TL;DR
- 2XKO is a free-to-play fighting game developed by Riot Games
- 2XKO will also be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/X, soon
- There are 12 characters to choose from in 2XKO as of February 2026
- Its tag-fighting gameplay and art style could make 2XKO the esports game to watch in 2026
- Ekko and Caitlyn are two of the best 2XKO characters, but are also difficult to play
It’s been just over a fortnight since 2XKO’s full launch, kicking off a 2026 that the Fighting Game Community has been looking forward to. It’s a stylish, vibrant, and fast-paced 2v2 tag-team fighter, with Riot Games’ signature free-to-play model and a mix of Street Fighter and the chaos of the Marvel vs. Capcom classics.
At launch, there are 12 champions ready to play, ranging from all across League of Legends’ many regions. There’s already decent depth on offer, with the champions offering distinct playstyles. While it may be tough to rank them all, especially with balance changes, we’re looking at the 12 champions and listing them from worst to best.
Ranking criteria
At the time of writing, 12 2XKO characters, known as champions, can be played. The ranked list below will list these from worst to best, highlighting their abilities, special attacks, and more, in order to judge where they stand in the list.
2XKO champion rankings
12. Blitzcrank
As bottom-tiers go, Blitzcrank is actually very playable, but suffers more so from the game he’s in, rather than being underpowered. He hits hard, but as the game’s resident grappler, it can be tricky to get and then stay in range to do the grappling. 2XKO is very quick-paced, with characters dashing almost constantly, but his damage keeps him in reach with the rest of the cast. He’s a great assist option too, with buffs in the 1.0 update helping immensely. Being his size does make avoiding attacks tough, however.
11. Braum
Braum is a heavyweight in 2XKO, which means he can be big on defence when an opponent is dealing heavy damage or perform assists for others to protect them. Known as the ‘Heart of Frelijord’, Braum can be very useful as a defensive character, but his size means that he can be slow when on the offensive. His slow movements and poor range when attacking can be a significant detriment. Against quick opponents, it can be a challenge to get close to cause damage, which may be frustrating at times. Braum is best played with Jinx or Teemo, so they can deal the damage while he protects with his assists and more, but that’s about it.
10. Darius
Darius is the prime example of a mid-range fighter who can be great to use as an easy play. Known as the ‘Hand of Noxus’, every swing from his weapon can deal great damage when it lands, along with some great anti-air attacks that can take you out of some tough binds when a match looks to be going against you. Darius’s assists and special attacks are a great showcase in 2XKO as well, being a prime example of how well the game’s engine can shine when it wants to. He’s simple to play, powerful, and very effective, but other champions excel in areas Darius simply lacks.
9. Teemo
Teemo’s size and speed make him a menace, but he has recently suffered from a change in projectile rules. Whenever Teemo takes damage, his projectiles vanish, even when assisting, which has made him go from top-tier to near the bottom. Still, pretty much everyone in 2XKO is some form of viable, and Teemo’s projectiles make him a ranged nightmare. His nerfs might feel excessive for those who have played him before the 1.0 update, especially with some neutral attack nerfs, but his playstyle has changed and thus requires players to change with it. Teemo isn’t top of the 2XKO character tier list anymore, but is still a danger.
8. Warwick
Warwick looks like something out of a long-forgotten fighting series, Bloody Roar, but that’s to the wolf’s benefit. His claws and fangs mean that he can perform close-range attacks, as well as leaping from angles that can surprise opponents. Warwick’s rushdown attack is another relentless time, too, with a series of hits leaving other champions with no time to dodge. However, the predictable points he leaps from can make him vulnerable to others. But when paired with champions like Ahri or Ekko, Warwick’s offence is supercharged, thanks to his special attacks. Overall, he’s fast, feral, and relentless when it counts.
7. Illaoi
Illaloi, known as the Kraken Priestess, is a unique champion thanks to her tentacle mechanic. This lets her potentially dominate the match by covering the space with them, causing opponents to cautiously guess where they may end up. Both her range and damage dealt can be devastating up close, but Illaloi is a great fighter in how she can be tactically played. Despite her slow movement and setups that can be taken advantage of by some, her assists can cover a lot of ground, as well as help to cover other champions when paired with the likes of Vi or Ahri. Although requiring some practice, Illaloi could be a great champion to play as part of your default tag team.
