We’re already a week into early access with 2XKO, Riot Games’ free-to-play 2v2 tag-team fighter. The reception remains positive among players, with many commenting how it’s a mix of Street Fighter and the classic Marvel vs. Capcom games. Early access also marks the start of the title’s season pass, with cosmetics and more to be released soon.

However, with 11 champions ready to play, 2XKO already offers plenty of depth for old and new players to the fighting game genre, each offering their own special attacks and more. But it may be a challenge to rate and rank them all. With this in mind, we’re listing all 11 champions from worst to best.

At the time of writing, 11 2XKO characters, known as champions, can be played. The ranked list below will list these from worst to best, highlighting their abilities, special attacks, and more, in order to judge where they stand in the list.

Braum is a heavyweight in 2XKO, which means he can be big on defence when an opponent is dealing heavy damage or perform assists for others to protect them. Known as the ‘Heart of Frelijord’, Braum can be very useful as a defensive character, but his size means that he can be slow when on the offensive. His slow movements and poor range when attacking can be a significant detriment. Against quick opponents, it can be a challenge to get close to cause damage, which may be frustrating at times. Braum is best played with Jinx or Teemo, so they can deal the damage while he protects with his assists and more, but that’s about it.

Darius is the prime example of a mid-range fighter who can be great to use as an easy play. Known as the ‘Hand of Noxus’, every swing from his weapon can deal great damage when it lands, along with some great anti-air attacks that can take you out of some tough binds when a match looks to be going against you. Darius’s assists and special attacks are a great showcase in 2XKO as well, being a prime example of how well the game’s engine can shine when it wants to. He’s simple to play, powerful, and very effective, but other champions excel in areas Darius simply lacks.

Blitzcrank has a design that harkens back to the 2000s movie, The Iron Giant, but this robot is all about brutality. Its rocket grab can yank opponents in an instant, and is great when assisting, as well as its Steam mechanic, which can turn the tide in most matches. But, like Braum, the robot’s size can be a detriment, falling foul to faster champions, which may cause players to use Blitzcrank as an assist in matches. Ultimately, however, it’s a powerhouse if used right, and its special attacks can cause huge damage when in desperate need of a win.

Warwick looks like something out of a long-forgotten fighting series, Bloody Roar, but that’s to the wolf’s benefit. His claws and fangs mean that he can perform close-range attacks, as well as leaping from angles that can surprise opponents. Warwick’s rushdown attack is another relentless time, too, with a series of hits leaving other champions with no time to dodge. However, the predictable points he leaps from can make him vulnerable to others. But when paired with champions like Ahri or Ekko, Warwick’s offence is supercharged, thanks to his special attacks. Overall, he’s fast, feral, and relentless when it counts.

Illaloi, known as the Kraken Priestess, is a unique champion thanks to her tentacle mechanic. This lets her potentially dominate the match by covering the space with them, causing opponents to cautiously guess where they may end up. Both her range and damage dealt can be devastating up close, but Illaloi is a great fighter in how she can be tactically played. Despite her slow movement and setups that can be taken advantage of by some, her assists can cover a lot of ground, as well as help to cover other champions when paired with the likes of Vi or Ahri. Although requiring some practice, Illaloi could be a great champion to play as part of your default tag team.

Vi is a champion built for players who rely on aggression, pressure, and rhythmic attacks. She is very fast to play, with grabs and traps that can lure opponents into taking some close-range damage. Vi’s Blast Shield reversal can also bring some defensive resilience, which stands her in great stead when put into a tag-team and used as the secondary fighter. However, her short reach and weak air range can be a detriment, especially when pitted against Jinx or Yasuo. However, Vi’s bruiser attacks can reward players with some brutal wins, making her very fun to play.

Yasuo is the ultimate all-rounder in 2XKO. The swordsman can change his calm stance to a mix of mid-range attacks that can deal some damaging combos, as well as his Wind Wall attack that can block projectiles. Yasuo is unique in that he can be used in matches without switching to a teammate, thanks to his quick momentum and moves that can cancel timing from opponents. However, pairing with Illaoi or Ekko can help cover some of Yasuo’s mid-range attacks. Overall, he’s a great pick if you’re new to 2XKO.

Ahri is a nine-tailed fox who is fast, agile, and built around aerial dashes and spirit magic attacks. She can dominate during mid-range and close combat, though some of her combos require plenty of button presses that may put off beginners. When paired with other champions like Ekko or Yasuo, you get a duo that will be hard for opponents to avoid, thanks to a multitude of air attacks and special ones that could make some matches end quickly. If you want to see how a champion can work with aerial attacks and magic, Ahri is a great one to work with.

