Moonton's MOBA, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, is taking over Southeast Asia and the world by storm. With its fun, fast-paced gameplay, exploding esports scene, and an ever-growing roster of over 120 playable heroes, Mobile Legends is a free-to-play gaming experience not to be slept on. Since the game's initial launch in 2016, MLBB's development team Moonton has been dedicated to producing around 3-5 new heroes a year for players to explore and learn. 

Like League of Legends and DOTA 2, hero selection is the key to winning matches. With so many different playstyles, mechanics, and roles, there will surely be a character to suit every player's individual preferences and team compositions. 

If you're a diehard Mobile Legends fan, here is a complete list of all Mobile Legends heroes and their roles, starting in 2016 when the MOBA was first released. 

How to unlock heroes in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang

Heroes in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang can be unlocked through free in-game currency like Battle Points (BP) or Tickets. These are usually unlocked through playing daily matches, competing quest objectives, and participating in events. Most heroes cost 599 Diamonds or 32,000 Battle Points.

Players can also use Diamonds, the premium currency in Mobile Legends, to unlock heroes directly or purchase hero fragments. Luckily for you, there are also some methods of obtaining Diamonds - for free! 

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, like League of Legends, also utilizes a weekly rotation of free heroes for players to take out for a trial run before they purchase them outright. This way, you can try some meta heroes before you splash the cash on the real deal. 

MLBB Heroes Released in 2016

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang took over the mobile gaming market, rivaling competitors like Wild Rift when it was released on July 14, 2016, with 27 heroes in the starting roster. 

These OG heroes range from Assassins, Marksmen, and Fighters to Mages, Supports, and Tanks, so players could get a feel for all six roles in a controlled environment in these early games. 

  • Miya, the Moonlight Archer (Marksman)
  • Balmond, the Bloody Beast (Fighter)
  • Saber, the Wandering Sword (Assassin)
  • Alice, the Queen of Blood (Mage/Tank)
  • Nana, the Sweet Leonin (Mage)
  • Tigreal, the Warrior of Dawn (Tank)
  • Alucard, the Demon Hunter (Fighter/Assassin)
  • Karina, the Shadow Blade (Assassin)
  • Akai, the Panda Warrior (Tank)
  • Franco, the Frozen Warrior (Tank)
  • Bane, the Frozen King (Fighter/Mage)
  • Bruno, the Protector (Marksman)
  • Clint, the West Justice (Marksman)
  • Rafaela, the Wings of Holiness (Support)
  • Eudora, the Lightning Weaver (Mage)
  • Zilong, the Spear of Dragon (Fighter/Assassin)
  • Fanny, the Blade Dancer (Assassin)
  • Layla, the Energy Gunner (Marksman)
  • Minotaur, the Son of Minos (Tank/Support)
  • Lolita, the Steel Elf (Tank/Support)
  • Hayabusa, the Crimson Shadow (Assassin)
  • Freya, the Valkyrie (Fighter)
  • Gord, the Professor of the Mystics (Mage)
  • Natalia, the Bright Claw (Assassin)
  • Kagura, the Onmyouji Master (Mage)
  • Chou, the Kung Fu Boy (Fighter)
  • Sun, the Monkey King (Fighter)

