If you’ve ever binged an episode of Arcane then immediately booted up League of Legends for the first time, you’ve almost certainly asked which League of Legends characters are in Arcane. The hit Netflix show broke streaming records when it first dropped, and it’s introduced millions of new fans to the world of Runeterra who never touched a MOBA before. It’s easy to get confused at first, too, because Riot Games has retconned decades of old LoL lore to make Arcane the official core canon for both the show and the game. This guide breaks down every confirmed champion that appears in the first two seasons of Arcane, key lore differences between their on-screen and in-game versions, hidden easter eggs, and even tips for new players who want to try their favorite Arcane character in a match.
Confirmed Which League of Legends Characters Are in Arcane Seasons 1 & 2
As of the end of season 2, there are 12 playable LoL champions that have made confirmed appearances in Arcane, ranging from central protagonists to quick, blink-and-you-miss-it cameos. Riot has stated that all these character appearances are fully canon to modern League of Legends lore, so any details you learn about them in the show apply to their in-game backstories too. Below is the full list of confirmed champions, with quick context on their role in the series:
Some of these characters only appear for a few seconds, while others drive every major plot beat of the series. Riot has already confirmed that even more champions will be added in the already greenlit season 3, so this list will keep growing as the show continues.
Key Lore Differences Between Arcane Characters and Their In-Game Versions
Before Arcane premiered, League of Legends had 10+ years of messy, often contradictory lore that was rewritten every few years for new champion releases. The show’s massive success led Riot to make Arcane the official core canon for all Runeterra content, so a lot of older champion backstories were adjusted to match the show. I was shocked when I first found out Vi and Jinx weren’t always written as sisters, because their relationship feels like the core of the entire show now.
Vi and Jinx’s sibling bond is the biggest retcon tied to Arcane. Before the show, they were only hinted to be rivals from opposing cities, with no confirmed family connection at all. Riot even adjusted Vi’s in-game voice lines in 2022 to add subtle references to Jinx that didn’t exist before.
Viktor’s motivation also got a massive overhaul. Previously, his lore framed him as a cold, ruthless villain who wanted to strip all emotion from humanity to make them “perfect”. Now his desire for cybernetic augmentation is rooted in his terminal illness, his loyalty to Zaun, and his frustration with Piltover hoarding life-saving technology for its elite. The change made him one of the most beloved, sympathetic characters in the entire LoL roster.
Warwick’s identity as Vander is another 100% Arcane retcon. Before the show, Warwick’s backstory was vague, only confirming he was a former Zaunite gang leader experimented on by Singed. The reveal that he was Vi and Powder’s adopted father added a huge amount of emotional weight to his in-game voice lines, which now have subtle references to his past life.
You don’t have to know all these lore changes to enjoy the game or the show, but they add a lot of extra depth if you’re a fan of both. Riot even adjusted small ability details to match the show, like Jinx’s signature Pow-Pow minigun being the exact weapon she builds as a kid in season 1.
Cameos and Teased Champions You Might Have Missed in Arcane
Riot’s team loves hiding easter eggs for long-time LoL fans in every episode, and there are dozens of references to champions that haven’t made full appearances yet. I spent three separate rewatches pausing through Zaun’s crowded market scenes to spot all the little details, and I still missed the Teemo plushie the first two times.
Orianna is heavily teased in season 2, when we see Singed working on a small clockwork girl prototype in his lab. This lines up perfectly with her in-game backstory, which reveals she was Singed’s sick daughter who he transformed into a fully mechanical being to save her life. Most fans expect her to make a full appearance in season 3.
Camille is also hinted at multiple times in season 2, when the Kiramman family mentions their “high-risk enforcer” they only deploy for jobs that are too sensitive for the regular Piltover guard. In LoL lore, Camille is the augmented warden of Piltover’s elite families, who handles all their dirty work to protect their wealth and power.
You can also spot graffiti of Urgot, another chem baron from Zaun, on multiple walls in the undercity in season 2. Riot’s writers have already hinted he’ll play a major role in season 3 as a rival to Renata Glasc for control of Zaun’s Shimmer trade. If you keep an eye out during crowd scenes, you’ll also spot posters for Dr. Mundo, references to yordles like Lulu, and even a small statue of Garen in Piltover’s main square.
You don’t need to recognize any of these references to enjoy the show, but they’re a fun bonus for long-time LoL fans who know the full roster of champions.
How to Play Arcane Champions in League of Legends for New Players
If you came to League of Legends after watching Arcane and want to try playing your favorite character first, you don’t have to jump straight into high-stakes ranked matches. Most of the Arcane cast has kits that are accessible for new players, as long as you pick one that matches your preferred playstyle. I always recommend Vi first to new players who come to LoL from Arcane, because she’s tough, does a ton of damage, and you don’t have to stress about perfect positioning to carry a beginner match.
Vi is one of the easiest junglers for beginners to pick up. Her kit has a straightforward gap closer, a built-in shield, and heavy burst damage, so you can focus on learning the map and jungle pathing instead of mastering complex ability combos. She’s also a great pick if you prefer playing aggressively and getting into fights often.
If you prefer playing from the backline as a damage dealer, Jinx and Caitlyn are both great ADC picks for new players. Jinx’s kit is focused on high sustained damage once you build a few core items, and you just have to stay behind your team to do well. Caitlyn has an extremely long attack range, so you can stay far away from enemies and deal damage without putting yourself at risk.
If you like playing support and helping your team, Heimerdinger is a super fun, low-pressure pick. You can place turrets around objectives to defend them, and his kit includes a heal and a shield to keep your teammates alive during fights. You don’t have to make super fast, high-stakes plays to be useful with him.
It’s best to save champions like Viktor, Singed, and Ekko for later once you get the hang of the game’s basics. They have more complex kits that require good positioning and game knowledge to play well, so you’ll probably have more fun if you start with one of the simpler picks first. Riot also releases limited-time Arcane skins for all the show’s champions whenever a new season drops, so keep an eye on the in-game store if you want your character to match their on-screen look.
Whether you’re a long-time LoL fan replaying your favorite champion after a new Arcane episode drops, or a new player who first wondered which League of Legends characters are in Arcane after binging the show, there’s no wrong way to engage with both stories. Riot has done a rare good job tying the show’s lore to the game, so every time you pick Vi or Jinx for a match, you’ll have a deeper understanding of their backstory and what drives them. If you haven’t tried playing the champions from the show yet, pick one that matches your playstyle and jump into a beginner co-op match, you might be surprised how much more fun the game is when you care about the character you’re playing.