Riot previews 10 new LoL skins including Lunar Beast cosmetics

TL;DR

  • Six Lunar Beast skins featuring Annie, Alistar, Aphelios, Darius, Fiora, and Jarvan IV
  • All skins priced at 1,350 RP with complete visual and ability effect overhauls
  • Additional Withered Rose (Talon, Syndra) and Crystal Rose (Zyra, Swain) lines
  • Expected PBE release with patch 11.2 on January 21
  • Strategic purchasing approach maximizes value during Lunar Event

League of Legends embraces the vibrant Lunar New Year festivities through an extensive cosmetic collection that transforms champions with thematic animal-inspired designs. This annual celebration consistently delivers some of the most visually striking and culturally resonant content in the game’s extensive skin portfolio.

Recent announcements from Riot’s Korean social media channels confirm ten distinct cosmetic items will debut, with the Lunar Beast series comprising the majority at six individual skins. The remaining four cosmetics distribute across two additional thematic lines—Withered Rose for Talon and Syndra, while Crystal Rose adorns Zyra and Swain. This strategic release pattern ensures diverse champion representation across multiple roles and playstyles.

Early previews showcase the Lunar Beast collection’s distinctive animal motifs that perfectly capture the ferocious essence implied by the “beast” designation. These cosmetics will anchor a comprehensive Lunar Event featuring exclusive missions, rewards, and thematic game modes that enhance the seasonal experience.

Lunar Beast Annie

Lunar Beast Annie

Lunar Beast Alistar

Lunar Beast Alistar

Lunar Beast Aphelios

Lunar Beast Aphelios

Lunar Beast Fiora

Lunar Beast Fiora

Lunar Beast Jarvan IV

Lunar Beast Jarvan IV

Lunar Beast Darius

Lunar Beast Darius

The Lunar Beast collection demonstrates Riot’s strategic champion selection methodology, targeting a balanced distribution across primary roles rather than focusing exclusively on popularity metrics. This approach ensures that players specializing in different positions can find thematic representation within the skin line.

These champions will receive a Lunar Beast skin:

  • Annie – Mid Lane Mage
  • Alistar – Support Tank
  • Aphelios – Bot Lane Marksman
  • Darius – Top Lane Bruiser
  • Fiora – Top Lane Duelist
  • Jarvan IV – Jungle Initiator

Each skin incorporates species-specific animal characteristics that align with the champion’s core identity and gameplay patterns. For instance, Annie’s Tibbers transforms into a thematic beast companion, while Alistar’s horns and physique receive amplified bestial features that enhance his intimidating presence.

Withered Rose Talon and Syndra

Withered Rose Talon and Syndra

The Withered Rose aesthetic presents a darker, more melancholic interpretation of floral themes, perfectly suiting Talon’s shadowy assassin persona and Syndra’s dark magical essence. These skins likely feature decaying petal effects and muted color palettes that contrast with the vibrant Lunar Beast collection.

Crystal Rose skins for Zyra and Swain introduce a pristine, crystalline botanical concept that emphasizes elegance and magical refinement. This thematic diversity within a single release allows players to select cosmetics that better match their personal aesthetic preferences.

Strategic Insight: Players should evaluate which skin line best complements their champion mastery and visual preferences. The Withered Rose series particularly enhances champions with darker thematic alignments, while Crystal Rose suits more elegant magical practitioners.

The Lunar Beast skins maintain Riot’s standard premium pricing at 1,350 RP per skin. This positions them in the mid-to-high tier of League’s cosmetic economy, offering substantial visual transformations without reaching legendary skin price points.

Each cosmetic delivers comprehensive visual overhauls that completely reimagine champion appearances on Summoner’s Rift. Ability effects receive thematic animal-inspired animations that maintain gameplay clarity while providing fresh visual experiences.

Value Assessment: At this price point, players receive new models, textures, ability effects, recall animations, and sometimes additional audio elements. The value proposition becomes particularly strong when purchasing during the Lunar Event, where bundle discounts and mission rewards can significantly reduce effective costs.

Common Mistake Avoidance: Many players impulsively purchase skins individually rather than waiting for event bundles that often include exclusive borders, icons, and additional cosmetic items.

The cosmetic rollout follows Riot’s established deployment protocol, beginning with Public Beta Environment (PBE) testing approximately two weeks before live server availability. This allows players to preview skins and provide feedback before final release.

Patch 11.2 serves as the delivery vehicle for these cosmetics, scheduled for server deployment on January 21. This timeline provides adequate testing while maintaining the thematic relevance to Lunar New Year celebrations.

Optimization Tip: Advanced players should monitor PBE feedback channels to identify any visual clarity issues before committing to purchases.

Strategic Acquisition Approach:

  • Week 1: Access PBE to test skin visuals and effects
  • Week 2: Evaluate live server deployment and any post-PBE adjustments
  • Week 3: Purchase during Lunar Event for maximum value through bundle discounts and mission rewards. For comprehensive strategy guides, see our Complete Guide to maximizing in-game purchases.

Time Investment: Plan for approximately 3-5 hours of gameplay during the event to unlock all available rewards and discounts.

Action Checklist

  • Access PBE during testing phase to preview all skins and assess visual clarity
  • Monitor official patch notes for any post-PBE adjustments to skin effects
  • Evaluate which champions you actively play and prioritize those skins first
  • Wait for Lunar Event launch to purchase skins through discounted bundles
  • Complete event missions to earn additional cosmetic items and further reduce effective costs. Check our Weapons Unlock guide for efficient mission completion strategies.

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