League of Legends Vi was added to the roster of playable Champions for
League of Legends on December 19, 2012. Vi's main weapons are the "Atlas Gauntlet", two massive gloves powered by Hextech that increases her physical strength to superhuman levels. Her gameplay mechanics have undergone a number of revisions since her introduction.
Dot Esports noted while Vi's original moveset and statistics stood out for being more suited for the top lane, her abilities and their effects have remained mostly the same without any major changes. The character was banned from professional play for a time in early 2020 due to a potentially game-breaking bug. A “micropatch” was released in November 2021 to downgrade her base statistics and ultimate abilities, which were unintentionally boosted by a prior rescript that in Riot's opinion made her somewhat overpowered. As established in flavor text written by McNeill, Vi grew up in one of the poorest areas of Zaun. She learned to survive its rough conditions using her brawn and wits, and eventually took leadership of a street gang at a young age, though she has always adhered to a strict moral code she imposed on herself. She disappeared during a time of great turmoil between Zaun and Piltover and was thought to be dead, only to reappear years later as Sheriff Caitlyn Kiramman's trusted partner in the Guardian corps. Vi's relationship with Jinx, another Champion who would taunt her whenever they encounter each other, was the focus of speculation and
fan theories from fans for many years prior to the release of
Arcane. Vi also has specific interactions with another
League of Legends Champion, Caitlyn, who is presented as her ally and colleague within series lore. Their respective lines of dialogue were interpreted by some players to be of a romantic nature, which were confirmed by the release of
Arcane in 2021.
Arcane ''
Arcane establishes that Vi, shortened from Violet, and Jinx, originally known as Powder, are sisters who were orphaned following the repressed undercity's failed uprising against the utopian city of Piltover. Along with two other orphans named Mylo and Claggor, they were both adopted by Vander, the leader of the rebellion. At the start of the first season, Vi leads her siblings in stealing a set of arcane crystals from Piltover scientist Jayce, but Powder accidentally causes an explosion that attracts attention from Piltover's enforcers. Vi wants to turn herself in to the authorities, but Vander takes her place to protect her, only to be taken away by his former friend Silco. Attempting to help rescue Vander, Powder causes an explosion with the stolen crystals, but it results in the deaths of Vander, Mylo, and Claggor. Furious and distraught, Vi blames Powder, calling her a "jinx" and leaving. Soon after, Vi is abducted by a corrupt Piltover enforcer and imprisoned without trial. After spending many years in prison, Vi is released by Caitlyn Kiramman, a young, upstart Piltover enforcer who requests her assistance in investigating Silco's criminal enterprise. Returning to the undercity, now called Zaun, Vi and Caitlyn gather evidence. In a notable scene, Vi appears to flirt with Caitlyn, calling her "hot" and nicknaming her "cupcake". but the two soon part ways after Jayce inadvertently kills a child worker and becomes guilt-ridden. Later, Jinx abducts Vi, Caitlyn, and Silco. Vi attempts to appeal to her sister's better nature after she threatens Caitlyn; Jinx instead shoots Silco to death by accident after she suffers a traumatic attack. Discarding her old identity as Powder, Jinx fires a rocket at the Piltover council building. Season two begins in the aftermath of Jinx's attack on the council, during which Caitlyn's mother was killed. In response, the surviving council members plan to send an army of enforcers into Zaun. Caitlyn, desiring revenge against Jinx, intends to go with them. While Vi believes that Jinx has no hope of redemption, she adamantly refuses Caitlyn's request that she join the enforcers, choosing instead to leave Caitlyn's house and drink. Awakening hungover the next morning, Vi decides to go to the memorial for the dead councilors after learning how adamantly Caitlyn attempted to convince the enforcers to let Vi join them. However, a Zaunite crime lord launches an assault on the memorial, which is ultimately stopped by Noxian warlord Ambessa Medarda. Vi joins a strike force led by Caitlyn, intended to locate Jinx and bring down the remnants of Silco's empire. During this time, Caitlyn releases toxic smog into Zaun and grows increasingly aggressive. Privately, Vi asks Caitlyn not to change like everyone else in her life has, and they kiss. Ultimately, Caitlyn and Vi confront Jinx, and Vi is able to pin her to the ground. However, when a child named Isha tries to block Caitlyn from shooting Jinx, Vi prevents Caitlyn from shooting at Jinx and Isha, allowing Jinx to escape. Angered at having lost her chance for vengeance, Caitlyn abandons Vi. Practically alone, Vi becomes a pit fighter in Zaun, but eventually becomes alcoholic and starts losing fights. One day, Jinx appears and reveals to Vi that Vander is still alive, having been revived as a wolf-like beast. Vi begrudgingly accompanies Jinx and Isha, believing that Jinx is delusional before they confront Vander and temporarily calm his animalistic rage. Hoping to heal Vander, they bring him to Viktor, a "herald" who promises to restore Vander's humanity. However, Vi encounters Caitlyn, who reveals that she has been working with Ambessa, who intends to capture Vander. Realizing that Vander is Vi's father, Caitlyn works with Vi to trick Ambessa and protect Vander. However, Vander descends into a feral rage just as Ambessa and her soldiers arrive. Isha sacrifices herself to protect Jinx, and Vi is knocked unconscious. Upon awakening, Vi discovers Jinx has been arrested and lashes out at Caitlyn for both imprisoning her and for being manipulated by Ambessa. Vi then frees Jinx, only for the latter to lock Vi into her own prison cell, having grown suicidal in the wake of Isha's death and wanting Vi to be free of guilt for failing to save her sister. Soon, Caitlyn frees Vi, and they have sex in the cell. Later, Vi and Jinx fight alongside Piltover and Zaun in a final battle against Ambessa's army and Viktor. Vander attempts to kill Vi in another feral rampage, causing Jinx to seemingly sacrifice herself to save her sister. In the aftermath of the battle, Vi and Caitlyn live together.
Other appearances Vi has appeared in several
League of Legends spin-off titles, including
Teamfight Tactics,
Legends of Runeterra,
League of Legends: Wild Rift and
2XKO. In addition, Vi has been featured in various
cross-promotional marketing efforts for
Arcane. She appears as a playable character in
PUBG Mobile, and as an outfit option in
Fortnite and
Among Us. On December 10, 2019, Riot released a short story starring Vi titled "Child of Zaun", which follows her journey back to Zaun as part of an investigation. ==Promotion and reception==