Darkin in League of Legends: Champions, Weapons & Lore

The Darkin are a faction of five fallen Ascended warriors in League of Legends, corrupted by blood magic during the Great Darkin War and imprisoned inside sentient weapons.

The five known Darkin in League of Legends are Aatrox (the Darkin Blade), Rhaast (the Darkin Scythe, wielded by Kayn), Varus (the Darkin Bow), Naafiri (the Darkin Dagger), and Xolaani (the Darkin Bloodletters).

Each Darkin is trapped inside their own weapon, and whoever wields that weapon becomes their host — slowly corrupted as the Darkin tries to take full control. This guide covers every Darkin champion, their weapons, lore, and role in the broader story of Runeterra.

All Darkin Champions at a Glance

There are five Darkin in League of Legends. Here's every Darkin champion, their weapon, and current host.

Origins of the Darkin

The Darkin’s story begins with the Ascended, human warriors from the Shuriman Empire who were granted immense power through the Sun Disc. These Ascended were tasked with defending Shurima against catastrophic threats, most notably the Void, an ancient enemy that wreaked havoc across the land.

Despite their divine power, the toll of endless warfare began to corrupt the minds of the Ascended. The final blow came when Emperor Azir was betrayed by Xerath, leading to the fall of Shurima. With no leader to guide them, many Ascended succumbed to their darker instincts, driven by ambition and hunger for power.

These once-heroic figures used forbidden blood magic to transform their bodies, gradually becoming monstrous. Over time, they became known as the Darkin, which translates roughly to "the fallen."

The Darkin, now twisted versions of their former selves, waged a civil war across Runeterra. This conflict, known as the Great Darkin War, devastated entire nations as the Darkin clashed for dominance.

Ultimately, their war came to an end when powerful mages and the Aspects of Targon managed to imprison them within their own weapons.

The Darkin Imprisonment

The mages of Runeterra and the Aspects found a way to trap the Darkin inside their weapons. By merging the Darkin’s physical forms with the celestial power in their hearts, they effectively sealed the Darkin in a prison they could not escape.

These sentient weapons were then hidden across the world to ensure the Darkin’s power could never be fully unleashed again.

However, the imprisonment was not a permanent solution. If a mortal finds one of these weapons, the Darkin can slowly influence their wielder, tempting them with power. The relationship between the Darkin and their host is parasitic, with the Darkin seeking to dominate the mind of the mortal and regain a mockery of freedom.

This constant struggle for control can have dire consequences for the wielder, as seen with champions like Kayn, who wields the Darkin scythe, Rhaast.

[caption align="aligncenter" width="800"]The Shadow Assassin (Kayn) and Rhaast are in a constant battle for control over Kayn's body. (Credit: Riot Games)[/caption]

Darkin Champions in League of Legends

Currently, five Darkin have been revealed in League of Legends, each bound to a unique weapon that embodies their corrupted power. These champions include:

Aatrox: The Darkin Blade

Aatrox was one of the most feared warriors during the Great Darkin War. Once a noble Ascended, he became a bloodthirsty warlord, craving destruction. Aatrox wields a massive sword, which is his prison. He seeks to use his host to bring about the end of all existence, believing that annihilation is the only escape from his suffering.

[caption align="aligncenter" width="800"]Aatrox is out to destroy everything in his path. (Credit: Riot Games)[/caption]

Aatrox’s modern lore places him as more than just another surviving Darkin: he is effectively the warlord-symbol of one side of the Darkin conflict. In Legends of Runeterra’s Darkin Saga material, he stands in direct opposition to Xolaani, whose hemomancy-driven ideal is domination through forced unity.

Aatrox’s faction, by contrast, is not “heroic” freedom so much as apocalyptic refusal: he would rather burn the world down than submit to Xolaani’s control. This makes their rivalry one of ideology as much as power - Xolaani seeks to enslave the Darkin and impose order, while Aatrox rallies those who reject her, even if his end goal remains the annihilation of Runeterra itself.

Riot’s Universe bio still frames Aatrox as the first Darkin to regain freedom after centuries of weapon-imprisonment, corrupting hosts through the blade that contains him. In-game, Aatrox carries that identity into his playable champion design. He is known as Aatrox, the Darkin Blade, a melee, manaless top-lane juggernaut/fighter whose kit revolves around heavy greatsword strikes, healing through combat, and extended skirmishes rather than quick assassination.

Lore-wise, the wider Darkin plot has moved back into focus with the recent Yunara-related material. While Aatrox himself has not received a major new lore update, the Darkin as a whole are being positioned as an active threat line, which brings into consideration Aatrox's rivalry with Xolaani as a massive plot point to explore.

Aatrox’s gameplay reflects his nature as a relentless fighter, capable of healing himself through damage dealt to his enemies. His abilities allow him to knock up, slow, and engage opponents, making him a formidable force in any team fight.

For gameplay builds, combos, and tips, see our League of Legends Aatrox guide.

Rhaast: The Darkin Scythe

Rhaast is another Darkin trapped within a weapon, a scythe that is currently wielded by Kayn, a human assassin. Unlike Aatrox, Rhaast does not yet have full control over his host. He constantly tries to corrupt Kayn, whispering promises of power in exchange for Kayn surrendering his mind.

[caption align="aligncenter" width="800"]Rhaast's presence never leaves Kayn, often threatening to take over. (Credit: Riot Games)[/caption]

The dynamic between Rhaast and Kayn is unique in League of Legends, as players can choose to allow Rhaast to take over, transforming Kayn into a Darkin champion.

Rhaast’s abilities focus on dealing massive amounts of damage and healing based on the damage he inflicts. He thrives in close-quarters combat, where his sustain can help him dominate longer engagements.

