Introduction to skins and their appeal

 

A champion skin refers to an alternate appearance (skin) and/or color scheme (chroma) for any given League of Legends champion.

 

The skins are classified by Riot in 5 different quality categories with increasing graphic and video features depending on the tier ranking:

 

• Timeworn (520 RP, retired tier) – Texture changes and new splash image. Sometimes includes small model changes.
• Deluxe (750 RP) – A simple “costume change” for the champion. Includes a model changes, new texture and new splash image. Sometimes includes new animations.
• Superior (975 RP) –  Pushes the champion a step beyond a simple costume change, with more immersive qualities. Includes a new model, new texture and new splash image. Sometimes includes: new animations, visual effects, and sounds
• Epic (1375 RP) – Drastic changes to the champion bring the fantasy to life. Includes a new model, new texture, new splash image, new animations, new visual effects, new sounds. Sometimes includes: voice processing.
• Legendary (1820 RP) – A complete re-imagining of the champion from the ground up, with total and complete immersion in the fantasy. Includes a new model, new texture, new splash image, new animations, new visuals, new voice over and sounds.
• Ultimate (2775/3250 RP) – Pushes the boundaries of development by completely re-imagining the champion. Brings something new and unexpected to the game. Includes a new model that evolves into different forms, new textures, new splash image, new animations, new visual, new voice over and sounds, as well as additional/bonus content.

The most valuable and rare ones are the limited skins which I will write about here, starting from the more common ones to the extremely limited and exclusive ones.   Most skins are available to purchase from LoL’s in-game client at all times, others for a limited time only while the very select few are unobtainable anymore which gives them a very rare and alluring charm.

 

Whatever your reasoning might be for buying a skin either be it pure cosmetically, a gesture of appreciation towards the gaming company whose game you dedicate significant time to, or just because it appeals to your collector nature there is always a legitimate reason to purchase skins.

 

Achievement skins

 

These skins could only be obtained by completing certain tasks or through earning special achievements.

 

 Victorious skins (obtained only by those who placed Gold or higher at the end of a ranked season):

 

•  Victorious Jarvan IV    Deluxe skin released on: 22-Aug-2011

 

•  Victorious Janna    Superior skin released on: 06-Nov-2012

 

•  Victorious Elise   Superior Skin released on: 20-Dec-2013

 

•  Victorious Morgana   Superior Skin released on: 11-Nov-2014

 

•  Victorious Sivir   Superior Skin released on: 12-Nov-2015

 

• Victorious Maokai   Superior Skin released on: 08-Nov-2016

   

•  Victorious Graves   Superior Skin released on: 08-Nov-2017

 

•  Victorious Orianna   Superior Skin released on: 21-Nov-2018

 

 

    Honor Rewards (obtained through Honor Capsules or Refer-a-Friend program)

 

• Grey Warwick   Deluxe Skin released on: 08-Jul-2010

 

• Medieval Twitch   Deluxe Skin released on: 15-Dec-2009

 

    Skins rewarded for completing certain challenges

 

• Triumphant Ryze   Deluxe Skin released on: 31-Aug-2010

 

• King Rammus   Deluxe Skin released on: 20-Oct-2009

   

• Judgement Kayle   Deluxe Skin released on: 22-Aug-2011

• UFO Corki   Deluxe Skin released on: 01-Jan-2010

 

Riot limited skins

 

• Riot Squad Singed   Deluxe Skin released on: 25-Jun-2010

 

Promotional or Event Limited Skins

 

Special Event skins were given away at gaming conventions and events, such as PAX, Gamescom, and various other regional events

 

    Penny Arcade Expo (PAX)

 

• PAX Twisted Fate (PAX 2009)   Deluxe Skin released on: 03-Sep-2009

 

• PAX Jax (PAX East/Prime 2010 & PAX East 2011)   Deluxe Skin released on: 26-Mar-2010

 

• PAX Sivir (PAX Prime 2011)   Deluxe Skin released on: 25-Aug-2011

 

   World Finals

 

           Championship Riven   Superior Skin released on: 13-Oct-2012

 

General Limited Skins

 

• Urf the Manatee/Urfwick   Superior Skin released on: 31-Mar-2010

 

• Rusty Blitzcrank   Deluxe Skin released on: 20-Nov-2009

   

Collector’s edition ( the rarest skins)

 

• Silver Kayle  Deluxe Skin released on: 13-Nov-2009

 

• Young Ryze   Deluxe Skin released on: 17-Jul-2009

 

• Black Alistar   Deluxe Skin released on: 13-Jun-2009

   

The benefits of owning a rare skin

 

First off, recognition, others will be able to see and admire your skin and without even saying a word appreciate your player caliber.

Showcasing an early season Victorious skin you let everyone know just how experienced you are and how dedicated you are to the game.

Being unique and exclusive is a huge benefit naturally, these skins are rarely seen in ranked games and thus you will be able to differentiate yourself and even intimidate your enemies.

These skins appeal to those who view skin collecting as a side hobby and having a few rare skins upgrades your status to a higher echelon amongst your peers.

 

How can you own any of these skins?

 

Unfortunately, you can’t directly purchase any of these skins anymore.

 

If you are not the lucky owner of one of these limited-time edition skins and you would want to own at least one for your favorite champion, if not more, there is only one way to still achieve them and is through a professional and reliable LoL Skin platform where you can find quality accounts with premium, limited and exclusive skins.

2026 Update: Seven Years On

This post is seven years old and the PAX tier is still intact. PAX Twisted Fate, PAX Jax, PAX Sivir – none of these have come back through any method and there’s no sign they will. Accounts with these skins are worth more now than when this was written simply because the skins keep getting older and the number of players who own them stays fixed.

What has changed is the tier below. The Mythic Essence shop that launched in 2022 brought back a bunch of previously vaulted skins through a rotating catalogue you can buy with earned currency. Some skins from this 2019 list that felt “very rare” now have occasional return windows through the Mythic shop. If a skin can come back through Mythic Essence, it’s rare but not permanent. That distinction matters when you’re buying an account and trying to figure out what you’re actually paying a premium for.

2026 Update: Seven Years On

This post is seven years old and the PAX tier is still intact. PAX Twisted Fate, PAX Jax, PAX Sivir – none of these have come back through any method and there’s no sign they will. Accounts with these skins are worth more now than when this was written simply because the skins keep getting older and the number of players who own them stays fixed.

What has changed is the tier below. The Mythic Essence shop that launched in 2022 brought back a bunch of previously vaulted skins through a rotating catalogue you can buy with earned currency. Some skins from this 2019 list that felt “very rare” now have occasional return windows through the Mythic shop. If a skin can come back through Mythic Essence, it’s rare but not permanent. That distinction matters when you’re buying an account and trying to figure out what you’re actually paying a premium for.