AZIR

THE EMPEROR OF THE SANDS

Classical splash art of Azir

Icon of Azir

Azir in game PNG - league of legends

Informations about the champion Azir:

Title: The Emperor of the Sands

Real Name: Azir Omah

Pronouns: He/Him

Release Date: September 16, 2014

Primary: Mage

Secondary: Marksman

Region: Shurima.

LORE OF AZIR

Azir was a mortal emperor of Shurima in a far distant age, a proud man who stood at the cusp of immortality. His hubris saw him betrayed and murdered at the moment of his greatest triumph, but now, millennia later, he has been reborn as an Ascended being of immense power. With his buried city risen from the sand, Azir seeks to restore Shurima to its former glory.

Thousands of years ago, the Shuriman empire was a sprawling realm of vassal states conquered by powerful armies led by all but invincible warriors known as the Ascended. Ruled by an ambitious and power hungry emperor, Shurima was the greatest realm of its day; a fertile land blessed by the power of the sun that shone from a great golden disc floating atop the temple at the heart of its capital.

The youngest and least-favored son of the emperor, Azir was never destined for greatness. With so many siblings ahead of him, he would never be emperor. Most likely he would take up a position in the priesthood or as governor of some backwater province. He was a slender, studious boy who spent more time perusing the texts collected in the Great Library of Nasus than training to fight under the stern tutelage of the Ascended hero, Renekton.

Amid the twisting shelves of scrolls, books and tablets, Azir met a young slave boy who visited the library almost every day in search of texts desired by his master. Slaves in Shurima were forbidden to take names, but as the two boys became friends, Azir broke that law and called his new friend Xerath, which means ‘one who shares.’ He appointed Xerath - though he was careful never to endanger him by naming him publicly - as his personal slave and the two boys shared their love of history by learning all they could of Shurima’s past and its long legacy of Ascended heroes.

While traveling with his father, brothers and Renekton on the yearly tour of the empire, the royal caravan stopped at a well-known oasis for the night. Azir and Xerath stole away in the middle of the night to draw the stars and add their own celestial maps to those they had studied in the Great Library. While they drew the patterns of constellations, the royal caravan was attacked by a cabal of assassins sent by the emperor’s enemies. One of the assassins found the two boys out in the desert and was poised to cut Azir’s throat when Xerath intervened, throwing himself upon the assassin’s back. In the ensuing melee, Azir freed his dagger and plunged it into his attacker’s throat.

Azir took up the dead man’s sword and rushed back to the oasis, but by the time he returned, the assassins were already defeated. Renekton had protected the emperor and slain the attackers, but Azir’s brothers were all dead. Azir told his father of Xerath’s courage and asked him to reward the slave boy, but his words fell on deaf ears. In the emperor’s eyes, the boy was a slave and beneath his notice, but Azir swore that one day he and Xerath would be brothers.

The emperor returned to his capital, with the fifteen year old Azir now his heir, and unleashed a merciless campaign of bloodshed against those he believed had sent the assassins. Shurima descended into years of paranoia and murder as the emperor took revenge on any he suspected of treason. Though he was now heir to the throne, Azir’s life yet hung by a thread. His father hated him - wishing he had died instead of his brothers - and the queen was still young enough to bear sons.

Azir trained in combat, for the attack at the oasis had revealed how little he knew of the deadly arts. Renekton took up the task of teaching the growing prince, and under his aegis, Azir learned to wield sword and spear, to command warriors, and to read the ebb and flow of battle. The young heir elevated Xerath, his only trusted confidant, and made him his right hand man. To better counsel him, Azir tasked Xerath with seeking out knowledge wherever he could find it.

Years passed, but the queen was never able to carry a child to term, every conceived infant perishing before it could be born. So long as the queen remained barren, Azir’s life was relatively safe. Some around the court believed a curse was at work and a few even whispered the young heir’s name in connection with this – though Azir claimed innocence and even executed some who dared voice such accusations openly.

Eventually, the queen bore a healthy son, but on the night of his birth a terrible storm engulfed Shurima. The queen’s chambers were struck again and again by powerful bolts of lightning, and in the subsequent blaze, both the queen and her newborn son were killed. It was said the emperor went mad with grief and took his own life upon hearing the news, but tales soon spread of how he and his guards had been found lying in pieces on the palace floor, their bodies little more than charred skeletons.

