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What is Hextech, and what does using it cost?Fiction

In-universe lore. Claims are judged against the fiction's own canon, not the real world.

Hextech is the invention at the centre of Arcane: magic packaged so that people born with no aptitude for it can pick it up and use it. The series and the older League of Legends lore do not tell the same story about where it came from, and they are not describing the same price.

8 established, 3 disputed, 2 debunked, 1 unresolved. We do not pick an answer; the evidence places each claim. How we decide

45 citations from 3 independent sources - 42 echo the same voices and count once. Graded B1-D1.

Added 5 Aug 2026 - canon current as of 5 Aug 2026

What the four states mean
  • Establishedsupported, uncontested
  • Disputedcredible sources disagree
  • Debunkedrefuted by the evidence
  • Unresolvedno settled answer

Established 8supported, uncontested

  • The Hexcore takes life out of living tissue. Sky, entering the room to find Viktor covered in carved runes with his hand clasped to the glowing, sputtering Hexcore, rushed over and clung to him to pull him away, and ended up being vaporized in the process; the Hexcore had used her life force to sustain Viktor. Experimenting alone, he ultimately lost control of the hexcore, and some loss of life occurred as a result.▰▰▰▱▱ likely3 points
    Supports
    • Upon entering the room, she finds Viktor covered in carved runes, with his hand clasped to the glowing, sputtering Hexcore. In a desperate and instinctive act to save his life, Sky rushes over and clings to Viktor, attempting to pull him away from the Hexcore - and ends up being vaporized in the process.Sky Young, Arcane Wiki analysis
    • The Hexcore had used Sky’s life force to sustain Viktor.Sky Young, Arcane Wiki analysis
    • Resolving to hide his plans, he experimented alone, until he ultimately lost control of the hexcore. According to two verified sources within the Academy (see Appendix H for full transcripts) it seems that some loss of life occurred as a result, though details are notably vague.Viktor, Herald of the Arcane, Riot Games Universe primary
  • After a near-death experience when Jinx bombed the council, Viktor's body became fused with the Hexcore to preserve his life: it encased him in a resin-like cocoon, and when he was released the Core had merged with his flesh, giving it a purple and metallic appearance. The hexcore was able to regenerate his wounds to a degree that has astounded and baffled some of the greatest minds in all the world, and fused with the Hexcore he can access arcane magic despite not being born a mage.▰▰▰▱▱ likely3 points
    Supports
    • After his near-death experience when Jinx bombed the council, Viktor's body became fused with the Hexcore to preserve his life. Initially it encased him in a resin-like cocoon; when he was released the Core had merged with his flesh, giving it a purple and metallic appearance.Viktor, Arcane Wiki analysis
    • Fused with the Hexcore, Viktor can access arcane magic despite not being born a mage.Viktor, Arcane Wiki analysis
    • The hexcore was able to regenerate his wounds to a degree that has astounded and baffled some of the greatest minds in all the worldViktor, Herald of the Arcane, Riot Games Universe primary
  • Viktor's cold touch could apparently heal suffering and remove emotion, and devoid of fear, love, bitterness, joy, hatred, or compassion he rose up as the mechanical herald of a second new era, with his followers reduced to little more than puppets of his will.▰▰▰▱▱ likely3 points
    Supports
  • Hextech is described as a magical technology whose artifacts can be wielded by anyone, not just the few people with a natural aptitude for the arcane, and its primary application is to enhance and amplify the capabilities of those who do not naturally possess arcane abilities. It works by using runes to channel the power of magical gemstones.▰▰▱▱▱ likely3 points
    Supports
    • Hextech is a magical technology that fuses elemental and spirit magic to create exquisite artifacts that can be wielded by anyone, not just the few people out there with a natural aptitude for the arcane.Hextech, League of Legends Wiki analysis
    • The primary application of Hextech technology is to enhance and amplify the capabilities of those who do not naturally possess arcane abilities, particularly individuals from the cities of Piltover and Zaun.Hextech, Arcane Wiki analysis
    • Hextech is a groundbreaking magic-based technology that utilizes runes to channel the power of magical gemstones known as Hextech Gemstones.Hextech, Arcane Wiki analysis
  • The setting separates two routes to the same power. Those touched by the Arcane can manipulate and channel it naturally and are known as mages; Hextech uses runes to channel Arcane energy through gemstones. The Council had banned the study of magic in the Academy because of its instability and difficulty to master, and that ban was lifted when Jayce Talis began development of Hextech, described as a way to master magic using science.▰▰▱▱▱ likely3 points
    Supports
    • Magic, otherwise known as the Arcane, is considered dangerous in both Piltover and Zaun. Due to its instability and difficulty to master, the Council banned its study in the Academy. This ban was lifted when Jayce Talis began development of Hextech, a way to master magic using science.Arcane (magic), Arcane Wiki analysis
    • There are also those who are touched by the Arcane, allowing them the ability to manipulate and channel it naturally, like Mel Medarda and members of the Black Rose, who are known as mages.Arcane (magic), Arcane Wiki analysis
    • Hextech uses runes to channel Arcane energy through these gemstones.Arcane (magic), Arcane Wiki analysis
  • The raw crystals are not usable on their own. They are extremely volatile and explode from just a little bit of impact, and one raw gemstone explodes from the kinetic energy built up from bouncing across the floor. The refined gemstone is the fix: more reliable than the raw version, safe enough to be wielded by the common man, and able to power portable devices and consumer products.▰▰▱▱▱ likely4 points
    Supports
  • The Hexcore work and Shimmer are entangled rather than kept apart. Viktor used a variant of Shimmer given to him by Singed to survive his transmutation experiments with the Hexcore, taking it in conjunction with exposure to the Hexcore, after which his bad leg was healed and he was able to walk for the first time. Combining the two changed the device: the hexcore had looked very mechanical and runic in nature, and after Shimmer was used in conjunction with it, it morphed and took on a much more organic appearance.▰▰▱▱▱ likely3 points
    Supports
    • Viktor used a variant of Shimmer given to him by Singed to survive his transmutation experiments with the Hexcore.Shimmer, League of Legends Wiki analysis
    • When Shimmer is combined with hextech, the results can be unpredictable. As an example, when Viktor first discovered the hexcore, it looked very mechanical and runic in nature. However, after Viktor used Shimmer in conjunction with the hexcore in an attempt to cure his illness, it morphed and took on a much more organic appearance.Shimmer, League of Legends Wiki analysis
    • In a bid to prolong his longevity, he seeks out the doctor, who gives him a vial of a Shimmer variant, which he takes in conjunction with exposure to the Hexcore. His bad leg is healed, and he is able to walk for the first time.Viktor, Arcane Wiki analysis
  • Shimmer carries a price of its own. In small quantities it can accelerate the healing process and enhance the user's physical constitution, and in larger amounts it can grant superhuman levels of strength, speed, and durability. Frequent use can cause progressive degeneration of the skin and muscle tissue, and overuse can lead to permanent physical deformities such as large tumors protruding from the skin. Prolonged use leads to users becoming addicted to its effects and suffering severe physical and mental deterioration that will eventually lead to death if left untreated.▰▰▱▱▱ likely3 points
    Supports
    • In small quantities, Shimmer can accelerate the healing process and enhance the user's physical constitution. In larger amounts, it can grant superhuman levels of strength, speed, and durability.Shimmer, League of Legends Wiki analysis
    • Frequent use of the drug can cause progressive degeneration of the skin and muscle tissue. Overuse can lead to permanent physical deformities, such as large tumors protruding from the skin.Shimmer, League of Legends Wiki analysis
    • While the drug grants its users increased physical abilities and resilience, this comes at the cost of their long-term health: prolonged use leads to users becoming addicted to its effects, suffering from severe physical and mental deterioration that will eventually lead to death if left untreated.Shimmer, Arcane Wiki analysis

