2XKO leaves beta, launches 1.0 with ranked on August 12
Riot's tag-team fighter exits open beta August 12 with the official 1.0 launch, ranked mode, and a $500K Champions Queue season. The 12-character roster is final for the launch window.
Riot's 2XKO exits open beta on August 12 and launches 1.0 with the most-anticipated ranked mode in the FGC this year. The free-to-play tag-team fighter has been in beta since October 2025 with 12 characters, but ranked was the missing piece for competitive play.
What's new in 1.0
- Ranked mode: 9 divisions (Iron to Challenger), 3-month
seasons
- Champions Queue: the top 100 players get a $500K
prize pool split across the year
- 2 new characters: 14 total at launch (was 12 in beta)
- Netcode upgrade: rollback netcode officially
standardized, sub-3-frame latency on regional matches
- Cross-play: full cross-progression between PC, PS5,
and Xbox
The 2 new launch characters
- Briar (Duelist) — fast rushdown with self-heal on
damage taken
- Smolder (Strategist) — ranged zoning with a long-range
super that locks down an area
Both were held back from the beta specifically for the ranked launch. The 12 launch-week characters from the beta will be available for free permanently.
Why it matters
2XKO has the best netcode of any F2P fighter and the most generous character-unlock model. The 1.0 launch and ranked mode put it in direct competition with Tekken 8 and Street Fighter 6, the two current FGC kings. If the player base holds at launch, 2XKO could be the third major fighting game of 2026.
What's next
The first 2XKO Champions Cup is scheduled for November 2026 at the Riot Games Arena in Berlin. The top 32 ranked players from each region qualify through the Champions Queue ladder.
FAQ
When does 2XKO 1.0 launch?
August 12, 2026. The game has been in open beta since October 2025.
Is 2XKO still free-to-play?
Yes, fully F2P. All 14 launch characters are free. The $10 battle pass is cosmetic-only.
What is Champions Queue?
The top 100 ranked players in each region get access to Champions Queue, a separate high-stakes ladder with a $500K annual prize pool. The top 32 qualify for the Champions Cup in November.
Can I play 2XKO cross-platform?
Yes, full cross-play and cross-progression between PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Cross-progression requires a Riot account.
Will 2XKO be on mobile?
No, 2XKO is PC and console only. Riot's other fighting game plans (Project L was the codename) have not included mobile.
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