Azir was shocked by their deaths, but the empire needed a leader, and with Xerath at his side he took control of Shurima as its emperor. Over the next decade, he expanded Shurima’s borders and ruled with a harsh, but just hand. He instituted reforms to better the lives of slaves and privately developed a plan to overturn millennia of tradition and eventually free them all. He kept his plans secret, even from Xerath, and the issue of slavery would prove to be a continual bone of contention between them. The empire had been built on the back of slavery, and many of the great noble houses depended on enforced labor for their vast wealth and power. Such monolithic institutions could not be overturned overnight, and Azir’s plans would be undone were they to become common knowledge. Despite Azir’s desire to name Xerath his brother, he could not do so until all Shurima’s slaves were free.

Through these years, Xerath protected Azir from his political rivals and guided the expansion of the empire. Azir married and fathered numerous children, some by wedlock, others by ill-advised liaisons with slaves and harem girls. Xerath stoked the emperor’s grand vision of an empire greater than any the world had ever known. But to stand as ruler over the entire world, Xerath convinced Azir that he would need to be all but invincible, a god amongst men – an Ascended being.

As the kingdom reached the zenith of its power, Azir announced he would undertake the Ascension ritual, that the time was right for him to take his place alongside Nasus and Renekton and their glorious forebears. Many questioned this decision; the Ascension ritual was highly dangerous and intended only for those near the end of their lives, those who had devoted their lives to Shurima and whose service was to be honored with Ascension. It was for the Sun Priests to decree who would be blessed with Ascension, not the hubris of an emperor to bestow it upon himself. Azir would not be dissuaded from his rash course of action, for his arrogance had grown along with his empire, and he ordered them to comply on pain of death.

The day of the ritual finally came and Azir marched toward the Dais of Ascension, flanked by thousands of his warriors and tens of thousands of his subjects. The brothers Renekton and Nasus were absent, having been dispatched by Xerath to deal with an emergent threat, but still Azir would not turn from what he saw as his great destiny. He climbed to the great golden disc atop the temple at the heart of the city and in the moments before the sun priests began the ritual, he turned to Xerath and finally freed him. And not just him, but all slaves…

Xerath was stunned into speechlessness, but Azir was not yet done. He embraced Xerath and named him his eternal brother, as he had promised he would all those years ago. Azir turned as the priests began the ritual to bring down the awesome power of the sun. Azir was unaware that Xerath had studied more than just history and philosophy in his quest for knowledge. He had learned the dark arts of sorcery, all the while nursing a desire for freedom that had grown like a cancer into a burning hatred.

At the height of the ritual, the former slave unleashed his powers and Azir was blasted from his place on the dais. Without the protection of the runic circle, Azir was consumed by the sun’s fire as Xerath took his place. The light filled Xerath with power, and he roared as his mortal body began to transform.

But the magic of the ritual was not intended for Xerath, and such awesomely powerful celestial energies could not be diverted without dire consequence. The power of the Ascension ritual exploded outward, devastating Shurima and laying waste to the city. Its people burned to ash and its towering palaces fell to ruin as the desert sands rose up to swallow the city. The sun disc sank from the sky and what had taken centuries to build was brought to ruin in an instant by one man’s ambition and another’s misplaced hate. All that remained of Azir’s city were sunken ruins and echoes of its people’s screams on the night winds.

Azir saw none of this. For him, all was nothingness. His last memories were of pain and fire; he knew nothing of what befell him atop the temple, nor what became of his empire. He remained lost in timeless oblivion until, thousands of years after Shurima’s doom, the blood of his last descendant spilled onto the temple ruins and resurrected him. Azir was reborn, but was yet incomplete; his body little more than animate dust given form, held together by the last vestiges of his indomitable will.

Gradually resuming his corporeal form, Azir stumbled through the ruins and came across the corpse of a woman with a treacherous knife wound in her back. He did not know her, but saw in her features the distant echo of his bloodline. All thoughts of empires and power were forgotten as he lifted this daughter of Shurima and bore her to what had once been the Oasis of the Dawn. The oasis was empty and dry, but with every step Azir took, clear water began filling the rocky basin. Azir immersed the woman’s body in the restorative waters of the oasis and as the blood washed away, only a faint scar remained where the blade had pierced her.

