Hey!
I'm a new Rioter who just joined the Skins team.
I figured, what better way to get to know you all then by asking what your favorite skins are (and why)!
I'll start things off.
I'm a big fan of Arcade Sona, because I love super bright and colorful designs, so naturally, I was drawn to the splash art. I love the 8-bit sounds and VFX in-game ~ and getting to play with her slamming away on an arcade stick is pretty rad, too!
-KT
KamalaHarris20206 votesI love Dragon Trainer Lulu because of her dragon! I like when Lulu makes a joke, taunts, dances or laughs, the dragon does too! 
Thales6 votesFor me, skins are all about providing a different and interesting feel for the champion. I don't care about splash art, and I don't even much notice model or texture changes. Particles, sounds, and animations are what control the feel of a skin, and so that's what I look for in the skins I buy. Here's some I think are pretty good:
And some thoughts on ones I don't think work as well as they ought:
Riotmoonstones2 votesFirst off, thanks for the honest feedback! I know it can be hard to say you don't like something, and for me especially, it's sometimes super hard to pinpoint why.
I agree, I love skins that are more than just a palette swap. I love the skins that make playing the champion a different type of experience. Like you said, Pool Party Renekton is a nice change of pace for Renekton players ~ it's a little more on the fun, playful side. Plus, spamming his back animation is always fun. :3
Since you've got some solid ideas about what you like and dislike, lemme ask you this ~ are you more of a fan of a line of skins, for example Commando, so you can make a whole team of them, or would you be more partial to a skin that emphasized a champion's lore?
Thales7 votesWow, this is a lot of feedback you have in this thread!
I'm not inherently a fan of skin lines (though my love of symmetry would make a line with only four champs feel irritatingly incomplete), but they usually produce at least one instance where the line concept meshes perfectly with the champion to produce something awesome. I really like Pool Party Renekton and Commando J4, but I don't have any particular interest in getting Pool Party Graves or Commando Lux, for instance. Running the full set of some line is cool, but so hard to arrange. I sort of wish there were some minor cosmetic bonus when running a full skin line. Like your towers all have sunglasses if you're running the full commando line.
I do like lore skins if they're pulled off well. One challenge to do doing so is that a champ's lore tends to be pretty well encapsulated in its base skin these days, so finding a distinctive direction to go in for a lore-based skin can be tricky. There's also the question of whether skins are the best medium to convey lore, given that they usually read as less "canonical" then other content. I suppose some recent-ish lore skins are Creator Viktor, SGU, sorta Blackfrost Anivia, and Tyrant Swain, all of which do kind of feel like just enhanced versions of the base champion. Only Blackfrost Anivia really plays well with Anivia's lore, and it's more of an alternate-universe version than a straight evolution. I think lore skins could work well, but not for every champ and not in every situation.
Show me Freljord Queen Sejuani. Show me a high general Swain that doesn't just get flashier particles. Show me what will happen to Varus when the blight completely consumes him. Go back in time as well as forward. Show me Renekton before he fell to fury and madness. Show me card-sharp Graves from when he was buddies with TF. Above all, make these feel different. These lore skins should be dealing with huge, character-defining moments. Would Renekton walk with so animalistic a gait before his fall? Lore skins should add more to a character's personality than just snazzy looks and sounds.
By the way, I've seen Spellthief Lux mentioned several times as a favorite skin, but I've never quite understood why. Could someone explain her appeal?
Riotmoonstones4 votesWoah, that's a really cool add-on idea for a full skins team.
I agree, sometimes lore skins can be super tricky. Plus, if the lore isn't super prominent, it may be difficult for some players to understand why the skins exists in the first place.
I really like the idea of a pre-fury Renekton. I think that'd be a cool angle to play off, especially since we have skins like Pre Void Kassadin. It would be cool to show what champions were like before x event, and even cooler if we could portray that in skins. 'Cause honestly, it'd be cool to see what some champions looked like before certain events!
Freljord Queen Sej would be amazing. I think Sej is one of the under appreciated champions. I mean, who doesn't like riding around on a boar (OR A BEAR IF YOU'RE PLAY AS BEAR CALVALRY!)
