Viktor is one of the main characters from the Arcane TV series who the fans have been rooting for since the day we met him. In season 2, Viktor’s experiment with Hextech resulted in him becoming a Hexcore hybrid being. However, fortunately, his conscience directed him to visit the underground Zaun world and help the people suffering from Shimmer poisoning as their Messiah. However, this didn’t last long as Viktor’s friend and colleague Jayce arrived to eliminate him in the final moments of Arcane season 2 Act 2. So, is Viktor actually dead in Arcane? Or is there a chance that he’s alive in the TV series? Let’s find out!
Spoiler Warning: This post includes heavy spoilers for Arcane Season 2, now out on Netflix.
Jayce Killed Viktor in Arcane Season 2
The second act of Arcane season 2 showcased every major character finishing their conflicts. Jayce who was trapped inside the Arcane’s anomaly in the previous act got released when Salo entered the chamber. However, Jayce seemed out of character and was no longer the kind inventor we’ve come to know.
This disassociation was confirmed when he killed Salo with his Hextech-powered hammer. If you remember, Viktor earlier asked Jayce to destroy the Hextech after Sky was erased from existence by the Hexcore. However, Jayce did the opposite and had it merge with Viktor to save his life.
Now, as a man who lives by his word, Jayce was determined to put an end to Hextech. After Jayce reached Viktor’s camp on the outskirts of Zaun, he went straight in to meet his old friend. While we initially thought the scientist duo will have a heartfelt moment and come up with a way to eliminate the bad side of Arcane, Jayce had other plans.
On seeing Viktor hooked up to Hextech crystals, Jayce charged his Hextech-powered hammer and unleashed a powerful blast to his friend’s chest.
Viktor didn’t see this coming (definitely not from his friend), further making us believe that Jayce must have sensed something ominous or suffered in the anomaly. However, in the end, Jayce did fulfill his promise to his friend but had to eliminate him in the process as he is a half-human and Hextech machine at the same time. There’s another major death that happens in the ending of Arcane Season 2 Act 2. Read all about in the linked explainer.
Jayce blasting a hole in Viktor’s chest also resulted in every Zaunite healed by Viktor transforming into lifeless bodies, and falling to the ground. Did Viktor really die in the world of Arcane (or even League of Legends), though?
But, Viktor Could Resurrect From Death
The Arcane has really been a mysterious and boundless power in the TV series. In fact, it was the power that saved Viktor’s life after Jinx’s attack on Piltover in the season 1 finale. Now, Viktor has become one with the Arcane and can perform miracles like a messiah. You must also have seen Viktor interacting with Sky, who died in a Hextech incident in season 1. However, she was seen in an astral form in Season 2 Act 2. So, there is reason to believe that Viktor is not dead.
Remember when the creators mentioned that Arcane is self-replicating and self-destroying at the same time? So, Viktor could evolve and achieve the machine herald status, as known by most League of Legends players, even though Jayce killed off the last remnants of his humanity with him. According to the LoL lore, Viktor is known to be a completely mechanical character who committed his life to helping humans advance with technology.
Therefore, this is not the end of the man who has been dodging death in the show from such a young age. Vander’s undying will to live made him cheat death as Warwick. Since Viktor is also dead set on transforming people’s lives, he would likely come back from the grave with the power of Arcane.
Having said that, we would have to patiently wait for Act III in order to discover where the creators of the show wish to go with Viktor’s character as there are different versions of his lore in the world of League of Legends.
Moreover, some fans believe that Viktor is alive as he is still a playable champion in the game right now. So, let’s see what fate has in store for our beloved scientist next week.