A relatively new fighter at the time of writing, Teemo differs from the other 10 champions here due to his size, quick attacks, and traps. He can hit and run while evading attacks from opponents quickly. However, some need a lot of setup time, and if cornered, it can be difficult to move Teemo away from some close-range attacks. But when you consider Teemo as an assist, his trap attacks can turn the tide in matches, allowing for the other playable champion to go all out with their special attacks. Teemo may have a high learning curve, but his attacks, unique traps, and more make him a fighter well worth considering.

Ekko is a fantastic champion who mixes Timewinder attacks with his own clone, resulting in some impressive showcases of what 2XKO’s engine is capable of. His clone can trap opponents in sequences that make it hard for opponents to avoid, while his short-range attacks and unpredictable momentum make Ekko tense for others to face. Another advantage to him is how easy he fits into almost any tag-team combination, thanks to his clone attacks and rushdown assists when needed. Ultimately, Ekko can bend the match to his will when required, thanks to his time-winding attacks that can turn the tide when you think the match is almost lost.

Jinx is almost the poster character of 2XKO, thanks to her great art style and projectiles that make her a joy to control in almost any match. She uses a variety of guns and bombs that can create some big zoning pressure when needed, but these can also transform into some offensive attacks when some opponents find themselves in a corner. Jinx’s projectile assist is also something to behold, being one of the best to use in 2XKO, which can easily help those who may feel like they’re being pummeled as soon as the match begins. Despite her lack of mobility and struggles to withstand rushdown pressure, her setups, weapons arsenal, and more all result in Jinx being a fantastic all-rounder for anyone. She’s a master of chaos, where every bullet and bomb can usually decide who will win the match.

Every champion from the 2XKO roster has their own special abilities and art style that only ramps up the replayability of the game, even at this stage of the early access. It’s also helped by Riot Games refining each fighter with balance patches based on player feedback, meaning that each champion feels more unique and fresh compared to the others.

Although we’ve ranked 11 champions so far, we’re sure there are more to come as we reach Season 0, especially when 2XKO comes to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles in the future. For now, though, if you’re new to 2XKO and want to start with an all-around champion, Jinx is a great entry point.

Team Falcons has signed Chinese FGC player Zeng ‘Xiao Hai‘ Zhuojun, widely regarded as the greatest The King of Fighters player of all-time, to its roster.

Xiao Hai becomes the 21st fighting games player to join the Saudi Arabian esports organisation.

Unveiled on social media on October 16th, 2025, Xiao Hai joins the organisation after securing victory at Evo France 2025‘s Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves tournament on October 11th.

In addition to Fatal Fury, Team Falcons’ latest recruit has amassed several tournament victories throughout 2025. In June, Xiao Hai won CEO 2025‘s Fatal Fury tournament, while August saw him take victory at Esports World Cup 2025‘s Street Fighter 6 event, defending the title he won in 2024.

Team Falcons is the fourth esports organisation Xiao Hai has represented since 2012. Over the past 13 years, he has become a five-time Evo champion and a two-time Neo Geo World Tour champion.

Xiao Hai makes his Team Falcons debut at the SNK Championship Series 2025 Finals in Shanghai, China. The top two players from the tournament earn automatic qualification to the season-ending SNK World Championship 2025 Finals taking place in Atlanta, Georgia, on October 31st.

Team Falcons continues to attract some of the biggest esports players in the world and is starting to see results, with several of its rosters winning high-profile tournaments.

In September, the organisation’s Dota 2 roster won The International 2025. August saw its Overwatch 2 team win the OWCS Mid-Season Championship in front of a home crowd in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Alongside its recent success, Team Falcons has expanded its operations with the creation of a Counter-Strike 2 academy roster as it looks to develop the next generation of esports talent.

Esports organisations TSM and Fnatic have announced that they have signed teams for the tactical shooter, The Finals.

The two organisations are scheduled to compete against 14 other squads in DreamHack Stockholm, where the inaugural Major for The Finals will be held.

TSM revealed the three players it has signed to its active roster and announced that an esports bundle themed after the organisation is now available in the game. TSM entered the Major by signing the roster No Hours, which secured its place through the NA Closed Qualifier.

Here are all the TSM players competing in The Finals Grand Major:

Fnatic also unveiled a closer look at its in-game esports bundle, which boasts a unique character skin and black/orange gun cosmetics. The organisation entered The Finals by signing the EMEA Closed Qualifier runner-up team, BEAMERS.

