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Master Yi
Master YiSquare
General Information
TitleThe Wuju Bladesman
PronounsHe/Him
Release DateFebruary 21, 2009
Cost450 BE 260 RP
PrimaryAssassin
SecondaryFighter
Statistics

HP
669 (+ 105)

HPR
7.5 (+ 0.65)

MP
251 (+ 42)

MPR
7.26 (+ 0.45)

MS
355

AD
65 (+ 2.5)

AS
0.679 (+ 2.5%)

RNG
175

AR
33 (+ 4.7)

MR
32 (+ 2.05)
Developer Info
DDragon KeyMasterYi
Integer Key11
External Links
Universeuniverse.leagueoflegends.com
Game Info Wikiwiki.leagueoflegends.com

Master Yi is a champion in League of Legends.

Lore[]

For outdated and now non-canon lore entries, click here.
  • Biography
  • Story #1
  • Story #2
Master Yi has tempered his body and sharpened his mind, so that thought and action have become almost as one. Though he chooses to enter into violence only as a last resort, the grace and speed of his blade ensures resolution is always swift. As one of the last living practitioners of the Ionian art of Wuju, Yi has devoted his life to continuing the legacy of his people—scrutinizing potential new disciples with the Seven Lenses of Insight to identify the most worthy among them.

In Ionia’s central province of Bahrl, a mountain settlement once stood, hidden away in its serene beauty. Here, in the village of Wuju, the boy Yi grew up learning the ways of the sword, chasing a dream that later turned to tragedy.

Like most children, he admired those who wore silk robes and carried blades with poems to their name. His parents being swordsmiths, Yi made a strong impression on the local warriors who frequented their workshop. He spent his mornings in the garden, sparring with his mother, and his nights reciting poetry to his father by candlelight. When it came time for Yi to study under Wuju’s masters, his parents could not have been prouder.

Carrying his talent and discipline over to his training, he surpassed every expectation. Soon, the whole village knew of the “Young Master” Yi.

Still, the humble student wondered about the rest of Ionia. From atop the tallest pagodas, he spotted faraway towns no one else ever mentioned, but when he sought to journey down the mountain with blade in hand, his mentors forbade him. Wuju was founded by those believing their swordsmanship to be too precious to share, too sacred to draw blood—so for centuries, it flourished in isolation, with no outsiders knowing its true nature.

All this changed the day Yi saw vast plumes of smoke rising above the distant towns. Noxian warbands had invaded from the coast, conquering settlement after settlement in waves that washed the provinces red. Choosing the people of Ionia over Wuju’s hallowed tradition, Yi ventured down to help defend the First Lands. To astonished eyes, he swept across the front lines in a blur, routing the enemy with blinding swordplay never before seen by outsiders.

Word of the one-man army spread far and wide, like mist in the mountains. Inspired by his courage, even his fellow disciples joined the fight, and together they journeyed to Navori where the greater war was raging.

The Noxian commanders saw in Wuju a threat that could not be ignored. They scouted the origin of these peerless warriors, and elected to strike at their home without mercy. In a single night, the entire village was destroyed, its people and culture obliterated by chemical fire that no steel could hold back.

After the war finally ended, Yi returned as the only surviving disciple, to find nothing but ruins. The very magic of the land had been defiled, and everyone he had known and loved was no more. Slain in spirit, if not in body, Yi became the attack’s final casualty. With no other practitioners of Wuju left alive, he realized the title of master was his to bear alone.

Grief-stricken, he chose seclusion, training obsessively to bury the guilt of his survival, but the wisdom of bygone masters seemed to fade with the haze of time. He began to doubt if one man could preserve an entire heritage… until he encountered the least expected of individuals.

A curious, monkey-like vastaya challenged him to a duel. Reluctantly, Master Yi entertained the creature’s demands, defeating him with ease. But the vastaya refused to give up, returning day after day with increasingly clever tricks that forced Yi to react and improvise. For the first time in years, Yi felt the spirit of Wuju once more.

The two clashed for weeks, until the bruised stranger finally knelt on the ground and introduced himself as Kong, of the Shimon tribe. He begged to learn from Yi, who saw in this reckless but determined fighter the makings of a new disciple. Through teaching, Yi found his purpose restored. He would pass on the ways of Wuju, and gifted his pupil an enchanted staff and an honorific as a sign of this vow—from that day onward, Kong was known as Wukong.

Together, they now travel the First Lands, as Yi seeks to honor the legacy of his lost home, allowing him to fully embody the “master” in his name.

"The edge of the sharpest blade is no match for the calm of the peaceful mind."

- Master YiSquareMaster Yi

HOMECOMING
Master Yi Homecoming

Wilted leaves fall from shivering branches, as a gust of wind blows across the mountain slopes. Yi levitates a few inches above the ground, his eyes closed and hands folded, listening to the morning songs of Bahrl jays. The cool breeze touches his bare face, and tickles his brow.

Releasing a quiet sigh, he descends until his boots touch the dirt. He opens his eyes and smiles. Clear skies are a rare, friendly sight.

Yi dusts off his robe, noticing some loose, fallen hairs. Most are black, with a couple white, like wild silk.

How long has it been? he wonders.

Swinging a twill bag over his shoulder, he continues his hike, leaving behind trees that once swayed with life, but now stand still.


Yi glances down the mountain to see how far he has come. The lands below are soft, fragile—treasures to be protected. He looks forward and resumes climbing. On the path ahead, lilies wither, their coral petals turning a sickly brown.

“Didn’t expect to see anyone up here,” a voice calls out.

He pauses to listen, his hand clutching the ringed sword by his waist.

“You also looking for your herd?” The voice grows closer. “Stupid beasts. They always get caught in this area.”

Yi sees an aging farmer approach, and loosens his grip. She wears a simple kirtle, sewn over with assorted scraps of cloth. He bows as she draws near.

“Bah, save your etiquette for the monks,” she says. “You don’t look like you work the land for a living, ‘cause those blades sure aren’t for cutting weeds. What brings you here?”

“Good day for a hike,” Yi replies, his voice feigning innocence.

“So you’re here to train, huh? Noxus coming back so soon?” she asks with a chuckle.

“Where the sun sets once, it will again.”

The farmer snorts, recognizing the old proverb. It is known by most in the southern provinces. “Well, you let me know when they return. That’ll be the day I sail off this island. But until then, why don’t you put those swords of yours to good use and help a frail, old lady?”

She beckons Yi to follow. He obliges.

They stop next to a wooded area. A baby takin whimpers in agony, its hind legs bound by thick, swollen vines that tighten as the creature struggles.

“That there is Lasa,” the farmer explains. “He’s young and dumb, but he’s more use to me in the field than stuck on this cursed mountain.”

“You think it’s cursed?” Yi asks, kneeling by the beast. He runs a palm over its woolly back, feeling its muscles twitch and spasm.

The farmer crosses her arms. “Well, something un-spiritual happened here,” she replies, nodding her head towards the summit. “And without natural magic, the land demands sustenance, even taking life if it has to. Were it my choice, whatever’s up there oughta be burned.”

Yi fixates on the vines. He did not expect to see them this far down the mountain.

“I’ll see what I can do.” He murmurs, drawing two blades from brass sheaths on his boots. As he edges the steel close to the constriction, the vines seem to cower.

The moment lingers. Beads of sweat prickle Yi’s bare face. He closes his eyes.

Emai,” he whispers, in the tongue of his ancestors. “Fair.

The takin leaps free, letting out a gleeful, high-pitched bleat. On the ground, the cut vines dangle like loose skin.

The beast springs downhill, reveling in its freedom as the farmer gives chase. She snatches it up in both hands, and hugs the takin close to her chest.

“Thank you!” she exclaims, not realizing Yi has already continued on his way. She calls after him. “Hey! I forgot to ask. What are you training for? The war is over, you know…”

He does not look back.

Not for me.


After another hour, he reaches the barrens. The carcass of a village lies all around him, invaded by the very same vines.

This is Wuju. This was home.

Yi heads for the burial grounds, stepping past toppled beams and stonework, remnants of houses, schools, shrines—the shattered pieces all blend together. The ruins of his parents’ workshop are lost somewhere among the rubble. There is too much to grieve for, and not enough time.

The graves he visits are arranged in perfect symmetry, with gaps between the mounds for someone to pass through. Someone like Yi.

“Wuju honors your memory.”

He places a hand on every hilt of every sword piercing the earth. These are his memorials to warriors, teachers, and students. He does not skip a single one.

“May your name be remembered.”

“Rest. Find peace in the land.”

His voice soon grows tired.

As the sky becomes painted in shades of orange, three graves remain untouched. The closest is marked by a hammer, its head rusted from the mountain air. Yi pulls a peach out of his bag, setting it beside the mound.

“Master Doran, this is from Wukong. He couldn't make the journey with me, but he wanted me to bring you his favorite fruit. He loves his staff, almost as much as he loves making fun of the helmet you gave me.”

He moves toward the final two mounds, guarded by golden sheaths.

Emai, the weather is forgiving today. Fair… I hope you are enjoying the warmth.”

Yi grasps his two short swords and slides them into the sheaths adorning his parents’ graves. The fit is perfect. He falls to his knees and bows his head.

“May your wisdom continue to guide me.”

Standing, he reaches into his bag to retrieve his helmet. The afternoon sun catches on its seven lenses, each reflection in a different hue. Holding the helmet close to his heart, he imagines the garden of lilies that once existed here.

That was before the screams. Before acid and poison twisted the land’s magic against itself.

He dons the helmet, and a kaleidoscope of his surroundings fills his view. Hands folded together, he closes his eyes and empties his mind. He thinks about nothing. Nothing at all. His feet lift off the earth, but he is unaware.

Opening his eyes, he sees everything. Death and decay, with little hints of life.

He sees spirits that dwell in the realm beyond his own. The vines here trap them as easily as the poor takin, weakening their essence. He knows any spirit strong enough to break free would have abandoned this accursed place. What remains is corrupted… or soon to be.

Pained, mournful cries haunt the air. Yi used to cry out in pain himself, but that was long ago—back when he thought tears might bring back the dead.

He blinks, and the physical world returns. For a moment, he pretends not to bear its weight upon his shoulders. Then, he blinks again.

The spirits continue to cry out. Yi draws his ringed blade.

He dashes in a blur, sweeping across the grounds like a change in season one realizes only after it has passed. In a flash, he is back where he started, perfectly still, his sword resting in its scabbard.

One by one, the vines crumple. Some spill from collapsed rooftops, others shrivel where they lie.

He sits cross-legged to take it all in. Now the spirits sing with joy, and he knows there is no greater sign of gratitude. As they melt away, the land echoes their bliss. Peach blossoms sprout where the overgrowth had held firm. Stalks of limp bamboo straighten, like students ordered to attention.

A fleeting smile softens Yi’s face. He removes his helmet and digs into his bag, shuffling past the other items he brought for the journey. Fruits, nuts… char, flint. Things for himself, and things to cleanse the land for good.

Not now. Not yet.

He retrieves a thin reed pen, and a crinkled scroll. The page is covered in marks.

