Skin Universes
tldr: consolidating skin lines into a few common alternate universes.
In the discussions around the new Star Guardian skins, especially Ahri, someone noted how much crossover there was with the Academy line of skins, and threw out the idea that SG and Academy might exist in the same universe. Such a universe would be a typical anime-school setting with all the familiar tropes that entails.
I started looking into other skin lines that might exist together (or be placed together) and found references on the LoL wiki to the PROJECT, Mecha and Battlecast skin lines all existing together in a futuristic dystopian version of Ionia. Here, PROJECT combats the mechanical creations of Viktor, the main Bad Guy.
The idea is that there could be several broad universes in which skins could be placed in based on the tropes they embody. These settings would not have the level of detail or worldbuilding that goes into Runeterra; they would exist as a way to highlight the various skin lines that are available and provide a bit of story or conflict to go with them (just what is the story behind the Steel Legion skins for Lux and Garen?). By combining skin lines, a few stories could cover skins of multiple champions. Ultimately, it would be cool if the LoL Universe page had a section showing the different Skin Universes. (And since skins cost money, this could be a way for Riot to emphasize skin options without creating new ones. Maybe cool stories and settings can inspire people to buy skins?)
So, what other skin lines can be 'combined' to possibly tell a parallel story to the official canon lore of Runeterra? For fun, I've put together a few. Certainly not an exhaustive list. I hope to add to this in the future as I have time.
(Note, I have not found a consolidated list of all the skins on the official LoL site, so I'm using the skin lists from the LoL wiki, even though I've noticed it is missing a few.)
School Universe Academy Ahri Academy Darius Academy Ekko Headmistress Fiora Professor Ryze Academy Vladimir Star Guardian Ahri Star Guardian Ezreal Star Guardian Janna Star Guardian Jinx Star Guardian Lulu Star Guardian Lux Star Guardian Miss Fortune Star Guardian Poppy Star Guardian Soraka Star Guardian Syndra
In this universe, the Star Guardians defend the world from bad things from space. Not sure if an opposition has been established for the Star Guardians. I was thinking Dark Star, Cosmic or Super Galaxy skin lines, or something else involving champions from the Void. (Ahri is apparently represented in both every day attire and hero attire.)
Dystopian Ionia Battlecast Prime Cho'Gath Battlecast Kog'Maw Battlecast Alpha Skarner Battlecast Urgot Battlecast Vel'Koz Creator Viktor Battlecast Xerath Mecha Aatrox Mecha Kha'Zix Mecha Malphite Mecha Zero Sion Program Camille Program Lissandra Program Soraka Pulsefire Caitlyn Pulsefire Ezreal
This is a cyberpunk, dystopian setting (think Bladerunner) where the PROJECT and Program heroes struggle to contain the Battlecast and Mecha Champions from taking over the city. I also included the Pulsefire Champions since their technology seemed appropriate for an advanced setting like this. They could be wild-cards that occasionally help or hinder PROJECT.
1920s Gangster Land Mafia Graves Mafia Jinx Mafia Miss Fortune Gangster Twitch Debonair Ezreal Debonair Galio Debonair Jayce Debonair Vi Gentleman Cho'Gath Gentleman Gnar Archduke Nasus Order of the Banana Soraka Officer Caitlyn Constable Trundle Officer Vi Captain Volibear Tango Evelynn Tango Twisted Fate
This universe is based on 1920s USA gangster tropes. Prohibition, Al Capone, etc. Maybe even have it set in 1920s Chicago or something rather than Runeterra. Mafia is the cornerstone for this universe, our 'heroes' so to speak. Debonair and Gentlemen skin lines are the various organizations that hire them (or richer factions they compete with), while the Officers provide the main opposition. (Vi apparently plays both sides of the law.) Tango seemed appropriate for the 1920s.
Modern War Commando Galio Commando Garen Commando Jarvan IV Commando Lux Commando Xin Zhao Steel Legion Garen Steel Legion Lux Imperial Lux Imperial Xin Zhao Special Forces Gangplank Special Weapon Zac Omega Squad Fizz Omega Squad Teemo Omega Squad Tristana Omega Squad Twitch Omega Squad Veigar
This setting is based on modern(ish) warfare. The story primarily follows a Demacian Combat Team. Garen, Lux and Xin Zhao serve in different units during this conflict. Omega Squad is an allied faction with their own story and background in the same conflict. I have not worked out an enemy for this universe. Maybe if Noxians ever get their own 'modern military' skins, they could be dropped in here. I considered the Zombie skin line as the enemy, but there aren't enough champions with Zombie skins to make it work. Another option is to have the enemy be the Void champions, and this universe represents combating them in a 21st century setting.
I think there's potential for another line involving the Riot Police, Hired Gun, Slayer, Vandal, Wicked and Piltover Customs skin lines as some kind of industrial/slum/disorder setting. Maybe it's the Underworld for Dystopian Ionia.
Another skin line would draw in the various Pirate and Deep/Ocean skins, though that would be getting close to Bilgewater as it is in canon.
