Alien Invader Heimerdinger is back thanks to Area 51 gathering

The intersection of internet culture and gaming just delivered an unexpected treasure for League of Legends enthusiasts. The recent Area 51 phenomenon has created tangible benefits for players seeking rare collectibles.

Riot Games has reactivated purchase access to Heimerdinger’s legendary Alien Invader skin, marking a significant moment for cosmetic collectors. This decision demonstrates how real-world events can directly influence in-game content availability.

Social media momentum triggered this development, with Riot associate program manager Mel Capperino-Garcia explicitly connecting the dots through Twitter: “When the Area 51 raid has been successful, and you get to bring home your own alien invader.” The timing aligns perfectly with the viral meme’s peak popularity.

Heimerdinger’s Alien Invader Skin History

League veterans recently experienced a surprise revival when Heimerdinger’s Alien Invader cosmetic reappeared in the shop interface. According to Mobafire records, this distinctive skin originally launched in July 2010 as the inaugural cosmetic option for the champion.

Following its initial availability period, Riot Games placed the skin into their vault system, dramatically increasing its rarity. This vaulting process transforms cosmetics into coveted collector’s items that appreciate in prestige value over time.

The 2017 Order vs. Chaos event provided a temporary acquisition window through specialized mechanics. Players needed to accumulate 140 shards to purchase either Orb of Chaos or Orb of Order containers, each guaranteeing a Legacy Skin Shard. These shards could then redeem any vaulted skin no longer available through standard purchase channels.

Seasonal opportunities also emerged during holiday periods when Riot temporarily unlocks their Legacy Skin vault. These limited-time events created brief windows for players to obtain otherwise inaccessible cosmetics through specific promotional conditions.

Currently, Heimerdinger’s Alien Invader skin is directly purchasable for 1,820 RP, representing the most straightforward acquisition method in nearly a decade. The social media frenzy surrounding Area 51 directly influenced this unprecedented availability.

For players considering this acquisition, timing is crucial. Previous methods required participation in specific game events or waiting for holiday vault openings, making the current direct purchase option exceptionally valuable.

Strategic considerations for collectors include evaluating whether to purchase immediately or risk waiting for potential future opportunities. Given Riot’s pattern of vaulting rare skins after limited availability periods, immediate acquisition often proves wisest for completionists.

Future acquisition possibilities might include special event chests or vault reopening promotions. However, the certainty of current availability outweighs speculative future opportunities for most serious collectors.

Area 51’s Internet Domination

While the anticipated military base invasion never materialized as planned, approximately 3,000 participants gathered outside Area 51’s perimeter on September 20. Attendees embraced the meme culture with aluminum foil headwear and humorous signage, documenting the experience rather than confronting security personnel.

Tourists generally enjoyed the unconventional gathering, but Lincoln County authorities expressed significant concerns. The region’s modest 5,000-person population lacked infrastructure to comfortably accommodate such substantial crowds. According to TIME coverage, the Alienstock festival created apprehension among locals despite some guards finding amusement in the creative demonstrations.

Event creator Matty Roberts opted not to attend his own creation due to security considerations. He originally launched the concept as a Facebook event titled “Storm Area 51, They Can’t Stop All of Us,” drawing inspiration from persistent conspiracy theories about extraterrestrial technology at the facility.

The social media campaign achieved explosive growth, attracting millions of Facebook registrations within days. Roberts attempted to channel this momentum into Alienstock, a legitimate electronic dance music festival, though reception proved mixed among participants.

Local law enforcement responded proactively upon learning about Alienstock plans. Lincoln County initiated security budget evaluations approaching $300,000 to prepare for potential crowd management challenges.

Despite ongoing controversies, Roberts has reportedly paused his educational pursuits to concentrate on developing Alienstock’s future iterations and potential evolution.

No reproduction without permission：Games Guides Website » Alien Invader Heimerdinger is back thanks to Area 51 gathering How Area 51 memes brought back Heimerdinger's rare Alien Invader skin with practical collection tips