60

54

41

Yi adds a few strokes by today. Below them are more words.

30 days between clearings.

He knows, soon enough, he will need to grant the farmer her wish, and send his home off in flames.

But not now. Not yet.

POETRY WITH A BLADE
Master Yi Poetry With a Blade

Yi frowned at Master Doran as the elder scrambled up the path toward him. Like a mud crab during mating season. It was a less than courteous thought, but given the master artisan’s age, it was a compliment of sorts.

He gave a short bow toward the gray-haired weaponsmith, cupping his hands together in greeting. Red faced, Doran replied without slowing, his hand waving in rhythm with his gasps for breath.

“I’m here, I’m here! Sorry for being a little late. These old bones overslept today.”

Yi shot a glance at the midday sun. A little late indeed, if that meant an entire morning.

From time, all things spring forth,” Yi recited, his brows furrowed. “Morning dew dawns. Evening mists fall. Thus are born the sun, moon, and stars.”

Doran paused, his waterskin halfway to his mouth. “What?”

“The opening verse from ‘The Compilation of Mandates.’ Have you never heard of it, master?” Yi could hardly believe it. It was a famous verse, most often used to chastise the tardy. “That poem is one of Buxii’s classics.”

The elder stroked his beard, face scrunched in confusion. “Who?”

Yi’s eyes narrowed. Master Buxii was the greatest poet in Ionian history. Before Yi had learned the names of all his extended family, his father had taught him to recite Buxii’s “The Glow of Sunset Among the Mountains.”

“Never mind.” Yi cleared his throat. “My master has informed me of the importance of today’s training. I am to follow your instructions.”

Doran chuckled. “He called this training? No wonder you arrived so early.”

He must be joking. Yi had met Doran before, at his parents’ workshop. Fair and Emai respected him greatly—though he was once an outsider to the village, Wuju’s smiths and masters had embraced him, so legendary was his skill with hammer and anvil. Yet the similarities between Yi’s parents and Doran ended with their professions. The elder weaponsmith was unkempt, absentminded, and known to be eccentric. And though Yi’s parents knew and respected the great poets, Doran apparently did not.

Not for the first time, Yi questioned what this strange weaponsmith had to teach him about the sacred art of Wuju.

He forced his lips into a tight smile. “When do we begin, master?”

“Well, to this old man, we have all the time in the world. But to you…”

Doran packed up his waterskin and turned to glance up the road he had just traveled—a narrow and winding shepherd’s path leading to the village of Wuju. As he turned, Yi noticed the load Doran carried on his shoulders: a basket weaved from bamboo, covered with thick takin hide. It was clearly meant for long journeys.

“You’re what, a mere six moons into swordsman training, and facing your first little setback. Why so impatient?” Doran said.

Yi tensed. It was much more than a little setback—it was a problem that could make him unfit to continue training in Wuju style. He clenched and released the sheath of his sword in an attempt to center himself. This trick, taught to him by his fellow disciples, proved fairly ineffective at the moment.

“Master,” he said softly. “I have been studying Wuju swordsmanship for four seasons.”

“Oh! You’re right! You’re fifteen summers now.” Doran pinched Yi’s bicep with an exaggerated look of surprise. “No wonder you’re so strong. You must have been practicing those sword strikes every sunrise, eh?”

Yi had never shirked any assignment his master had given him, whether it was practicing his sword strikes, meditating, or reciting poetry. In fact, he worked harder than his fellow apprentices and most of the older disciples. He could perform every stance and move in Wuju style with incredible precision, enter a meditative state with impeccable speed and form, and recite most of the poems, songs, and scriptures in the Wuju texts. Yet in spite of all his achievements, he had hit an embarrassing plateau in his progress.

Yi couldn’t keep a bitter smile from creeping across his face. “About four thousand times every day.”

Doran whistled. “Four thousand sword strikes a day? Are you training to be a blacksmith?”

The young swordsman crossed his arms. Repetition was the essence of a fundamental doctrine of Wuju: The Trunk Is Sturdier than the Branch. Did Doran not even know that?

Before Yi could respond, Doran removed the bamboo basket from his back and thrust it into his arms. “There you go, then. A fitting load for a strong young man.”

He massaged his shoulder as he strode away from Yi. Momentarily stunned, Yi ran to catch up.

“Master? Where are you headed? This path leads south.”

“Don’t you worry,” Doran said. “I can still tell north from south.”

“But what about the training?”

“You really want to train that much?” Doran sauntered forward, putting both hands behind his back. “Then let us begin.”

Yi paused. South of the Wuju village was nothing but uninhabited woods. Unless Doran’s plan was to go wild boar hunting, there wasn’t much “training” to be done there.

But he had promised his master he would obey the old man, and so he slung the bamboo basket over his shoulders, and followed.


Yi had never set foot on this path before—he had never even heard of its existence.

The path was marked by stepping stones that were deep in the soil, mostly broken by time and neglect. Wild grass grew between them, sometimes as tall as Yi’s shins. At first, he suspected that this route would lead to some abandoned shrine or settlement. In the mountainous island of Bahrl, ancient ruins were said to lie undisturbed in the woods outside villages and towns.

They had trekked southward for some time, and the weaponsmith’s promise of training hadn’t materialized. Irritated, Yi shifted the bamboo basket on his shoulders. “Master, what exactly am I carrying? It’s heavy.”

“Swords,” Doran replied without turning to face him. “All swords.”

Yi raised an eyebrow. Doran crafted swords exclusively for Wuju swordsmen, and he only made a few every season.

“Are these blades all forged by you, Master Doran?”

“Three of them are. As for the rest…” Doran paused, as if trying to find the right words. “Those were entrusted to me by my peers.”

“You mean other weaponsmiths? Why would they give you their swords?”

Yi absentmindedly peered over his shoulder to look at the basket, promptly tripping over an oddly shaped stone. He staggered as he caught his balance.

“Hey! Watch it!” Doran quickly rebalanced the basket on Yi’s shoulders. “One of them is for you, you know. If you bend it, I’m sure you’ll blame me later.”

“For—for me? Is it a sharpened blade?”

“Of course it is. I don’t craft unsharpened swords.”

Only those who truly understood the Wuju philosophy of bloodless combat were given the privilege of wielding sharpened blades, as a testament to the swordsman’s self-control. And one handcrafted by Master Doran… Many senior disciples had endured over ten summers of training before receiving such an honor, yet Yi had only been training for four seasons. The young swordsman was flattered.

However, his excitement was fleeting, and he cast his eyes down. Doran seemed to notice the change in mood. The two walked in silence for a few paces before the weaponsmith gently said, “I heard from your master that you’re having some trouble connecting with the spirit realm.”

Yi didn’t answer right away, so great was his shame. When he finally spoke, he said, “Connecting isn’t the problem. If I couldn’t do that, I wouldn’t have been accepted into the Wuju school.” He scratched the back of his head. “Yet I can’t seem to draw power from it. Sometimes I can draw a little, but I can’t imbue my weapon with it.”

“Could it simply be that it’s not yet your time? Evoking the spirit realm’s energy…” Doran smiled as he stroked his beard. “When it happens might simply come down to the whims of fate.”

Yi wanted to tell Doran he was wrong—the ability to draw power from the spirit realm wasn’t something to be negotiated with fate. And that’s what worried him. Perhaps he was failing because he lacked the innate talent. Perhaps it was his fate that he’d never succeed.

Yet he bit his tongue. He didn’t want to appear impudent, and he still clung to the hope that today’s “training” would help him, however slim the chance.

“Hm. Perhaps you’re right,” Yi finally replied.

The muddy path became more difficult to walk, as roots and brambles crowded over the broken stones. While earlier, Yi could occasionally spot the footprints of other travelers, there was now no sign that any living soul had passed through here before. The only sound was the summer wind whistling through the dense trees.

“Master Doran, have you come this way before?”

“Mhm. I take this path once every four seasons. Your master even accompanied me two or three times.”

Yi was surprised. “Master Hurong? I’ve never heard him say so.”

“I’m sure he will, eventually.” Doran waved him off before picking up his pace. From his swift strides, it was hard to remember he was an elder of almost sixty summers. Not much like a mud crab after all.

He’s brought other swordsmen with him. Does he need a bodyguard? Is this the training—a chance to practice my mercy strokes? Yi welcomed the prospect.

“Have you ever met any threats on this path, master?”

“None at all.” Doran shook his head with a smile. “But keep a good grip on that sword of yours, son. My walking of this path has nothing to do with yours. Even if I had walked this path a thousand times without encountering any danger, it doesn’t mean you definitely won’t.”

As if on cue, a sharp bird-like screech rang out.

Yi halted and grasped the hilt of his unedged sword, lifting it to his chest. He recognized the sound as the cry of a raptor—a dangerous species of wild fowl usually found deep within forests.

The swordsman clenched his teeth, and scanned the tree line.

Rolling his eyes, Doran gestured forward. “Do you see those mountains over there?”

Straight ahead, an unbroken range of peaks stretched across the horizon. They were not particularly high, but they went on as far as the eye could see.

The woods had been silent since the raptor’s call, so Yi lowered his sword. “We’re going mountain climbing?” he asked, trying to hide his annoyance.

“You’re from Bahrl,” Doran replied, patting Yi’s chest with the back of his hand. “Surely you’re not afraid of some hills?”

Yi looked up. A golden, dazzling sun hung upon a cloudless blue canvas. It actually was a good day for a hike, he had to admit.

He squared his shoulders and pressed forward.


After skirting a grove and crossing a stream, they finally closed in on the mountains. They were well outside Wuju territory by now, and beyond the range the elders considered wise to travel. Yet Doran had yet to show any signs of slowing down.

Once they reached the first incline, they ascended a series of stone steps. They might have been well traveled in the past, but now they were broken, covered in weeds and slippery mud. The steps abruptly ended at a steep cliff face that was roughly the height of three men, and before Yi could ask, Doran had already grabbed a handhold on the rock and started to climb. He reached the top with little effort, turning back to look down at Yi with an expression that said, What are you waiting for?

Scaling a rock wall was an easy feat for just about any young person from Wuju, but Yi had never attempted this sort of climb while carrying a heavy load. The task was even more difficult than it looked. After he finally summited the cliff, it was quite some time before he caught his breath.

At last, he stood up straight and dusted off his clothes, only to stop as his eyes locked on a stone tablet before him, a single word etched on it. He could just barely make out the weather-worn Ionian characters.

Mistfall.

“We still have time.” Doran sat down beside the stone tablet and took a sip from his waterskin. “Let’s rest.”

He pulled a rice cake from some mysterious pouch or hidden pocket, and began munching away. After a few bites, Doran looked up as if he had suddenly remembered something. He jabbed the remnant of the rice cake at Yi, who was still studying the stone tablet. Seeing the jagged teeth marks on the offering, Yi shook his head.

“Master, when you said we still have time, you meant for my training, right?”

Doran slapped his knee while chewing on a mouthful of rice cake. “A beard well lathered is half shaved, kid. If you’re really that anxious to start the training, I suggest you rest up here first.”

When Yi saw that Doran had started gnawing on a second rice cake, he suppressed an exasperated sigh. Seeking to hide his impatience, he examined his surroundings.

