Fear the assassin with no master.
Riot Games has locked in the next major roster update for 2XKO, confirming that Akali will join the playable lineup on 7 April. The reveal arrived alongside a new gameplay trailer shared across the game’s official social channels, giving players a clearer look at how the Rogue Assassin fits into the tag-based fighter. Akali joins as the 13th character in 2XKO's growing roster, which include Ahri, Darius, Ekko, Illaoi, Yasuo, Braum, Jinx, Vi, Blitzcrank, Teemo, Warwick, and Caitlyn.
2XKO
Release Date: 20 January, 2026
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Developer: Riot Games
Who is Akali in League of Legends
In League of Legends, Akali’s story begins within the Kinkou Order, where she trained under her mother Mayym and alongside Shen as part of Ionia’s long-standing effort to maintain balance. From a young age, she stood out as a prodigy, eventually taking on the role of the Fist of Shadow.
That role came with expectations of restraint, something Akali ultimately rejected. Following the Noxian invasion, she grew disillusioned with the Kinkou’s measured response, viewing their philosophy as too passive in the face of real threats. Rather than remain within the order, she chose to leave and operate on her own terms.
Now known as the Rogue Assassin, Akali works independently within Ionia’s underground, targeting enemies directly. Instead of maintaining balance, she focuses on eliminating threats outright, adopting a more proactive approach shaped by her experiences during the invasion.
What’s Akali’s gameplay like in 2XKO?
Akali’s gameplay in 2XKO leans into her identity as a fast, high-pressure assassin, built for quick engagements and decisive plays in a 2v2 setting. She is designed to weave in and out of combat, punishing openings and locking down priority targets.
Game director Shaun Rivera described her as “a sharp, stylish ninja who cuts opponents down with deadly precision,” pointing to a kit centred on speed and execution. While Riot has not released a full move list, early footage suggests a fighter that thrives on mobility and maintaining offensive momentum.
Akali’s kit in 2XKO seems quite different from her League of Legends kit. However, Her Five Point Strike and signature smoke bomb, Twilight Shroud, both appear in the trailer, hinting at tools for spacing and mix-ups. At the same time, her overall moveset has been reworked to suit a fighting game format, with tighter combos and more immediate pressure options.
The reveal positions Akali as a strong fit for 2XKO’s aggressive systems, where coordinated tag play and sustained pressure define matches. Her ability to dart in, create openings, and convert quickly could make her a key pick for players looking to control the pace of a fight.
With 7 April locked in, players can start looking ahead to how Akali will slot into team compositions, especially for those favouring fast-paced, pressure-heavy playstyles. Her mobility and burst-focused design points towards strong synergy with aggressive partners, giving teams more options for quick conversions and sustained offence as the roster continues to take shape.
