Worlds just ended a few days ago meaning that the competitive schedule of League has come to an end. Yet, this marks a new beginning that is coming for Season 14 (a quite dramatic one). But before things end for League of Legends this year, we have one huge addition to the game in the form of a troubled artist.
The biggest trouble of this champ does not have to do with his sad story. The main issue (and blessing) is his unique and complex kit which makes him one of the most difficult champions to play in the game.
Even though he's going to be difficult to master, don't be intimidated, we'll walk you through the essentials of Hwei's gimmicks!
Who's Hwei in League of Legends?
He’s the new League of Legends champion, the 4th of this year alone. Unlike the champions released this year, Hwei will be tailored for high-skill players who like to delve into complex champions.
Besides his inherent high skill ceiling in gameplay, he is a painter from Ionia with great talent.
Betrayed by Jhin in the Temple of Koyehn, Hwei now is looking for answers to look for closure from this dramatic turn of events, while doing so, he's combating the tormentous side of his mind that recognizes the limitless expression and genius of the Virtuoso.
There's more in-depth information that delves into the character, his background story, and the challenges faced by Riot's champions team to create Hwei, you can check all of this in this Champion Insights Article.
Hwei's Concept Art
Much like a true artist, his painting carries his need to express himself fully. You can attest to that when looking at his kit.
Hwei's Abilities - Ten Spells in one single champion
Before starting with the rundown of his abilities, let's talk about Hwei's Subject or better said his unique mechanic.
Unlike any other champion in the game, every time you press a base ability with Hwei it opens a spellbook with three spells within (in your Q, W, and E spot).
So if you want to use one ability with Hwei you need to hit two commands, one to open his Spellbook and another one to cast the spell. For instance, if you want to use one ability from Subject: Disaster, you'll need to press Q first to open the spellbook and then press Q, W, or E to cast one of the abilities.
After using one ability from the spellbook, the others are put on CD
In case of Disaster, it will be these: Devastating Fire (QQ), Severing Bolt (QW). and Molten Fissure (QE).
As you may notice, you need to press Q and E to cast Molten Fissure. Yeah... you need to do this for every ability but don't worry, once you are in the game it is not that hard.
Lastly, every time you open a Subject, in the place of R, there's Wash Brush, this allows Hwei to exit any given Subject without incurring its ability cost or cooldown.
Clears Hwe paintbrush and returns to base abilities
These are Hwei's Subjects: Disaster (Q), Serenity (W), and Torment (E).
As their name suggests, Disaster focuses on pure damage, Serenity on supporting, and Torment on control.
Don't expect to spam 10 spells against enemies with Hwei. You only have one spell charge from each Subject, meaning that you will realistically only 3 Abilities + Ultimate in a single rotation.
With this out of the way, let’s jump into the abilities rundown.
Hwei's Ability Cheatsheet
Passive: Signature of the Visionary
Hwei marks enemy champions with his signature finishing touch by first damaging them with his abilities. Hitting an enemy with two damage-dealing spells places Hwei’s signature on the ground beneath them. The signature detonates after a short delay, dealing magic damage to all enemies in range.
Using this ability right bumps Hwei's damage in lane pretty significantly. A ton of players may opt to play more a wave push playstyle using Molting Fissure (QE) misinterpreting that Hwei has a weak early game, but that's farther from the truth, the key is doing combos that lead to hitting your Signature of the Visionary.
A reliable one is doing EE + QQ.
Subject: Disaster (Q)
Hwei paints visions of disaster that deal a large amount of damage to enemies.
Disaster is the Damage spellbook. Each skill has its purpose and uses for different situations. For instance, Molten Fissure (QE) is great for wave clear unlike Severing Bolt (QW).
Devastating Fire (QQ)
Hwei paints a blazing fireball that flies out in the target direction. It explodes on the first enemy hit or at maximum range, dealing magic damage plus percent max health magic damage to all enemies in an area.