Apart from the stone tablet, Yi noticed a few ancient ruins hidden under thick clusters of vines and shrubbery. Though only broken columns and walls were left, he could tell that this majestic and bold architecture was entirely different from that of Wuju’s pagodas.

Doran pointed toward the ruins. “This mountain used to house a shrine—for worshiping a god who fell from grace long before any of us were born. Nobody knows the god’s name, and nobody knows where its believers went. These humble stones are all that remain.”

Flowers wilt as folks grow old. Even morning stars must return to night,” Yi recited. He then pointed at the stone tablet. “Were they the ones who named this place Mistfall?”

“Later generations carved that. As for the name…” Doran motioned toward the other side of the cliff. “Its meaning will be clear if you look over there.”

Yi peered cautiously over the edge of the cliff. Beneath him, white fog blanketed a valley, and farther in the distance, blue sky met the mountains. The view was breathtaking, its grandeur stretching as far as he could see.

The valley itself wasn’t large. It reminded Yi of a lake, only with swirling silvery mist instead of water. A narrow downward path led from the cliff and disappeared into the depths.

“You see that?” Doran asked. “That’s where we’re going.”

There? Into the valley?”

“That’s right.”

After a long day of trekking through empty wilderness, his training ever more elusive, Yi couldn’t stomach any more nonsense.

“Master, just what kind of training are we doing?” he blurted out.

“All I can say is, the journey will be rough, which is why you should take this respite more seriously.”

Yi swallowed his frustration, as it was clear that Doran was not going to explain further. He found a slab of flat stone opposite the old weaponsmith, and sat down, placing the bamboo basket next to him.

Forget rest. At least this place was perfect for practicing meditation.

Yi closed his eyes and started to breathe deeply and slowly. Perhaps it was due to the unfamiliar environment, but he took a while longer than usual to enter his meditative state. In that space between unconsciousness and waking, a lightness cascaded through his body. And at the tip of this lightness, a bright and unusual object emerged. It was like a spark, illuminating every corner of his mind.

A spirit.

It wasn’t uncommon for Yi to encounter spirits while meditating. They visited him more often than they did most of his fellow disciples. It was probably a good thing, for it meant that he was closer to the spiritual realm, and he ought to be skilled at drawing energy from it.

Ought to be.

Yi focused on the white light, purging his mind of all other thoughts. He soon realized that this was no average spirit. He tried to grasp it, feeling how it pulsed. To his surprise, he merged with the entity, disappearing in the blinding light.


He forced his eyes open, and found himself sitting under a gigantic silverwood tree—the one that stood at the entrance to Wuju. Yet the buildings in the distance looked strange and unfamiliar.

Flustered, Yi stood and walked into the village, where he saw familiar figures—his father, mother, fellow disciples, even his neighbor’s black cat, Little Beauty, and the chief elder’s dog, Goldie. They all seemed to be engrossed in their own world, ignoring Yi. These must be visions, he thought. He calmed himself as he continued down the main road.

Then he saw something that made him freeze in his tracks. “Master Doran?”

The elder weaponsmith spared Yi a glance before turning back to his work. But he was not crafting swords—where a furnace, smithing tools, and an anvil should have been, there was only a flower pot with tender seedlings. With a delirious grin, the artisan slowly raised his arms over his head, and the seedlings in the pot curled and stretched in response. They grew at an unimaginable pace, sprouting leaves until they took the shape of a small juniper tree. Doran examined it closely, looking somewhat unsatisfied. He then raised his arms a few more times. The tree changed its form, swaying merrily in the wind before becoming a weeping willow.

Bewildered, Yi turned his gaze toward the rest of the village, noticing for the first time that each and every house was covered in lush, colorful, and even grotesque vegetation. Many dwellings looked like they had grown out of solid rock, while others twisted into forms that resembled people—not just in shape, but in their movements.

As Yi meandered aimlessly, a clarion sounded from the village center. Nearly every villager stopped what they were doing and strode toward the mountainside on the other end of town.

A waterfall ran down the mountain, obscuring a cave behind it. Doran was the first villager to arrive. He raised his arms, parting the water so he could pass, dry as can be. Other villagers promptly followed suit, entering the cave one by one. But when Yi raised his arms, it had no effect on the cascading water.

It’s just a vision, he reassured himself. It doesn’t matter if I get wet.

He stepped through the waterfall, and found himself in a massive chamber. Thousands upon thousands of candles adorned the space. In the center of the cave were the villagers who entered before him, conversing in a language Yi could not understand. In the opposite corner, he spotted his Wuju master, Hurong, standing with a number of other highly respected elders from the village.

Strange ridges and lines were carved into the stone walls, and the patterns seemed to shift as Master Hurong spoke and gestured. It looked like a living calligraphy painting—no, not a painting. Some sort of map.

The elders concluded their discussion, exchanging glances and nods. Yi’s master then raised his right arm and snapped his fingers. With the ease of a door being thrown open, an entire wall sundered, right up to the ceiling, revealing the sky as streaks of blinding sunlight filled the cavern. Outside was a sheer drop to the distant ground.

With a leap, Master Hurong transformed into a vibrant blue Bahrl jay and took to the air, soaring out of the mountain and into the clouds. Next came the other elders and villagers—after turning into birds, they emptied the broken cave in a chorus of squawks, leaving behind only Yi and Doran.

Knowing he could not communicate with Doran, Yi nodded respectfully and prepared to take his leave. He was shocked when Doran called out to him in a language he could understand, his voice cold and deep.

“You. You walk the path of Wuju?”

Yi froze, staring wordlessly at the weaponsmith.

“I have met you Wuju practitioners before,” Doran said, his face impassive. Yi hadn’t realized how strange his eyes were—crimson irises transfixed him, shining with an eerie light, devoid of any semblance of life. “You take great pains to wring out what little power you can from the spirit realm, only to put it in a weapon—how tawdry. Yet this poor mimicry is still enough to allow you to enter the domain of the strong.”

“Mimicry?” Yi had never heard anyone disparage Wuju style before. “Mimicry of whom?”

Doran ignored the question, instead pointing toward the gradually closing gap in the cave walls. “Go. Follow them.”

Yi looked up at the sky. This is ridiculous. “But I can’t fly.”

“You can.”

Doran’s voice had come from behind him. Yi whirled around to see the weaponsmith standing outside the cave entrance, fingers steepled. “You just don’t know how to do it yet.”

The entrance and the gap in the cave walls slammed shut, sealing Yi inside. His only escape was an opening far above his head. It seemed this crimson-eyed Doran wished to compel Yi to fly out of the mountain like the others.

Yi scoffed, then sat down on the stone floor, crossed his legs, and closed his eyes. Fly out? That wouldn’t be necessary. Visions were just like dreams: no matter how bizarre they got, one only had to wake up for it all to become but a passing fancy.

Yi gasped as he opened his eyes, finding himself back on the stone slab near Mistfall, right opposite where Doran sat. The old weaponsmith didn’t seem to notice Yi’s sudden waking, so engrossed was he with his own thoughts.

Yi pinched his earlobe. He did this whenever he returned from a vision, to make sure he was indeed back in reality. Yet the vision had been so vivid, so real, that even the pinch did not make him feel grounded.

“Master?”

“Hmm?” Doran turned to look at him. “What?”

Yi gazed into Doran’s dark brown eyes. “How long have I been meditating?”

“You pretty much just sat down. Why?”

Yi rubbed his lips. He wouldn’t share an experience he did not fully understand himself.

“It’s no matter. Let’s get going, shall we?”


Just as Doran had warned, the path leading down into the sea of mist was perilous. A treacherous green moss grew on the stone stairs, each step requiring meticulous care. The task was made more difficult by carrying a heavy basket full of swords, but Yi offered no complaint—he wouldn’t give Doran the satisfaction.

It became clear that Doran was not the only one who knew of this secret location. As they approached the mists, Yi saw a relatively new wooden board to the side of the path, a warning of danger scrawled across it. The shoddy handwriting and misspellings hinted that it had been penned by an uneducated hunter.

Yi couldn’t tell if his senses were playing tricks on him, but as he passed the wooden board, it grew cold. It had been a hot summer day, yet frigid winds swirled around him now. On top of that, his vision started to blur as a strange, dense fog wrapped around him and Doran.

He followed closely behind the elder, tightly gripping the hilt of his blade and scanning his surroundings, fearing that something might leap out of the fog.

“This mist isn’t normal,” Yi muttered. “Spirits linger here. We should wait and return after they are gone.”

“The spirits will never leave,” Doran replied, shaking his head. “They have lived in this place longer than people have lived in Ionia. Don’t worry. We won’t be here for long.” He gestured ahead of him. “Come, you have better eyes than I. Help me find a sword.”

Yi frowned. “Find a sword? Here?

“A Placidium flamberge, to be exact. It should be pretty obvious,” Doran explained. “I left it as a marker the last time I came here.”

Yi looked around blankly. Everything was covered in a thick white blanket of mist. Never mind finding a Placidium flamberge—it was barely possible to spot someone standing just two steps away. With no good place to start, Yi pretended to search the ground on either side.

He had only taken a few more steps when his stomach lurched. He suddenly felt as though his body was becoming lighter and lighter. Even the weight of the bamboo basket had disappeared.

“Master Doran,” Yi said uneasily.

But Doran neither slowed nor turned back, and instead picked up his pace. Alarmed, Yi tried to catch up, but the weaponsmith slipped farther away. It wasn’t long before Doran vanished completely in the white mist. Yi watched as the same mist devoured him—it was so dense that he couldn’t see his own legs. He was weightless and bodiless, floating up through the impossible fog.

No. He wasn’t simply floating. He was soaring, the mists becoming clouds and the chill air turning into wind.

He must be in another vision. This time, however, the spirits hadn’t given any warning before they whisked him away.

Feeling disoriented, he tried to stretch his arms out for balance—but a pair of magnificent jade wings spread out from him instead.

I’ve become a bird!

As he soared through the sky, a long coastline appeared. A salty sea breeze swept over him as cerulean ocean waves crashed against the shore. The land felt like home, and yet at the edge of the beach loomed a dark gray structure, an edifice that had no place in Ionia.

Is that… is that a monument of some kind? If it hadn’t been for the precise construction, it could have been taken for a mountain. As he flew closer, he saw it was three monstrous towers, each one of incredible size, sharing a single base.

This cannot possibly be the craftsmanship of mortals.

Yi had never seen anything like this. The towers were made of thousands of large stones, polished and carved into perfect blocks, each the height of a grown swordsman.

A flock of vibrantly colored birds burst from the clouds and glided toward the fortress. Unsure if it was by his own volition, Yi winged over to join them, flying with great speed.

He followed a bright red bird, dashing between the three towers. The bird left Yi behind as it dived for the base of the structure, tumbling as it landed. As it stood, it took the shape of a man—the crimson-eyed Master Doran. He beckoned as he peered up at Yi, still spiraling overhead.

Yi landed on Doran’s shoulder, then lightly tumbled to the ground. As he regained his feet, he discovered that his human legs had returned, along with the rest of his body.

