We had the chance to sit down with the latest build of 2XKO at EVO, and the big headline was obvious: Vi is finally here. Riot brought her in fresh off her announcement, and while I went in expecting a straightforward slugger, what I found was a surprisingly versatile and expressive fighter with way more depth than I anticipated.
At first glance, Vi feels like a powerhouse. She hits hard, brawls well, and has all the presence you’d expect from a heavy-hitting enforcer. But once I started experimenting with her charge moves and cancel mechanics, things opened up fast. Vi can dash-cancel her charges, which gives her tools for mix-ups, pressure resets, and combos that reward creativity.
- Versatile Playstyle: You can go full slugger and overwhelm opponents with brute strength, or lean into her cancels for faster, trickier gameplay. Both approaches feel legit.
- High Skill Ceiling: I thought she might end up being “vanilla” compared to some of the flashier champs, but the depth is real. There’s a ton of room for lab work and player expression.
- Devilish Mix-ups: Her sliding cross-up attack is nasty. Opponents are going to have to stay sharp or get blown up by ambiguous setups.
Even players who aren’t fans of Vi’s design in Arcane or League of Legends have admitted that her gameplay feels strong and compelling. That’s always the test—when gameplay wins people over.
It’s wild how much the game has shifted since earlier showings. Some things feel brand new, almost like learning a different game in places, which has its pros and cons. The tag mechanics continue to stand out though, and Vi’s kit meshes nicely with assists and team synergy. You can see how her moveset is tailored for the 2v2 format, and she fits right in with the roster.
The full release is slated for 2025, but the open beta kicks off in September and will stay live right up until launch. After EVO, I’m even more eager to get hands-on at home, because labbing Vi in a loud venue just made me want to push her further in training mode.
Vi may have just entered the roster, but she’s already shaping up to be one of the most exciting additions. She’s versatile, layered, and rewards the kind of experimentation fighting game fans love. EVO gave us just a taste, and I can’t wait to dig deeper once the beta drops.
Stay tuned—I’ll have much more to say once I’ve put in serious time outside the chaos of the show floor.
