Zaahen abilities: The Darkin revive is back!

League of Legends revealed its 172nd champion: the Unsundered, Zaahen. Also known as the Darkin Glaive, he's hitting the Rift soon! Read below for all of Zaahen's skills and abilities, including his revive mechanic similar to the Aatrox of old, and his expected release date.

Zaahen will be on live servers on League of Legends Patch 25.23, scheduled for November 19, 2025.

In his lore, his host is Xin Zhao. This happened after he and Yunara fought a losing battle against Atakhan, causing Xin Zhao to offer himself up to the Darkin as a last resort. This was depicted in the Twilight's End cinematic.

Due to this, a lot of his abilities seem inspired by Xin Zhao's. His abilities and mechanics also appear consistent with other Darkin champions like Aatrox and Kayn.

The champion preview was shown during the Grand Finals of Worlds 2025.

His lead gameplay designer is Blake "Squad5" Smith. Squad5 was responsible for champs like Ivern, Ornn, Sylas, Samira, Aurora, Nilah, and Renata Glasc, to name a few.

According to Squad5, he was designed as a top laner and will be primarily balanced around that role. He also has the potential to be a jungler.

Zaahen’s attacks and abilities against enemy champions grant him stacks of Determination, gaining bonus Attack Damage per stack. When filled with Determination, Zaahen gains increased Attack Damage and can revive.

Determination is his secondary resource, and he does not use Mana or Energy. The revive mechanic is reminiscent of Aatrox's, both before and right after his rework.

Squad5 also referenced this. "The amount of times that people have brought up the fact that Aatrox lost his revive and Zaahen is getting one is always amusing," he said. "Personally though, I believe that Zaahen's revive mechanics should make the ability much more sustainable compared to Aatrox's revive that had to be removed."

Zaahen slashes twice on his next attack, dealing bonus damage and healing himself. Zaahen can recast this ability to have his next attack deal bonus damage and knock up his target.

This bears some similarities to Xin Zhao's Q - namely, the components that enhance their basic attacks and end in a knockup.

Zaahen stabs in a direction, damaging enemies hit and pulling them toward him.

Another skill that took heavy inspiration from Xin Zhao. Their W abilities function similarly, but the Darkin champion's gets a little pull with the pierce.

Zaahen dashes to a location and slices around himself.

This is incredibly similar to Kayn's Q.

Zaahen rises then stabs downward, damaging enemies and healing for a portion of the damage dealt.

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