MLBB Heroes Released in 2017

  • Alpha, the Blade of Enmity (Fighter)
  • Ruby, the Little Red Hood (Fighter)
  • Yi Sun-Shin, the Paenlong Legend (Assassin/Marksman)
  • Maskov, the Spear of Quiescence (Marksman)
  • Johnson, the Wild Engine (Tank/Support)
  • Cyclops, the Starsoul Magician (Mage)
  • Estes, the Moon Elf King (Support)
  • Hilda, the Power of Megalith (Fighter/Tank)
  • Aurora, the Maiden of the Glacier (Mage)
  • Lapu-Lapu, the Courageous Blade (Fighter)
  • Vexana, the Shimmer of Hope (Mage)
  • Roger, the Dire Wolf Hunter (Fighter/Marksman)
  • Karrie, the Lost Star (Marksman)
  • Gatotkaca, the Mighty Legend (Tank/Fighter)
  • Harley, the Mage Genius (Assassin/Mage)
  • Irithel, the Jungle Heart (Marksman)
  • Grock, the Fortress Titan (Tank/Fighter)
  • Argus, the Dark Angel (Fighter)
  • Odette, the Swan Princess (Mage)
  • Lancelot, the Blade of Roses (Assassin)
  • Diggie, the Timekeeper (Support)
  • Hylos, the Grand Warden (Tank)
  • Zhask, the King of Swarms (Mage)
  • Helcurt, the Shadowbringer (Assassin)
  • Pharsa, the Wings of Vengeance (Mage)

MLBB Heroes Released in 2018

  • Lesley, the Deadly Sniper (Marksman/Assassin)
  • Jawhead, the Steel Sweetheart (Fighter)
  • Angela, the Bunnylove (Support)
  • Gusion, the Holy Blade (Assassin)
  • Valir, the Son of Flames (Mage)
  • Martis, the Ashura King (Fighter)
  • Uranus, the Aesthereal Defender (Tank)
  • Hanabi, the Scarlet Flower (Marksman)
  • Chang'e, the Moon Palace Immortal (Mage)
  • Kaja, the Nazar King (Support/Fighter)
  • Selena, the Abyssal Witch (Assassin/Mage)
  • Aldous, the Soul Contractor (Fighter)
  • Claude, the Master Thief (Marksman)
  • Vale, the Windtalker (Mage)
  • Leomord, the Sworn Sword (Fighter)
  • Lunox, the Twilight Goddess (Mage)
  • Hanzo, the Akuma Ninja (Assassin)
  • Belerick, the Guard of Nature (Tank)
  • Kimmy, the Jetpack Rebel (Marksman/Mage)
  • Thamuz, the Lord Lava (Fighter)
  • Harith, the Time Traveler (Mage)
  • Minsitthar, the Courageous Warrior (Fighter)
  • Kadita, the Ocean Goddess (Tank)
  • Faramis, the Soul Binder (Support/Mage)
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MLBB Heroes Released in 2019

  • Badang, the Tribal Warrior (Fighter)
  • Khufra, the Desert Tyrant (Tank)
  • Granger, the Death Chanter (Marksman)
  • Guinevere, the Ms. Violet (Fighter)
  • Esmeralda, the Astrologer (Mage/Tank)
  • Terizla, the Executioner (Fighter/Tank)
  • X.Borg, the Firaga Armor (Fighter)
  • Ling, the Cyan Finch (Assassin)
  • Dyrroth, the Prince of the Abyss (Fighter)
  • Lylia, the Little Witch (Mage)
  • Baxia, the Mystic Tortoise (Tank)
  • Masha, the Wild-oats Fist (Fighter/Tank)
  • Wanwan, the Agile Tiger (Marksman)
  • Silvanna, the Imperial Knightess (Fighter)

MLBB Heroes Released in 2020

Due to complications arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, hero releases began to slow down and drop off in 2020 compared to the early days of MLBB. Only ten heroes were released in 2020, compared to the previous year's 14 new playable characters. 

  • Cecillion, the Embrace of Night (Mage)
  • Carmilla, the Shadow of Twilight (Support/Tank)
  • Atlas, the Ocean Gladiator (Tank)
  • Popol and Kupa, the Icefield Companions (Marksman)
  • Yu Zhong, the Black Dragon (Fighter)
  • Luo Yi, the Yin-yang Geomancer (Mage)
  • Benedetta, the Shadow Ranger (Assassin/Fighter)
  • Khaleed, the Desert Scimitar (Fighter)
  • Barats, the Dino Rider (Tank/Fighter)
  • Brody, the Lone Star (Marksman)