And with that act of selflessness, Azir was lifted up in a column of fire as the magic of Shurima renewed him, remaking him as the Ascended being he was meant to become. The sun’s immortal radiance poured into him, crafting his magnificent, hawk-armored form and granting him the power to command the very sand itself. Azir lifted his arms and his ruined city shrugged off the dust of centuries spent beneath the desert to rise anew. The sun disc lifted into the sky once more, and healing waters flowed between temples heaving themselves back into the light at the emperor’s command.

Azir climbed the steps of the newly-risen sun temple, weaving the desert winds to recreate the city’s last moments. Ghosts formed of sand relived his city’s last moments from long ago, and Azir watched in horror as Xerath’s treachery unfolded. He wept as he saw his family murdered, his empire fall and his power stolen. Only now, millennia too late, did he finally understand the depths of hatred harbored by his former friend and ally. With the power and prescience of an Ascended being, Azir sensed Xerath somewhere abroad in the world and summoned an army of sand warriors to march alongside their reborn emperor. As the sun blazed from the golden disc above him, Azir swore a mighty oath.

I will reclaim my lands and take back what was mine!

AZIR VOICE - League of Legends

FUN FACTS ABOUT AZIR

1. Based on Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs: Azir's character design and lore draw inspiration from ancient Egyptian pharaohs and the mythos surrounding them. His regal appearance, including his headdress and ornate armor, reflects the grandeur and authority associated with ancient Egyptian rulers. Azir's lore also incorporates themes of resurrection and divine lineage, further tying into ancient Egyptian mythology.

2. Originally Designed as a Tank: During the early stages of development, Azir was initially conceptualized as a tanky support champion. However, his design eventually evolved into that of a mage and marksman hybrid with a focus on commanding soldiers and controlling the battlefield with his sand soldiers. This transformation led to Azir becoming a unique and versatile mid-lane champion in League of Legends.

3. Inspired by Sun Tzu's "The Art of War": Azir's gameplay mechanics and abilities are inspired by the principles outlined in Sun Tzu's ancient Chinese military treatise, "The Art of War." His ability to manipulate the battlefield and outmaneuver opponents with his sand soldiers reflects Sun Tzu's emphasis on strategy, deception, and positioning in warfare.

4. Voiced by a Professional Voice Actor: Azir is voiced by voice actor Erik Braa, who has lent his talents to numerous video game characters over the years. Braa's commanding voice brings Azir's regal demeanor and imperial presence to life, adding depth and authenticity to the character.

5. Has a Unique Lore Connection to Nasus and Renekton: Azir's lore intertwines with that of the champions Nasus and Renekton, forming a complex narrative involving betrayal, imprisonment, and ancient rivalries. Azir's rise to power as the Emperor of Shurima and his subsequent conflict with the Ascended warriors Nasus and Renekton add depth to the lore of all three champions and enrich the overall narrative of the Shuriman desert.

ABILITIES OF AZIR

Passive - SHURIMA'S LEGACY

Azir can summon the Disc of the Sun from the ruins of allied or enemy turrets.

Q - CONQUERING SANDS

Azir sends all Sand Soldiers towards a location. Sand Soldiers deal magic damage to enemies they pass through and apply a slow for 1 second.

W - ARISE!

Azir summons a Sand Soldier to attack nearby targets for him, replacing his basic attack against targets within the soldier's range. Their attacks deal magic damage to enemies in a line. Arise! also passively grants attack speed to Azir and his Sand Soldiers.

E - SHIFTING SANDS

Azir shields himself briefly and dashes to one of his Sand Soldiers, damaging enemies. If he hits an enemy champion, he instantly readies a new Sand Soldier for deployment and halts his dash.

R - EMPEROR'S DIVIDE

Azir summons a wall of soldiers which charge forward, knocking back and damaging enemies.

AZIR ABILITIES COMBOS

Azir R - league of legends

1. Basic Poke Combo:

- Start by summoning a soldier with Conquering Sands (Q) and position it near the enemy champion. Follow up with another cast of Conquering Sands to move the soldier closer to the enemy, dealing damage. Use Arise! (W) to summon additional soldiers and auto-attack the enemy for additional poke damage.

2. Shuffle Combo:

- Position yourself near an enemy or group of enemies and summon a soldier with Arise! (W) in a strategic location. Use Shifting Sands (E) to dash to the soldier, repositioning yourself behind the enemy lines. Immediately cast Emperor's Divide (R) to push enemies back into your team while trapping them with your ultimate wall.

