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Why are there so few Runeterra-fitting skins?

Nameless Voice·9/1/2016, 2:13:32 AM·33 votes·2,191 views

Nearly all of the skins released recently are takes on what a League character might be like in a different setting. We have old-school arcade characters, superheroes, mecha, robots, computer programs, university students, nurses and doctors, news anchors, mafia enforcers, heavy metal bands..., plus modern concepts such as pool parties, chefs, boxing, basketball, and then joke skins and many more.

However, there are very few skins that show alternate takes of the character that would actually fit into League's setting, and the output of such skins has only decreased in recent years, even while the overall number of skins has risen dramatically.

I'm talking about things like High Command Katarina, Tyrant Swain, Woad Scout Quinn. Skins that answer questions like "what would Katarina look like if she was in command?" or "what would Quinn look like if she was from the Freylord?", as opposed to ones that answer more fantastical questions such as "what would Ashe look like in a science-fiction setting?"

http://i.imgur.com/HBgW9Bv.jpg

Why are there so few skins that look like they actually belong on Runeterra?

I'm also a bit disappointed that Riot have said that they are no longer planning to make base-skin chromas, because an alternate colour scheme obviously fits the theme of the original character very well while still allowing some customisation.

22 Comments

MavenSong9/1/2016, 2:35:01 AM16 votes

I did really love Freljord Taliyah. Some champs it'd be harder with but it'd be cool to see.

underscores2229/1/2016, 7:27:01 AM5 votes

Not gonna go through all the skins, but just went through the first few dozen champs and recalled a few skins or skin lines that might be considered. Broke these into categories - ? indicate uncertainty if they fit in that section.

Skins that are pretty much in the world is the section where we have references that indicate the champ has dressed that way. Skins that could be in the world indicates that champs might dress that way if they were in a different area/occupation Skins from alternate in-game timelines are skins that are a take on if things had turned out differently

Skins that are pretty much in the world: Captain Fortune, Captain GP, Freljord Tal, Queen Ashe, King Trynd, Piltover Customs Blitz (joj reference),

Skins that could be in the world: Sea Hunter Aatrox, Midnight Ahri, Frostfire Annie, Hextech skin line?, Woad skin line, marauder/warden skin line?, Gravelord Azir (shadow isles), elderwood skin line, Pharaoh line?, Dragonslayer line, Lord Darius, beasthunter line?, Risen Fiddlesticks, sandstorm line (kat, ekko, etc),

Skins from alternate in-game timelines Blackfrost Anivia, Prehistoric line?, Battlecast line,

Forbidden Siren9/1/2016, 3:37:35 AM5 votes

It would be nice if they explore some ideas of "what if this champ was from this part of Runeterra instead"? Like they did with Rammus and Taliyah, both are from Shurima but they each have skins that is called Freljord, which implies what they might look like if they come from the cold region of the world. Heck, even Poppy has a Noxus skin when she's actually associate with Demacia.

So maybe a skin of Darius in Demacian armor? Or Karma in a Bilgewater getup? Wukong in a Piltover uniform?

Troll for Trump9/1/2016, 7:37:33 AM4 votes

How about "Un'dead' Karthus"

Whyte Lyon9/1/2016, 3:14:06 AM2 votes

If I'm correct there is literally only two 100% canon skins in League, both belonging to Viktor.

I would say Tyrant Swain or King Tryn and Queen Ashe. But they only appared canon because they feature in the JoJ years ago.

PS. I would love to see some more Rune Wars skins. Maybe Ryze would make the most sence, but that guy has a ton of skins already tho.

Edit: I canged my mind about Full Machine Viktor. That's more like a possible outcome for Viktor but Prototype seems canon to me.

Edit2: Oh I forgot Young Ryze. Yeah that's likely canon too.'

TwitchInMyPants9/1/2016, 10:47:39 AM2 votes

While I do like certain pool party, arcade, or other novelty skins I've always been more of a fan of skins that make my character look cool and embrace a different fantasy. The first money I spent that wasn't on a champion was on Bilgewater Swain, there were almost no pirates in the game at the time and the new look not only looked cool but definitely had a feel of him living in or visiting bilgewater, it was very lore friendly too. There's plenty of examples like Lord Darius where they explore upgraded looks/different loadouts and I think there's examples like Bioforge Darius where it seems a little out of place but when you put it in context of the world (Zuan) it fits well as well. Riot does still periodically give us skins like this but they seem to like non-canon more... which isn't surprising if you look at the state that half of the character's lore is in.

Dr Poro9/1/2016, 12:54:09 PM1 votes

I think Riot has changed their lore policy and wants to keep the Runeterra story more clear. Skins that create alternative realities within Runeterra makes the actual plot a lot more obscure. "Is this canon or a spin-off?" It would be really difficult if all champs had multiple personalities within Runeterra.

That's just my thought, maybe there is a good way to make these skins happen and actually bring more depth into the lore?

Tattersall9/1/2016, 4:10:26 PM1 votes

Actually, all the Bloodmoon skins (except maybe Zilean, Elise, and Thresh) are canon. The Bloodmoon Festival is a thing that happens in Ionia. Shen, Akali, and Kennen, help out with the festival somewhat. Kalista is the spirit of vengeance, so her Bloodmoon skin is how she's depicted in Ionian culture. Yasuo is also Ionian. It also is totally possible for Jarvan to have dragon armor, due to the fact that he is a dragonslayer.
Feljord Ashe is how Ashe looked before she got her bow. Pre-Void Kassadin is self explanatory. Explorer Ezreal? Well, Ezreal is an explorer. So… A lot of the Garen skins are just him in different armor, each for a different environment. It would be much less plausible if his default skin was the only canon one. Cutthroat Graves and Cutpurse TF is just them when they were younger. Unmasked Kayle. The Kindred's appearance change based on who's seeing them, so it's possible that Shadowfire is legit. LeBlanc's appearance is probably always an illusion. Iron Solari Leona is just her in different armor. Overlord Malzahar is him at the peak of his power. Captain Fotrune and Captain GP are what they looked like after and before the fall of GP, respectively. Redeemed Riven is her after finding redemption. Divine Soraka is how she looked before her fall. Tyrant Swain. King and Queen Trynd and Ashe are them after they've united the Freljord. Spirit Guard Udyr is him after he's completed his training. All the Viktor skins are him at different times in his life. That's all I can think of right now.

…Holy crap why did I write so much

LordHippoman9/2/2016, 6:11:39 AM1 votes

Technically every skin is..."Skin Canon", according to this post from the old Narrrative Head, Kitae:

All skins are considered skin canon. This means for example there is an alternate universe where scuba gragas swims around. No, I am serious, we fleshed out that world specifically as an example. Skins can be main canon. The JOJ brought many skins into main canon. We may shift some of those to skin canon in the future. For example, I personally have a hard time resolving Mort and Sony being in a band together but currently that is canon.

(http://forums.na.leagueoflegends.com/board/showthread.php?t=3060083&page=3)

This has always been something I've been confused as hell about (RIP PENTAKILL), and I'm wondering if it's still the policy.

I agree, more skins in the "Main" Canon, the universe we're all familiar with and interested in, would be great. Even if they aren't strictly canon, and just take place in that world. Personally, I really like some of the swap ideas mentioned in this thread (Grand General Jarvan.), and I'm a big fan of stuff like Pre-Void Kassadin, so I'd love to see something like a living Sion or a pre-cyborg Viktor (Though he'd still have a hand sticking out of his back...)