Here are all the Fnatic players set to compete in The Finals at DreamHack Stockholm:

The two organisations are the latest teams to receive in-game esports bundles, with The Finals already featuring brands such as NTMR, ENVY, Pioneers, and Spacestation Gaming.

The two teams will be competing in The Finals Grand Major, the first international event for the shooter, taking place at DreamHack Stockholm from November 28th to 29th. Fans attending will get to see the rosters play for the lion’s share of a $100,000 (~£74,764) prize pool and be crowned the scene’s champion.

Matches during the tournament will feature a mix of the Standard Cashout mode (with ranked rules), and the Final Round game mode. Fans who will not be attending in person can watch the live broadcast on the official Twitch and YouTube channels.

The Grand Major is a pivotal moment for The Finals, and if it proves successful for both fans and competitors, there is potential for the game to expand into a fully fledged esports title.

The Marvel Rivals Ignite Grand Final is around the corner, concluding the hero shooter’s first official esports series with an LAN showdown in DreamHack Atlanta after several months of intense competitive play. 

The tournament is NetEase’s recently introduced premier esports circuit, where the top teams from around the world compete across various stages and events for a share of its $3m (~£2.25m) prize pool. 

One of the qualified teams looking to take the champion title later this year is Virtus.pro, an organisation once hailed as the best team in the world, now aiming for the ultimate comeback after falling short in Ignite Stage 1. 

Esports Insider sat down with Virtus.pro’s professional Vanguard player, Finnbjörn ‘Finnsi’ Jónasson, to reflect on the team’s performance ahead of the Ignite Grand Finals. 

Virtus.pro recently became the champion roster of Marvel Rivals Ignite Stage 2 EMEA. After topping its respective group during the Group Stage, and defeating OG Seed and chopped in the Playoffs, it was a clear return of form for the roster. 

It ended its run with a 4-2 revenge victory against Citadel Gaming in the Grand Final after losing to the opponent by 2-3 in the Upper Bracket Finals.

“So we kind of used the Upper Bracket matches as a test and trial to see what’s good against them and see what’s bad,” Finnsi shared. “So we knew if we lost against them, we’d go to the Lower Bracket and play against Natus Vincere, and then we would be more prepared for the next time. Come the [Grand] Finals, we studied that obviously, and we learned better how to beat them and what we should play against them.”

The team’s victory in Stage 2 lies in stark contrast to Ignite Stage 1, where it missed out on the two guaranteed spots for the Ignite Mid-Season Finals after losing to Citadel Gaming (then Brr Brr Patapim) by 2-3 in the Lower Bracket Finals. 

This was a major upset for both fans and commentators alike, as Virtus.pro had established itself as one of the best teams in Europe — and potentially the world — following its win in the 2025 EMEA Invitational and its winning streak at Rivals Fight Night. 

After becoming the new champions of EMEA in Ignite Stage 2, Virtus.pro enters the international event with hopes of living up to its reputation as it faces off against the best teams from across the regions. 

“It obviously feels very good,” Finnsi commented. “Especially because in Stage 1 we came up really short, and ended in third place and didn’t get to LAN. So we really wanted to make this one count and do our best, and especially make LAN.”

Virtus.pro is set to compete against 11 other teams at DreamHack Atlanta from October 27th to November 2nd. All participants will be fighting for the lion’s share of a $1m (~£745,000) prize pool and bragging rights as the best team in the world for the year. 

The tournament will feature heavy-hitters, such as Americas Stage 2 champion 100 Thieves and Mid-Season Finals runners-up ENVY. Despite facing the best rosters from across the world, Finnsi anticipates that Virtus.pro’s biggest competitors are its fellow EMEA teams, Natus Vincere and Citadel Gaming. 

“I think EMEA is the strongest region,” he said. “So obviously, we think we have a really good chance. FlyQuest and ENVY from Americas are obviously very good as well. So I think we will have some close matches and some fun ones.” 

The Grand Final will take place during Season 4.5, which has already shaken up both the casual and competitive scenes. With the rise of the triple support meta, alongside the addition of new characters Angela and Daredevil, fans can anticipate new comps, bans and strategies. 

Finnsi said: “Venom and Psylocke are really good at the moment. I think there will definitely be more dive [comps] in the Atlanta LAN, as it was a bit more dive-centric in this last tournament (Stage 2).  

“So I think it’s going to be even stronger now, especially if people can make Daredevil work. He can be a good diver as well, but we played with him a bit, and he seems kind of weak at the moment, but maybe that’s just because people don’t know how to play him yet.” 