“It appears you can fly,” Doran said.

Invigorated, Yi said breathlessly, “Master Doran—”

But Doran shook his head. “No. He is but a form I’ve taken.”

He said no more, and Yi blinked. Why would this spirit take the form of Doran, of all people?

He stretched his back, and his gaze fell on the massive towers. “What is this place?”

“You call it Bahrl.” The spirit who looked like Doran pointed at the snakelike coastline, where a squad of warriors armed with pikes and glaives patrolled the beach. Their weapons and armor looked foreign. “They call it the Other Shore. We call it home.”

“Who are they? And who is this we?”

Yi turned to look at the spirit, but he was already gone. Only a few red and white feathers remained.

Absurd.

Yi wanted to leave this vision as he had the last one, but before he could start meditating, a loud, rhythmic noise came from far away—the loudest he had ever heard. It was the clanging of metal and the cries of men. His curiosity piqued, he followed the sound to its source.

As Yi passed by the huge towers, it became even more apparent that their size defied reality. Each tower could house the entire Wuju village and more. But why would anyone build houses so large and ugly? It made no sense.

Lost in his thoughts, Yi almost bumped into a burly passerby. He wore a shining metal helmet, yet his chest was bare, and he wielded a strange-looking halberd.

Just like the villagers in Yi’s previous vision, the people of this vision didn’t pay him much mind. The foreign man paused briefly, then continued on his way. There were a few other warriors patrolling the area, radiating a resolute air of strength. They also let Yi pass.

As Yi approached an earthen rampart, the noise became deafening. He could hear war drums pounding, punctuated by shouting.

Yi swallowed as he climbed up the rampart, and carefully craned his neck so he could see what lay beyond.

Thousands of soldiers packed a large, open square, easily outnumbering the people of Wuju. Their rows were as neat as their war banners, and they were geared with all sorts of different equipment. Some had spiked steel plate armor, some donned thick animal hides, and some wore only thin cloth robes. Though these soldiers were disparate in appearance, they were united in purpose, beating their chests in rhythm with the drums and their war cries.

“Tell me, disciple of Wuju,” a cold voice called from behind him. “What do you see?”

Yi gripped his sheath and spun around, only to see the crimson-eyed spirit standing at the bottom of the rampart. He climbed up level with Yi and placed his hands lightly upon the top of the earthwork.

“Give me your first impressions,” the spirit said.

Yi retorted with questions of his own. “Who are they? Why are you showing me this?”

But the spirit did not yield. “The first word,” he pressed. “The first one that comes to mind.”

“The first word…” Yi gazed at the sea of warriors again. “Strength,” he said finally.

“Strength. Where do you see strength?”

“Where?” Yi scratched his head. “Each warrior possesses the ferocity of the tiger, the strength of the great bears. They wield sharp blades and shining armor. Their call roars across these beaches—”

“So that is what you see. Ah, child. This is why you are here.” The spirit’s expression darkened as he nodded. He pointed behind the young swordsman. “The direction of your gaze is mistaken. The harder you train, the further you will be from your goal.”

Yi turned to look behind him. But before he could see anything, the spirit shoved him, knocking him from the rampart so he tumbled to the ground, which was now impossibly far below. Even knowing he was in a vision, Yi couldn’t help but cry out in shock.

He squeezed his eyes shut as the ground rushed up toward him.

When he reopened them, he was sitting down, thick mist swirling around him, the bamboo basket at his back. He suspected he was back in Mistfall, but he pinched his earlobes—he had to be sure that he had left the vision. Once he was satisfied, he looked to the sky.

“Why can’t he just leave me alone?” Yi groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. “And what in the world was he talking about?”

As Yi wiped the sweat off his brow and heaved a few sighs of relief, Doran came hobbling out of the fog, hugging something in his arms. He looked up and down at Yi.

“Hey, kid, what happened? Why are you sitting down?” The weaponsmith held an oddly shaped sword with an undulating, snakelike blade. This was probably the Placidium flamberge he had been looking for.

“Master Doran,” Yi said. “When you came here with my master, did you encounter anything strange?”

“Here in the fog?” Doran squinted his eyes. “What trouble have you gotten into?”

Unsure how to explain, Yi stood up and shook his head, slinging the bamboo basket over his shoulders. “I’m just worried that this place might not be safe. The mist has only grown thicker since we arrived.”

“Oh, no need to worry,” Doran replied as he stuck the flamberge into the ground. “The mist will soon disperse. And we will be safe as long as we leave before it sets in again.”

“The mist will disperse? Why?”

“Every four seasons, there is one sundown when the mists recede. That is today, during this very sundown.”

Just then, Yi noticed that the air was losing its chill. Within moments, the mist thinned out at astonishing speed.

“This is—”

Doran put a finger on his lips, motioning for Yi to stay silent. Just as the sun touched the zenith of a faraway mountain, the entire valley was laid bare. Yi clasped his hands over his mouth and took a huge breath, unable to believe the scene unfolding before him.

“Why does the mist disperse?” Doran rested his hands on the hilt of the flamberge. “Maybe the spirits here are commemorating that one momentous sunset, countless summers ago…”


In all his fifteen summers, the fiercest combat Yi had witnessed was when a hunter fought a wild boar. The former lost a finger while the latter lost its head. As far as Yi knew, Ionia had always been a pure and peaceful land, representing harmony. Yet, what lay before him exuded a foul aura. It was completely at odds with the Ionia that Yi knew.

Countless blades were stuck in the ground. Starting from just ten paces away, the vast ocean of weapons spread to the foot of the distant mountains, washing over the valley. At the center were ten large claymores. Actually, it would be wrong to call them large. They were gargantuan. With the tips of the swords buried underground, Yi couldn’t determine their full scale. The hilts alone were the height of a grown swordsman, and just the visible portions of the blades were the height of seven or eight, like the Great Pagoda of Wuju.

“This was the site of an ancient battle.” Doran patted Yi on the shoulder. “The combatants left their weapons here. The spirits protect each and every one, helping them resist the corrosion of time. As the eons went by, this became a sacred land. Over time, those who vowed never again to participate in the violence and bloodshed of war started coming here to leave their blades as well.”

Yi looked around. “I’ve never heard of a place like this…”

“What I speak of happened a long, long time ago. Some of these weapons might be older than your oldest ancestors. Nowadays, there is hardly anyone left who still remembers this tradition. And of those who do, most choose not to disturb the spirits.”

“Then why do you come here, Master Doran?”

“It used to be rumored that Mistfall’s spirits would bless weapons with power in combat. When I finally found my way here, I discovered the truth was just the opposite. The ancient battle ripped apart the balance in this place. That’s why the spirits in the valley hate violence. While they do bless weapons, their blessings lose their effect the moment the blades are used for bloodshed. Most swordsmiths stopped coming after they realized this. I’m the only one who has been able to win blessings that last. Have you figured out why?”

Yi nodded. “It’s because you only craft swords for Wuju bladesmen, and we abstain from bloodshed and killing.”

“That’s right. That’s exactly why I remained in Wuju. All my life, I’ve wanted to create the best blades in the world—but not for battle. And only you Wuju bladesmen see weapons the same way.” Doran gestured at the bamboo basket on Yi’s back. “Oh, you can put that down now.”

Yi gladly removed the heavy load from his shoulders.

“We’ll plant those here today to be blessed—that includes the blade I made for you. Then I’ll retrieve the swords I left behind last time.”

The two walked deeper into the valley. As they got closer to the center of the battlefield, there were other kinds of weapons in the ground. While some resembled conventional blades, their dimensions were either too large or too small for Yi to wield, and the ones that he could wield had forms he’d never seen before. Yi marveled at who could have used them.

“Look! Here we are. My garden!”

Doran was pointing at a single-edged sword with a magnificent cross guard. The weapon was fit for a human swordsman, and looked much newer than the others—as if it had been forged yesterday.

Upon closer inspection, Yi noticed something even more interesting—a paper amulet was dangling from the hilt on a thin red string. In fact, quite a few swords in the ground had paper amulets as well. Amulets were usually used for prayers and blessings. This was the first time Yi had seen them attached to weapons.

Doran carefully pulled the single-edged sword out of the soil and removed the amulet, delicately placing the paper on the ground. After scrutinizing the blade, he turned to another sword stuck in the ground, and began this process once again, like a farmer harvesting his crops.

Like transplanting rice stalks, Yi mused. He rolled up his sleeves and grasped the hilt of a long sword with an amulet.

“Don’t touch that!” Doran shouted. “That was left behind by another swordsmith. It has been here for some time now. Leave it in the ground.”

Yi released the weapon, but he accidentally unraveled the red string attaching the amulet to the hilt. He picked up the paper, reading the Ionian text written on it—a simple poem.

Deafening thunder in spring;

Torrential rains in summer;

Easterly gales in autumn;

Flying snow in winter.

Yi furrowed his brow. “What is this?”

The older man looked up as he opened the basket. “That’s a poem the swordsmith wrote. What do you think?”

Yi took a closer look—the writer’s skill with calligraphy and poetry was definitely above average. Still, it read more like a toast than a poem. “It’s adequate. But what’s the purpose of writing poems here?”

“We write poems to honor the spirits.” As he knelt down, Doran took a large sip of water, then reached into his satchel and pulled out a calligraphy brush coated in dried ink. He dabbed it on his tongue. “If the spirits in Wuju can understand poetry, why not the spirits here?” Doran motioned to the three blank amulets on the ground before him. “The swordsmiths who asked me to drop off their swords prepared their amulets in advance, so I just have to write the poems for mine.”

“Master Doran, you’re going to write poems? Does this mean you actually study poetry?” Yi walked over as Doran began to write. “So you were just teasing me when you said you had no idea who Buxii was.”

The artisan gave him a sly grin. His calligraphy was unrestrained, with audacious strokes sweeping across the paper. A lengthy verse quickly took form.

“Let’s have a look.” Yi bent down and read aloud. “No wars today, just a sip of wine to wash down duck eggs. Tastes yummy—” He couldn’t contain his outrage. “Doran! Master! What are you writing?”

Doran stroked his beard with pride. “Do you like it?”

“This isn’t even poetry!” Yi gesticulated wildly. “There’s no rhythm, no rhyme, the lines don’t relate, and even the basic format of a poem is nowhere to be found!”

“The most important part of a poem is the feeling, not the form.” Doran grinned as he jabbed a finger at his chest. “It’s the theme of the heart. Rhythm and rhyme are only the flourishes decorating a poem.”

Yi stared blankly at him. “But—what you just wrote. Where are the feelings and themes?”

“This is my experience of war.” Doran gazed at the amulet. “When you’re an old man like me, who has witnessed bloodshed and killing, you’ll understand why a sip of wine alongside a duck egg is worthy of poetry and praise.”

Yi raised an eyebrow, turning to the other weapons with amulets. Did these swordsmiths write questionable poetry as well?

He approached another sword and read its amulet. “Indefatigable horrors and demons, alongside inexhaustible evils and villains…”

This poem was attached to a ceremonial blade, not intended for combat. Based on the verse, Yi suspected it belonged to an adjudicator or roaming swordsman.

