TL;DR
- True Damage topped 2019 with its musical integration and Louis Vuitton collaboration
- Star Guardians delivered dual legendary skins with interactive dialogue mechanics
- Dark Star Jhin featured Lovecraftian aesthetics and unsettling voice work
- Battle Academia was the only completely original skin line introduced
- Infernal and Sugar Rush ranked lowest due to lack of creativity and theme abandonment
Riot Games delivered an exceptional year of cosmetic content in 2019, showcasing remarkable diversity from eldritch cosmic horrors to vibrant anime-inspired designs. The sheer volume and quality of releases makes this retrospective ranking essential for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
Before diving into our comprehensive analysis, it’s crucial to understand our evaluation framework and criteria.
A skin line must include three or more cosmetics sharing a unified theme or naming convention. Our rankings consider both creative innovation and community reception, with additional weight given to legendary skins, expanded narratives, and unique interactive elements that elevate the player experience.
12. Infernal
Shen, Galio, and Varus received these fiery transformations, but the execution fell short of the cataclysmic warrior concept. These skins primarily apply superficial flame effects to standard champion models rather than delivering truly transformative redesigns.
11. Sugar Rush
Braum, Zilean, Ziggs, and Evelynn’s candy-themed costumes arrived as holiday replacements, disappointing players who expected traditional winter festivities. The sweet aesthetic works for some champions but represents a thematic departure from established seasonal traditions.
On a positive note, Zilean’s inclusion demonstrates Riot’s commitment to updating even the most neglected champions in the roster.
10. Arcade
Yasuo, Kai’Sa, and Caitlyn’s neon-bright costumes feel more like geek culture cosplay than authentic arcade game tributes. The series has historically featured radical champion reimaginings as video game characters, but these latest entries lack the transformative quality of earlier releases.
Qiyana emerges as the standout exception with her perfect villainess aesthetic that complements her personality and abilities seamlessly.
9. Elderwood
This consistently underrated theme reached new heights with haunting Nocturne, seductive Ahri, and Veigar’s striking resemblance to Majora’s Mask’s Skull Kid. Despite their artistic merit, these cosmetics failed to capture significant community attention and remained overlooked by many players.
8. Blood Moon
The annual Oni-themed tradition continued with impressive splash art and in-game visuals, though Sivir, Aatrox, and Pyke feel more like generic dark warriors than authentic Japanese demons.
While maintaining their signature badass appearance, these skins demonstrate less thematic inspiration compared to previous Blood Moon iterations.
7. High Noon
Darius and Hecarim’s designs prove forgettable, but High Noon Ashe’s legendary transformation into a demonic huntress completely redeems the line.
The interactive dance with High Noon Lucian creates memorable gameplay moments that enhance player engagement and social interaction.
6. PROJECT
Despite champion selection complaints, the cyberpunk aesthetic delivers undeniable visual impact. The animated trailer for legendary Pyke skin added substantial marketing value and narrative depth.
5. Battle Academia
As 2019’s only completely original skin line, Battle Academia stands out for its comprehensive narrative world-building.
Ezreal’s underdog student story connects with Graves as professor, Lux as crush, and Yuumi as academy principal, creating a cohesive universe that extends beyond individual cosmetics.
The inclusion of Ezreal’s legendary skin provides exceptional value while establishing a fresh thematic direction for future expansions.
4. Dark Star
This skin line represents Riot’s creative freedom at its peak, allowing artists to explore cosmic horror and existential themes through spectacular champion transformations.
Dark Star Jhin’s legendary cosmetic combines unsettling Lovecraftian design with disturbingly soothing voice work, making him a strong contender for 2019’s best legendary skin release.
3. Lightbringer and Nightbringer
With seven skins including two legendaries, this represents the largest cosmetic series of the year. While Soraka’s dual skins offer limited differentiation, Dawnbringer Karma’s charity contribution creates meaningful social impact beyond cosmetic value.
2. Star Guardians
As League’s most popular recurring skin line, the 2019 additions maintain excellence with dual legendary skins for Xayah and Rakan featuring interactive dialogue mechanics.
The cinematic animation blending traditional and 3D techniques with Hiroyuki Sawano’s musical score elevates the entire experience beyond typical cosmetic releases.
1. True Damage
Following K/DA’s success seemed impossible, but True Damage delivered another musical masterpiece with exceptional production quality.
Ekko’s legendary skin featuring rapper Thutmose’s voice work and dance animations sets a new standard for cosmetic integration.
Qiyana’s Louis Vuitton-designed prestige edition represents unprecedented fashion collaboration in gaming cosmetics.
The combination of musical talent, fashion partnership, and exceptional skin quality makes True Damage 2019’s undisputed champion skin line.
Action Checklist
- Prioritize True Damage Ekko for its unique voice acting and dance animations
- Focus on Star Guardian Xayah and Rakan for their interactive dialogue features
- Consider Battle Academia for comprehensive narrative experience
- Evaluate Dark Star Jhin for Lovecraftian aesthetic appeal
- Research prestige edition availability for Qiyana’s Louis Vuitton design
No reproduction without permission：Games Guides Website » These are the best League of Legends skins from 2019 Discover the top 12 League of Legends skin lines from 2019 with expert analysis and collector insights