TL;DR
- Naafiri is League’s 164th champion – a Darkin assassin controlling a pack of hounds
- Her unique packmate mechanics create aggressive, all-in playstyle opportunities
- PBE release begins June 27, with live server deployment on July 11 patch 13.14
- Master Q-W-E combo chains for maximum bleed damage and packmate synergy
- Expect professional play restrictions due to typical new champion balance issues

The gaming community eagerly anticipates Naafiri’s arrival as League of Legends’ newest Darkin assassin. Detailed ability information has surfaced just before her Public Beta Environment debut, giving players crucial preparation time.
Marking the 164th addition to League’s roster, Naafiri represents a unique Darkin entity that has taken control over a collective of Shuriman hunting hounds. This possession mechanic creates distinctive gameplay where she commands multiple units simultaneously.
Designed primarily for the jungle role, Naafiri embodies the quintessential assassin archetype with high burst damage and target elimination focus. Her pack-based approach offers fresh strategic dimensions to League’s champion pool.
Naafiri abilities
Naafiri’s kit revolves around coordinated attacks with her packmates, creating relentless offensive pressure. Understanding these synergies separates average players from masters.
Passive – We Are More
Naafiri continuously generates Packmates that automatically assault targets of her basic attacks and abilities. These companions function as persistent damage sources that enhance her dueling potential significantly.
This passive shares conceptual similarities with Elise’s spiderling mechanics but introduces unique pack dynamics. Strategic positioning allows these minions to create zoning pressure and absorb skill shots.
Q – Darkin Daggers
Naafiri launches two piercing daggers that apply bleeding effects to struck enemies. Targets already suffering from bleed take substantially increased damage, rewarding precise ability sequencing.
Packmates instinctively leap toward champions damaged by this skill, amplifying its threat. Advanced players use this to set up devastating combos by applying bleed before committing to all-in engagements.
W – Hounds’ Pursuit
Naafiri and her entire pack charge toward a single enemy, impacting the first champion encountered and dealing considerable damage.
This aggressive dash proves particularly valuable for traversing terrain obstacles, enabling unexpected gank routes through jungle walls. Timing this ability correctly often determines successful assassinations.

E – Eviscerate
Naafiri performs a short-range dash that damages all enemies in an area while simultaneously recalling and fully restoring her Packmates’ health.
This ability serves dual purposes: offensive area damage and pack sustainability. Smart usage during skirmishes maintains pack presence through extended fights.
R – The Call of the Pack
Naafiri dramatically enhances her pack’s capabilities, summoning additional Packmates while granting herself movement speed boosts, vision advantages, and protective shields upon attacking champions.
The ultimate’s reset mechanic upon securing the first takedown creates snowball potential in teamfights. This refresh allows continued aggression against multiple targets.
Naafiri’s ability suite crafts an intensely offensive champion designed to relentlessly pursue and eliminate high-priority targets. Her kit lacks conventional escape tools, creating high-risk, high-reward dynamics where successful engages typically result in either securing kills or suffering defeat on Summoner’s Rift.
Naafiri release date
Naafiri’s debut follows Riot’s standard release protocol, beginning with Public Beta Environment testing. Players can first experience her on June 27, providing valuable feedback before wider distribution.
Main server deployment arrives with patch 13.14, currently scheduled for July 11 based on League’s established update calendar. This two-week PBE period allows balance adjustments based on player data.
Competitive play restrictions will likely apply throughout the summer season, as new champions historically launch with balance concerns requiring competitive disablement. Naafiri may remain unavailable for the 2023 World Championship, following Riot’s cautious approach to professional meta stability.
Mastering Naafiri requires understanding her unique pack management mechanics. Begin jungle clears by positioning to maximize packmate damage distribution across camps. Her early clearing speed benefits significantly from proper pack positioning.
Optimal Jungle Pathing: Start with ability sequencing that maintains pack health while maximizing damage output. Her W’s wall-crossing capability opens creative gank paths that bypass conventional warding positions.
Teamfight Execution: Naafiri excels at singling out isolated targets. Use terrain to approach fights unexpectedly, then unleash full combos on high-value backline champions. Remember: her lack of escapes means committing fully to each engagement.
Avoid These Common Mistakes: Don’t waste your ultimate without packmate support. Time your E to heal packmates during extended trades. Most importantly, avoid initiating fights when your pack is diminished or on cooldown.
For comprehensive jungle strategies applicable to Naafiri’s playstyle, consult our Complete Guide to assassin role fundamentals.
When optimizing your damage output, our Weapons Unlock guide provides valuable insights into damage optimization that translate well to Naafiri’s kit.
Action Checklist
- Practice Q-W-E combo chains in Practice Tool to master bleed application timing
- Master wall jumps with W ability to access unconventional gank routes
- Test jungle clear routes optimizing packmate damage distribution
- Experiment with ultimate timing in teamfight scenarios to maximize reset potential
- Study professional play restrictions timeline to manage competitive expectations
No reproduction without permission:Games Guides Website » Naafiri abilities revealed ahead of PBE release Master Naafiri's pack-based assassin gameplay with advanced strategies and release timeline insights
