2XKO Akali Balance Update: Key Changes and Competitive Impact

Riot Games continues to expand 2XKO, its Runeterra-based fighting game, with a major April 7 update that introduces Akali as a playable champion alongside sweeping system and balance changes. After launching in early access on PC in 2025 and rolling out fully in early 2026, the tag fighter now adds new modes, events, and roster adjustments aimed at both competitive and casual players.

You can unlock Akali through a limited-time recruitment event or purchase her directly, bringing her smoke-based Twilight Shroud mechanics and fast-paced pressure into matches. The update also adds Local Duos for same-device online play, a Spirit Blossom in-game event, expanded replay tools, and significant buffs and nerfs across the roster.

System Changes

The 1.1.5 update focuses on tightening system behavior, refining inputs, and resolving edge cases that affected match flow. You will notice more consistent defensive options, cleaner tag interactions, and targeted balance tuning across the roster.

Core Gameplay Updates

Input and System Mechanics

You now perform rolls by holding directly away from your opponent or up-back. The previous down-back and down-forward inputs no longer trigger rolls, which reduces accidental activations during defense.

Roll timing feels more reliable, and you can hold forward or back on wakeup to block immediately. This change improves defensive consistency after knockdowns.

You can now activate Supers while holding an attack button. This adjustment removes unnecessary execution barriers during high-pressure sequences.

The system no longer triggers Break when you return to neutral after completing a directional special. That fix prevents unintended resource usage and improves control during tight confirms.

Developers continue refining “Happy Birthday” interactions to ensure multi-character hits behave consistently. You should see fewer irregular outcomes when catching both opponents in the same sequence.

Gameplay Bug Corrections

Several system-level issues that affected combo resolution and resource behavior have been addressed.

• Characters can no longer trigger Fury Break after dying to chip damage from Bleed in rare cases.
• Tag and knockdown states now resolve more consistently across the cast.
• Armor interactions and projectile durability checks now follow standardized rules.

These fixes reduce edge-case scenarios that previously disrupted match pacing or caused unexpected results.

Roster Balance Updates

Patch 1.1.5 introduces Akali to the roster and adjusts several existing champions. You will see targeted nerfs to overperformers and measured buffs to characters who struggled in mid-range or conversion scenarios.

Below is a breakdown of notable changes.

Ahri

Developers slightly reduced the strength of Wild Flares, which previously generated high meter and created difficult post-pushblock situations due to its effective range.

They shortened the overall duration of Special 2 through hitstop and blockstop adjustments. You regain control sooner after interaction.

Bug fixes

• Wild Flares no longer cancels into Stalking Dart via programmable input.
• Forward and backward Spirit Rush properly cancel into Supers.
• Mid-air forward Spirit Rush no longer causes excessive pushback at specific spacing.
• Handshake Tag timing no longer causes unintended forward movement when a forward tag is blocked.

Blitzcrank

Blitzcrank receives further hurtbox tuning on his grab tools.

These changes improve interaction clarity without dramatically altering how the moves function. The adjustment is smaller than the previous Air Purifier tuning.

Related fixes affecting Blitzcrank

• Vi’s Denting Blows now causes consistent knockdown behavior when used against him.
• Jinx’s Super now properly breaks armor.

Braum

Braum loses some defensive dominance during assist and mobility actions.

• His collision box becomes smaller during back assist.
• Stand Behind Me uses a reduced collision size.
• Opponents can now navigate around him more reliably during these actions.
• Startup invulnerability on Glacial Fissure has been removed.

These updates make pressure and movement around Braum more predictable.

Caitlyn

Caitlyn gains consistency improvements aimed at mid-range control and combo reliability.

Normals

• Mid-air medium hitbox lowered.
• Air light, medium, and heavy connect more reliably on airborne targets.
• Air heavy hitstun increased from 23 to 25 frames.
• Air heavy now combos into Tactical Dive on airborne opponents.

Assist and Mobility Adjustments

• Heavy attacks cause less pushback on block.
• Forward roll becomes invulnerable on frame 11 instead of 12.
• Improved pass-through behavior against larger characters.
• Dash momentum carries more effectively when canceling into actions.

You can now cancel Rifle Shot into Reload Shot if your opponent parries the projectile. This preserves your offensive sequence rather than forcing a full reset.

Restriction

• You can no longer perform mid-air Enticing Trap into Trick Shot after tagging out.

These changes make Caitlyn more responsive in neutral and improve her ability to chase rolls and confirm stray hits.

Darius

Darius remains stable, with a small assist improvement.

• Noxian Might Assist active frames increased from 1 to 2.

This adjustment allows the assist to connect more reliably when your point character attacks simultaneously.

Ekko

Ekko receives additional nerfs in this patch, though his core identity remains intact. Adjustments focus on reducing dominance without removing his pressure tools.

You should expect slightly lower reward in certain optimized sequences.

Illaoi

Illaoi loses some tag-based pressure options.

• Tentacle Smash no longer cancels into Prayer in Stagnation during tag-out.
• Prayer in Stagnation no longer grabs while she is tagged out.

These changes remove setups that previously led to unblockable scenarios.

Improvement

• Tentacles no longer attempt to grab knocked-down opponents who are invulnerable.

This resolves situations where tentacles interacted with targets they should not affect.

Jinx

Jinx receives targeted buffs to improve mid-range performance and combo conversion.

Normals and Projectile Adjustments

• Chompers explosion launches airborne opponents lower and closer.
• Chompers projectile durability increased.
• Chompers now trades correctly with projectiles such as darts and returning blades.
• Timer-based Chompers explosions no longer hit grounded knockdown opponents.

These updates make follow-ups more reliable after airborne hits.

Additional Changes

• Forward throw now builds 30 meter.
• Super damage scaling issues corrected to improve overall output consistency.

You gain stronger mid-screen presence and more predictable conversions without dramatically shifting her archetype.

Quality of Life Improvements

Several refinements improve clarity and match flow without altering competitive balance.

• Roll inputs now align more clearly with directional intent.
• Wakeup blocking feels more consistent.
• Dash cancel momentum carries more naturally into attacks.
• Projectile and armor interactions behave more predictably.

These updates reduce mechanical friction and improve execution reliability across the board.

Additional Bug Resolutions

The patch removes a variety of edge-case interactions that previously caused unintended outcomes.

• Multi-character hits resolve more consistently.
• Tag transitions no longer create abnormal collision behavior.
• Damage-over-time edge cases no longer allow post-elimination system triggers.

You should encounter fewer irregular combo drops or system misfires during extended matches.

Current Known Problems

Some issues remain under investigation.

• Illaoi’s tentacles can rarely become inactive if struck during specific frames of Wrath of Nagakabouros.

Developers continue monitoring system-level interactions and multi-character scenarios for further refinement in upcoming updates.