Tabu: The Cancelled League of Legends Voodoo Shaman Champion
Tabu was a canceled champion concept for League of Legends, originally designed as a Voodoo Shaman character. As one of the last voodoo shamans of Jugos, he traveled with gypsies collecting mystical items like shrunken heads and soul vials.
The character was discovered in the beta files from March 25, 2009, where he was referred to as "48th Slave". His design appears to have influenced the later champion Swain, sharing similar visual and gameplay elements with Dota 2's Witch Doctor.
Abilities:
- Enfeeble: Passive aura reducing nearby enemy damage by 15%
- Tattoo: Links to an ally or enemy for 20 seconds, sharing damage or healing
- Circle of Ancestors: Area-of-effect spell that damages enemies and heals allies
- Pacify: Single-target crowd control ability
- Soul Drain: Tether ability that deals damage and heals Tabu
Tabu's cancellation was confirmed during the 2010 Harrowing event, where his coffin appeared on Summoner's Rift alongside other canceled champions Averdrian and Gavid.
Legacy: Several of Tabu's ability icons were repurposed for other game elements:
- Circle of Ancestors icon → Crest of Cinders buff
- Tattoo icon → Crest of Insight buff
- Enfeeble icon → Cold Steel passive
- Soul Drain icon → Baron Nashor's Voracious Corrosion
- Pacify icon → Mocking Shout
The name "Tabu" is a play on the word "taboo," reflecting the character's mystical nature and forbidden practices.