The extra health % damage and the fact that is the faster projectile from the Disaster spellbook make this Hwei's bread and butter ability. Pair this ability with Crushing Maw (EE) or Grim Visage (EQ) and secure a proc of Hwei's passive for explosive burst damage.
What lacks in comparison to the rest of the Destruction spell tree is the lack of great wave clear (QE) or insane range to snipe targets (QW)
Severing Bolt (QW)
Hwei paints a long-range, devastating bolt at the target location. After a delay, the bolt strikes, dealing magic damage. Immobilized or isolated enemies take increased damage based on missing health.
Your best ability to snipe people out. This spell is only useful in really niche situations, in most cases this ability is outshined by your QQ (more damage and way easier to hit).
Despite this, the long rage helps Hwei's get out-of-reach kills or deal damage from afar when you have low HP. It has good uses and you can consider this ability your own Xerath W/Ultimate.
Molten Fissure (QE)
Hwei paints a field of exploding volcanic eruptions, creating lingering lava in its path. Every eruption deals magic damage to enemies hit. Enemies in the lava area are dealt magic damage per second and are slowed.
Hwei's best ability for wave clear and the one that deals more damage if targets are locked down. Also, the slow from this ability combines well with Torment (E) abilities to exert area control.
However, there are big drawbacks, despite its great range has a slow cast so many players flat-out dodge it or simply walk out of it, and with Hwei's mana pool just wasting this ability to wave clear is not the best option.
There are Hwei's setups that focus on damage over time, for instance, if you use Liandrys and are against melee tanky champions, the value of this spell is bonkers. Apart from that, using QQ in fights is safer and more reliable.
Subject: Serenity (W)
Hwei paints visions of serenity that provides utility for himself and allied champions.
All of the supportive abilities are in this spellbook. Although not as powerful, in different situations using these provides much utility for your teammates.
In the case of Fleeting Current (WQ), this ability can be the difference maker when saving an out-positioned carry in a key fight for a neutral objective. Or simply to help your team (And you) clean up fleeing carries.
Fleeting Current (WQ)
Hwei paints a current of swift waters in a line for a few seconds that grants movement speed to himself and his allies.
Works like old Galio's E, in the laning phase you will use this mainly for getting back to lane and retreating against ganks or aggressive laners.
In team fights, it has great value. You can use it to help allies either to retreat or to engage enemies.
Pool of Reflection (WW)
Hwei forms a protective pool at the target location that lasts for a few seconds. Allied champions inside the area gain an immediate shield, increasing in value over a few seconds while in the area.
To be honest, haven't found too much value in this spell. Is great for negating damage in some instances, but most times if Hwei is caught, he's screwed already. For preventing dives against allies or for objective fights it is somewhat valuable. In most cases, you rather be using WQ or WE.
Stirring Lights (WE)
Hwei paints three swirling lights that circle him for several seconds. Hwei's next 3 attacks or spells deal bonus magic damage and grant mana on hit.
Nami's E that recovers you mana. Although it does not have slows like in Nami's case, the damage of this ability makes trading against a good Hwei scary, also it is your main spell to recover mana to use your other expensive spells.
The second use for this ability is to push turrets. It is surprisingly good for it.
Overall the best ability from the supportive spells and the one you should be using the most.
Subject: Torment (E)
Hwei paints visions of torment that control enemies.
All of your crowd control abilities are in this spell book. Among the best skill expressions for Hwei can be found on these spells, from controlling vision and areas to clutch fears.
Grim Visage (EQ)
Hwei launches a terrifying face that strikes the first enemy hit, dealing magic damage and causing them to flee for a brief duration.
Works similarly to Vex or Fiddlestick fear, using these in key moments can save you from any enemy jumping on you (Besides Fizz maybe). Also, this ability can help you secure kills or combos with your Ultimate.
Despite its strength is slow and hard to hit against competent players. Much like a Lux Q, you need to play mind games or wait for your allies to set it up to land the skill shot.
