One of Arcane‘s most prominent characters is Vander, the adoptive father of Jinx and Vi, whose past, present, and future are integral to the show’s story. By the time of Arcane season 1’s ending, many would have been forgiven for assuming Vander’s influence on the story was over. After all, Vander did not appear in Arcane season 1, Acts II and III, instead being more of an unseen presence driving Vi and Jinx’s story. However, Arcane season 2, Act I’s ending teased elements that meant Vander could continue unexpectedly impacting the characters, which Act II capitalizes on.

Within Arcane‘s sprawling cast of characters, Vander was often positioned as the show’s moral center. He had done bad things in the past, but his redemption and mentorship of Vi and Jinx provided a lot of emotion and heart. His leadership and eventual absence were so important that they shaped Arcane‘s many League of Legends characters into becoming these archetypes. As such, his unexpected return in Arcane season 2 is a big deal, leading many to wonder what Vander’s past was like, and how he ended up where he is in the show’s final season.

Vander Was An Influential Figure In Arcane’s Undercity

Vander Is A Rare Beacon Of Leadership In Zaun

Arcane‘s history between Zaun and Piltover is a big part of the show’s story, with Vander somewhat tying into this class war. For a long time, Vander was seen as one of Zaun’s influential leaders, despite the undercity technically falling under Piltover’s jurisdiction. Vander was a natural leader, with his strength and compassion being a beacon for many to follow. Due to his ownership of a tavern named The Last Drop, Vander was a father figure to many citizens of Zaun in his earlier years before Arcane season 1.

As Arcane season 1 highlighted, Vander was a big influence on the youth of Zaun, particularly through his paternal bond with Vi, Jinx, Claggor, and Mylo. Vander took the four children in at various points in his life, raising them as his own. This was showcased at length in Arcane season 1, epitomizing Vander’s position of leadership among Zaun’s citizens while also raising other questions about his past, from why he adopted the children to how his leadership impacted the Piltover-Zaun conflicts.

Vander & Silco Were Once Like Brothers Who Dreamed Of The Nation Of Zaun

As alluded to, Zaun has never been independent and is ruled – or, more aptly, forgotten – by Piltover’s council members in Arcane. This directly led to how Vander amassed such a following in the undercity, linked to his former friendship with Arcane season 1’s villain, Silco. Silco and Vander were once like brothers, growing up together in the Lanes and dreaming of the day Zaun would be classed as an independent nation. The duo eventually tried to turn these dreams into a reality by fighting for Zaun’s independence against Piltover.

Vander and Silco spent many of their younger years campaigning for this, mostly unsuccessfully. That said, their actions led to them amassing the aforementioned influential positions within Zaun, with many of its citizens looking to them as leaders. However, their dream did not last long as the two began to develop somewhat differing ideologies.

Vander Once Betrayed Silco In Arcane

Vander & Silco’s Brotherhood Fell Apart

Before the events of Arcane season 1, Vander and Silco’s brotherhood came to an end. It is never outright stated exactly why this happened, but several context clues are provided. Eventually, Vander and Silco’s ideals shifted slightly. Based on Silco’s beliefs as they were presented in Arcane season 1, he likely fell into extremism and began wishing violence against Piltover, thus likely desiring the wealthy nation’s subjugation under Zaun’s rule once its independence was established. Vander, despite believing violence was necessary against Piltover, likely wanted the end goal to be Zaun’s equality.

Silco’s further actions against Piltover were out of his love for Jinx, with the man not willing to give her over in exchange for Zaun’s independence.

This led to the aforementioned confrontation between Vander and Silco. It was revealed in Arcane season 1 that Vander attempted to drown Silco in a river, yet Silco managed to escape by stabbing the former in the arm. This ended Silco and Vander’s partnership, and the two became individual leaders in Zaun with their own followers and methods, leading into the story of the show and its central conflict that will be so integral to Arcane‘s ending in season 2.

