and her ultimate ability is a giant rocket that deals massive damage across a wide area. She even has a built-in speed boost when she gets a takedown, which matches her giddy, hyperactive reaction to causing trouble in the show.
I’ve noticed that new players who pick characters they recognize from Arcane often learn faster, because they already have a sense of how the character would act in a fight. If you watched Arcane and thought “Ekko would definitely dodge that attack and hit the enemy from behind”, you already have a good instinct for how to play him in game.
Key Lore Differences Between Arcane and League of Legends
Before Arcane launched, League of Legends had 10+ years of existing lore for Piltover and Zaun characters, and much of it didn’t line up with the story told in the show. Riot has since retconned most old lore to make Arcane the official canon for these characters, but there are still a few key differences you might run into if you look up old fan content.
In old League lore, Vi and Jinx didn’t have a confirmed sibling relationship until Arcane launched. The game team only dropped small hints that the two had a shared past, and many fans assumed they were just rivals before the show confirmed their family tie. Riot updated both of their official bio pages after season 1 released to match the show’s backstory.
Jayce’s original lore painted him as a far more arrogant, unlikable character, but Riot adjusted his backstory to match the more sympathetic version from the show. Old lore framed him as a selfish inventor who cared more about fame than helping people, while the show’s version is a flawed but well-meaning person trying to do the right thing. His in-game voice lines were even updated slightly to reflect this shift.
Warwick’s backstory also got a major overhaul after Arcane. Old lore said he was a gangster who was experimented on by Singed, but there was no mention of him being Vi and Jinx’s father figure. The season 1 post-credit scene confirmed his identity as Vander, and Riot added subtle voice lines to Warwick that reference his past as a father and protector of Zaun. If you’re only familiar with Arcane, don’t be surprised if you see old lore posts that contradict what you saw on screen. Riot has stated clearly that Arcane is now the official canon for all Piltover and Zaun characters, so any old content that doesn’t match the show is no longer considered official.
Tips for New Players Wanting to Main Arcane Characters
Picking a champion you already know and love from Arcane is one of the best ways to make learning League less overwhelming. That said, some Arcane characters are far more beginner-friendly than others, and it’s easy to get frustrated if you pick a high-skill character as your first main.
Vi is one of the most beginner-friendly Arcane characters, with a simple kit that only requires you to land your Q ability to be effective. She’s tanky enough to survive mistakes, and her abilities are straightforward enough that you don’t have to memorize complex combos to contribute to your team. She’s a great pick if you like being in the middle of fights and don’t want to worry about positioning too much.
If you prefer playing ranged characters, start with Caitlyn instead of Jinx. Caitlyn has an extremely long basic attack range, so you can stay far away from danger while dealing damage. Jinx is a ton of fun, but she has no built-in escape abilities, so you’ll need to stick close to your support to stay alive in team fights. That makes her a bad pick for players who hate relying on teammates to stay safe.
If you want to play support, start with Heimerdinger before trying Renata Glasc. Heimerdinger’s kit is simple: you place turrets to defend your lane, shield your ADC, and use your ultimate to make your turrets extra powerful during team fights. Renata has far more complex abilities that require good timing and game sense to use effectively, so save her for once you’ve got the hang of basic support roles.
Don’t feel pressured to play a character just because you liked them in the show. If you pick Jinx and find you hate playing ADC, try Vi or Ekko instead. The point is to have fun, not force yourself to stick to a character you don’t enjoy just because you liked their arc in the show.
At the end of the day, finding out what characters from arcane are in league of legends is just the first step to having a great time as a new player. Whether you main Vi, spam Jinx’s laugh in chat, or spend hours learning Viktor’s combos, the crossover between the show and the game makes learning League a lot more fun for new fans. If you take it slow, pick characters that fit your playstyle, and don’t get discouraged by losses, you’ll be climbing ranks with your favorite Arcane character in no time.