In 2023, T1 once again cemented its place in League of Legends history, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the release of the team’s fourth set of World Championship skins. Among them, T1’s talented jungler Oner decided to immortalize his performance with a Lee Sin skin, following in the footsteps of his predecessor.

Nearly a decade earlier, in 2013, when SKT T1 secured their first World Championship title, their jungler at the time, Bengi, also chose Lee Sin for his commemorative skin. Reflecting on this legacy, Oner expressed his desire to create a unique and nostalgic experience for fans through his own Worlds skin.

World champions are given the opportunity to contribute their ideas for special animations to personalize their champion’s legacy in League. When approached by Riot Games about his Worlds skin, Oner proposed a playful animation idea: his Lee Sin kicking Bengi’s, symbolizing the passing of the torch and the introduction of a new era.

Now, Oner eagerly awaits to see if Riot will incorporate his idea into the game, as he has yet to witness the final product of his skin.

Bengi’s Lee Sin, alongside other iconic skins like Faker’s Zed and Impact’s Jax, represents the beginning of a dominant era in competitive League of Legends. However, as the new generation of champions emerges, it’s time for them to make their mark and, quite literally, kick out the old guard.

While there is no official announcement regarding the release date of the T1 2023 Worlds skins, speculations abound, particularly regarding Faker’s highly anticipated Hall of Legends skin.

As the League community eagerly awaits the unveiling of the latest skins, one thing is certain: they will herald the beginning of a new chapter in League of Legends history.

LoL Patch 14.9 Preview

Lee Sin ASU

Among the most anticipated features is the long-awaited Art and Sustainability Update (ASU) for Lee Sin. Riot Games is set to unveil a revitalized Lee Sin, complete with stunning visual enhancements, improved clarity, and enhanced sound effects.

Champions

Buffs

• Bel’Veth

Nerfs

• Ahri
• Aurelion Sol
• Blitzcrank
• Evelynn
• Janna
• Kassadin
• Master Yi
• Nilah
• Olaf
• Pyke
• Skarner
• Taliyah
• Urgot

Adjustments

• Akshan
• Jinx
• Twitch

Items

Buffs

Nerfs

• Spear of Shojin
• Sterak’s Gage
• Sundered Sky

Adjustments

• Maw of Malmortius
• Hexdrinker

Arena Game Mode

But that’s not all—Riot Games is also reintroducing the beloved Arena game mode in patch 14.9, set to make a grand return for a four-month stint in the client. Unlike previous updates, Arena will be available throughout the entirety of Ranked Season 14 Split 2, providing players with opportunities to partake in the gameplay it offers.

MSI 2024 Event

Furthermore, Patch 14.9 will coincide with the highly anticipated 2024 Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) event, offering players the chance to participate in thrilling Empyrean-themed battles.

Empyrean Skins

With the release of Empyrean skins, including a legendary skin for Varus and the debut prestige skin for Kayle, players will have even more reasons to immerse themselves in the event. During the MSI event, players can earn tokens and rewards simply by playing League of Legends games.

With that said, League of Legends Patch 14.9 is scheduled to go live on May 1st.

In fights where champions need to stay alive while dealing damage, having gear that can steal back health is really important. One of the most popular items for this is the Ravenous Hydra, which many fighters rely on to stay tough in team fights.

Some champions, like Aatrox or Lee Sin, have their own built-in abilities to life steal, and they become even stronger when they get their hands on items like the Ravenous Hydra. But lately, players are saying that dealing with all this healing stuff is getting harder. When they face champions with these abilities, it’s like facing the toughest bosses in hard games like Dark Souls or Bloodborne.

One champion causing a stir is Lee Sin, who’s equipped with a Ravenous Hydra, a Doran Sword, and a few other things. Players are sharing stories on Reddit of fighting against him, like one where Ahri faces him and manages to chip away at his health, only to see it shoot right back up again. People are comparing it to fighting a tough boss in a game.

Lee Sin’s second W is a big reason for his crazy healing. It boosts his healing power by 26%, and with the two items he has, that’s another 42%. And when he activates the Ravenous Hydra, his healing gets even stronger—up to 150% more! So every time he hits someone, he’s getting back a lot of health. In one example, his move called E is enough to heal him by a huge amount—almost bringing him back to full health in the middle of a fight!

There are ways to deal with this, like using champions who can stop healing. But not everyone has access to those champions, like Ahri. So, lots of players are saying the game’s balancing team needs to step in and make some changes. They hope that by adjusting Lee Sin, things will be fairer for everyone, making the game more fun and balanced for all players.