Disputed 3credible sources disagree

  • The two layers give different origins for Hextech, and the difference is on the record. The older account traces it to the early 900s AN, when the wealthy Mercantile Clans of Piltover harvested rare crystals from the Brackern, a creature native to Shurima. In the series it is a fairly new technology created by aspiring inventors Viktor and Jayce, the result of their experiments to harness the power of magic through science, with Jayce responsible for the creation of Hextech and Viktor, his research partner, helping him create it.▰▰▰▱▱ likely5 points
    Supports
    • The origins of Hextech currently differ between what was established in universe and in Arcane. In Arcane, Hextech was the result of Jayce and Viktor's experiments to harness the power of magic through science. In the current universe, it was the result of discovering the power of the Brackern's crystals.Canonical inconsistencies, League of Legends Wiki analysis
    • The origin of hextech can be traced back to the early 900s AN, where the wealthy Mercantile Clans of Piltover harvested rare crystals from the Brackern, a creature native to Shurima.Hextech, League of Legends Wiki analysis
    • In the Arcane timeline, Hextech is a fairly new technology for its setting, having been created by aspiring inventors Viktor and Jayce.Hextech, League of Legends Wiki analysis
    • Kevin Alejandro as Jayce Talis, a scientist, inventor, and eventual member of the Piltover council, who is responsible for the creation of HextechArcane (TV series), Wikipedia summary
    • Harry Lloyd as Viktor, Jayce's research partner and former assistant to Cecil B. Heimerdinger, who helped Jayce in the creation of Hextech. He grows to become obsessed with using magic to perfect humanity, partly due to his physical disabilities.Arcane (TV series), Wikipedia summary
  • Two official accounts of the same partnership do not sit together. In one, Viktor, long grown tired of Jayce's rudeness, leaps upon him, grabs the crystal and knocks him unconscious with it, and Viktor's body is never found. In the other, hextech is the fruit of their labors, and the two are not just peers in innovation but brothers in all but blood.▰▰▱▱▱ likely3 points
    Supports
  • One reading has the Hexcore become a cautionary tale, embodying the dangers of scientific discovery without ethical boundaries, and has Shimmer underscore the decay of morality that is a part of seeking unbridled scientific advancement. Another records that Shimmer was originally designed to serve as a healing drug, and that under Silco it was used to create an army of superhuman soldiers as part of his plan to wage war against Piltover.▰▰▱▱▱ likely3 points
    Supports
    • The Hexcore becomes a cautionary tale, embodying the dangers of scientific discovery without ethical boundaries.Hexcore, Arcane Wiki analysis
    • Shimmer illustrates the dark aspect of Zaun's scientific and industrial exploitation. Singed's development of Shimmer, while based on his need to break free from human biological restraints, underscores the decay of morality that is a part of seeking unbridled scientific advancement.Shimmer, Arcane Wiki analysis
    • Shimmer was originally designed to serve as a healing drug. Under Silco, however, it was used to create an army of superhuman soldiers as part of his plan to wage war against Piltover and eventually force the Topsiders into granting Zaun its independence.Shimmer, League of Legends Wiki analysis