Doran, still immersed in his own writing, glanced at the young man. “Oh, that one’s by Laka. She’s famous at the Placidium. Her swords cost a fortune.”

Yi had never been to the Placidium of Navori, though he’d heard merchants call it a sanctuary. Perhaps it was slightly bigger than Wuju?

He moved on to another ceremonial blade, this one used as a cane. A cooling fragrance of insect-repelling mint emanated from its teakwood handle.

Blind faith ruins minds;

Blind loyalty ruins lives.

When the butcher’s knife strikes the ground,

All are wounded, and the self is destroyed.

Yi was only halfway through reading the verse when Doran interrupted. “That would be Morya. He always uses the best materials for the stingiest of clients—priests, monks, and the like. He only gets poorer with every weapon he crafts. He still owes me money!”

Doran gestured with his brush to a spot near Yi. “Oh, right! Take a look at that one! That’s a good one!”

Yi spun around to find the sword Doran had indicated: a greatsword with a serrated edge, with a tiny blue amulet hanging from the hilt.

The text on the amulet was in a foreign language. Yi couldn’t read any of it except for the signature at the end. Lear, scrawled in Ionian.

“Lear is an absolute genius. He lives on the southern isles, and has even been to Zaun,” Doran said.

“Where’s… Zaun?

“Don’t ask.”

After reading amulet after amulet, Yi let out a relieved sigh. It seemed that Doran was the only person in all of Mistfall who wrote such non-poetic poems.

Yi turned to the older man. “Master Doran, the works of the others at least resemble poetry. You’re the only one who’s careless.”

Doran paused his brush. “Careless?”

“Feelings are important, but a poem is defined by its form.” Yi spoke with utmost seriousness. “If you’re going to write poetry, you should follow tradition. This is but basic courtesy and respect to the spirits.”

“Interesting.” Doran smiled. “Your master once said the same thing to me… and he wasn’t even the Wuju leader back then.”

“That’s because we’re both Wuju swordsmen.” Yi puffed out his chest. “It’s our duty to protect the old ways. As such, it is my duty to tell you that what you’re doing is wrong.” Yi looked around him. “No, your poetry isn’t the real problem. The fact that we’re here—that’s the problem. Master Doran, you are disturbing these spirits for your selfish hope of crafting better swords.”

“Both Wuju swordsmen…” Doran nodded. “How much do you really understand of Wuju?”

Yi’s frustration finally boiled over. He hid his clenched right fist behind his back and spoke with a voice that trembled with suppressed fury.

“I’ve indeed only been training for four seasons, and barely understand the art of Wuju. But what do you know? You may be a respected weaponsmith, but you have never been through a single day of swordsmanship training, have you? Who are you to question my understanding?”

Doran was undaunted. “Heh, interesting. Why do I have to understand swordsmanship? You’re the one who’s supposed to be training today.”

Disbelieving his ears, Yi took half a step forward. “Training? You’ve been making me climb mountains, rest, search for swords. So when exactly is the training going to start?!”

Doran was silent for a while, before finally setting his brush on the ground. “Your master told me that the most vital knowledge cannot be taught with words. It can only be learned through epiphany. It was at this very place, years ago, that he found the answers he had been seeking.”

The young man froze. The weaponsmith was referring to one of the Seven Fundamental Doctrines of Wuju, The Stunted Flower Blooms Best in Rain. He waited for Doran to continue.

“I have no idea how you Wuju bladesmen train. That’s why I asked you how much you have understood thus far.” Doran paused. “Or have you learned nothing at all?”

Embarrassed, Yi looked away. “My apologies, Master Doran. Did Master Hurong tell you how he reached his epiphany?”

“I didn’t ask, but he left behind a poem at the time.” Doran pointed behind Yi, at an enormous greatsword that towered over the battlefield. “It’s on that sword over there.”

Yi hesitantly made his way to the greatsword. Covered with notches and cracks, the giant blade was damaged beyond repair… however, given its incredible size, a sharp edge wasn’t really needed.

Not seeing any poem, Yi took a few steps to the side to get a better view. He then noticed that the blade was gleaming—the sword appeared to be made of some sort of glass. Curious, Yi stretched out his hand, lightly touching the brilliant shimmer of reflected light.

He blinked.


A thunderous rumble shook the valley as the gargantuan sword was drawn out of the ground.

Yi took a step back, dumbfounded. Ten giants, each the size of a small mountain, stood before him. They were clad in golden armor and strange helmets, and where eyes should have been, two blazing orbs flared, flashing with a sinister glow. Their gigantic swords reflected the rays of the setting sun. In their regalia, holding stalwart stances, they looked like gods descended from the heavens.

Farther away, among the foothills, another fifty giants were slowly making their way over. Holding massive weapons, they stopped and stood still as if awaiting an order.

Hearing a commotion behind him, Yi turned around, only to be greeted by a sea of faces.

At first, they looked familiar—they were villagers from Wuju, except they were hazier, less distinct, and they began to melt like a watercolor painting in the rain.

But then their features became clearer, and Yi realized that these were people unlike any he had encountered before—they had feathers all over their backs, or only three fingers, or green skin. They were tall, with fit physiques. Colorful clothes, some with the appearance of lustrous scales, draped across their lithe frames.

He stood transfixed. “What—what are they?” he breathed.

Yi had no idea when the spirit who looked like Doran had appeared beside him, but there he was, responding coldly with his crimson-eyed stare. “You called them—you called us—the Vastayashai’rei.”

Yi had never heard this long and cumbersome name before. He regarded the spirit, whose outfit made him resemble a crane standing on two feet.

The spirit gestured to the Vastayashai’rei. “We were the victors of this battle.”

Yi’s gaze fell on the army of giants. “How could you possibly have won against these monsters?”

The spirit did not answer.

Ten elders—or what Yi assumed were elders, among these strange beings—emerged from the Vastayashai’rei’s ranks. One made her way to the front, resting one palm over the other and raising her arms above her head. She slammed her hands down on the ground, and the whole valley shook as a fissure tore toward the giants. A deep chasm now separated the two armies.

At the same time, the other nine elders invoked their magic. Some began to dance as others sat cross-legged, and howling gales and a foreboding blanket of dark clouds descended on the battlefield. Thunder roared as lightning flashed across the sky. Standing at the edge of the fissure, another elder conjured a mass of vines, enormous tangles bursting from the earth, intertwining to form a wall the height of six swordsmen.

Such power over the elements was unheard of except in myth. Yi knew he was in a vision, but he couldn’t help but feel awed.

“What do you see now?” the spirit asked. “Is this strength?”

Yi nodded. “Yes, this is strength.”

“Yet we’re equipped with neither sturdy armor nor powerful weapons, nor are we shouting with the fervor of a bloodthirsty army. Where do you see strength?”

“You are conjuring winds, and calling storms, and parting the earth itself. If that’s not strength, what is?”

The spirit pointed at the giants. “You asked me how one could win in a battle against these monsters. The question should be, how will these giants contend with the divine powers that created this very land?”

The behemoths were undaunted by the Vastayashai’rei’s mastery of magic. They threw back their heads and howled with glee, the ten lead giants raising their massive swords and charging. With their sheer size, they seemed like a mountain range crashing toward the Vastayashai’rei.

Yet the Vastayashai’rei did not flinch. The elders advanced as the ranks behind them followed. Some of them bent low and sprang forward, transforming into vulkodalks, scaled snappers, and wolves, the beasts dashing past Yi. Others took to the skies, shifting into avian forms as they soared through the air like arrows. In a flash, the Vastayashai’rei became a stampede hunting down their prey.

The giants were surprisingly nimble. They leapt over the fissure, easily clearing the wall of vines behind it, and dived straight into the pack of beasts.

Each swing of their swords was an unstoppable force. The vanguard of avian warriors fell in waves. Undeterred, their brethren beat their wings, casting enchanted blades of wind at their enemies, gouging shallow lines of red in the gaps between their armor. These strikes would normally cleave a person in two, yet they barely slowed the giants.

The Vastayashai’rei’s ground forces were just as fearless. Several scaled snappers charged the giants, using their bulk to knock them down, while vulkodalks tore into their foes with horns and razor-sharp teeth.

Enormous trees ripped from the earth, sharpened like stakes, their branches cracking like whips. Thunder roiled, and massive bolts of lightning struck with divine fury, blasting craters in the ground. Yet even this apocalyptic scene did not deter the giants. As vines snared their feet, and beasts clambered over them, and some were even brought to their knees and slain, they still continued to fight, and howl, and press forward. They seemed emboldened, increasing their momentum, treading on countless corpses as they tore an opening in the ranks of the bestial army.

The smell of blood wafted through the air, its tang seeming real.

In that moment, one giant noticed Yi’s presence. His fiery eyes glaring, the behemoth headed straight for him. Stunned, the young swordsman retreated a step back, assuming a defensive stance.

As the giant bore down on him, the spirit rested his hand on the sheath of Yi’s sword.

“Winds and rain. Thunder and lightning. Avalanches. Even the body itself. All are mere forms. If you can find their essence, all forms are but a stone’s throw away. That also includes imbuing your blade with power.”

As the spirit spoke, the giant’s footsteps slowed, as did the assault of the Vastayashai’rei. Even the lightning became sluggish, as everything around Yi crawled to a standstill.

Realization dawned on him. “You mean—”

“Wuju style.” The spirit nodded. “Wuju style draws power from the spirit realm. That’s also how the Vastayashai’rei changed their shapes, and manipulated the elements. The only difference is in the degree of power used. I have no idea who founded Wuju style, but they must have been a remarkable mage.”

“That’s impossible!” Yi exclaimed. “We’re swordsmen, not mages.”

“Forms! It doesn’t matter if they’re known as mages, priests, or monks. Those are all merely adopted forms,” the spirit said, exasperated. “The heart of Wuju is magic. The heart of the Wuju school is the people who wield this magic. Every martial stance, every poem, every meditation that you have studied, they all exist for the sake of this magic.”

Yi wanted to refute the spirit—precision in form was an essential part of Wuju!—when suddenly he realized this wasn’t a debate. This spirit was obviously guiding him in the art of Wuju. This had to be the training his master had spoken of!

“Then how do I use this magic?” Yi said. “I have no issues with my swordsmanship and meditation, so why am I failing to draw power from the spirit realm?”

“The issue lies precisely in your bladesmanship and meditation.”

The spirit took the hilt of Yi’s sword and drew the unedged blade, shifting through several stances with the grace of a master. Yi assumed he would demonstrate a few moves, but instead the spirit snapped the sword in two, and tossed it to the ground.

“The sword is not the bearer of the magic. You are. By focusing too much on your swordsmanship and meditation, you are directing all your attention to these useless forms. This is exactly why you lack the instinct every Wuju swordsman should have.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Forget the sword. Forget the enemy. Forget all of your master’s teachings,” the spirit said. “Even in the moment of contact with the spirit realm, forget that you are meditating. Stop wondering if your every move is right or wrong.”

Suddenly, the battle roared back into chaos. The giant picked up speed as he resumed striding toward Yi, raising his sword. And he had nothing but a wooden sheath to defend himself.

