New champion Zeri is live in League of Legends with patch 12.2

Zeri, the Spark of Zaun, will officially go live in League of Legends’ patch 12.2.

The new marksman headlines this latest patch, with Zeri dashing into bot lanes on live servers with the newest patch on January 20. Zeri brings a unique auto-attack mechanic to the game and is a crossover collaboration with Valorant’s newest agent Neon.

Who is Zeri, The Spark of Zaun?

Zeri, the Spark of Zaun, is a speedster who steals shields and amps up into a team fighting menace using her extreme mobility. Her passive ability allows her to steal the damage she deals to enemy shields and build it up into a shield of her own. Her auto-attacks functions as though they were spells, while her Q ability, Burst Fire, is a burst of lightning that functions near identically to a standard auto-attack. This strange mirrored functionality means that Zeri walks a thin line between a spell-slinging AD carry and a traditional marksman.

Zeri’s W is a short-range linear skill shot that slows enemies when hit, and if the projectile hits terrain the distance taken up by the lightning bolt is dramatically increased. Zeri’s E is a short range dash that makes her next three casts of Burst Fire pierce enemies. If she hits a piece of terrain, she’ll continue over the terrain in the same angle she dashed into it. Her ultimate damages and slows nearby enemies while giving Zeri a ton of bonus movement speed, damage, and attack speed. While she’s under its effects, her Burst Fire casts chain to nearby enemies.

Lethal Tempo adjusted

One of the other big changes in this patch is the adjustment to the keystone rune Lethal Tempo. It’s been too oppressive early in games, so Riot Games is looking to make it less effective at early levels and more threatening in the late-game stages. Melee champions using Lethal Tempo will get even more attack speed at levels 15 and higher.

Other changes players can look forwards to include a swath of buffs for champions who have been struggling, as well as brand new Firecracker, Withered Rose, Crystal Rose, and Porcelain Protectors skins.