Marvel Rivals is approaching its first anniversary since its official launch in December 2024. In this brief time, various teams have entered and left the scene. While some, like FUT Esports and Natus Vincere, announced their debuts, others, like Ex Oblivione, have disbanded their rosters. 

Since entering the scene earlier this year, Virtus.pro has remained one of the few teams without roster changes. Finnsi shared that he has played with the majority of his teammates since the alpha and believes it has been a factor in Virtus.pro’s success in the scene.

“It’s definitely beneficial,” the player added. “Since we have a lot of chemistry with each other, and everyone knows each other very well, and we know all the strats together. So I’m happy we have been able to do this without making roster changes, and we can see that we didn’t need to, since we just won Ignite Stage 2.”

Marvel Rivals has also held several other esports events since launch. Outside the Ignite series, it has also held Seasonal Championships, regional Invitationals, and several creators have organised their own tournaments in collaboration with NetEase Games. 

While the success of Marvel Rivals as an esports is still up for debate, the Grand Finals remain a highly anticipated event for many fans and professional players. The crowning event will close off the first official series run by NetEase for Marvel Rivals, though only time will tell whether it has paid off or if it will return for another season. 

“I think they’re doing pretty good this year so far,” Finnsi stated. “Obviously, they’re putting a lot of money into it, so I think they’re doing fine in that regard. So, maybe I would just say more LAN spots for each region, so more teams can show off what they can do.”

The New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) has approved PrizePicks, a fantasy sports operator, to re-enter the New York market.

The company was ordered to cease operations in 2024 due to a licensing dispute, and the comeback comes more than a year after that.

PrizePicks declared on Wednesday that it has been given an operating license for interactive fantasy sports, allowing it to start operating again in the state.

This time, though, the platform will only provide peer-to-peer (P2P) fantasy competitions, which are designed to adhere to New York’s fantasy sports laws.

Before relaunching, the company said it worked closely with regulators to make sure all operational and legal requirements were fulfilled.

In a letter dated October 10th, the NYSGC confirmed that PrizePicks had satisfied all requirements to operate its contests in New York.

Jason Barclay, PirzePicks Head of Public Policy and Chief Legal Officer, said: “We worked diligently to design a game that meets the Commission’s rigorous standards, and New York’s decision underscores the idea that innovation in fantasy sports can thrive within a clear regulatory framework.”

For PrizePicks, the approval represents a major regulatory milestone. The operator settled with the NYSGC earlier this year for providing paid contests without a license, paying the commision close to $15m (~£11m).

Updated 2023 regulations that prohibited fantasy games resembling conventional sports betting props were the root of the problem.

With the new license, New York State Sen. Joseph Addabbo noted: “By issuing this license, the Gaming Commission is making a clear statement that our state will continue to embrace innovative Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) games that provide New Yorkers with safe, skill-based contests they can enjoy with friends, family, and fellow sports fans.”

Presently, PrizePicks runs fantasy competitions in more than 45 jurisdictions across the country.

In the upcoming weeks, the business intends to use the recently authorised license to introduce its peer-to-peer games to players in New York.

MGM Resorts International has agreed to sell the operations of MGM Northfield Park to private equity funds run by Clairvest Group Inc for $546m (£406m) in cash, subject to usual price adjustments.

As MGM Resorts continues to hone its portfolio and concentrate on key growth areas, such as digital gaming and global expansion, the deal represents yet another calculated move for the company.

The business stated that, subject to regulatory clearances and other customary requirements, the deal should close in the first half of 2026.

The real estate investment trust VICI Properties Inc., which leases the property to MGM Resorts, will still be the owner and operator of MGM Northfield Park in Northfield, Ohio.

For the 12 months ending June 30th, 2025, MGM Northfield Park reported an Adjusted EBITDAR of roughly $137m (£101m), according to MGM Resorts.

Following the transaction, MGM and VICI will amend its master lease agreement, which will result in a $54m (£40m) reduction in annual rent obligations.

After taxes and transaction expenses, the company anticipates net cash proceeds of about $420m (£312m).

“MGM Northfield Park has been a tremendous property, and we’re proud of the incredible work our team has done there,” said Bill Hornbuckle, CEO & President of MGM Resorts International.

“Our focus remains on advancing our vision to be the world’s premiere gaming entertainment company through digital innovation, international expansion, and continued investment in top-tier resort experiences.”

In 2019, MGM paid $275m (£204m) to MGM Growth Properties to acquire the property’s operations, which were previously known as Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park.

The transaction was advised by Jefferies LLC and SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc., while Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP provided legal advice.

Esports organisation 100 Thieves has teased a new collaboration with global entertainment brand Pokémon.

