Surrender at 20: Champion Update: Irelia, the Blade Dancer

Following recent teasers, check out Champion Update: Irelia, the Blade Dancer!

Continue reading for more information, splash art, kit overhaul, and more!

From the official champion update announcement:

Irelia, the Blade Dancer

Tranquil as the sea—and furious as the tempest. A fierce defender of Ionia, Irelia trained in the ancient dances of her people and adapted her art for war. Using her graceful movements to levitate an array of deadly blades, the Blade Dancer cuts down any foe foolish enough to play at conqueror.

ABILITIES

PASSIVE: IONIAN FERVOR

Hitting enemies with spells grant Irelia stacks of Ionian Fervor for a few seconds. Hitting multiple champions with an ability grants multiple stacks, and basic attacking extends their duration. Each stack adds bonus magic damage to her basic attacks. At max stacks, this bonus damage is increased against shields, and Irelia also gains attack speed.

Q: BLADESURGE

Irelia dashes to a target, dealing physical damage (increased if it’s a minion or monster), applying on-hit effects, and healing for a small amount.

If the target was marked or dies to Bladesurge, its cooldown is refreshed.

W: DEFIANT DANCE

First Cast: Irelia begins charging her blades, losing the ability to move or attack but gaining significant damage reduction for a brief period. This channel can’t be interrupted.

Second Cast: Irelia lashes out with her blades, dealing physical damage in a line. The damage increases as Irelia charges.

E: FLAWLESS DUET

Irelia sends a blade to a location, and can recast Flawless Duet to send a second blade to another location. The blades will then fly towards one another, dealing magic damage and stunning enemies caught in the crossfire. Flawless Duet also marks champions and large monsters for a few seconds.

R: VANGUARD'S EDGE

Irelia unleashes the full force of her blades in a line. If Vanguard's Edge hits an enemy champion, the blades will radiate outward, dealing damage and marking enemy champions and large monsters, and forming a barrier that lasts for a few seconds. This blade wall deals magic damage and significantly slows enemy champions that pass through it. It also disarms them for a few seconds, making them unable to basic attack.

PLAYING AS IRELIA

As Irelia, you dance across the battlefield in a whirl of death, leaping from one enemy to another with devastating choreography. Use Flawless Duet to initiate the performance, slashing at unexpected angles to leave opponents marked and stunned. Rush in as your Ionian Fervor rises, flowing effortlessly from one mark to the next with Bladesurge.

When enemies attempt to assemble against you, split them apart with Vanguard's Edge. Confine one threat within a wall of blades while you weave among the other foes marked by the scattering of your swords. If you find yourself requiring respite in the heat of battle, a well-timed Defiant Dance will cast off the worst of your opponents’ counterattack. After a dramatic pause, return to your rhythm with another Bladesurge sequence, making swift work of those that remain.

TIPS AND TRICKS

Flawless Duet is as versatile as you are. In addition to serving as your most reliable method of applying marks, the stun makes it a great technique for both engaging and retreating. Surprise your enemies by changing up the angle of attack, when you use it, and how far the second blade falls from the first.

You can quickly tap Defiant Dance to trade the extended damage mitigation for an immediate attack. Use it to strike down fleeing enemies when you don’t have the option to Bladesurge for the last hit.

Vanguard's Edge has two main functions: Wall off priority targets, and generate marks for Bladesurge. Masterful bladedancers will force enemy carries to choose between standing still and being disarmed, while simultaneously setting up their next sequence of dashes. Try to strike hard and fast instead of engaging in protracted duels; use your mobility to win with hit-and-run (and-hit-and-run-and-hit-and-run) tactics.