In early December, League of Legends is set to unveil a new mage called Hweih. This introspective and brooding artist will mark the 166th champion in the MOBA universe. In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at how to play Hweih effectively, discussing the best strategies, as well as the essential items and runes that will help him excel on the battlefield.
Table of Contents
Hwei’s abilities
As promised by the developers, the character has a rather complex and intricate set of abilities. The complexity can be a problem for newcomers, especially considering that the champion will give the best properties to a total of ten spells from the very beginning. In gameplay, Hwei is a unique combination of a classic support mage similar to Orianna and a ranged artillery mage similar to Zeratul.
Hwei is different from other champions in the way his abilities are used. Players must combine multiple button presses to activate his abilities, which makes the gameplay dynamic and exciting. Each of these skills is called a “Theme” and can use an effect, which normally helps in creating varied and powerful spells.
Skills starting with Q are mainly aimed at dealing damage to enemies, while skills associated with W buff both the champion and his allies, giving important bonuses in combat. Additionally, E-related skills are designed to control the crowd, disrupting enemy movements and strategies. Interestingly, when activating a spell, only the first ability used is recharged, which will give confidence during the battle.
Moreover, after activating a skill, players can cancel it by pressing the R key. The function will be able to ease the way and deceive opponents, since the character’s brush changes color, causing enemies to misinterpret the situation and react to an active spell, which may not actually be used.
Signature of the Creator (Passive Skill)
Hwei has the ability to mark enemy champions, dealing damage through her various skills. When she successfully strikes an opponent, she places a unique signature beneath them, which subsequently detonates, unleashing a burst of magical damage over a wide area.
Subject: Catastrophe (Q)
This skill is Hwei’s main method for dealing damage, and it’s essential to prioritize it for leveling up first to maximize its potential.
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QQ. Hwei conjures a fierce fireball that swiftly travels to a designated location, exploding upon impact and dealing damage to all enemies caught in its path. This ability not only hits multiple foes but also scales with the target’s total health, making it especially effective against tougher opponents.
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QW. Hwei summons a powerful lightning strike at a chosen spot on the battlefield. After a brief delay, the lightning crashes down, delivering significant magical damage to any enemies in the vicinity. Targets that are immobilized or isolated from their allies suffer even greater damage, as it is calculated based on their missing health, punishing those who stray too far from safety.
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QE. Hwei creates a sequence of volcanic eruptions, leaving a trail of molten lava in their wake. Each eruption deals magical damage to enemies caught in the blast. Additionally, foes within the fissure area experience a slow effect, making it harder for them to escape, and they continue to take magical damage every second, ensuring that they remain under constant threat as they try to recover.
Theme: Serenity (W)
These skills are essential for navigating challenges in battle, allowing you to survive ambushes and save your teammates in critical moments. It’s wise to prioritize leveling your other abilities before focusing on the W skill, as it comes with the longest cooldown and can delay your overall effectiveness.
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WQ: Hwei conjures a powerful torrent of water that propels both himself and his allies forward with increased speed. This ability not only boosts mobility but also helps in quickly repositioning during intense skirmishes.
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WW: Hwei creates a protective sanctuary at a designated location, which persists for several seconds. Allies who step into this haven receive a shield that gradually strengthens over time, providing crucial protection when they need it most and allowing for strategic plays.
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WE: Hwei summons three radiant orbs that gracefully hover around him for a few seconds. With each of his next three auto attacks or abilities, he deals additional magical damage, while also restoring a portion of his mana. This makes him not only a support but also a formidable presence in battle.
Subject: Torment (E)
Skills for Controlling Opponents: Initiate Battles or Halt Enemies. These abilities are crucial for managing foes during combat and can significantly shape the outcome of any encounter. It’s wise to prioritize leveling up this skill second, as doing so greatly reduces the cooldown time, allowing for more frequent use in critical situations.
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EQ: Hwei unleashes a terrifying visage that rushes forward, striking the first enemy in its path. This fearsome image not only inflicts magical damage but also briefly unsettles the target, giving Hwei an opportunity to capitalize on their moment of fright.