As far as Spellthief Lux is concerned, I think everyone likes that skin 'cause it's the best in her line. At least, that's why I like it so much. A lot of her skins are sort of combat-oriented, and this one kind of stands out. Plus, I know a lot of people aren't a fan of poor Sorceress Lux 'cause of her splash. xD
Thales5 votesPre-void Kass should totally have the voice filter removed.
It's the little details that can make or break a skin. I'm a big Sejuani fan, and the main thing I like about Bear Calvary is the concussive whine after you use her E. With Arctic Ops Varus, it's the delicate mechanical plinking sound for his autoattack. Conversely, Hazmat Heimerdinger to me feels like just a palette swap, because the sounds are mostly the same, and the grenade has an electric particle rather than a chemical one. I like Haunted Zyra, but the hard-reorient on recall and the fact that her necromantic energy autoattack has the same sound as her base skin's make the skin fall just short of great. Sounds are one of the best avenues for conveying a thematic cohesion to the skin, but one false note can bring the symphony down.
You raise a good point about the prominence of a champion's lore being a factor. In light of that, might lore skins be best released in conjunction with a major lore event like the Shadow Isles or Freljord events of the last couple years?
I guess with Spellthief Lux it's in part that I don't really look at skins as they compare to other skins for that champion, and don't notice splash arts one way or the other. If Lux's other skins were as good as, say, Ziggs's skins are, I'm not sure if anyone would notice Spellthief Lux.
RavenHusky2 votesThe issue I take with the other Lux skins, is that the military theme of all of them is at odds with her in game personality. They just don't fit. Three military skins for a girl who was forced into the military against her will was beyond overkill. That, plus the color scheme of those skins is not fitting of a girl who shoots rainbows.
Spellthief Lux stands out because it fits both her personality and lore. We have a young woman adept at light magic, sneaking around and learning the secrets of the other champions' magic and using them for herself.
Sorceress Lux is kind of in limbo because it is intended to be more of a direct reference to Marisa Kirisame from the Touhou games, but both the model and splash art are in dire need of being updated.
Thales2 votesI agree the theme of her other skins is a little dubious (though light mage and sneaking are not concepts that necessarily go together either), but in that case my response would just be to stick with the base skin rather than bother spending money on something that offers little of its own.
RavenHusky2 votesThe lore does not directly say it, but it is implied that Lux can turn invisible by bending light around her, which was one of her abilities that was invaluable to her being a spy. If you read her lore a bit more, it makes sense.
Thales3 votesHm, a fair point. I had not actually read Lux's lore in a while. You're absolutely right that the Spellthief skin fits her lore very well, though I maintain that as a skin it's far lackluster by modern standards.
That said, her lore has nothing more than the most cursory mention of her as a light-mage. Her whole theme, VO, and gameplay seems completely at odds with her lore. That's... kinda weird and definitely something Riot should look at.
Mattarias5 votesProbably Unmasked Kayle... She's my favorite champ, and that was my first ever skin. <3
Though I'd do unspeakable things to get a Crimson Kayle skin... Or a six-winged fiery one...
Riotmoonstones5 votesO__O
A Crimson Kayle sounds like a wonderful idea!
Mattarias6 votesI knoooww! :O I'd love it even if was just a recolor! Red metal armor, gold accents/details, and phoenixey-colored wings!
Ooh, ooh! Maybe red hair too! O_O
Riotmoonstones4 votesI'm totally digging this. :o
RavenHusky4 votesI have to go with Spellthief Lux, because it's the skin that fits Lux the most, despite being one of her launch skins.
The sad thing is that all five of her skins are meh at best, despite Steel Legion being "higher quality", because SLL is very dull, and not fitting of Lux's in game personality, not to mention her third military skin in a row. The other skins either just bad in model, (Commando/Sorceress) or theme (Imperial/Steel Legion).
Btw, is there any news you can give us regarding the skin that Lux is supposed to get? In case you aren't aware, a year and a half ago, in response to the negative reaction to Steel Legion Lux, Morello said that there would be another Lux skin eventually, and since then, a few champions have received two skins.
