Naafiri, League of Legends newest champion addition, is characterized as “the hound of hundred bites.” Although the champion does not launch until patch 13.14, you can still get a glance of how she functions.
Naafiri effectively works as an assassin-type champion, but just like fellow assassins Talon and Zed, she can be flexed to occupy both the mid-lane and the jungle. Even though she appears most suited for the mid-lane and jungle roles, she will, of course, be subject to experimentation and so we may even see her in the top-lane.
Like most champs, Naafiri’s passive is the key to her success in any role.
Her passive (‘We Are More’) spawns hounds to her side which attack enemy champions if she successfully lands an ability on them. Her Q (‘Darkin Daggers’) hurls two daggers that deal damage to an enemy champion and then, in turn, her pack-mates leap to damage that same enemy champion. If the enemy champion is hit by a dagger, it inflicts bleed damage which then can be turned into bonus damage if the next dagger lands on a bleeding champion. Essentially, the first dagger acts as a ‘mark’ and any subsequent dagger thrown onto a ‘marked’ champion deals additional damage.
Her W (‘Hounds’ Pursuit’) is the key to setting up a full-combo. Once cast, W sends Naafiri dashing towards an enemy. Once she collides with the first enemy champion hit, she deals damage to them and closes the gap between her and an enemy champion. Naafiri will still dash to the enemy champion even if the enemy champion happens to be on the other side of terrain. As long as Naafiri is in range of an enemy champion, there’s no way to stop her from colliding into that champion unless she interrupted by another enemy champion.
Her E (‘Eviscerate’) is another ‘dash’ type ability that allows Naafiri to damage enemies in an area-of-effect. When cast, Naafiri calls away her pack-mates and restores them to full health.
Her R (‘The Call of the Pack’) is an empowering ability that lasts for a set duration of time, similar to how Swain’s ultimate functions on a set duration of time too. Not only is Naafiri empowered by gaining a burst of vision, movement speed and a shield, but her pack-mates are also granted the same empowerment. During this duration, Naafiri also gains additional pack-mates. If an enemy champion is killed or Naafiri is handed an assist, the duration of the empowerment is refreshed and continues until there is not a champion takedown while her ultimate ability runs.
Overall, Naafiri’s kit is teeming with burst ability. Her Q assures that she has good wave clear, and as such, we’ll definitely see her in a solo-lane. Her access to two dashes also make her extremely versatile as she can use both in a defensive or offensive manner. Together with her pack-mates, Naafiri’s jungle clear is actually quite formidable and she will surely see play in that role.