Vander Tried To Lead A Rebellion Against Piltover

An Uprising That Changed Everything

At some point after Vander and Silco’s fight, the former attempted to lead an uprising against Piltover to establish the nation of Zaun. He led many of his followers across the bridge that connects Zaun to Piltover, yet the latter city’s Enforcers were waiting for them. The rebellion was crushed swiftly and resulted in many deaths on Zaun’s side, including the parents of Vi and Jinx. This explains how Vander came to adopt the two girls, as well as his drastic change in ideologies from this point onward.

Vander Struck A Deal With Piltover’s Enforcers, Leading Into Arcane Season 1

Vander’s failed rebellion allowed him to realize that the Zaunites could never overcome the military prowess of Piltover, changing his violent ways. From this point on, Vander took a vow of pacifism, hanging up his weapons and leading those he held influence over in Zaun peacefully. Vander even struck a deal with Piltover’s Enforcers as a means of ensuring his people’s safety; if Vander kept the Zaunites from causing trouble in Piltover, the Enforcers would leave him alone and allow him to rule the undercity as he saw fit.

Arcane Season 1 Episode
IMDb Rating
Does Vander Appear?

“Welcome to the Playground”
8.5/10
Yes

“Some Mysteries Are Better Left Unsolved”
8.5/10
Yes

“The Base Violence Necessary for Change”
9.6/10
Yes

“Happy Progress Day!”
8.7/10
No

“Everybody Wants to Be My Enemy”
8.9/10
Mentioned Only

“When These Walls Come Tumbling Down”
9.2/10
Mentioned Only

“The Boy Savior”
9.2/10
Mentioned Only

“Oil and Water”
9.2/10
No

“The Monster You Created”
9.6/10
Yes (Illusion)

This deal is what saw any link between Vander and Silco be severed forever. It is revealed that, despite their huge fight, Silco and Vander still held respect for one another as they wanted the same thing. However, after finding out about Vander’s deal with Piltover, Silco lost all respect for his former brother and began to despise him. Silco viewed Vander’s deal as a cowardly move, holding the viewpoint that Vander was content to keep things as they were rather than continue fighting for Zaun’s independence.

Vander Was Killed By Silco In Arcane Season 1

Years after Vander tried to kill Silco in Arcane, the latter returned the favor. In Arcane season 1, episode 3, Silco’s plans to finally make Zaun a free nation were enacted. Silco kills the officers with whom Vander made his deal, leaving his own puppet Enforcer as the leader of Piltover’s police force. Silco then captures Vander and tries to enlist him one last time into his ranks and fight Piltover using the enhancement drug called Shimmer. Vander says he is not that man anymore, and things escalate as Vi tries to free her father.

Eventually, Vander is gravely wounded in an explosion orchestrated by Powder, who later becomes Jinx. After being stabbed by Silco and injected with copious amounts of Shimmer, Vander seemingly dies. This apparently put an end to Vander and Silco’s rivalry, yet Arcane season 2’s story is bringing back Vander in a heavily theorized way.

Arcane Season 2 Brings Vander Back As Warwick

The Uncaged Wrath Of Zaun

Since Vander’s death, theories have been raised that Arcane season 2 would see him revived as the beast known as Warwick from League of Legends. In Arcane season 2, Act II, this theory is confirmed. It is revealed that Singed, the alchemist who created Shimmer for Silco, retrieved Vander’s body and experimented on him. This turned Vander into Arcane‘s mindless werewolf beast who is driven into a frenzy by the scent of blood, leading him to cause chaos in the ongoing conflict between Zaun and Piltover.

Arcane season 2, Act II reveals that Vander’s conscience is still inside Warwick’s bestial mind, however. Vi and Jinx reunite to save Vander, taking him to Viktor who has become a renowned healer in Zaun. As of Arcane season 2, Act II’s ending, though, Warwick’s true nature overpowers Vander’s mind once Viktor is seemingly killed, causing a cliffhanger ending that leaves the fate of Vander in the balance.