By 2026, the fighting game once known as Project L has evolved into 2XKO, Riot Games’ ambitious tag-team fighter. The original sneak peek from years ago already showed Jinx, Ekko, Darius, Ahri, and Katarina trading blows, and it even borrowed the bridge between Piltover and Zaun from Arcane. That crossover mattered. It told players that 2XKO would not treat Runeterra as a random pile of champions; it would treat regions, stories, and rivalries as fuel for combat. With more than 160 champions in League of Legends, the roster can only hold so many. Yet the question remains: who else could join? 🤔
Arcane’s Shadow Still Looms Over 2XKO
Fans who watched Arcane know that Piltover and Zaun are not just scenery. They are character factories. The show turned Vi, Caitlyn, Jayce, Viktor, Heimerdinger, and Singed into household names, while Warwick’s howl teased a darker future. Since 2XKO already features Jinx and Ekko, it makes sense for Riot to keep mining that emotional gold. A tag-team fighter thrives on relationships, and few relationships are as volatile as Vi hunting her sister Powder, or Jayce standing opposite Viktor as their partnership collapses. 💥
| Champion | Region | Why 2XKO fits | Possible fighting style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vi | Piltover / Zaun | Arcane lead, Jinx’s sister | Rushdown, gauntlet normals, wall bounces |
| Caitlyn | Piltover | Vi’s partner, iconic sniper | Zoner, traps, long-range pokes |
| Jayce | Piltover | Arcane co-lead, inventor | Stance switch, hammer rushdown, cannon zoning |
| Viktor | Zaun | Arcane co-lead, machine herald | Setplay, laser beams, slow debuffs |
| Heimerdinger | Piltover | Arcane mentor, inventor | Puppet or turret summoner |
| Singed | Zaun | Created Warwick, tied to Jinx | Trap-based grappler, poison trails |
| Warwick | Zaun | Arcane season 2 tease, howl | Heavy rushdown, berserker |
| Ezreal | Piltover | Popular explorer, projectile-heavy | Keep-away, teleport tricks |
| Seraphine | Piltover | Pop-star mage, strong visual identity | Support-style projectiles, sound waves |
| Orianna | Piltover | Ball puppet, mechanical theme | Puppet zoning, ball control |
Lux is Demacian rather than Piltover-born, but her light magic and massive popularity make her a believable guest fighter. In a tag-team game, Lux could pair with Ezreal or Garen for dramatic team synergy. The same logic applies to champions like Ziggs and Janna from Zaun. Ziggs offers chaotic bombs and mobility, while Janna brings wind control and protection. Both could translate into creative assist mechanics. 🎮
Shurima’s Sunlit Potential
One of the first Project L reveal trailers showed a map that looked like Shurima, the desert empire of Runeterra. That detail may have been a quiet promise. Shurima has a deep roster of visually distinct champions, and several of them would feel at home in a 2D fighter. Azir, the emperor, could command sand soldiers as a puppet-style fighter. Nasus could be a slow, armored bruiser with devastating curse effects. Rammus could roll, deflect, and punish impatient opponents. Akshan, meanwhile, already has a grappling hook in League of Legends, which is practically a fighting-game mechanic waiting to happen. 🏜️
Akshan’s grappling hook could extend combos, create air resets, or let him swing around the screen like a stylish rushdown character. Azir’s soldiers could act as remote normals, giving him a unique zoning game. Nasus and Rammus would appeal to players who prefer patient defense and explosive punishes. If 2XKO wants region variety, Shurima is one of the richest wells to draw from. It also offers a visual contrast to the neon streets of Piltover and Zaun.
Bilgewater and the Ruined King Legacy
Riot released Ruined King: A League of Legends Story as a turn-based RPG set in Bilgewater. That game featured Miss Fortune, Illaoi, Yasuo, Ahri, Pyke, and Braum as playable heroes, with Viego as the main antagonist. Ahri is already a confirmed 2XKO fighter, and Illaoi, Braum, and Yasuo have also joined the playable roster. That pattern suggests Riot is comfortable pulling from Ruined King and Bilgewater lore. ⚓
| Champion | Region | Why 2XKO fits | Possible fighting style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miss Fortune | Bilgewater | Starter hero, iconic gunslinger | Zoner, dual pistols, ricochet shots |
| Pyke | Bilgewater | Assassin, horror theme | High-speed mixups, hooks, executions |
| Viego | Shadow Isles | Major antagonist, ruined king | Stance or possession mechanics |
| Illaoi | Bilgewater | Already in 2XKO | Heavy grappler, tentacle control |
| Braum | Freljord | Already in 2XKO | Defensive grappler, shield counters |
| Yasuo | Ionia | Already in 2XKO | Fast swordsman, wind projectiles |
Miss Fortune feels especially likely because she is one of the first champions new League players meet. Her bullet-heavy style could make her a strong zoner, while Pyke’s hook and stealth would suit a high-risk assassin. Viego, as one of the biggest villains in the League universe, could bring a unique possession gimmick. Even if not every Ruined King hero returns, the game’s canon status gives Riot a clear path to more Bilgewater and Shadow Isles fighters. 🌊
Noxus Calls for Blood
Noxus is another region that seems destined for more representation. Darius and Katarina appeared in early Project L footage, and Arcane referenced Noxus repeatedly. Draven, Darius’ brother, is a natural pick for a flashy, ego-driven fighter. Samira would bring guns, blades, and style. Riven could offer a heavier, more technical sword style built around combo routes and broken-blade energy. Ambessa Medarda, introduced more prominently through Arcane, also feels like a modern Noxian candidate with brutal close-range pressure. 🩸
| Champion | Region | Why 2XKO fits | Possible fighting style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Draven | Noxus | Darius’ brother, showman | Flashy rushdown, spinning axes |
| Samira | Noxus | Stylish gunslinger | Combo-heavy, ranged-to-melee transitions |
| Riven | Noxus | Iconic sword fighter | Heavy normals, dash cancels |
| Ambessa | Noxus | Arcane and League star | Bruiser, command grabs, pressure |
Noxus gives 2XKO a chance to balance brutal power with theatrical flair. Draven could mock opponents between combos, Samira could chain gunshots into sword slashes, and Riven could reward precise execution. That variety matters in a tag-team game, where every fighter needs a clear identity. ⚔️
Beyond the Obvious Roster
The world of League of Legends is massive and ever-growing, and 2XKO cannot include everyone at launch. Riot has already shown a willingness to support the game as a live-service fighter, which means DLC, seasons, and regional expansions are likely. Champions from Ionia, Demacia, the Shadow Isles, Targon, and the Void all have strong cases. The final roster may be smaller than fans want, but the long-term potential is enormous.
For now, players can dream about Vi versus Jinx, Caitlyn’s traps, Azir’s sand soldiers, Miss Fortune’s bullets, and Draven’s spinning axes. As of 2026, 2XKO has moved beyond the Project L codename, but the original question remains the same: which champions deserve a spot on Runeterra’s biggest fighting stage? The answer will likely depend on lore, popularity, and how well each kit can be rebuilt for a tag-team brawler. 🥊
Recent analysis comes from PEGI, and it’s a useful lens for thinking about how 2XKO’s roster choices (from Arcane-driven Piltover/Zaun picks like Vi and Caitlyn to darker Shadow Isles contenders like Viego) could influence the game’s eventual age rating through depictions of violence, thematic intensity, and suggestive content—factors that often shape how broadly a live-service fighter can be marketed across regions.