“It’s your turn now.” The spirit took a step back. “Ask yourself: how will you defeat an enemy whose strength so severely outmatches your own?”

Yi drew the sheath like a sword and readied his stance, taking shallow breaths.

The giant’s steps shook the ground. This is only a vision, Yi reminded himself, yet he could barely stabilize his breathing.

He felt the magic of the spirit realm surging around him, like a mighty river. In the past, when he had tried to draw this power into his sword, it had eluded him.

Yet the sword was just a form. So was the sheath.

So am I.

How will I defeat an enemy whose strength so severely outmatches my own?

By becoming the river.

The monster swung his sword in a mighty blow.

Almost entirely by instinct, Yi raised his sheath to block the attack. As sheath clashed with sword, the force of the impact reverberated through his entire body. Yet he remained standing. Not only had he withstood the blow, but his flimsy wooden sheath had somehow cut a notch in the giant’s massive weapon.

Encouraged, Yi switched his stance and swung the sheath diagonally at the sword, tearing a gash into it. The giant hesitated, then pulled his weapon back to examine it. Upon seeing the damage to the blade, he bellowed in rage and astonishment. The fiery orbs of his eyes dimmed underneath his helm.

Yi also couldn’t believe what was happening. He gently ran his index finger along the side of the sheath. There wasn’t a single crack or splinter—but it sliced open his fingertip, as though possessing a sharp edge.

“Do you feel it?” The spirit stepped forward and grasped Yi’s hand, holding up his bloody finger. “This power at your command?”

He nodded.

“Remember this feeling, and direct it from beneath your feet to your target.” The spirit gestured to the giant. “Attack with your heart and your body, not your blade.”

Though the spirit still spoke in the language of forms, Yi now understood.

The spirit stepped back just as the giant once again attacked. This time, he knelt down, sweeping his sword near the ground like a sickle harvesting crops.

Now Yi was completely focused. He held his breath, got down on one knee, and raised his arms over his head, shielding his upper body with the sheath—he had never understood the purpose of this stance during his training, but a curtain had lifted, giving him clarity.

Just as the giant’s sword was about to make contact, Yi leapt to his feet, his weapon before him. He dashed with the force of a tsunami, throwing himself against the giant’s attack, sheath slicing toward the sword.

By the time Yi closed his stance and stowed his weapon, the severed half of the giant’s blade had plummeted to the earth like a kite with a broken string.

Thrown by his momentum, the giant crashed to the ground. Just as he started to stand, a bolt of lightning struck him in the back, and dozens of Vastayashai’rei swarmed over him. The behemoth’s eyes showed fury… and fear.

Yi stared at his hands, shaking his head in wonder. “I feel like I can cut through a mountain!”

The spirit nodded. “No armor can withstand attacks by master Wuju swordsmen. As long as you draw enough power, you can indeed sunder a mountain, a forest, or even the entire world.”

Yi was so excited that he clenched his fist and almost started to dance. Seeing this, the spirit quickly cleared his throat. “But remember, this is all a vision.”

“Um, yes, of course.” Yi frowned. What an odd thing for a spirit to say.

“There’s a limit to the amount of power humans can draw from the spirit realm. Thus…” A grin appeared on the spirit’s face. “If you really meet an opponent like this, I suggest you run. You’ll probably fail to slice off even a toenail.”

“Definitely.” Yi rubbed the back of his head. “I understand.” After all, Bahrl was a peaceful place. He’d have no need to sunder such foes.

“I’ve seen many Wuju disciples, but you stand out. Don’t waste your life pursuing useless endeavors.” The spirit gently rested his hands on Yi’s shoulders, assessing him. “I’ll teach you something else, if you’d like.”

Yi’s eyes brightened. “Yes!”

“You grew up in Bahrl, so—”


Yi was suddenly back in Mistfall, staring at the giant blade planted in the ground.

He was drenched in water—water from Doran’s waterskin, which he had just thrown at his face.

“I shook you a couple of times to no avail, so I had to resort to this.” Doran smiled as he handed Yi the skin. “Come, have a drink. You’ll feel better.”

Yi looked up at the sky, letting out a huge sigh. “Gods! Master! Couldn’t you have waited just a moment longer?!”

“Oh?” Doran said. “Were you about to slay the giant, or what?”

“I was just about to learn…” Yi froze. “Wait! Master Doran, you—you’ve seen the vision as well, haven’t you? The battle with the giants?”

“I’ve heard your master speak of it. It seems that you Wuju bladesmen are the only ones who encounter such visions in this place.” Doran leaned forward. “You seem excited. I suppose you discovered something?”

Yi lowered his gaze to his sheath, and drew his unedged sword. He stood before the massive blade, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath with the devotion of a priest at prayer. After a few moments, he raised his sword and swung it, magic coursing through the weapon. So great was his strength that he cleaved through the giant’s sword. Only a shard remained in the earth.

Doran drew a sharp breath. “Whoa!”

“How’s that?” An almost smug grin crept across Yi’s face.

“Who have you been talking to?” Doran said, raising an eyebrow.

Yi was about to tell him that it was a spirit in his likeness, but inspiration suddenly struck. “Master Doran! Could I borrow your brush?”

Doran turned to fetch the ink-soaked brush, and handed it over to Yi. “Why? Are you going to write a poem about your feelings like your master did?”

Yi weighed the brush in his hands before returning to the remnant of the giant’s sword in the ground. Before he began, he ran his palm over it, catching sight of what seemed to be traces of ink—the wind and rain would erase all hints of any calligraphy one were to write here. But that didn’t matter. Whatever he wrote wasn’t meant for the eyes of other visitors.

“The poem my master wrote wasn’t about his feelings,” Yi said as he penned his first word. “It was about his gratitude.”

By the time Yi had finished writing, Doran had packed up the swords in the bamboo basket, and was about to lift it onto his shoulders. Yi rushed over to take the burden himself, but Doran stopped him.

“I’ll carry it. After all, your training today is completed.”

Yi nodded. He looked at the blades Doran was leaving behind to be blessed.

“Master, which one is my blade?”

“None of them. The blade I crafted for you will go to a junior disciple instead.”

“What?” Yi couldn’t believe it. “Junior? Which junior?”

Doran snorted, turned, and walked away, leaving Yi behind.

Yi ran after him. “But why, master?”

The old weaponsmith sighed in bemusement, muttering words only he could hear.

“It’s no longer worthy of you, kid.”

Abilities[]

Double Strike Double Strike [Passive]

Innate: After landing 3 basic attacks, Master Yi's next basic attack within 4 seconds strikes twice, dealing (+50% total) physical damage which applies on-hit effects and can critically strike.
Alpha Strike Alpha Strike [Q]
Cost: 50 / 55 / 60 / 65 / 70 Mana Cooldown: 20 / 19.5 / 19 / 18.5 / 18s Range: 600 Area of Effect: 600

Active: Master Yi becomes untargetable and teleports to rapidly strike enemies near his target, dealing physical damage to all enemies hit after 4 hits.

Alpha Strike can critically strike, dealing an additional (+60% total) physical damage. Repeat strikes instantly deal 15% damage. Basic attacks lower the cooldown of Alpha Strike by 1 second.

Physical Damage: 25 / 60 / 95 / 130 / 165 (+90% total)
Non-champion Bonus: 75 / 100 / 125 / 150 / 175
Meditate Meditate [W]
Cost: 40 Mana + (+6% max) per second Cooldown: 9s

Active: Master Yi channels, restoring Health per second for 4 seconds. This healing is increased by 1% for every 1% of Master Yi's missing Health.

While channeling, Master Yi reduces 90% incoming damage for 0.5 seconds, reduced to a percentage afterwards. This damage reduction is halved against turrets. In addition, Master Yi will gain stacks of Double Strike and pause the remaining duration on Wuju Style Wuju Style and Highlander Highlander for each second he channels.

Heal per second: 30 / 50 / 70 / 90 / 110 (+25%)
Total healing: 120 / 200 / 280 / 360 / 440 (+100%)
Damage Reduction: 45 / 47.5 / 50 / 52.5 / 55%
Wuju Style Wuju Style [E]
Cost: No Cost Cooldown: 14s

Wuju Style2
Active: Basic attacks deal bonus true damage for 4 seconds. True Damage: 20 / 25 / 30 / 35 / 40 (+30% bonus)
Highlander Highlander [R]
Cost: 100 Mana Cooldown: 85s

Passive: Champion kills and assists reduce the remaining cooldown of Master Yi's basic abilities by 70%.
Active: Increases Movement Speed, Attack Speed, grants immunity to slows and ignores unit collision for 7 seconds. While active, champion kills and assists extend the duration of Highlander by 7 seconds.
Bonus Movement Speed: 35 / 45 / 55%
Bonus Attack Speed: 25 / 45 / 65%

Patch History[]

Patch 11.11

Q damage ratio decreased.

Yi’s Mythic of choice is often Duskblade, which gears his playstyle to focus on Q damage and resets. Although Duskblade makes sense in certain situations, it can lead to low-counterplay gameplay that orients him away from what he does best—slicing down foes with basic attacks—so we’re shifting power around to buff those builds.

Alpha Strike Q - Alpha Strike

DAMAGE RATIO : [100% AD] 90% AD

Wuju Style E - Wuju Style

BASE DAMAGE : [20/30/40/50/60] 30/40/50/60/70


Patch 10.8
R bonus attack speed decreased.

We've been seeing Yi snowball too often, especially in average play, so we're nudging him back by pulling a little power out of his ult.

Highlander R - Highlander

BONUS ATTACK SPEED : [30/55/80%]
25/45/65%


Patch 9.21
Phantom Hits now proc Double Strike and apply Double Strike stacks.

Double Strike Passive - Double Strike

PHANTOM HIT BUGFIX : Master Yi's Phantom Hits (from Guinsoo's Rageblade) will now properly proc Double Strike and apply Double Strike stacks


Patch 9.12

Fixed a bug on Master Yi's passive.

Double Strike Passive - Double Strike

BUGFIX : Fixed a bug where Master Yi's Double Strike stacks were lasting 3 seconds instead of 4


Patch 9.11
Bonus attack speed at level 1 removed. Q isolated target damage decreased.

In 9.10, we wanted to nerf Master Yi in average play and increase satisfaction for all players by creating opportunities for more skillful play. However, the changes were pretty neutral and, at the time, seemed like they'd be more impactful due to changes to Rageblade and Conqueror. As a follow-up, we're cutting back his early attack speed and some of the isolated target damage from Alpha Strike so that he loses some of his early clear speed, but still has a more reliable window of untargetability during Q.

Base Stats

BONUS ATTACK SPEED AT LVL 1 No longer receives 8% bonus attack speed at level 1

Alpha Strike Q - Alpha Strike

DAMAGE ON SAME TARGET : [25%] 15% attack damage per additional strike


Patch 9.10
Q cast time removed, adjusted target scanning. W cast time removed. E no longer grants AD while on cooldown. R movement speed increased and adjusted.