3. All-In Combo:

- Start by summoning soldiers with Arise! (W) and positioning them to zone or poke the enemy. Once the enemy is low or out of position, use Shifting Sands (E) to dash into range. Follow up with Conquering Sands (Q) to deal damage and slow the enemy, then unleash a barrage of auto-attacks with your soldiers. If needed, use Emperor's Divide (R) to secure the kill or disengage.

4. Escape Combo:

- When caught in a sticky situation, use Shifting Sands (E) to dash to a nearby soldier and create distance from the enemy. Follow up with Conquering Sands (Q) to slow pursuers and buy time for your team to arrive or for your abilities to come off cooldown. If necessary, use Emperor's Divide (R) to create a defensive wall and block enemy advances.

5. Objective Control Combo:

- When contesting objectives like Dragon or Baron, position yourself near the objective and summon soldiers with Arise! (W). Use Conquering Sands (Q) to poke and zone enemies away from the objective. If enemies try to engage, use Emperor's Divide (R) to push them back and create space for your team to secure the objective.

BUILD OF AZIR

source: www.leagueofgraphs.com

RUNES OF AZIR

TIPS ON HOW TO PLAY WITH AZIR

1. Master Soldier Placement: Azir's soldiers are the cornerstone of his kit, providing both damage and zoning potential. Learn to position your soldiers effectively to control space in lane and during teamfights. Use your Q (Conquering Sands) to reposition soldiers and harass opponents, while maintaining safe distances to avoid retaliation.

2. Manage Your Mana: Azir's abilities have high mana costs, especially in the early game. Efficient mana management is crucial to sustain your presence in lane and avoid running out of resources during crucial engagements. Prioritize last-hitting with basic attacks whenever possible and avoid spamming abilities unnecessarily. Consider purchasing items like Lost Chapter or a Doran's Ring to help sustain your mana pool.

3. Master the Shuffle: Azir's ultimate ability, Emperor's Divide, can be used to execute a powerful combo known as the "Shurima Shuffle." This involves using your E (Shifting Sands) to dash into the enemy team, immediately followed by casting your ultimate behind them to push them towards your team. Practice this combo in custom games or in practice tool to effectively engage or disengage from fights and catch opponents off guard.

4. Focus on Wave Management: Azir's waveclear is potent but requires careful management of his soldiers and abilities. Use your soldiers to push waves and apply pressure on your lane opponent, but be mindful of your positioning and vulnerability to ganks. Maintain vision control and communicate with your team to avoid getting caught out while pushing.

5. Positioning in Teamfights: Positioning is crucial for Azir in teamfights, as he relies on his soldiers and long-range abilities to deal damage while staying safe. Stay towards the backline of your team and use your soldiers to poke and zone enemies from a safe distance. Look for opportunities to engage with your ultimate or follow up on engages from your frontline, but be cautious of overextending and leaving yourself vulnerable to enemy dives.

TIPS FOR COUNTERING AZIR

1. Exploit his Early Weaknesses: Azir typically has a weaker early game compared to other mid lane champions. Capitalize on his relatively low damage output and mana costs in the early levels to establish lane dominance and secure early advantages. Champions with strong early-game trading potential or all-in potential can punish Azir and set him behind.

2. Avoid Clumping Up: Azir excels at dealing area-of-effect damage and controlling space with his soldiers. Avoid clumping up with your teammates in teamfights to minimize the impact of Azir's soldiers and reduce the effectiveness of his ultimate, Emperor's Divide. Spread out and engage from multiple angles to make it harder for Azir to hit multiple targets with his abilities.

3. Engage When his Ultimate is Down: Azir's ultimate ability, Emperor's Divide, provides him with a powerful disengage tool and can create terrain that blocks enemy movement. Look for opportunities to engage on Azir when his ultimate is on cooldown, as he will be more vulnerable to being caught out or engaged upon without his primary defensive ability.

4. Interrupt his Mobility: Azir's E ability, Shifting Sands, allows him to dash to one of his soldiers, repositioning himself and potentially escaping danger. Look for opportunities to interrupt or cancel his E dash with crowd control abilities or displacement effects to prevent him from repositioning or escaping from engagements.

5. Build Magic Resistance: Azir primarily deals magic damage with his abilities, so building magic resistance items can significantly reduce his damage output. Items like Mercury's Treads, Abyssal Mask, or Banshee's Veil can provide you with increased survivability against Azir's poke and burst damage, making it harder for him to take you down in fights.