Debunked 2refuted by the evidence

  • The crystals that power Hextech in the series are not the Brackern's. That origin belongs to the older account, in which the wealthy Mercantile Clans of Piltover harvested rare crystals from the Brackern, a creature native to Shurima. In the Arcane timeline there is no mention of the Brackern as the source of the gemstones, and the Brackern have had their lore entirely reimagined to be part of Ixtal instead of Shurima, and are now not associated with the crystals at all.Refuted byIn the Arcane timeline, Hextech and its properties remained mostly the same compared to its canon counterpart. However, there is no mentions of the Brackern as the source of the gemstones.refuted2 against3 points
    The claim rested on
    • The origin of hextech can be traced back to the early 900s AN, where the wealthy Mercantile Clans of Piltover harvested rare crystals from the Brackern, a creature native to Shurima.Hextech, League of Legends Wiki analysis
    Refuted by
  • Tying Shimmer to the Void is fan speculation, not an established rule. Fans have speculated that Shimmer may have a connection with the Void and the Voidborn, mainly because the drug showcases visual elements and properties usually associated with the Void, but that is not officially stated or confirmed. The origin on the record is chemistry: Singed created Shimmer from a species of glowing purple flowers he found in the caves of Zaun while trying to cure his comatose and terminally ill daughter Orianna, modelling his experiments on biological studies of a creature with regenerative powers.Refuted byIn Arcane, Shimmer was originally created by Singed from a species of glowing purple flowers that he found in the caves of Zaun as one of his many attempts to find a way to cure his comatose and terminally ill daughter Orianna.refuted2 against3 points
    The claim rested on
    • Although not officially stated or confirmed, with the release of Arcane, fans have speculated that Shimmer may have a connection with the Void and the Voidborn, mainly due to the fact that the drug showcases visual elements and properties that are usually associated with the Void.Shimmer, League of Legends Wiki analysis
    Refuted by
    • In Arcane, Shimmer was originally created by Singed from a species of glowing purple flowers that he found in the caves of Zaun as one of his many attempts to find a way to cure his comatose and terminally ill daughter Orianna.Shimmer, League of Legends Wiki analysis
    • Singed modeled his experiments on a series of biological studies on an odd creature known as Rio, a powerful creature with regenerative powers.Shimmer, Arcane Wiki analysis

Unresolved 1no settled answer

  • How much of Shimmer's earlier lore survives the merging of the two layers is an open question. It is unclear how much the lore behind Shimmer will be changed in the main canon after its introduction in Arcane, since most of its original lore was from non-canon materials, and current canon descriptions have some similarities with the old non-canon descriptions while also incorporating elements present in Arcane. The merge itself is on the record: the two universes will be one shared canon moving forward, and the origin of Hextech in Arcane will be the origin going forward, though the champions whose lore was to be adjusted to accommodate it have not yet been adjusted.▰▰▱▱▱ likely3 points
    Supports
    • It is unclear how much the lore behind Shimmer will be changed in the main canon after its introduction in Arcane, since most of its original lore was from the non-canon Journal of Justice materials. Current canon descriptions of Shimmer have some similarities with old non-canon descriptions, while also incorporating elements that would be present in Arcane.Shimmer, League of Legends Wiki analysis
    • The Arcane and Runeterra Prime universes will be one shared canon moving forward.Canonical inconsistencies, League of Legends Wiki analysis
    • It has been decided that the origin of Hextech in Arcane will be the origin going forward and champions related to Hextech will have their lore adjusted to accommodate, such as Seraphine and Camille, however, as it stands these champions have not yet been adjusted.Canonical inconsistencies, League of Legends Wiki analysis

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