We want to increase the satisfaction on key parts of Master Yi's kit while nerfing him in ways that'll help out those who don't know how to counter him. Those with more experience won't find Master Yi significantly better or worse, but he won't continue to dominate in average play.

Alpha Strike Q - Alpha Strike

CAST TIME No longer takes 0.1 seconds to cast
BETA STRIKE If Master Yi has struck fewer than the maximum amount of times he can with Alpha Strike and there are no other nearby eligible targets, he will now strike the same target for 25% of the damage before checking for nearby targets again

Meditate W - Meditate

CAST TIME No longer takes 0.05 seconds to cast

Wuju Style E - Wuju Style

Removed No longer grants 10% attack damage while not on cooldown

Highlander R - Highlander

MOVEMENT SPEED : [25/35/45% total]
35/45/55% bonus


Patch 9.8
Master Yi is now ghosted during R.

We're modernizing Master Yi's ultimate to be in line with similar powerful, long duration movement speed buff-type spells released in the present.

Highlander R - Highlander

PATRICK SWAYZE Master Yi can now move through units during Highlander


v8.17
W cooldown decreased; damage reduction increased early.

Meditate can be a strong defensive tool, but it’s often underappreciated by players who use it primarily for the heal. We're giving it a small buff to encourage its use during (rather than after) combat.

Meditate W - Meditate

COOLDOWN : [35] 28 seconds
DAMAGE REDUCTION : [50/55/60/65/70%]
60/62.5/65/67.5/70%


v8.13
Q bonus damage to minions removed. Q mana cost decreased.

Master Yi is too efficient at cannibalizing multiple sources of income.

Alpha Strike Q - Alpha Strike

MINION SLAYER No longer deals bonus damage to minions
COST : [70/75/80/95/90 mana]
50/55/60/65/70 mana


v8.11

ATTACK DAMAGE : [68] 66
BONUS ATTACK SPEED AT LEVEL 1 8%


v8.3
Q mana cost decreased. E active base damage increased at early ranks and bonus attack damage ratio increased.

Though we think Master Yi needs a lot of gameplay improvement, he doesn't need to be so weak in the meantime. We're giving him a bit more damage so he can stop feeling like Mister Yi.

Alpha Strike Q - Alpha Strike

COST : [70/80/90/100/110]
70/75/80/85/90 mana

Wuju Style E - Wuju Style

BASE DAMAGE : [14/23/32/41/50]
18/26/34/42/50
RATIO : [25%] 35% bonus attack damage


v7.22

BASE ARMOR : [24.04] 33
BASE ATTACK DAMAGE : [60.04] 68


v7.2
Double Strike no longer fizzles if the first hit kills a unit. Meditate pauses E and R durations and stacks Double Strike.

Master Yi’s Meditate sells itself as a “sit still, be tanky, heal up” button. The obvious in-combat use is to channel it while waiting for cooldowns to refresh or allies to arrive, but Yi mains can also make use of the button press on its own. The first case is similar to abilities like Fiora’s Riposte: activating Meditate for a split second to mitigate incoming damage, then immediately canceling it to resume the offensive. The second uses Meditate as an attack reset - equally reflex-intensive, though not nearly as much of a high moment for Yi (relative to any other basic attacker).

To be clear, we’re not getting rid of Meditate’s insta-cancel uses with these changes! Instead, we’re making the channel more appealing and less punishing so the decision isn’t quite as lop-sided.

Double Strike Passive - Double Strike

LIKE LUCIAN If Double Strike’s first hit kills a unit, the second strike now searches for a new target within 300 range (prioritizes killing blows)

Meditate W - Meditate

QUIET! Channeling Meditate pauses the durations of E - Wuju Style and R - Highlander
I’M MEDITATING Now grants Master Yi 1 stack of Double Strike per second while channeling


v6.24
Alpha Strike better follows enemies that Flash away after being tagged.

This is a lot of text that says if Master Yi’s primary target Flashes away the moment before he reappears, Yi will follow them rather than awkwardly popping out at the spot the target just Flashed away from.

Also, a bugfix we will decline to comment on.

Double Strike Passive - Double Strike

STOP HITTING YOURSELF : Fixed a bug where Guinsoo’s Rageblade dealt damage to Master Yi on Double Strike’s second hit

Alpha Strike Q - Alpha Strike

CAN’T ESCAPE : Alpha Strike now determines Master Yi’s ending position when damage is dealt, rather than 0.05 seconds beforehand. In other words, Master Yi more reliably ends up next to his target if the target Flashes at the end of Alpha Strike. (Alpha Strike duration unchanged)


v6.21
Bugfixes on Passive, Q and E.

Like Zed, Azir, and others before him, we dug into Master Yi’s code to fix a bunch of bugs and came out the other end with a new plan: rewrite the busted stuff. This patch, we’ve got a ground-up recoding of Alpha Strike to help ensure that you only die in Alpha when you deserve it.

Double Strike Passive - Double Strike

CRITICAL FAIL : Fixed a bug where Master Yi would not critically strike monsters after Double Striking them at certain attack speeds

Alpha Strike Q - Alpha Strike

I WAS IN ALPHA : Dying during Alpha Strike will properly play Master Yi’s death animation, placing him where Alpha Strike was portraying him to be
MINIMUM UNTARGETABILITY 0.25 seconds (reminder: untargetable does not mean invulnerable!)
BETA STRIKE : Fixed a bug where Alpha Strike could sometimes fail to cast but still go on cooldown, and be unable to be reset by basic attacking until Master Yi cast Alpha Strike again
I CAN SEE IT NOW Alpha Strike now also gains vision of where Master Yi will strike on his next bounce
WHY WUJU DO THAT : Alpha Strike won’t place Master Yi on top of Baron Nashor if Baron is the primary target
CHILL, I GOT THIS : Meditate is no longer momentarily locked out after a failed Alpha Strike cast
I SWEAR I GOT IT : Master Yi now becomes eligible for assists as soon as Alpha Strike visually bounces to a target (even though damage is only applied at the end of the animation)

Wuju Style E - Wuju Style

WUJU FIX THIS BUG : Fixed a bug where Wuju Style’s passive attack damage bonus wasn’t counting toward the 25% bonus attack damage scaling of its active effect if Wuju Style was cast immediately as its cooldown expired


v6.10
W ratio up. E damage up.

Master Yi’s been on a bit of a wild ride when it comes to the patch notes, but now we find the Wuju Bladesman pretty far behind the curve. Specifically, changes to Guinsoo’s Rageblade and the removal of Sated Devourer’s got Yi feeling pretty confused about how he should be building in a post-midseason world. With Sated’s magic proc gone (and Bloodrazor’s damage being entirely physical), armor’s better protection against Master Yi than it’s ever been. Coupled with some changes to the new enchantment, tossing some power back in Yeezy’s true damage will help him melt through sturdier targets when he can’t reach the back line.

Meditate W - Meditate

RATIO : [0.15 ability power per second] 0.25 ability power per second

Wuju Style E - Wuju Style

TRUE DAMAGE ON-HIT : [12/19/26/33/40] 15/25/35/45/55


v6.8
R cooldown up and duration down, but its reset duration increased.

While much of Master Yi’s strength comes from his synergy with two powerful items (Guinsoo’s Rageblade + Sated Devourer), his lack of downtime has always been a frustration. We’re tuning Yeezy’s all-in window to reward using Highlander at the right time, rather than ‘whenever.’

Highlander R - Highlander

COOLDOWN : [75 seconds] 85 seconds
DURATION : [10 seconds] 7 seconds
EXTENSION ON KILL OR ASSIST : [4 seconds] 7 seconds


v6.6
Base damage up, but ratio moved entirely to bonus attack damage.

Usually, when a fed Master Yi dominates an entire team it’s a rare occurrence that comes from careful risk management on a really fragile champion. These days, however, Yeezy’s build of choice is almost fully defensive, abusing on-hit synergies to get most of the damage with far less danger to himself. We’re changing up the way Yi scales so that he can still reasonably achieve the same damage thresholds, but he’s gotta give up some safety and reliability to get it.

Wuju Style E - Wuju Style

BASE DAMAGE : [10/15/20/25/30] 12/19/26/33/40
RATIO : [0.1/0.125/0.15/0.175/0.2 total attack damage] 0.25 bonus attack damage at all ranks


v5.24
Just a tooltip bug.

Making it abundantly clear that this is just a tooltip bug, and Yi's had this AP ratio since 2013. Tooltip.

Meditate W - Meditate

TOOLTIP ratio : [0.3 ability power] 0.15 ability power


v5.17
true bug fixin'

General

WUJU LIKE TO DANCE? : Dance now scales with movespeed

Alpha Strike Q - Alpha Strike

BUGFIX : Fixed a bug where Double Strike and Devourer's Phantom Hit wouldn't reduce Alpha Strike's cooldown


v3.13 Context: Our original reasons for having Meditate's mana cost scale so high no longer exist, as we were primarily concerned with AP Yi bullying lanes or Meditate refreshing multiple times in a fight.

  • Alpha Strike
    • Master Yi will no longer be hit by targeted spells during Alpha Strike
  • Meditate
    • Mana cost reduced to 50 (from 50/65/80/95/110)

v3.10a
Summary: Highlander now reduces ability cooldowns per kills and assists by a percentage amount rather than a flat second reduction. This means Master Yi will never get a “full reset” to chain Alpha Strikes together even if he kills with his first Alpha Strike. Additionally, Master Yi’s attack speed per level has been reduced, while Meditate’s damage reduction at later levels has been increased. Wuju Style’s passive attack damage bonus is now higher at earlier levels and lower at later levels.

Context: New Yi quickly emerged as a powerhouse champion, and while we soon identified the need to reduce his power, we wanted to do it in an intelligent way that created windows of opportunity for both Yi and his opponents, rather than by simply reducing his overall damage. We like Highlander’s reset mechanic, but the flat second reduction on it meant that solid Yi players could effectively chain Alpha Strikes together with no window of vulnerability after scoring a kill. These changes mean Master Yi needs to land a few basic attacks after earning resets in order to Alpha Strike, which should give his opponents opportunities to fight back. Yi’s Meditate buffs give him ways of bridging those cooldown gaps defensively if needed, and offer more viable options when upgrading abilities.

  • General
    • Attack speed per level decreased to 2% (from 2.75%)
  • Double Strike
    • Fixed a bug where the second strike would damage targets even when Master Yi was blinded
  • Meditate
    • Damage reduction increased at later ranks to 50/55/60/65/70% (from 40/45/50/55/60%)
  • Wuju Style
    • Passive attack damage bonus changed to 10% at all ranks (from 7/9/11/13/15%)
  • Highlander
    • Now passively reduces the remaining cooldown for Master Yi's basic abilities by 70% on a kill or assist (instead of 18 seconds on kill or 9 seconds on assist)

v3.10
Summary: Master Yi has been reworked with a new model and changes to his kit. For a full rundown of the Wuju Master's changes, click here.