6. Vi
Vi is a champion built for players who rely on aggression, pressure, and rhythmic attacks. She is very fast to play, with grabs and traps that can lure opponents into taking some close-range damage. Vi’s Blast Shield reversal can also bring some defensive resilience, which stands her in great stead when put into a tag-team and used as the secondary fighter. However, her short reach and weak air range can be a detriment, especially when pitted against Jinx or Yasuo. However, Vi’s bruiser attacks can reward players with some brutal wins, making her very fun to play.
5. Jinx
Following her sister is Jinx, a champion who has become one of the most recognisable in League, thanks to her leading role in Arcane and appearance in many animated shorts. She’s a bit of a weird character to rank in 2XKO since she strangely lacks mobility, something she had in abundance in Arcane, and is the game’s resident zoner. As a somewhat slow zoner with great traps, she’s very effective against most of the 2XKO roster, but Yasuo and Caitlyn are built to be anti-zoners and thus counters to Jinx. It’s a rough matchup, but in other circumstances, she does well, especially with the best back assist in the game, hence her placement in the middle of our tier list.
4. Yasuo
Yasuo is the ultimate all-rounder in 2XKO. The swordsman can change his calm stance to a mix of mid-range attacks that can deal some damaging combos, as well as his Wind Wall attack that can block projectiles. Yasuo is unique in that he can be used in matches without switching to a teammate, thanks to his quick momentum and moves that can cancel timing from opponents. However, pairing with Illaoi or Ekko can help cover some of Yasuo’s mid-range attacks. Overall, he’s a great pick if you’re new to 2XKO.
3. Ahri
Ahri is a nine-tailed fox who is fast, agile, and built around aerial dashes and spirit magic attacks. She can dominate during mid-range and close combat, though some of her combos require plenty of button presses that may put off beginners. When paired with other champions like Ekko or Yasuo, you get a duo that will be hard for opponents to avoid, thanks to a multitude of air attacks and special ones that could make some matches end quickly. If you want to see how a champion can work with aerial attacks and magic, Ahri is a great one to work with.
2. Caitlyn
Caitlyn is the new face of 2XKO and has already become a problem. She hits like a truck with her combos, has incredible zoning tools, is incredibly versatile, and has some frightening combos. You aren’t safe from Caitlyn anywhere on screen, and the only real drawback is her high skill ceiling and floor. She’s tricky to learn, and since she’s new, people haven’t found her full potential, but that is frightening in and of itself. Without mechanical weaknesses and an incredibly adaptable kit, Caitlyn will be going places.
1. Ekko
Ekko, along with Ahri, are treated as the mascots of 2XKO, and the Boy of Shattered Time stands alone at the top of the roster. He is one of the most complicated characters, too, with his Timewinder attacks using clones to set up traps and sequences that are tough to avoid. They can also be used to pull off some impressive yet tricky combos, but his unpredictability and clones make him very tough to go up against. Although he’s difficult to learn, those who can make the most of Ekko will find that his incredible mix-ups, mobility, versatility, and pressure are a lot for opponents to deal with.
Conclusion
Every champion from the 2XKO roster is thankfully viable and has their own special abilities and style that gives players plenty to get themselves stuck into. Riot Games has already announced its plans for adding new champions to the cast, with balance patches refining the game’s meta, keeping the game fresh.
Here is how the 12 2XKO champions stand near the start of Season 1, but there is sure to be more added to the roster in 2026. For now, while Ekko and Caitlyn rule the roost in our rankings, Jinx and Vi might be better entry points for newcomers.
FAQs
Who is the best character in 2XKO?
It may be subjective, depending on how you play 2XKO, but Ekko is one of the best characters you can control.
How many characters are there in 2XKO?
At the time of writing, there are 12 characters, called champions in 2XKO, ready to play.
Is 2XKO going to be free?
2XKO is free-to-play, but its season pass will require a fee.
Is 2XKO on consoles?
Yes, 2XKO is on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles.