Riot’s upcoming fighter 2XKO is gearing up for its first Closed Beta, and the fighting game community is buzzing with excitement. Here’s a quick look at what players can expect, and how you can jump into the beta yourself!
What is 2XKO?
Once known as Project L, Riot Games’ 2XKO marks the studio’s first leap into the world of 2D fighters. And it’s already looking impressive! For longtime League of Legends fans, this is finally the chance to throw down in the ring with their favorite champions.
2XKO is built as a 2v2 tag-team fighter, letting players swap between two characters mid-battle to pull off wild combos. At its core, it adheres to familiar 2D fighting mechanics. Each champion comes with unique attack patterns that shift depending on their position, whether grounded, airborne, or facing a specific direction. Additionally, players can rely on defensive moves, such as blocks and counterattacks, to turn the tide of a fight.
Back when the game was still in development two years earlier, Riot dropped a dev video spotlighting the 2v2 system. In it, they described 2XKO as an “assist-based fighter”. This means you have a main fighter, called the Point champion, backed up by an Assist character who jumps in to support during the action.
List of Characters in 2XKO
Here is the full list of characters included in 2XKO so far:
- Blitzcrank
- Vi
- Jinx
- Braum
- Illaoi
- Yasuo
- Ahri
- Ekko
- Darius
The 2XKO roster is still on the smaller side for now, but there’s plenty of time for Riot to expand it before the full launch. If you’re curious about the current lineup, the game’s official YouTube channel is the best place to dive into character breakdowns and updates!
2XKO’s Closed Beta
While 2XKO is slated for a 2025 release, Riot hasn’t locked in an exact date just yet. That said, if you’re eager to get hands-on before launch, your best shot is trying to secure a spot in the Closed Beta.
If you’ve taken part in any of the Alpha Lab playtests, you’re already set; no need to sign up again. But if this is your first time jumping in, you’ll need to head over to the official website and follow these steps:
- Click the “Register” button on the official site.
- Log in with your Riot account, or create one if you don’t have one yet.
- Once registered, you’ll get a confirmation email.
- If you’re selected, a follow-up email will be sent later with all the necessary details.
- And if luck isn’t on your side? No worries, you can still secure a spot through a friend’s referral link!
The Closed Beta kicks off on September 9. However, don’t worry if you’re late; registration will stay open even after it begins. For now, the test is limited to PC players, and any progress you make in the Beta server won’t carry over to the full release. So instead of grinding for rewards, just jump in, experiment, and enjoy while it lasts!
Riot is building 2KXO around the classic formula: simple to pick up, tough to master. And it looks like 2XKO could make a big splash in the fighting game scene! With Riot’s experience building competitive worlds in League of Legends and Valorant, fans are hoping this new fighter will bring the same high-energy, competitive excitement to the ring.