  • General
    • Health per level increased to 92 from 86
    • Base Mana reduced to 180 from 199
    • Mana per level increased to 42 from 36
    • Base Armor reduced to 15 from 16.3
    • Armor per level reduced to 3 from 3.7
    • Attack Speed per level reduced to 2.75% from 2.98%
  • Double Strike
    • Every 4th consecutive basic attack, Master Yi will attack twice, dealing 50% damage on the second strike
  • Alpha Strike
    • Master Yi becomes untargetable and dashes to up to 4 units, dealing 25/60/95/130/165 (+1.0 total Attack Damage) physical damage and 75/100/125/150/175 bonus damage to minions. Alpha Strike can critically strike for 60% of Master Yi's total Attack Damage.
    • Alpha Strike's cooldown is reduced by 1 second each time Master Yi basic attacks
    • Mana Cost: 70/80/90/100/110
    • Cooldown: 18/17/16/15/14
  • Meditate
    • Master Yi channels for 4 seconds, gaining 40/45/50/55/60% damage reduction and healing for 30/50/70/90/110 (+0.3 Ability Power) per second. This heal is increased by 1% for every 1% Health Master Yi is missing. The damage reduction is halved against turrets
    • Mana Cost: 50/65/80/95/110
    • Cooldown: 35
  • Wuju Style
    • Passive: Master Yi gains 7/9/11/13/15% Attack Damage
    • Active: Master Yi deals 10/15/20/25/30 (+0.1/0.125/0.15/0.175/0.2 total Attack Damage) true damage on hit for 5 seconds. Wuju Style's passive bonus is lost while the skill is on cooldown
    • Mana Cost: 0
    • Cooldown: 18/17/16/15/14
  • Highlander
    • Passive: When Master Yi kills a champion, the cooldowns on his basic abilities are reduced by 18 seconds (half for assists)
    • Active: Grants Master Yi 30/55/80% Attack Speed and 25/35/45% Movement Speed for 10 seconds. If Master Yi scores a kill or assist while Highlander is active, Highlander's duration is extended by 4 seconds
    • Mana Cost: 100
    • Cooldown: 75

v3.09

  • Double Strike
    • Fixed a bug where Guinsoo's Rageblade wasn't properly giving 2 stacks

v3.05

  • Double Strike
    • Double Strike swing time now scales with Master Yi's Attack Speed instead of being fixed at 0.6 seconds
    • Fixed a bug where the second strike of Double Strike could critically hit turrets

v3.02

  • Alpha Strike
    • Fixed a bug that caused Alpha Strike to appear available when it was on cooldown.

v3.01

  • Meditate
    • Total heal amount increased to 200 / 350 / 500 / 650 / 800 from 140 / 280 / 420 / 560 / 700
    • Total ability power ratio reduced to 2.0 from 4.0
    • Mana cost reduced to 50 / 65 / 80 / 95 / 110 from 70 / 80 / 90 / 100 / 110

v1.0.0.153

  • Alpha Strike
    • Initial cast time reduced
    • Chance to deal bonus minion damage adjusted to 50% at all ranks from 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60%
    • Bonus minion damage adjusted to 260 / 320 / 380 / 440 / 500 from 400 at all ranks

v1.0.0.152

  • Base Movement Speed increased by 25.
  • Splash art updated

v1.0.0.139

  • Meditate mana cost reduced to 70 / 80 / 90 / 100 / 110 from 70 / 85 / 100 / 115 / 130
  • Highlander
    • Fixed a bug where assists with Highlander failed to reduce Alpha Strike's cooldown
    • Duration changed to 8 / 10 / 12 seconds from 6 / 9 / 12 seconds

v1.0.0.133

  • Fixed a bug where Meditate's ability power ratio was shown as lower than it actually was

v1.0.0.129

  • Alpha Strike mana cost reduced to 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100 from 80 / 90 / 100 / 110 / 120
  • Highlander mana cost reduced to 100 from 120

v1.0.0.126

  • Fixed a bug where Ethereal Chains would not root Master Yi during Highlander

v1.0.0.123

  • Alpha Strike
    • Wuju Style and Highlander can now be used while Alpha Strike is active
    • Master Yi will now attempt to attack the target after using Alpha Strike to teleport to a champion

v1.0.0.118

  • Alpha Strike teleporting behavior improved to be more consistent when near walls

v1.0.0.104

  • Fixed a bug where Unstoppable Force wouldn't last long enough. It now stuns for 1.5 seconds up from 1 second
  • Magic resistance per level increased to 1.25 from 0

v1.0.0.100

  • Wuju Style tooltip simplified
  • Alpha Strike can no longer be cast while rooted

v1.0.0.96

  • Added a glow to Chosen Master Yi's sword

v1.0.0.86

  • Fixed a bug where Double Strike was represented incorrectly on death recaps
  • Reduced the animation delay before performing Alpha Strike
  • Reduced the animation delay before performing Meditate

v1.0.0.85

  • Attack ranged increased to 125 from 100
  • Double Strike now strikes twice on every seventh attack instead of by percent chance
  • Alpha Strike
    • Cooldown reduced to 18 / 16 / 14 / 12 / 10 seconds from 18 at all levels
    • Mana cost reduced to 80 / 90 / 100 / 110 / 120 from 90 / 105 / 120 / 135 / 150
    • Reduced the total spell cast windup time
    • Missile speed increased
  • Meditate
    • Cooldown reduced to 35 from 45
    • Meditate now ticks every 0.5 seconds instead of every 1 second
    • Heal amount reduced to 140 / 280 / 420 / 560 / 700 from 150 / 300 / 500 / 750 / 1,100
    • Mana cost reduced to 70 / 85 / 100 / 115 / 130 from 80 / 100 / 120 / 140 / 160
    • Armor and magic resist gained while channeling increased to 100 / 150 / 200 / 250 / 300 from 30 at all levels
  • Wuju Style cooldown reduced to 25 from 30
  • Highlander assists now reduce all of Master Yi's cooldowns by half o the base cooldown amount

v1.0.0.70

  • Highlander
    • It now applies an additive attack speed boost, rather than multiplicative
    • It now applies a multiplicative movement speed boost, rather than additive
    • Attack speed boost increased to 40 / 60 / 80% from 30 / 50 / 70%

v0.9.25.34

  • Alpha Strike range reduced from 650 to 600
  • Modified Double Strike's chance to double strike from 12% to 10%

v0.9.22.16


v0.9.22.15

  • Increased Base Health from 480 to 530
  • Reduced Health per level from 88 to 86
  • Increased Damage from 48.7 to 55.7
  • Increased Movement Speed from 325 to 330
  • Increased Damage per level from 1.775 to 3.1

v0.9.22.7

  • Increased movement speed from 320 to 325
  • Meditate now increases armor and magic resist from 30

v0.8.22.115

  • Higherlander movement speed increased form 30% to 40% (due to movement speed soft capping)

July 10, 2009 Patch

  • Alpha Strike once again moves you to the target's location after the effect ends

June 26, 2009 Patch

  • Double Strike proc chance reduced from 15% to 12%

June 12, 2009 Patch

  • Wuju Style
    • Increased mana cost from 25 to 40
    • Activating Wuju Style now yields double damage instead of triple
    • Increased base damage from 10 / 15 / 20 / 25 / 30 to 15 / 20 / 25 / 30 / 35
    • Reduced cooldown from 40 seconds to 30

June 6, 2009 Patch

  • Highlander
    • Modified attack speed bonus from 25 / 50 / 75 to 30 / 50 / 70
    • Reduced movement speed form 35% to 30%
  • Alpha Strike cooldown increased from 16 to 18

May 29, 2009 Patch REMAKE

  • Alpha Strike
    • No longer ultimate
    • New functionality: Master Yi slashes across the battlefield; this deals damage and has a chance to slay minions instantly
  • Meditate
    • Reduced cooldown from 60 to 45
    • Reduced mana cost from 100 / 120 / 140 / 160 / 180 to 80 / 100 / 120 / 140 / 160
    • Reduced health from 150 / 250 / 600 / 900 / 1250 to 150 / 300 / 500 / 750 / 1100
  • Wuju Style
    • New functionality: Passively increases Master Yi's physical damage. Master Yi can activate this ability to triple its effectiveness, at the cost of the passive bonus it yields for a period of time.
  • Highlander
    • New ultimate
    • New functionality: Increases Master Yi's movement and attack speeds and he becomes immune to all slowing effects temporarily. Additionally, killing a champion refreshes all of Master Yi's cooldowns.

May 23, 2009 Patch

  • Double Strike percent chance to strike twice modified from 12 / 16 / 20 to 15% at all levels

May 15, 2009 Patch

  • Meditate
    • Reduced channeling time from 6 to 4 seconds (and made the end of the channel proc a heal)
    • Rewrote the tooltip to make more sense
  • Highlander duration reduced from 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 to 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7

May 9, 2009 Patch

  • Fixed a bug where TwitchSquareTwitch's Debilitating Poison slow debuff was not properly getting removed by Highlander

April 25, 2009 Patch

  • Updated recommended items

April 18, 2009 Patch

  • Increased cooldown on Meditate from 50 seconds to 60
  • Increased bonus damage on Alpha Strike from 50 / 125 / 200 to 150 / 250 / 350

April 11, 2009 Patch

  • Alpha Strike
    • Increased bounce range from 400 to 600
    • Made a fix which had previously caused its slow to not be removed by Highlander
  • Highlander
    • No longer removes Rune Prison
    • Updated movement speed modification type to fix an associated bug

Alpha Week 7

  • Alpha Strike
    • Attack damage reduced to +50 / 125 / 200 from 200 / 300 / 400
    • Slows all targets by 60% for 4 / 5 / 6

Alpha Week 6

  • Highlander
    • Cooldown changed from 30 / 26 / 22 / 18 / 14 to 20 at all levels
    • No longer breaks 'net' effects such as RyzeSquareRyze's Rune Prison

Alpha Week 4

  • Meditate
    • Mana cost changed from 120 / 140 / 160 / 180 / 200 to 100 / 120 / 140 / 160 / 180
    • Heal amount changed from 2 / 4 / 6 / 8 / 10% of Max Health per second to 50 / 100 / 150 / 200 / 250 health per second
  • Alpha Strike
    • Cooldown changed from 150 / 120 / 90 to 90 / 90 / 90
    • Damage changed from 300% of attack damage to 200 / 300 / 400 +100% of attack damage

Alpha Week 3

  • Meditate
    • Cooldown changed from 60 seconds to 50 seconds
    • Channel duration changed from 10 seconds to 8 seconds
  • Wuju Style
    • Mana cost decreased from 5 to 4
    • Damage increased from 10 / 15 / 20 / 25 / 30 to 15 / 20 / 25 / 30 / 35
    • Attack speed increased too 10 / 15 / 20 / 25 / 30 to 15 / 20 / 25 / 30 / 35
  • Alpha Strike
    • Mana cost reduced from 150 / 175 / 200 to 150 at all levels
    • Cooldown changed from 140 / 120 / 100 to 150 / 120 / 90
    • Additionally, he now bounces to 10 / 10 / 10 targets, and damage done to champions will now scale with attack damage
  • Fixed a bug where Double Strike would not work correctly on inhibitors

Alpha Week 2

  • Fixed attack timing bugs
  • Fixed tooltip typos for Alpha Strike, Meditate, and Wuju Style



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