The blind monk is set to undergo a comprehensive visual update, along with an Art and Sustainability Update (ASU), aimed at refining both his appearance and gameplay mechanics.

This overhaul encompasses not only Lee Sin’s 3D model but also his body proportions, marking a significant departure from his current aesthetic. Riot’s development team, in a recent Dev Update video, shed light on their intention to revamp all of the champion’s skins, ensuring they are seamlessly aligned with the updated model.

Keen-eyed players may observe the introduction of a distinctive long ponytail adorning Lee Sin’s character model, a subtle yet impactful addition aimed at augmenting his visual identity.

This feature, though not newly introduced, has been enhanced to impart a more dynamic and natural appearance, free from the constraints of being statically affixed to his model.

Beyond the visual, the update extends to Lee Sin’s animations, encompassing his basic attacks and spellcasting motions. Notably, the champion’s abilities undergo a significant transformation, shedding the visual clutter that previously obscured gameplay clarity.

In its place, players can expect cleaner, more intuitive indicators signaling the activation and impact of Lee Sin’s abilities, facilitating smoother gameplay experiences.

Moreover, Riot Games has fine-tuned the champion’s sound effects, ensuring that each spell cast is accompanied by distinct auditory cues. This attention to detail not only enhances the gameplay experience but also clarity the execution and impact of Lee Sin’s abilities.

As anticipation mounts for the Lee Sin visual update, Riot Games has set a target release date of May 1, 2024, coinciding with the rollout of patch 14.9.

Riot Games has once again demonstrated their creative by introducing a premium $200 skin, the Divine Heavenscale Lee Sin, as part of the ongoing evolution of in-game cosmetics.

In comparing this latest offering to its predecessors, such as the Dark Cosmic Erasure Jhin and Breakout True Damage Ekko, it is evident that the Divine Heavenscale Lee Sin surpasses them in skin quality.

However, there is a noteworthy shift in the reception of the capsule rewards accompanying this Mythic Variant. Despite the enhanced visual appeal of the skin, players have expressed concerns about the perceived downgrade in capsule rewards in comparison to the Breakout True Damage Ekko.

The Divine Heavenscale Lee Sin, a key highlight of the 2024 Lunar New Year celebrations, stands out not only for its aesthetic improvements but also for the inclusion of 21 additional voice lines and a new Dragon kill VFX, distinguishing it from its Mythic Variant predecessors.

The capsule rewards for Divine Heavenscale Lee Sin are eight milestones, ensuring players have ample opportunities to unlock enticing in-game content. Each capsule is set to contain skin shards, enticing players with the possibility of acquiring the exclusive “Heavenscale 2024 Grab Bag” or even the coveted Divine Heavenscale Lee Sin skin itself.

Heavenscale Capsule

• 3 Random Skin Shards.
• 1% Chance to get either Heavenscale 2024 Grab Bag or Divine Heavenscale Lee Sin Skin + Border & Icon.

Heavenscale Grab Bag

• Contains 1 Skin Shard worth 1350 RP or below & 2 Skin Shards worth 975 RP or more.
• Bonus Chance for 2 more Skin Shards worth 975 RP or more.

Milestone Rewards

Marking a significant date on the calendar for League of Legends players, the capsule event is scheduled to kick off on February 7, 2024, and will run through February 22, 2024.

Throughout the years, Riot Games has consistently raised the bar with the release of legendary skins for League of Legends, with major skin launches often featuring Legendary or higher-tier options.

Within the Heavenscale skin line, Lee Sin will occupy the Legendary tier, and it will boast not only the base Legendary version but also an additional Prestige Edition. This effectively translates to two Legendary skins within this particular line.

In the base Heavenscale Lee Sin skin, his hands take on the appearance of golden claws, complementing a striking red robe with multiple jade accessories. Notably, a large black ribbon conceals his eyes, and all of his abilities are accompanied by a resplendent gold-colored effect.

The Prestige Edition of Heavenscale Lee Sin introduces distinct visual elements, featuring purple claws and an overall purple hue to his abilities. Lee Sin dons a regal purple robe with a white ribbon covering his eyes, and his accessories are enhanced with an orange hue.

Despite the uniqueness of the Prestige Edition, it has faced criticism for its perceived similarities to the original skin, especially when compared to other Prestige variants such as Jhin’s Dark Cosmic Erasure.

Acknowledging the critiques and seeking to enhance the distinctiveness of the cosmetic, Riot Games has announced plans to introduce captivating elements to his skin Notably, the Prestige Edition will receive unique effects to further distinguish it within the League of Legends cosmetic landscape.

