Legendary skins are the second-highest production tier in League of Legends, sitting just below Ultimate and Mythic skins. They stand out by delivering changes that go far beyond what a standard skin offers: completely rewritten voicelines, fully redesigned animations, unique ability effects, and in many cases a visual identity so different from the base champion that they feel like an entirely new character.
This guide explains what defines a Legendary skin, what separates it from other tiers, how much it costs, which ones are the most popular, and how to get one without necessarily paying full price.
What Is a Legendary Skin?
A Legendary skin is a tier 3 skin in LoL’s rarity hierarchy, which currently is organized as follows from most accessible to rarest:
- Classic (550 RP)
- Epic (1,350 RP)
- Legendary (1,820 RP)
- Ultimate (3,250 RP)
- Mythic (special shop system)
- Exalted (progression system)
- Transcendent (rarest tier, earned through special achievements)
Legendary skins cost 1,820 RP in the shop.
What Separates a Legendary Skin from an Epic?
This is the most common question. The difference is not just visual, it is systemic:
| Feature | Epic (1,350 RP) | Legendary (1,820 RP) |
|---|---|---|
| New visual models | Yes | Yes |
| New ability effects | Yes | Yes |
| New recall animation | Yes | Yes (more elaborate) |
| Fully rewritten voicelines | Rarely | Always |
| New death animations | Rarely | Frequently |
| New item interaction voice | No | Sometimes |
| Fully redesigned attack and movement animations | Partially | Completely |
| New interaction lines with other champions | No | Frequently |
The single most defining feature of Legendary skins is the completely rewritten voicelines. A Legendary skin does not use the base champion’s dubbing: it has new script, new delivery, and often a completely different vocal performance. This creates a genuinely different in-game experience, not just a new visual look.
Popular Legendary Skins
Here are some of the most recognized Legendary skins in the LoL community:
Elementalist Lux: Historically considered one of the best skins in the game. Features 10 different forms that can be switched during the match depending on mana spent. Unique voicelines for each form.
DJ Sona: One of the most elaborate skins LoL has produced. In addition to visual transformations, it changes the in-game music for all allies on your team. Three forms, each with a different track.
Pulsefire Ezreal: One of the first Legendary skins in the game. Features a visual evolution as Ezreal levels up during the match, with different animations and voice at each stage.
Star Guardian Jinx: Visually unrecognizable compared to default Jinx, with redesigned ability animations and a vocal performance that conveys a completely different personality.
KDA All Out Seraphine: Part of a narrative skin line, with three visual styles unlockable by completing specific missions during the launch event.
Crime City Nightmare (Akali, Zed, Twisted Fate): Legendary line with a noir aesthetic, new thematic voicelines, and dark visual effects.
Prestige skins as Legendaries: Several event Prestige versions are built on Legendary skin bases, offering gold-accented versions of already high-production skins.
How Much Do Legendary Skins Cost?
The standard price is 1,820 RP. The amount needed in real money varies by RP bundle:
| RP Bundle | Approximate USD | RP Received |
|---|---|---|
| Small bundle | ~$10 | 725 RP |
| Medium bundle | ~$15 | 1,150 RP |
| Large bundle | ~$25 | 2,050 RP |
| Larger bundle | ~$50 | 4,450 RP |
To reach 1,820 RP, the most economical approach is often to combine two smaller bundles or use RP accumulated from previous purchases.
How to Get Legendary Skins
Direct Shop Purchase
The most straightforward option. Open the LoL shop, find the skin you want, and purchase it with RP.
Hextech Chests and Orbs
Legendary skins can drop from Hextech Chests, though at a lower probability than Epic skins. Opening a chest requires a Hextech Key (earned through key fragments gained via honor). If the chest drops a Legendary skin, you receive it without spending specific RP on it.
The Pity system in Hextech ensures you receive an Epic or better skin after a certain number of consecutive openings without a high-quality skin.
Event Pass Reward Tracks
Riot frequently offers Legendary skins as the top reward in seasonal event tracks, either through purchasing an event pass or through extended free progression.
Mythic Essence Shop
Some older Legendary skins rotate through the Mythic Essence shop periodically, allowing players to purchase them using the special loot currency rather than RP.
Are Legendary Skins Worth It?
It depends entirely on how much you play the champion. If you have hundreds of games on a champion and plan to keep playing them, a well-chosen Legendary skin meaningfully changes the experience. The impact of new voicelines and animations is especially noticeable over long play: after hundreds of hours with the skin, switching back to the default feels noticeably different.
For players who play a champion occasionally or are unsure about continuing with them, an Epic skin at 1,350 RP may be more cost-effective.
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Pro Tips: Legendary Skins in LoL
- Watch gameplay footage of the skin before purchasing: YouTube has showcase videos for virtually every Legendary skin. Seeing the animations and hearing the voicelines before buying prevents disappointment and confirms the skin matches what you expected.
- Wait for seasonal sale events: Riot frequently discounts skins during seasonal events. Skins you want but are not urgent are worth waiting for if a discount window is approaching.
- Check if the skin is available in the Pity system: if you open chests regularly, the skin might appear without a direct purchase. Do not spend RP on a skin that could drop from a chest if you have enough keys to try first.
FAQ: Legendary Skins in LoL
- Can Legendary skins be gifted to friends? Yes. The LoL shop allows you to gift skins to friends using the gifting function.
- Do Legendary skins become unavailable? Some Legendary skins from seasonal editions or special collaborations become unavailable after the event window closes. Check whether the skin you want has an expiration before delaying the purchase.
- What is the difference between Legendary and Mythic skins? Mythic skins are obtained exclusively through the Mythic Essence system (a special loot currency) and cannot be purchased directly with RP. Legendary skins are available in the normal shop for 1,820 RP.
- Are Ultimate skins better than Legendary? Yes. Ultimate skins cost more (3,250 RP) and include features that Legendaries do not, such as multiple permanent in-game forms (Elementalist Lux is technically a Legacy exception built on the Legendary tier), full cinematic production, and features unique to each skin. There are very few Ultimate skins in the game precisely because of their production scope.
League of Legends and related marks are trademarks of Riot Games. Used for informational and educational purposes only.
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