Riotmoonstones2 votesOh man, all the love for Spellthief! <3
I tend to only use Steel Legion Lux when playing ARAM because the particles are harder to see. :x (I'm mean sometimes).
Unfortunately, I can't confirm or deny anything for Lux, but I'm certainly open to hearing what you'd like to see on her!
RavenHusky4 votesThe hard to see particles is why Steel Legion Lux is banned in the LCS...
As for an Ideal skin for Lux, It should be something bright, cheery, and colorful.
Something that I've wanted for quite a while for Lux would be something like a magical girl warrior akin to Sailor Moon, as Lux has the stay positive personality, she'd still be fighting the "evil" of Noxus, Lux already quotes Sailor Moon, I don't see how it doesn't fit. Granted, she probably better fits as Sailor Venus, but you get the point.
Thanks for talking to us. It's a lot more than what us Lux fans have gotten in the past.
Riotmoonstones3 votesYup ~ Same with iBlitzcrank!
I really like that idea ~ I think she's due for something a bit more feminine!
Anytime! I'm a huge Lux fan, so I'm more than happy to talk about her. ^__^
Khodexus6 votesI love the idea of a Magical Girl Lux.
And speaking of iBlitzcrank, I'd love to see an iHeimerdinger, where his turrets all get the spiffy white with blue glow treatment that iBlitzcrank got, and where Heimer is rocking some awesome glowing omni-tools (to borrow a term from Mass Effect) instead of wrenches.
Ahri Body Pillow4 votesPopstar Ahri!!!! I love the pretty pink particles and model and the sparkles on her tails and the theme in general is amazing. Not to mention her recall and dance!
King Mandoo4 votesMafia Jinx and Arcade Hecarim.. although I'd love to see a new Jinx skin!
Riotmoonstones3 votesOooh, a new Jinx skin?! What kind of skin would you want to see on her?
Flying Buntcake2 votesWould Bad Luck Jinx be cool as a Halloween skin ? ( Witch skin)
Riotmoonstones4 votesOooh, that could be sweet. How could we deck out her guns? I picture her Zap! having bats flying out!
Flying Buntcake2 votesyassssss! Her ult could be a giant broom
Riotmoonstones3 votesI really want to do something with walking under ladders, if we're on the bad luck idea. Maybe her E? I have no idea how to change it up so it works. :c
Flying Buntcake10 votesmebbe her e could be 3 small mirrors on the ground and when you step on them they break and you take the effects
Riotmoonstones7 votesHOLY SHIT, YOU'RE BRILLIANT.
Byock4 votesAnd then her ult is a giant fucking black cat.
Riotmoonstones2 votesI like where this is going.
OR WHAT ABOUT A GIANT GHOST/GHOUL THING.
Byock2 votesOh that'd be cool. Maybe that could be the W or something, since ghosts in LoL have been known to slow. I just really like the idea of a giant black cat rigged with explosives hurling at you.
Riotmoonstones1 votesThat could be super awesome! What could the decal on the ground be when it hits?
Byock1 votesIt could be like tiny ghosts hitting the ground and kind of spreading out like an explosive does. But way more dramatic, because that's how Jinx likes it.
Riotmoonstones4 votesLOVE. IT.
Khodexus2 votesThe Jinx skin I always wanted to make was part of a 'piltover themed' series of skins I called 'Candy Factory' skins. Which included Sugar High Jinx, Sweet Tooth Ziggs, Candy Machine Heimerdinger, Chocolateer Caitlyn, and of course, Jawbreaker Vi (not sure what to do with Jayce, but he should definitely be part of the series).
Sugar High Jinx would fire fizzing soda cans instead of rockets, skittles (or the non-name brand equivalent) from Pow Pow, a taffy gun instead of her zap gun, gumball grenade chompers, and a giant cola bottle strapped down with mentos for her ult. Then deck her out in super bright colors with sticky candy hanging out of her pockets and stuck in her hair and BOOM.
Sugar High Jinx!
Riotmoonstones1 votesI think this is one of my favorite concepts. I love themed skins, and this just reminds me of Candy Land.
Sugar High Jinx would be such a cool idea, especially since it matches really well with her crazy, hyper personality.