Specifically, according to SkinSpotlights, upon Lee Sin defeating the elemental dragon, a captivating dragon-killing mark will be left in the cave, accompanied by the release of a majestic dragon into the air.

To address the criticism and justify the pricing associated with the variant Mythology, Riot Games is making concerted efforts to invest in both design and effects. These innovative additions represent Riot Games’ proactive approach to enriching the player experience and ensuring that fans find added value in their skin purchases.

While the arrival of the Heavenscale skin line has generated a wave of enthusiasm among many players, there is a notable segment expressing confusion and raising questions about why Lee Sin, once again, finds himself adorned in another dragon-themed legendary skin.

A Reddit thread entitled “Why is Lee Sin receiving another dragon-themed legendary?” echoes the sentiments of players seeking more diversity in skin themes for popular champions.

The author laments the perceived lack of creativity from Riot Games, citing Lee Sin’s existing skins with similar dragon-centric themes. The community is grappling with the decision to revisit this theme for Lee Sin, especially considering the potential for other champions, such as Shyvana and Aurelion Sol, who have inherent connections to dragons.

The initial justification provided by the developers aimed to shed light on the skin’s purpose—celebrating the Lunar New Year and paying homage to the rich cultural heritage of the holiday.

The emphasis was on adopting a more traditional approach, in contrast to previous, more modern interpretations. Despite this explanation, players remain puzzled as to why a different champion wasn’t chosen for this particular theme.

The discussion on the Reddit thread also delves into the broader issue of certain champions receiving an abundance of skins compared to their counterparts. Lee Sin, a fan’s favorite since his debut, is poised to set a record with four legendary skins once Divine Heavenscale is released in Patch 14.3.

Heavenscale, however, isn’t exclusive to Lee Sin alone, as other champions like Janna, Ezreal, Master Yi, and Smolder are also set to partake in this dragon-themed skin line. The irony of champions with many existing skins getting involved in a more traditional Year of the Dragon celebration isn’t lost on the community.

Despite the frustration voiced by players, the allure of these new skins may prove irresistible, prompting them to open their wallets once again for this thematic exploration in the League of Legends universe.

This exciting release promises to elevate the influence of dragons in the game, featuring captivating new looks for numerous champions, including the recently introduced dragon champion, Smolder.

Drawing inspiration from a Chinese novel set in a world of Dragon Lineages, Riot has meticulously crafted the Heavenscale skins to bring the essence of this fantastical realm to life.

Each skin in this line boasts vibrant red and gold accents, not only adorning the champions’ attire but also enhancing the visual of their abilities. The infusion of jade elements in each champion’s weapon pays homage to the cultural significance of this gem in Chinese tradition.

Here is the list of Heavenscale skins arriving at League of Legends. While the splash arts haven’t been revealed officially, we can get a glimpse of their skins through their in-game.

• Diana
• Ezreal
• Janna
• Kai’Sa
• Lee Sin
• Master Yi
• Smolder
• Ezreal (Presige)
• Lee Sin (Prestige)

Heavenscale is poised to be the first event of the year, offering players an immersive experience filled with thematic celebrations. While the exact details of the event structure remain unclear, there is anticipation regarding the potential inclusion of an event pass or a focus on limited capsules.

In previous New Year events in League of Legends, event passes have allowed players to earn exclusive rewards through gameplay and mission, enabling them to unlock limited rewards. Notably, the Prestige Heavenscale Ezreal is likely to be a sought-after item and may exclusively be obtainable through this unique in-game currency.

Although Riot has not disclosed the full release window, it is expected that Heavenscale will make its entrance on the live servers with the rollout of patch 14.3, scheduled for February 7, 2024.

The organization, basking in the glory of their recent victory, has revealed the chosen champions for these skins, a decision that has set the community abuzz with excitement.

T1’s choices for their Worlds 2023 skin

In recognition of his performance and the MVP title, Zeus is set to receive a Prestige Jayce skin. Meanwhile, Oner, opting for a timeless classic, has selected Lee Sin as his champion for commemoration. Adding to the excitement, Gumayusi has chosen Jinx as his champion, while Keria, T1’s dynamic support, has opted for the whimsical Bard.

However, it is the choice of Faker that has sparked intense anticipation among fans. Renowned as one of the greatest League of Legends players of all time, Faker has decided to immortalize his legacy with an Ahri skin, a champion he once dominated with in his heyday.

This decision, though somewhat ironic given Faker’s usual preference for Ahri gameplay, is expected to resonate profoundly with the fanbase. The community’s fervor, especially for the Faker Ahri skin, is palpable, driven by the prospect of owning a piece of esports history tied to the iconic player.