The two are partnering once again to launch a second wave of limited-time themed apparel as part of the collaboration.

While details were vague in the initial trailer, one of the esports organisation’s creators and TikTok star, Logan ‘Lough‘ Robles, shared a vlog online featuring some of the new items coming with the collection.

The collection appears to include a wide variety of clothes, including t-shirts, jackets, hats and hoodies featuring iconic Pokémon from the series. Some notable items include a black and white Mew hoodie, a Pikachu ‘100 Thieves’ T-shirt, and a red and white 100 Thieves cap.

As of writing, pricing and launch date have yet to be revealed, but it is expected to be available soon on the official 100 Thieves online merch store.

This is not the first time that 100 Thieves has collaborated with Pokémon, having previously launched 16 items in 2024.

Outside of Pokémon, 100 Theives’ Call of Duty League franchise, Los Angeles Thieves, shared a photo teasing a new controller with gaming peripheral brand Razer.

Though specifics were not shared, it appears to be a themed variation of the Razer Wolverine V2 Pro PS5 controller, featuring a distinct touchpad.

It is not the first time that Razer has worked with various esports organisations and players to release a new line of themed peripherals. Recently, Razer worked with T1’s Lee ‘Faker‘ Sang-hyeok to create a mousepad, the Razer Gigantus V2 Faker edition, inspired by the League of Legends icon.

Razer has also collaborated with esports organisation, Sentinels, to launch a themed Razer BlackShark V3 Pro headset in limited stock. The peripheral brand has been involved in various partnerships with esports teams, including signing a multi-year-long collaboration with 100 Thieves, and extending contracts with organisations like TALON Esports.

Call of Duty Black Ops 7 is on the verge of release, but a few final announcements before launch have shaken things up in recent weeks. Following a successful trial of open matchmaking during the beta, Activision has announced that Black Ops 7 will implement it as a permanent feature at launch.

Open matchmaking should create more varied lobbies filled with competitors of every skill level, and it could make gameplay much more interesting for the average player.

In recent years, Call of Duty has gravitated towards skill-based matchmaking for its multiplayer mode, which aims to pair players with others of a similar skill level. This form of matchmaking creates a competitive environment where most of the lobby can compete fairly, but there are many players who believe it impedes their fun by limiting who they can be paired up with.

Fortunately, there are other ways to handle matchmaking besides skill and performance, such as connection or player level. This guide will walk you through what to expect from open matchmaking in Black Ops 7, plus why it might make 2025’s Call of Duty the best shooter of the year.

Open matchmaking is the opposite of skill-based matchmaking because it minimally takes player skill into account to create lobbies. Connection speed is often the primary factor used to determine who to pair up in an open matchmaking system, so matches aren’t quite as competitive.

If you like a fair battlefield, then open matchmaking may not be your preference. However, this updated form of matchmaking provides you with the chance to face off against COD fans of all experience levels. Open matchmaking is usually considered more fun than skill-based matchmaking, but it comes at the cost of fairness.

Multiplayer will feel significantly different in Black Ops 7 compared to recent Call of Duty titles because open matchmaking pairs players up into lobbies with minimal consideration of skill. Instead, the system may consider factors like connection speed while forming lobbies.

The goal of open matchmaking is to create a less competitive match where every lobby is different. Some matches might lean heavily in your favour, while others will be the opposite, but you’ll never know the skill level of your opponents until you face them on the virtual battlefield.

The open matchmaking system may be more fun since it isn’t as focused on competitive fairness. Offering a unique experience in every match due to open matchmaking, Black Ops 7 is shaping up to be the most interesting Call of Duty since Black Ops 3.

A player’s connection is often a top consideration with open matchmaking. As such, open matchmaking provides a nice boost for players with fast internet speeds. The increase in players matched with those of a similar connection speed may also increase fairness in Black Ops 7.

Though it might seem like open matchmaking is best for high-skill players, beginners will also see positive outcomes. If you play with more experienced friends, then open matchmaking lets you enter lobbies without considering their skill levels, so you’ll have a better chance of being paired with opponents in your skill bracket.

Open matchmaking is about to transform the Call of Duty franchise in 2025. Skill-based matchmaking has become more prevalent in Call of Duty throughout the last decade, but the developers listened to feedback during the Black Ops 7 beta, and now is the time for open matchmaking to shine.

Black Ops 7 is a follow-up to Black Ops 2, so fans expect to make lasting memories in multiplayer and zombies. The announcement that open matchmaking will be implemented in Black Ops 7 elicited praise from the FPS community, as it could be the start of a new era for COD.