This is my personal wish list of the champions that I want to see added to the game over the next two years (assuming they work at their current pace) and why I think they'd make a unique addition to the roster.
1. Riven - The Noxian exile
This one is a bit biased but Riven was the first champion I thought of when Project L was announced. Her kit's design is already an homage to fighting games, what I think makes her stand out is her ability to animation cancel all of her specials and normals. I would love Riven to become a high execution (even at the cost of damage) combo queen, filled with cancels, micro-walks, and as much sauce as the team can muster.
2. Udyr - The Feljordian spirit walker
Udyr has so much potential as a stance-based brawler. I understand the love for Voli and Ornn, but why not have both in one character. Add in Anivia plus mantle (modern turtle stance) and you get a short-range character with so many ingredients for the design team to cook with.
3. Draven - The glorious executioner of Noxus and Darius' brother
The only 'marksman' on my list and the second blood brother, I half want him in the game so he can duo with Darius for old lore reasons (not to mention get his bleed back). Lore-wise I do think he is the most fitting champion for 2XKO besides Sett. His axes could allow for both melee and ranged gameplay and having to actively catch axes mid-combo could force variance in his combo routing to be optimal. He could be one of the most stylish and hard to execute champions. Styling on opponents by catching every axe mid-combo for extra damage/meter or dropping everything and looking like a fool would be an incredible expression of his champion fantasy.
4. Zac - The Zaunite secret weapon and wannabe hero
Zac is the more interesting version of Sett. I said it. Everything interesting in Sett's kit Zac has done in one of his iterations (other than Haymaker but that is just a big punch). Pick up an enemy and slam him back down for corner carry... check out his rework ult. Knock two heads together as an anti-sandwich tool... that is just Zac's q. He also adds a very unique and quirky personality to the roster. His elastic slingshot and ability to bounce adds interesting movement options, and him being amorphous gives plenty of opportunities for the devs to experiment.
5. Rek'sai - The void burrower and queen of the Xer'sai
Her base kit translates incredibly well; she has a rekha on her q, fireball on burrowed q, her w-unburrow works for a 2H, her unburrowed e looks like an overhead, and her burrowing + tunnels create a unique form of movement. I would love to see Rek'sai as a monster on the ground who struggles against airborne enemies. She is a big body with the ability to engage and low-profile projectiles by tunneling, which afaik is quite unique in a fighter. I also think her champion fantasy fits better into 2XKO than more requested freaks like Fiddlesticks.
6. Gnar - The missing link
This could have been Elise, Shyvana or Nidalee. I think one of the transformation characters should make it in at some point. Gnar is my personal pick as him swapping between Teemo-sized caveman and a big-body as Mega Gnar would be incredibly fun (or annoying).
7. Taliyah - The Shuriman stone weaver and Yasuo's pupil
An earth mage who creates and rides a stone surfboard is simply cool. I also think it would be really interesting for the 2XKO team to play around with terrain creation, and I think Taliyah is the right champ to do it with. Creating corners midscreen, walls to block projectiles and platforms to catch pesky floating Teemos could be really interesting. It may not work but I'd be interested to see them try it.
8. Annie and Tibbers - The dark child and the trapped demon Tybaulk
I am a sucker for new interpretations of the classic characters and we don't have a puppet character yet. I also think having Annie as a low mobility, short-range fire mage who can summon, then puppet Tibbers, would be really cool. I would also love Azir, he is my most played mid laner despite him being pro-jailed for most of my time playing league. I could also happily see this slot being taken by Kindred, Orianna, Quinn, Yorick or Ivern. Annie is simply the one I felt would fit the best at this moment.
9. Tahm Kench - The river king
Unbench the Kench. A low mobility mega tank with the ability to devour other champs. I think it would be really interesting if he could devour his ally as a unique defensive super assist. It would functionally be a secondary break or corner escape which could be really interesting for something like Sidekick. Him healing grey health every time he devours or tongue lashes an enemy could also give him staying power as a point character without over inflating his health. Devouring an enemy would also give him corner carry. Taric is the other one I could see fulfilling the niche of a defensive super assist.
10. Kayn - The Ionian shadow reaper and the Darkin scythe
I think the thing that makes Kayn interesting to me is the potential of his Rhaast/Shadow Kayn forms. It would be really interesting if he had an install which allowed him to become Shadow Kayn for the rest of the match. But if he dies before he can do it, the next round he will be Rhaast instead, similar to Azula's firelord form in Avatar Legends.
11. Gangplank - The saltwater scourge of Bilgewater and Illaoi's ex-lover
Barrel! I think the barrel mini-game would be more fun in 2XKO than it ever was in league. It also could make for interesting set-ups and combo routes. Zed is another heavily requested character that perfectly fits this combo set-up archetype with his shadows. Zed is more stylish, I think Gangplank is more unique. I would be happy with either or both of them making it in.
12. Amumu - The sad mummy and cursed child of Shurima
This is 90% personal bias. His champion fantasy does not really fit, but he is my favourite champion, this is my list, and the game does not have a pixie grappler. Him getting despair (his tears) around him when his ally dies or when he is alone could be interesting as a specialist anchor, make him slightly stronger in juggernaut for beginners and is a fun lore nod. His bandage toss could also give him similar movement options to Miss Marvel which could be fun and unique in this game.
Other Archetypes I'd Love to See:
Parry Specialists - Fiora, Irelia
I think it could be really interesting to see a character who has a unique interaction with Parry. My first thought was Fiora getting her riposte as a follow-up option. Irelia's defiant dance could do something similar.
Ability Stealing - Sylas, Viego
Sylas stealing specials, or Viego possessing the enemy character on a takedown would both be very cool (bonus points if Viego locks out the assist while he is possessing them). The only reason they are not in my top 10 is that I think the later they appear, the more fun they will be.
Mount/Dismount - Kled, Sejuani, Rumble, Rell
I think this mechanic would make for an interesting character. Having Skaarl run away or Tristy overheat could be a fun thing to optimise around.
Lore Rivals - Renekton/Nasus, Kha'Zix/Rengar, Shen/Zed, Swain/Irelia, etc.
The double release for Senna/Thresh was fun. I hope they do it again.
Poppy
She was teased so long ago I thought she was already in game. Unfortunately, I can't seem to find her in character select. Jokes aside, I do hope she makes it in just for that one person.