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EW: Hwei conjures an eye at a designated spot, providing enhanced vision while locking onto the nearest visible enemy champion. After a brief delay, the eye launches toward this opponent with precision, dealing magical damage and immobilizing the first enemy it encounters for several crucial seconds.
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EE: Hwei manifests powerful jaws that deliver magical damage to affected enemies. These jaws also pull the targets toward the center, momentarily slowing their movement speed and making them vulnerable to follow-up attacks from Hwei or allies.
Growing Despair (R)
Hwei will be a bit of a dull character for everyone, but she can show everyone her place in the enemy champion’s tavern with all her might. A dark aura begins to expand, dealing continuous magic damage to all nearby enemies every second. Those caught in the area gradually accumulate stacks of despair, each of which effectively reduces their movement speed by a certain percentage. As tension builds, the area eventually explodes in a powerful explosion, unleashing even more magic damage on the enemies trapped within.
The spell occupies the position of Hwei’s highest magical mastery. It serves as a powerful tool for starting a battle or delivering the finishing blow to a weakened enemy. The significant slowing effect on enemies makes it much easier for the mage to interact with other spells, allowing for devastating combos that can instantly turn the tide of battle.
How to start pumping up skills of Hwei correctly
If you really want to unlock your character’s abilities to the max, start with the “Q” skill. This is your foundation, your main tool in combat. The better you master it, the faster you will react to the situation and deal massive damage. Imagine: one smart press – and the enemy no longer understands what happened. Reducing the reload time here is everything, so practice until you feel like you press “Q” automatically.
Next, we move on to the “E” skill. The trick here is that by pumping it up, you get more control and mobility. In any skirmish, this gives a huge plus: you can rush in faster, dodge, or catch the enemy in a mistake. In short, “E” is your best friend when you need to play beautifully and competently.
When the ultimate skill becomes available – don’t hesitate for a second. A guide to your superpower, your “destroy everything” button. Use it correctly – and the battle is already half won.
And finally, the “W” skill. Yes, it is often underestimated, but in vain. It is like a stroke in a picture: without it, the game looks incomplete. “W” makes your set of abilities integral and opens up more options for unexpected combinations. When you learn how to skillfully weave it into your game, you will feel that you have become really stronger.
In the end, your goal is simple: first Q, to become a killing machine, then “E” for activity, take the ultimate as soon as possible, and finally finish it all off with “W” to play like a real professional.
Runes on Hwei
Hwae can equip three different sets of runes, each primarily focused on increasing the character’s damage output, speeding up ability recharges, and efficiently regenerating mana. As for the final minor rune, players can choose between gaining additional armor for increased survivability or increasing magic resistance, depending on the champion they are facing in their lane. The tactical choice can greatly alter the vector of victory with their effectiveness in combat.
Hwei Items
When considering the best mythical artifact for Hwei, “Liandra’s Torment” stands out as the ideal choice. This item synergizes perfectly with Hwei abilities, enhancing damage output. You can find the other legendary items illustrated in the image below. If you’re up against multiple mages or physical damage assassins, it may be wise to replace “Rylai’s Crystal Scepter” with alternatives like “Banshee’s Veil” or “Zhonya’s Hourglass.” Both options provide valuable defensive capabilities. Keep in mind that as the new season unfolds, several items will be removed from the game, which means you should anticipate adjustments to your build in the near future.
Champions to Counter Hwei
Hwei primary weakness lies in its lack of mobility, making it vulnerable to champions that can close the gap quickly. Assassins with dashes, such as Zed or Fizz, can take full advantage of this weakness and apply pressure effectively. Additionally, utility mages like Orianna, along with long-range artillery casters such as Xerath or Ziggs, can also perform well in this matchup. While you might not secure lane dominance, you’ll be able to farm minions comfortably and coordinate with your jungler to secure kills and gain an advantage.
HVEI TIPS
See other builds on our website including Aurora, Yunara, Mel and others.
