And they look absolutely amazing, totally worth 975RP
Image via Riot
The tradition where the Worlds champion team gets their own unique skin started when Taipei Assassin first took home the cup in Season 2. Typically, the skin would be created based on the champions played during winning match. For TPA, they got Stanley as Shen in top lane, Lilballz as Nunu in the jungle, Toys as Orianna in mid lane and Bebe as Ezreal with MiSTakE as Nunu in the bot lane. The skins were just that – skins. No special recall animation nor were special taunt or interaction included but this was the first time hence everyone was too wrapped up in the novelty of it to realize.
Image via Riot
Since the tradition started from Season 2, Riot went back and created a new set of skins to honour their Season 1 champion, Fnatic. This time around Riot added some champions that were played by the opposing team such as Jarvan IV, Janna and Corki. Karthus was played by xPeke in the final showdown and Gragas that was not.
Image via Riot
The next team in line was Samsung White. Some improvements were done here where the recall animation was personalised especially for Twitch. Played by imp, the champion got a special recall animation because of imp’s grass rolling antique in the stadium and this thrilled the fans, setting higher expectations for Riot to see what they could come up with for the next champion.
Image via Riot
SKT T1 won the following season and Riot were tasked with creating another new set of skins for the new champion. What they came up with was lacking in many ways, there was no personalised animation that linked the player to the champion.
Image via Riot
The Season 4 champion then went on to win in Season 5 too, defending their throne and once more, Riot carried on with the tradition but what they came up with was extremely lacking. Especially with SKT being a back to back champion. The community was upset and so were the players from SKT. To make matters worst, Riot only made 5 skins instead of 6, completely leaving Eazyhoon out. Even though he was a sub, he was in competition with Faker for the starter role in mid lane and he played a substantial amount. He was known for his monstrous Azir plays.
Thankfully, Riot heard the feedback and realized they needed to change. They retracted the skins and invited SKT to Riot HQ to get to know them. Instead of guessing and trying to figure out what they might like, they ask the players what they expected from the skins and what was their vision was for the designs plus animations and sure enough the outcome was positive. The players were pleased with the remake as Riot took their suggestions into production. Check out the documentary on making the skins and a special video featuring their finalised recall animations that was released yesterday. The animations were based on what the players think they should be and it also features their signature as they recall. Pretty cool!
Overall the skins are looking great they should appear in PBE in the next few days and hopefully, a re-release soon. Oh don’t forget about the cute Coach Kkoma ward!