Gaze of the Abyss (EW)
Hwei paints an abyssal eye at the target location that grants vision and locks onto the nearest visible enemy champion. After a short delay, the eye fires at the locked-on champion, rooting the first enemy in its path for a few seconds and dealing magic damage to them.
Roots and grant vision. With this ability, you shouldn't facecheck bushes but the most useful thing is the root especially to control narrow corridors in the map.
Most entrances can be covered by it
Think of it as a Viktor W, the sheer control when placed properly and root of 2.25s when maxed makes it one ability that you should aim to master for team fights and objective control.
Crushing Maw (EE)
Hwei paints crushing jaws that deal magic damage to enemies hit and pulls them toward the center, slowing them by a set amount that quickly decays.
One of the best spells for laning. Combined with QQ is a deadly poke combo that procs your passive and has a great slow in the later ranks.
(Test R+EE+QQ and see how enemies will flame you on all chat)
Regarding drawbacks, it is tough to hit though, and does not provide the most amount of CC compared to the other Torment spells.
Spiraling Despair (R)
Hwei launches a vision of pure despair that sticks to an enemy champion for a few seconds. The vision expands and overwhelms all enemies it touches, dealing magic damage per second. Enemies within the zone are afflicted with stacks of Despair over time. Each stack of Despair applies a stacking percent slow. Upon completion, the vision shatters, dealing magic damage.
This is your single most damaging ability. If you use it in clumped up enemies don't be surprised if you wipe them out completely. Current numbers are insane though, this may change in the coming days.
Most killing combos focus on using this ability so is one of the most important skills for team fights. However, is easy to miss.
Usually, to hit his Spiraling Despair (R) you need to set it up with your Torment spells (EW is the best at it), or with the help of your teammate CC.
There's really not much to be said about this ability apart from encouraging you to learn how to combo it with your different skills.
Also, mashing your R can mess up with your other abilities when comboing. Beware of that.
Similarities to Invoker
In a post from League's subreddit, players were comparing Hwei with the DotA champion, Invoker. Even one rioter, Riot Afic, acknowledges this.
Invoker from Dota 2 - He uses elements to create spells
Invoker has elements that you can mix with his Ultimate to create 10 unique spells.
For instance, if you mix three Exort orbs you will get Sun Strike. But, if you instead two Exort plus one Wex you get Chaos Meteor.
You get the drill, it is complicated to play this Dota 2 hero but the reward of mastering makes the difference for your enemies (And to your MMR). And that's the intention with Hwei too.
On playing Hwei
There's no right way to play Hwei. First, he has too many ways to play different situations so finding your playstyle at the beginning will be beneficial for your Hwei's journey.
Tip: Practice your spell combinations in the Practice Tool to get used to them. That does not mean you will not flop them in real games, but that tiny muscle memory will make playing Hwei's way easier at the beginning.
By looking through PBE gameplay and testing the champion myself, there are inherent weaknesses with the champion.
First, he's a glass cannon, Lux can one tap you with her combo freaking easily so itemizing creatively against different comps and threats is a must.
Second, all of your damage is skill shots, miss your abilities and you are toasted.
Lastly, learning how to use the different setups can be overwhelming when it comes time to execute, but, that's not all. Even just learning WHEN to use your abilities will take you several tens of games (or hundreds).
Closing Words
Hwei is a great champion and current numbers are over the roof, especially his ultimate being capable of wiping out entire teams.
Hwei's strength will be tied to the player's creativity and mastery true to the character's lore expression.
What is the potential for this champion? We will need to wait a ton of time so players start to figure out all of the possible combinations.
With the meta being around Control mages being the best, this makes a case for Hwei being a force to be reckoned with once he goes live in the servers this December 6th.
Hwei will be live on server this December 6th
Until that happens, you can read all of the changes coming to Preseason in this article here. You know, because Mythics gone means that items will lot of new and returning items coming to the game.