MLBB Heroes Released in 2021

  • Yve, the Astrowarden (Mage)
  • Mathilda, the Swift Plume (Support/Assassin)
  • Paquito, the Heavenly Fist (Fighter/Assassin)
  • Gloo, the Swamp Spirits (Tank)
  • Beatrix, the Dawnbreak Soldier (Marksman)
  • Phoveus, the Shadow of Dread (Fighter)
  • Natan, the Spacetime Walker (Marksman)
  • Aulus, the Warrior of Ferocity (Fighter)
  • Aamon, the Duke of Shards (Assassin)
  • Valentina, the Prophetess of the Night (Mage)
  • Edith, the Ancient Guard (Tank/Marksman)
  • Floryn, the Budding Hope (Support)

MLBB Heroes Released in 2022

  • Yin, the Martial Genius (Fighter/Assassin)
  • Melissa, the Cursed Needle (Marksman)
  • Xavier, the Defier of Light (Mage)
  • Julian, the Scarlet Raven (Fighter/Mage)
  • Fredrinn, the Rogue Appraiser (Fighter/Tank)
  • Joy, the Flash of Miracle (Assassin)

MLBB Heroes Released in 2023

  • Norvaria, the Star Rebel (Mage)
  • Arlott, the Lone Lancer (Fighter/Tank)
  • Ixia, the Arclight Outlaw (Marksman)
  • Nolan, the Cosmic Wayfinder (Fighter/Assassin)
  • Cici, the Buoyant Performer (Fighter)

MLBB Heroes Released in 2024

While we're not yet halfway through the year, only one hero has been released on Mobile Legends: Bang Bang in 2024, which shows Moonton is taking a slower approach to the year than in its early days. 

  • Chip, the Phase Technician (Support/Tank)

Not released by confirmed for 2024

  • Zhuxin, the Lantern of Spirits (Mage)

Final Thoughts

That was our complete list of all heroes currently in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang ordered according to their release dates. When the newest MLBB hero arrives in the Land of Dawn, we'll update this article with all relevant information, so bookmark this page!

 If you want more Mobile Legends content, we have the best beginner-friendly heroes, an MLBB tier list for the meta heroes, all zodiac skins, battle spells, Mobile Legends: Adventure codes, and more on our blog page!

Keep reading for more bonus information and FAQs about Mobile Legends heroes. Make a Rivalry account today to take advantage of our welcome bonus and start winning big with your favorite teams!

Mobile Legends Heroes FAQs

How many heroes are in there in Mobile Legends 2024?

At the time of writing (May 14, 2024), there are 124 heroes in Mobile Legends, with the 125th hero coming soon, confirmed to be Zhuxin, the Lantern of Spirits. This new character will be a pure Mage, dishing out hefty magic damage and crowd control. 

What are the hero roles in Mobile Legends? 

There are six main roles that all heroes fit into: Assassin, Fighter, Mage, Marksman, Support, and Tank. Some heroes, like Chip or Lolita, can be hybrid and fit into two roles, like Tank/Support. 

Who is the first hero in ML? 

Miya the Moonlight Archer was the first hero to be released in Mobile Legends in the beginning days of Mobile Legends and is the most well-known Marksmen in the game. 

Who is the least picked hero in Mobile Legends? 

Using data from competitive ranks like Mythical Glory, the least picked hero in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is Vexana. While she has significant magic damage and good levels of crowd control, many players have reported she is clunky to control with slow auto attacks, making her a less popular hero than other mages. 

How many Assassin heroes are there in MLBB? 

There are currently 25 Assassin heroes in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. Assassins excel in the chaos before team fights, able to attack and pick off an unsuspecting enemy at the right moment. They're best played by more experienced players due to their low overall HP and high burst damage, requiring more game sense. 

How many Tank heroes are there in MLBB? 

At the time of writing, there are 24 Tanks in Mobile Legends. Tanks specialize in having high defense stats and powerful crowd-control capabilities. They sit at the frontline of their team, designed to be the sponge that soaks up all the damage directed at their teammates. Some Tank heroes can also double as Support, with a shield and crowd control to protect their team.