Khodexus3 votesWell it's meant to be a play specifically on Willy Wonka, but it'd borrow themes/ideas from other sources too, such as Candy Land, and Sugar Rush from Wreck-It Ralph (was originally going to call her Sugar Rush Jinx, but didn't want that unintended reference).
And yeah, they'd all be thematic to the character, which is why it'd fit so well.
Chocolateer Caitlyn cause she's already got Willy Wonka's hat, could put a Wonka bar in her snap trap, make her gun shoot chocolate balls, and her net could be made of chocolate syrup that goos them up to slow them.
For Sweet Tooth Ziggs (or possibly 'Pastry Chef Ziggs') I envisioned his bouncing bombs being cupcakes with a sparkling candle, his inferno bomb being a giant cake, his minefield composed of jelly-filled tarts (jelly on the feet causes the slow), and his satchel charge would be an exploding whipped cream pie.
Just for a couple examples.
Uberphish4 votesMost of my favorite champs are the outlandish, inhuman ones, and that generally translates to my skin choices as well. Void Fizz made me particularly happy, as did everything about Vel'koz when he released. Hazmat Heimer is also looking swanky, despite mystery gifts landing me with every skin he has up to this point already :P ( I don't know why, but I've always loved the look of gas masks. Apocalyptic Brand and Hextech Singed were also very nice in that regard!) And, like most people, I love me some fancy top-hats, so I have a soft spot in my heart for Magnificent Twisted Fate and Superb Villain Veigar, though Bad Santa is also pure gold :P
As far as sets of skins go, I've made it my goal to collect all of the Robot skins, and I've yet to be disappointed in anything that's come from them. All of the Battlecast and Mecha Skins are just beautiful, Full Metal Rammus's Powerball and ult are so much more intimidating than base, all that jazz... If I were to complain about any of them, it might be that Battlecast Xerath doesn't mesh well with the rest of the skins in the set, but I've seen that brought up more than a few times around here, so I doubt it's new information to you people on the Skins team!
And now for skin ideas, because I'm sure you don't have enough of your own already and this seems like a worthwhile place to dump them! I'll try and avoid concepts I've already seen from other people, particularly if Reds have commented on them in the past.
Jurassic Skarner: Because we already know (or at least assume) that the currently-lacking Void champs will be getting their entries into this set some day down the line, why not show some love to others who fit the mold? Skarner strikes me as a prime candidate for something almost like a Trilobite, still partially fossilized with some parts of his body more indentation than physical remains. Doesn't strike me as something that would specifically need unique particles in any way, but like his other two skins, it's far more interesting than a recolor!
Janitor Fizz: Perhaps a tie-in to the Jurassic skins? Giving Fizz a mop (and the requisite Scruffy-esque mustache, of course) is a small enough change, but then make Chomper a megalodon skeleton and everything is awesome and right with the world!
Mad Chef Shaco: I know the guy's slated for a visual and mechanical rework so I can't speak to any specific effects, but if he retains his dual-wielding ways, it just seems obvious to give him a carving knife and a cleaver, matching bloody chef's hat and apron, and possibly a terrible French accent.
Prickly Rammus: Apparently Blitz matched him correctly, as Rammus' offspring is a living, walking cactus in the shape of an armordillo! Cacti and bramble bushes sprout up around him when he ults, and he leaves a small trail of cactus blossoms in his wake as he powerballs around!
Haunted Pantheon: Something I've been surprised hasn't come up much in the past, but the Faceless Spartan just seems like the perfect candidate for a skin slating him as a possessed suit of medieval armor, decked out with a flamboyant tower shield and halberd. Depending on how much you played up the ghostly visual effects, I imagine there would be plenty of play-space available for fun animations and particles.
Cataclysmic Xerath: A walking (floating?) apocalypse. Literally a swirling vortex of death and destruction given partially-human form. Q is lightning bolts, W is erupting geysers of lava or steam, E is hurled debris (bonus points if they're mooing cows a small percentage of the time), and R calls down meteors from on high to bombard the unworthy!
Garentheon4 votesDat Pantheon skin tho. YES!
