It's maokai. (Facepalm) The reason I don't really like it is, is because I think it's a wasted oppertunity for a more awesome toplaner that got played alot like -Fiora -Kennen -Irelia -Maybe riven most likely never to happen since she has cs What are your thought's on it do you think they could've picked someone better?
Victorious skins are awarded to champions that mostly created, influenced, enabled or just were strong in the meta of the season. All the previous years were by those criteria. Keep in mind that it is not only for the most powerful champs, but those that had a unique role in the meta. So its not for aesthetics like you propose but more of a MVP skin for champions. While Maokai is not the best option imo, he is is miles better than the ones that you suggested.
The pros of Maokai getting it was his summer split presence. While not 100% P/B ratio, he was a solid toplaner within the top 10 at all regions. He excelled in teamfight comps and greatly helped them if they reached the late game teamfights. He was defining those comps.
But as i said i dont consider him the prime candidate. Lets check the rest out that are more suitable for victorious skin than mao.
Nidalee: Hovering close to 100% P/B across the 5 major regions 4 major regions and EU, across both splits Nidalee is the most dominant champion this season. She got challenger skin thought due to her spring split and cant have both.
Graves/Kindred: Metadefining junglers of the spring split. Graves still see the spotlight today. But are not enablers so they loose to the summer split tank junglers. But are close to the top 3.
Rektsai: One of the best junglers with a lot of tools. She looses due to spring split being underpicked due to range junglers. I give her the 3rd place mostly because there already are 2 challenger junglers.
Elise: Already has one so no chance here. But assuming there was none, same case with Rek'sai. Her performance was a bit behind.
Vlad/Azir/Ryze: In that order are our powerful mid laners. Vlad is strong across the split. A high damage tanky mage. Azir before nerfs could make or break teamfights. Ryze just being Ryze.
Karma: Personally i would love Karma. ** But logically she is the no2 contester**. She was a contested pick both for rundown/pick comps, but also to shut them down. She looses only because there are 2 support skins already.
Jhin/Ashe: Metadefining adc picks. Similar case ato S5 Sivir/Kallista. Their long range and utility while being able to have decent damage in a meta that was not friendly for adcs (at least in pro scene), made them very strong picks for bot.
Gnar: Another close contester. Lane bully, teamfighter, splitpusher, reliable frontline. All in one.
Poppy: Honorable mention for toplane.
And my no1. You are gonna hate me for that. We all hate him. Dont worry, i do also. Ekko. Yeap, the mage that defined the assasin bruiser tank meta. The cancer of top lane. While not so much powerful, being able to dish out damage while being able to withstand a lot. He was targeted by a lot nerfs. He nerfed items. He is the reason tanks cant have cool items. And after all he is still played. Also a bit presence as ap midlaner.
So to sum up. Nida had the most influence this season but cant have it due to challenger skin. Karma was second but respect the option to have some other lanes have the spotlight. Ekko was third and due to deduction the best choise. Rektsai close fourth, if not third but same case as Karma.
But i am sad of this year choises. More for Zed tbh because he was a nonfactor this year and got championship skin.
I like that unpopular (relatively) champs are getting love.
pst it was a chinese website ^^
I'm excited to see the amazing effects and particles that riot will put on this skin. maokai has so much potential to be a good skin of this series
How do you know, I want to see this
I'm sad it wasn't 
ious, there's still never really been a victorious mid laner.
