Riot Games has made a couple of interesting announcements this week for League of Legends players. First of all, the 10 free Champions for week 7 have been updated and will include the release of a new tank Champion with the patch. (UPDATE: The new tank has been revealed as Poppy, the Iron Abassador. You can read all about the Champion after the jump.)

The second announcement is that three new skins will be added in the patch and will be available for purchase in the League of Legends store. The skins are Badger Teemo, Phantom Karthus and Golden Bull Alistar.

A New Champion Approaches: Poppy, the Iron Ambassador

Prepare yourselves. The tiny but mighty Poppy has joined the League of Legends! This compact little warrior packs one mean punch with her mighty hammer, Whomper. Boasting a powerful set of abilities, Poppy is ready to pulverize anyone who thinks it funny to make a short joke.

Champion Type: Tank

Lore:
While other young yordles would play skip-step and make wreathes out of braided posies, Poppy was earning calluses and grease stains in her father's armor shop. Blomgrun was a well-respected armorsmith, and he named his daughter for the sprightly sounds that accompanied the sparks leaping from his ever-burning forge. He was filled with pride when she was first able to lift his trusty hammer, Whomper. One day, Blomgrun was commissioned to create a glorious helm for a Demacian general. Word of the charge was leaked to the Noxian High Command, and two of their best spies ambushed Blomgrun’s caravan en route. Though Poppy escaped with the helm, she helplessly watched as her father was slain. Instead of fleeing home, she carried the helm to Demacia alone. When the Demacian general saw the grim determination behind the tears in her eyes, the general requested that the leadership of Bandle City appoint Poppy as the yordle ambassador to Demacia. Soon after, seeking to crush Noxus with her father's hammer, Poppy volunteered for the League of Legends.

Abilities:

• Devastating Blow - Poppy crushes her opponent, dealing her base damage plus a flat amount and 8% of her target's max health as bonus damage. The bonus damage cannot exceed a threshold based on rank.
• Paragon of Demacia - Passive: Upon being hit or attacking an enemy, Poppy's armor and damage are increased by a flat amount for 5 seconds. This effect can stack 5 times. Active: Poppy gains max stacks of Paragon of Demacia and her movement speed is increased 20% for 5 seconds.
• Heroic Charge - Poppy charges at an enemy and carries them for a short distance. The initial impact deals a small amount of damage, and if they collide with terrain, her target will take a high amount of damage and be stunned.
• Diplomatic Immunity - Poppy focuses intently on a single target, dealing increased damage to them. Poppy is immune to any damage and abilities from enemies other than her target.
• Valiant Fighter (passive) - Any damage dealt to Poppy that exceeds 10% of her current health is greatly reduced.

With the release of the next patch, Poppy will be free to play until the next champion rotation and available for purchase under the Champions tab in the League of Legends Store.