Another year of success and stability for Riot's flagship game League of Legends has passed, and with it, the game has seen the release of well over a hundred new skins, for a vast array of champions. Riot's promise to continue to provide skins more regularly for all champions regardless of popularity has held true.
Over the course of the season, League of Legends players have seen the return of popular skin lines, fresh takes on older themes, and of course the introduction of new concepts. Many of these have resulted in truly breathtaking skins which take aesthetics in the game to a whole new level.
10 Winterblessed Swain
Sometimes a simple change can make all the difference, and that is especially the case with the darkening of Swain's hair and beard. Set in contrast to the cold and serene colors of the new Winterblessed skin line, his new look is quite the image.
Upon ulting, Swain channels the power of the Northern Lights, a concept that had been previously unexplored within League of Legends. With its successful integration here, Riot is likely to use it again.
9 Cyber Halo Janna
Mechanical and futuristic skins are nothing new to League of Legends, but Cyber Halo Janna really hits the mark. She delivers the technological power fantasy that players are often looking for.
Other than the color palette, which fits Janna perfectly, the ability effects are where this skin reaches its zenith with visuals that simply weren't accessible in earlier years of League. The holographic wings that project from Janna as she ults are the cherry on top.
8 Spirit Blossom Sett
Sett is known for being a rough and gritty pit fighter, but with his Spirit Blossom skin, he is transformed into a magnificent spirit animal. His long white hair instantly attracts the gaze, flowing like his robes of pink and purple.
The much-beloved sound effects of the Spirit Blossom theme prove just as successful as ever, giving Sett's play style an almost transient feel, as opposed to the hardiness of his base skin.
7 Star Guardian Sona
Consistently a classic, the Star Guardian theme returned in 2022. Arguably best of all was Sona's long-awaited inclusion in the skin line and alternate universe.
The contrast between her fantastically animated turquoise hair and white costume and keyboard, makes for one of the most aesthetically pleasing skins of the year. Matched with melodic sounds, Sona fits in right alongside other Star Guardian greats like Jinx.
6 Arcana Ryze
Ryze is not a champion known for receiving the best skins in League of Legends, so his Arcana skin came as a welcome surprise. As a mage, he fits perfectly with the theme of fate-bound magic and complex incantations.
The visuals provide a new look for one of League's oldest champions, with a hood and mask to cover his normally blue and bald head. On top of this, his spells feel more powerful than ever with the Arcana-themed effects.
5 Porcelain Lissandra
The concept of using porcelain in skins was a masterstroke by Riot. For Lissandra, a champion whose theme is all about cracked and shattering ice, shards of pottery fit all too well.
From the shards surrounding her feet to the great porcelain jar she turns into when ulting, this skin has it all. On top of the visuals, the sounds of shattering pottery make this skin a piece of art that should be treasured just as antique porcelain is.
4 Fright Night Renata Glasc
The Fright Night skin line is a new take on the old gothic skins that ironically hadn't seen daylight in many years. The new art style and unique rendering blew players away, and nowhere was this better encapsulated than with Renata Glasc.
Featuring bold black lines that help Renata's eerie colors pop, this spooky skin is reminiscent of Tim Burton's artistic style. The effects of her ultimate in particular set this skin apart from others, with what appears to be hand-drawn pencil lines for shading.
3 Prestige Empyrean K'Sante
K'Sante is the first champion to be released with a prestige edition skin, and it certainly delivered. Not only is this skin a first of its kind in this regard, but Riot actually co-designed it with famous rapper and singer Lil Nas X.
Prestige Empyrean K'Sante is the height of fashion in League with truly glamorous textures and colors. The effects are a perfect blend of class and beauty, meaning that K'Sante would be at home on any stage around the world.
2 Nunu & Beelump
The bee skin line is known for causing quite the buzz in the League of Legends community, and 2022 was no exception. Perhaps the greatest installment yet, this bee skin for Nunu & Willump is truly a testament to how far aesthetics have come in League.
From the incredibly realistic bee fur of Willump to the smooth-as-honey sound effects, this skin has it all. There is even a dichotomy to Nunu & Beelump as, on one hand, it is a boy riding his cute albeit abnormally large bee, and on the other hand, from the enemy's point of view, there is a massive bee thing rolling a huge glob of deadly honey at them.
1 Battle Bunny Miss Fortune
By itself, Battle Bunny Miss Fortune's walk, or rather hop animation, is enough to cement it as one of the best skins released in 2022. Never in League has simply moving around ever been so fun, with the weight of her mechanical bunny hops being perfectly balanced. As a legendary, this skin is also packed with plenty of other fresh animations and unique voice lines.
The skin is part of a new Anima Squad skin line, that was inspired by an old Battle Bunny Riven skin, but this time with a futuristic twist. The colors are a perfect pastel blend and the overall skin thoroughly delivers a mixture of cuteness and technology.
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