Wave 2 Champion Preview
League Classic post-launch champion waves: Patch 26.16 likely adds Akali, Shen, and Kennen August 12. Full eight-champion Council pool and roadmap timing.
Beyond the Launch 60
League Classic launched July 29 with 60 champions. Riot confirmed eight additional picks from the 2009–2013 era for post-launch waves: Akali, Caitlyn, Fiora, Graves, Irelia, LeBlanc, Mordekaiser, and Urgot. Meddler stated the MSI build roster is the first wave, not the final list. Paul Bellezza told Polygon players may vote champions in batches—multiple additions per update when ready.
On launch day Riot published the Classic roadmap through Worlds season. Patch 26.16 on August 12 brings three new champions. PBE datamines plus detailed kit write-ups from community outlets flag Akali, Shen, and Kennen as the Ionia first wave—full kit snapshots and Draft notes now live on Patch 26.16 Preview.
Patch 26.16 First Drop vs Full Eight
Treat August 12 as the first scheduled roster expansion, not the entire wave-two ballot. Remaining names from TechTimes and Future Additions—Caitlyn, Fiora, Graves, Irelia, LeBlanc, Mordekaiser, Urgot—feed later patches and Council votes starting Patch 26.17 on August 26.
Tencent promo art previously surfaced Mordekaiser, Irelia, Akali, Caitlyn, and Fiora. Full Classic patch calendar lives on 2026 Classic Roadmap. Build vote weight before the first ballot on First Vote Prep (Aug 26).
Why These Champions Matter
Classic Akali restores Twin Disciplines, Mark of the Assassin, Twilight Shroud, and multi-charge Shadow Dance—closer to AD/hybrid energy assassin fantasy than modern execute Akali. Shen restores Vorpal Blade healing marks and Stand United globals. Kennen restores Mark of the Storm stuns and Slicing Maelstrom teamfight ults.
Later wave names still matter: Mordekaiser ghost realm, Irelia blade resets, Caitlyn traps, Fiora riposte, Graves buckshot, LeBlanc Distortion, and pre-rework Urgot. Prep habits for patch week on Prepare for Patch 26.16.
Preparing for New Champions
Save IP before August 12 so Shop unlocks are instant when 26.16 lands. Review Overall Tier List for projected placements and keep rune pages flexible on Rune Pages—Patch 26.17 also adds extra rune options per the roadmap.
Watch Council announcements on Upcoming Changes for official confirmation beyond datamines. Launch roster details on Champion Roster. Current weekend status on Week-One Status.