League of Legends undergoes a patch every two weeks and as such players can expect many exciting updates and additions to the game throughout the course of 2023. These changes will arrive in multiple forms, from reworks to new skins and, of course, a handful of new champions.
While many of the new features heading towards the rift will be saved as surprises by Riot, there are many upcoming additions that they have already teased or even discussed in detail. Either way, 2023 promises to be another great year for League of Legends.
7 Ahri Visual Update
Ahri has always been one of the most popular champions in League of Legends, but while her gameplay is up to modern standards, especially after her midscope update, her current visuals leave much to be desired.
As such, Ahri will be receiving an ASU (Art & Sustainability Update) in 2023 which will drastically improve all elements of her visuals and audio while leaving her gameplay as it is. For both classic Ahri and all of her many skins, the splash arts, models, visual effects and sound effects will all be given new life, helping this alluring Nine-Tailed Fox regain her famed beauty.
6 New Darkin Assassin
Darkins within the lore of Runeterra are corrupted Ascended who due to trauma have been trapped within their own weapons, with Aatrox, Varus, and the Rhaast form of Kayn being the current examples. With how popular this theme has proved, Riot has announced the development of a new Darkin assassin to be released in 2023.
Although not too much is known, the weapon associated with this new Darkin was revealed to be a dagger that appears to be teeming with the consequences of blood magic and worse. With even the assassin's intended role still up in the air, there is much to speculate about and perhaps with the previous Darkins all being male, there is a chance the first female Darkin could be seen.
5 Skarner Rework
Every so often Riot hosts a poll for all players to decide which outdated champion will receive the next VGU (Visual & Gameplay Update) and in 2022 Skarner was deemed most worthy of needing help. VGUs address all aspects of a champion, from their visuals and lore, to completely reimagining how they function on the rift.
Released in 2011, Skarner is a crystal scorpion with a fairly one-dimensional playstyle of rushing down a single target and using his ultimate to kidnap them. With a lackluster backstory, ancient visuals, and gameplay that few enjoy, a complete overhaul can be expected, allowing for plenty of potential in Skarner's upcoming rework.
4 More Midscope Updates
Midscope updates have been rolling out thick and thin recently in League of Legends and to great success too. Many champions have had new life breathed into them with small yet effective tweaks that allow them to live up to their power fantasies. Examples of recent success stories include Ahri, Swain, Sivir, and Taliyah.
Due to the positive response from players to midscope updates, and the sheer number of champions in the game, many smaller reworks can be expected throughout the course of 2023 and beyond. Champions who have been specifically marked out for changes include Rell and Yuumi, but this is just the start.
3 Lots Of New Skins
Skins will never stop coming out in League of Legends. They are the primary money-making tool and allow the game to remain free to play. With Riot's commitment to keep producing more and more skins each year, especially for those champions previously neglected, 2023 promises to be another great year for collectors.
Throughout the year players can expect the introduction of entirely new skin lines, featuring unique themes and aesthetics never explored before. They can also expect the return of popular skin lines and with some of the most premiere themes historically released every two years, 2023 could see new installments in the PROJECT line, for example.
2 Aurelion Sol Gameplay Rework
Aurelion Sol was one of the most hyped-up champion releases in League's history and while his visuals and all-around theme more than delivered, his quirky playstyle quickly left him as one of the least popular champions. Due to this dichotomy of great theme and lackluster gameplay, Riot is trialing a new form of rework, a CGU (Comprehensive Gameplay Update).
One of the aims of Aurelion Sol's rework is to give players the experience of playing as an all-powerful cosmic dragon, something that his current kit doesn't allow. From early teasers, it appears that flying and breathing fire, even at the same time, will form the core concepts of his design.
1 Male Enchanter Support
Although supports such as Rakan and Taric possess some characteristics of enchanters, the only true enchanters in League of Legends are currently all female. This however is all changing with one of the new champions Riot has teased for 2023. The release of such a champion has the potential to attract a wider range of players to the life of buffing up and saving allies.
Not only will this new character be the first male enchanter, but they will also be only the second champion from the region of Ixtal, and will apparently provide a stark contrast to the life of luxury and privilege that Qiyana is all too ready to boast of.
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