ShadowGlaive2133 votesGuqin Sona, Queen Ashe, Spellthief Lux. I looking at traditional style clothes and the Guqin skin really plays well with Sona's model. I'm a fan of blues and purples so I was drawn to the Queen Ashe splash in that manner (as well as how she was more fully clothed), but don't like how the face was drawn. I love how well her skirt is animated in game as well. I'm a huge fan of Lux and I think hoods are bad@$$, and I thought the Chinese splash was cool for spellthief (US not so much though I hope that it will be updated eventually).
Riotmoonstones5 votesNice choices!
I'm a Lux main, and I agree that Spellthief is her most badass skin! I love the way both the splash (I'm also partial to the Chinese splash) and the in-game model look.
As far as Ashe is concerned, I'm definitely a fan of the Freljord skin. I love, love, love the splash for it, and it looks sweet in game.
Rastamon Ganja3 votesHi KateyKhaos! My favorite skin is probably SGU. Just the amount of detail and work put in not only to his model but the vfx, sound effects and champion interactions. Also the 'package' how he was presented as a whole: the comic, client animations, splash art, icons, banners. Speaking of ultimate skins, is there one planned for this year?
Riotmoonstones1 votesThat's a pretty sweet skin.
I love how ultimate skins are presented, like you said.
Unfortunately, I can't say if there is or there isn't going to be one this year, but if you had to pick someone to give an ultimate skin to, who would it be? What kind of thematic would you give them?
Flying Buntcake3 votesIonian Leader Karma. Provide a look into her being the leader of Ionia to bring it back to peace after her lore
Riotmoonstones2 votesThat's a neat idea ~ I think it'd be cool to incorporate more of a champion's lore into their skins. I think it offers a bit of insight into the champion. Plus, if you're super into being the champion when you play (I've been known to yell and act like Lux in voice chat), it's definitely a cool experience if your champion fits the look of where they come from / what they've done.
Flying Buntcake6 votesHYYYYYYAAAAH- Lux 2014
Captain Hamm3 votesI personally would love a new 
skin I would prefer a justicar/arclight/angelic type skin since it's fitting to see him as a light sided and uncorrupted like justicar Aatrox and justicar Syndra. Also a reaper or mehca would be sooooo badass
Mansana2 votesRiotmoonstones2 votesOH MAN. DDR ORIANNA IS SUCH A COOL IDEA.
Oooh, a Popstar theme?! Who else would you put in it?!
Mansana4 votesI'm glad you like DDR Orianna. I always imagined her ball having a rave oriented light effects with bass and more 8-bit sound effects for her skills. If this skin was made I'd probably call all my friends over so we could start fist pumping on summoners rift. There's a lot of creativity that could go with the skin.
I'm not sure who I would add in for the popstar skin line. I would probably be too biased. I've been corrupted by Kpop since 3 years ago... even though I have no clue what they're saying, catchy beats and little english phrases make it hard for me to embrace other types of music. It's quite sad. But if I would choose I think I would put the following:
Caitlyn - Riot Zeronis said he would really like to make this skin possible or at least some fan art especially with fan creations like this one. I'm sure the fans would love this skin.
LeBlanc - This would probably be a little biased since the artist that I would want to reference is (surprise!) another Korean. Her name is Ga In. I would love LeBlanc to reference her and the dance from Abracadabra by Brown Eyed Girls (Dance Version); you may also know this dance from Gentleman by Psy. Before you look up the song... it "might" be NSFW. They both have short hair and their smokey appearance seems very attractive. However, I don't think it's necessary to reference anything... just thought it would be a nice touch since her staff could be visually changed into a microphone stand.
Syndra - Probably a lot of bias. Syndra is my main champion. I'm not sure if the theme would mesh well with her kit or personality. I really like her SNSD "Hoot" dance reference for her current model. But this is just me playing favoritism.
Ezreal - Many suggest him because we need more lady fan service. Not sure what other male champions fill the popstar theme... Malzahar? I'm not sure what ladies are into.
It's really hard to choose champions so they can perfectly fit the theme. I usually let the creativity up for Riot and the community, especially Riot because your surprises are always awesome.