Varus: The Darkin Bow

Varus is a Darkin trapped within a bow, and his story is one of tragedy. His current form is a tri-symbiotic entity, as Varus shares his body with two mortals, Valmar and Kai. These two lovers released Varus while trying to rescue one another, and now their bodies serve as the vessel for the Darkin’s power.

[caption align="aligncenter" width="800"]Once a skilled Shuriman archer, Varus lost his path in his search for vengeance. (Credit: Riot Games)[/caption]

Varus’s gameplay revolves around his powerful ranged attacks. His abilities allow him to poke enemies from a distance, apply crowd control, and deal devastating damage in team fights. Varus’s lore reflects his complex nature, with the struggle between Varus and his hosts constantly playing out in his mind.

Naafiri: The Darkin Dagger

Naafiri, the Darkin Dagger, is bound to a pack of Shuriman dune hounds. Unlike other Darkin, Naafiri manifests through a collective rather than a single host. This makes her one of the more unique Darkin in both lore and gameplay. While she retains her vicious tendencies, she relies on the cooperation of her pack to exert her influence and carry out her plans.

[caption align="aligncenter" width="800"]Naafiri bound herself to a pack of hounds in the Shurima desert. (Credit: Riot Games)[/caption]

Xolaani: The Darkin Bloodletters

Xolaani leads the second faction of Darkin, opposing Aatrox’s goal of destroying everything. Xolaani seeks to unite Runeterra under a hivemind, believing that subjugation is the only path to order.

Her weapon, the Bloodletters, allows her to enslave her hosts and those she defeats. Her influence is growing, and she has already gained control of several other Darkin during her awakening.

[caption align="aligncenter" width="800"]Xolaani is perhaps the most powerful Darkin there is. (Credit: Riot Games)[/caption]

TL;DR: 

The Great Darkin War was a civil war fought between the corrupted Darkin and the remaining Ascended across Shurima and Runeterra, ending when the Aspects of Targon helped imprison the Darkin inside their own weapons. It is one of the defining events of League of Legends lore.

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The Darkin War

The Great Darkin War was one of the most destructive events in Runeterra’s history. The Darkin, empowered by blood magic, waged war across Shurima, Valoran, and beyond.

Nations were crushed, and countless lives were lost as the Darkin sought to enslave the world. The war only ended when the Aspects intervened, working with mortal mages to bind the Darkin to their weapons.

Even though the Darkin were imprisoned, their weapons remain scattered across Runeterra. The potential for the Darkin to rise again is always present, as these weapons can be uncovered by the ignorant or ambitious, eager for power. In the wrong hands, the Darkin could return to wreak havoc on the world once more.

Darkin Outside League of Legends

The Darkin also appear in other Riot Games titles and media. In Legends of Runeterra, multiple Darkin characters are playable as cards, each with mechanics tied to their weapon — Aatrox, Varus, Naafiri, and Rhaast all have card representations. They also feature in the Arcane animated series (as referenced characters) and Wild Rift (same champion pool as LoL). For detailed card-game information, check the League of Legends Wiki.

Darkin Corruption and Host Dynamics

When a mortal picks up a Darkin weapon, they enter into a dangerous relationship with the entity inside. The Darkin begins to whisper to them, offering power in exchange for control.

Over time, the Darkin starts to reshape their host’s body, turning them into an amalgam of both mortal and Darkin. If left unchecked, the host can lose their identity entirely, becoming a mere vessel for the Darkin’s will.

This symbiotic relationship is seen in champions like Kayn, who battles Rhaast for control. Kayn believes he can harness the Darkin’s power without succumbing to its influence, but Rhaast constantly tries to overwhelm him. If Rhaast wins, Kayn is transformed into a Darkin champion, his body and mind dominated by the scythe’s corrupting power. 

Frequently Asked Questions About the Darkin

Who are the Darkin in League of Legends?

The Darkin are a race of corrupted, formerly noble Ascended god-warriors from ancient Shurima who were imprisoned within their own weapons folllowing a brutal, self-inflicted war. 

How many Darkin are there in League of Legends?

There are 5 known Darkins in League of Legends.

What is the Darkin War?

The Great Darkin War was an ancient war between the remaining Darkin, who had been corrupted by the preceding Void War. The war was a power struggle which terrorized the mortal populance of Runeterra. 

Who is the strongest Darkin?

Aatrox and Xolaani are both considered in the discussion of strongest. Of the two, Aatrox generally comes out ahead in considerations of strength and threat due to his former role as supreme general of the Ascended, his mastery of blood magic, and his combat prowess.

Is Kayn a Darkin?

No, Kayn is not a Darkin. His weapon, the scythe is, however. 

What weapon is Naafiri's Darkin?

A Dagger.

Can a Darkin be freed from their weapon?

Technically yes, if the weapon is destroyed. To destroy the weapon would require immense power such as that possessed by Celestials. 

Are the Darkin evil?

The Darkin are not technically evil. Rather they are considered a tragic tale of corrupted warriors seeking absolution or a finality to their suffering.

The Legacy of the Darkin

The Darkin remain a threat in League of Legends and its broader lore. Although they are imprisoned, their influence still reaches across Runeterra through their weapons and the mortals who wield them.

With champions like Aatrox, Rhaast, and Varus, the Darkin continue to play a central role in the ongoing narrative of the game.

As the lore evolves, new revelations about the Darkin and their ancient war may come to light, potentially reshaping the landscape of Runeterra once more.

 

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Image source: Riot Games

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Read more: League of Legends Kayn: Unveiling the Darkin's Story