Assassin, Mage, Ranged - Release date: 14 December 2011
Unlike other foxes that roamed the woods of southern Ionia, Ahri had always felt a strange connection to the magical world around her; a connection that was somehow incomplete. Deep inside, she felt the skin she had been born into was an ill fit for her and dreamt of one day becoming human. Her goal seemed forever out of reach, until she happened upon the wake of a human battle. It was a grisly scene, the land obscured by the forms of wounded and dying soldiers. She felt drawn to one: a robed man encircled by a waning field of magic whose life was quickly slipping away. She approached him and something deep inside of her triggered, reaching out to the man in a way she couldn't understand. His life essence poured into her, carried on invisible strands of magic. The sensation was intoxicating and overwhelming. As her reverie faded, she was delighted to discover that she had changed. Her sleek white fur had receded and her body was long and lithe, the shape of the humans who lay scattered about her.
However, though she appeared human, she knew that in truth the transformation was incomplete. A cunning creature, she adapted herself to the customs of human society and used her profound gift of beauty to attract unsuspecting men. She could consume their life essences when they were under the spell of her seductive charms. Feeding on their desires brought her closer to her dream, but as she took more lives, a strange sense of regret began to well within her. She had reservations about actions which never troubled her as a fox. She realized that she could not overcome the pangs of her evolving morality. In search of a solution, Ahri found the Institute of War, home of the most gifted mages on Runeterra. They offered her a chance to attain her humanity without further harm through service in the League of Legends.
"Mercy is a human luxury... and responsibility."
QUOTES Champion selection
"Don't you trust me?"
Attacking
"Play time's over."
"They're mine now."
"It's too late for mercy."
"Let's have some real fun."
"No one will stand in my way."
"They've exhausted their use."
Movement
"Shall we?"
"Indulge me."
"How tempting."
"Don't hold back."
"Tell me a secret."
"Don't you trust me?"
"I know what they desire."
Taunt
"Should I make your pulse rise? Or...STOP! (giggles)"
Joke
"If you'd like to play with me, you'd better be sure you know the game."
"Come try your luck, if you think you're in my league. (giggles)"
TRIVIA
Ahri is inspired by the Nine-tailed fox - a mythological being originating from East Asia, and has become a recurring creature in modern fantasy.
Ahri was designed by Ezreal, although Coronach helped him develop her kit.
There were several different names for the Nine-Tailed Fox throughout development: Ezreal himself referred to the Nine-Tails as Gumiho (구미호).
The more common name Kumiho is a direct reference to the Nine-tailed fox from Korean mythology.
A player found a poll for her name on the Riot Korea webpage, which gave 6 different options to vote for:
Danbi (단비) (meaning Saviour or Saving Rain)
Nabi (나비) (meaning Butterfly)
Ruri (루리) (meaning Dazzle)
Ari (아리) (meaning Graceful or Elegant)
Chorong (초롱) (meaning Glittering)
Dasom (다솜) (meaning Loving).
Ahri is voiced by Laura Post.
Ahri was simultaneously released (on all servers) with the launch of the Korean servers.
Ahri's dance is based on the choreography for the song Run Devil Run by Girls' Generation (소녀시대; So Nyeo Shi Dae/SNSD), an extremely popular Korean girl group.
Essence Theft, previously shared its name with Nasus' passive - Soul Eater. The name was changed in a minor patch shortly after her release.
In the Champion Spotlight, Phreak refers to her passive as "Soul Eater".
Ahri's final design has fox ears, whereas her original design did not. Her clothes were also changed.
Her title on the League of Legends site is displayed as "the 9 Tails Fox",while in-game and spotlight are both "the Nine-Tailed Fox". The latter title is grammatically correct.
SKINS
Ahri's hairstyle in her main skin is a fish tailed braid. She shares this trait with Lissandra.
Dynasty Ahri is wearing modernized Hanbok (traditional Korean clothing).
Additionally, this skin changes her dance to a traditional Korean dance.
Midnight Ahri is also referred to as the Shadow Fox skin.
Foxfire Ahri might be a reference to the Mozilla Firefox browser as she bears the same color scheme of the browser's icon in her splash art background.
Foxfire Ahri shares the internet browsers theme with Explorer Ezreal, Chrome Rammus, and Safari Caitlyn are the other skins in this theme.