Interestingly, fans are also expressing enthusiasm for the Bard skin, considering it a much-awaited addition for a champion that has not received a standout cosmetic in years. Despite the possibility of T1 Renata Glasc being the selected skin, fans appear to be satisfied with either choice, showcasing support for their favorite team.

While Jayce may not have generated the same level of hype among fans, the release of the second season of Arcane is anticipated to provide a crossover effect, potentially boosting the skin’s popularity.

The forthcoming Worlds champion skins, widely acknowledged for their exceptional design and quality, are poised to become instant favorites among players. As T1 fans await the release, the community is set to witness an outpouring of support, further solidifying the bond between T1 and the LoL community.

With new upgrades and features, developers are always improving League of Legends for the players. While the community’s favourite champions receive upgrades that preserve their core mechanics and characteristics, the game also got new champions that change the meta and provide players with more mechanics.

The timing of impending champion upgrades might be perplexing because there are several changes and new champions being developed. So, here are the list of changes to League champions in the latter phase of 2023 and early 2024.

New champions

Naafiri

Riot revealed two new champions who will join League’s roster this year as the 2023 season got underway. Male enchanter Milio has already joined the group. Now it’s time for Naafiri, a new Darkin assassin.

Naafiri excels in one-on-one fighting since she is an assassin, and that is exactly what she will be doing as a mid laner most of the time. Her capacity to produce pack of dogs that actively hunt down the particular foe Naafiri is assaulting is the key element of her kit. She can even expand her pack as part of her passive attack.

On July 19, Patch 13.14, which includes Naafiri’s base skin and the Soul Fighter summer event, will be released for League.

Briar

Another forthcoming champion, Briar, was hinted at in April’s champion roadmap. While we are unsure of the role she will play, the developers stated that she was inspired by “the idea of exploring an uncontrollable hunger, and what happens when that hunger sometimes takes over.”

Briar is almost certainly a Noxian vampire of some type. Riot Games classifies her as a Diver/Skirmisher champion. It’s hardly subtle, with references to frenzies, bloodlust, and an uncontrolled appetite. A semi-feral vampire lurking in Noxus appears to be very plausible.

Although Briar does not yet have a release date, if Naafiri is going to be launched this summer, Briar ought to be available before the end of the year.

Ink Mage

The Ink Mage, while it is new, the champion concept, however, is not new, and Riot is bringing back some old concepts. They intended to develop a champion that could physically sketch their skills a few years back.

The most important aspect of their kit would have been their ultimate, which allowed players to physically create terrain on the map. This would result in a slew of issues, but perhaps Riot has found out how to implement it years later.

Though no official date was released, the Ink Mage is speculated to be released after Briar.

Champion modifications

Jax: new visual updates

Jax, a beloved champion in the top lane, will soon receive the next visual change, according to the most recent champion roadmap.

Riot will be revamping a slew of Jax’s graphics as a consequence, including a new model, new animations and visual effects, updated splash images for older cosmetics, and a new voiceover.

He’s also been given a new narrative for why he fights with a moderate size stave rather than a real weapon: the brazier is the sole thing that he has left from his home of Icathia before it was destroyed by the terrible powers of the Void.

Although there is currently no set release date for Jax’s new appearance, it is anticipated to arrive this year.

Skarner: champion rework

In the VGU survey from January 2022, Skarner came forth on top, with the community clearly favouring him to have an aesthetic and gameplay overhaul. Since then, the developers have put in a lot of effort to update Skarner’s appearance and gameplay, which has undoubtedly thrilled his devotees.

Sadly, it was announced in a dev blog that Skarner’s revamp has been significantly delayed and won’t even be available until 2024.

Riot also hasn’t revealed anything about Skarner’s revamped powers in League of Legends, except for his ultimate ability. His new ultimate will allow him to capture a group of enemies instead of just only one.

However, because it now has two stages of damage, it will be possible to miss this ability, and it will do half the damage if someone cleanses out of it. There are certain advantages and disadvantages in contrast to the original, but it has a far greater impact on the game today than it did earlier.

Lee Sin and Teemo: ASU updates

Lee Sin and Teemo have been selected by Riot as the next ASU after further examination of other champions from the cast. Currently, Lee Sin’s ASU is slated for release in the first part of 2019, while Teemo will follow in the second half of 2024.

Many of the modifications done to Lee Sin are referred to as “quality of life” modifications, which include different model corrections and tweaks to his animations to bring him up to date.

The developers also noted that Teemo’s design has stayed mostly same throughout time and that his ASU would focus on the champion’s dimensions and model specifics, including minor adjustments to his iconic attire. Additionally, the Swift Scout will gain some new face motion to express his appearance better.