GamesMOBALeague of LegendsAs Viktor mains rage over their fave being hit with the Arcane twink ray, Riot quietly tinkers with controversial skin reworks on the League of Legends test serverWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
GamesMOBALeague of LegendsAs Viktor mains rage over their fave being hit with the Arcane twink ray, Riot quietly tinkers with controversial skin reworks on the League of Legends test serverWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Riot, Fortiche, Netflix)
Viktor is, uh, looking a little different, recently. As displayed inRiot Games' recent Season 1 update, the developer is keen to start working lore changes made in Arcane, a TV series that’s been way better than it’s had any right to be, into League of Legends itself. It’s an understandable move in terms of marketing, but it’s also been heavy handed enough to peeve the old guard something fierce.
Viktor (the champion) has existed in the game for 13 whole years. Fans have had time to grow attached to his presentation, his aesthetic, and his machine herald swag—which is why Riot coming out of nowhere and hitting him with the twink beam to have him closer match Viktor (the TV character) hasn’t gone down smoothly. Gone is the relatively square, jaded idealist and genius philanthropist with an obsession for cybernetic replacement. Arcane Viktor is here, no negotiations.
The community subreddit for the character, r/viktormains, has been having an especially normal one, calling a campaign to see his slightly buffer, chonkier appearance the “revert-lution”. “Why are his hips so GRABBABLE?” cries one player in athreadlamenting his slender, effeminate frame, as anotherchimes in: “I won’t stand his top erasure!! Where is the bulge???” I’m a particular fan ofthis “in loving memory” card, which mourns his memory as a “scientist, innovator, divorced and communist”. May he be remembered.
And, look. While I’ll always have a sensible chuckle over people losing their gourd, I think I’m on the players' side, here. At least, to a certain extent. Riot has the right to do whatever it wants with its IP and game, but it does feel harsh to unilaterally redesign a swathe of skins that people paid money for years ago. A botched graphical update is one thing, body-swapping stuff that cost actual cash is another. Here’s some direct comparisons, courtesy ofRemus on YouTube.
VIKTOR REWORK ALL SKINS COMPARISON OLD VS NEW - League of Legends - YouTubeWatch On
VIKTOR REWORK ALL SKINS COMPARISON OLD VS NEW - League of Legends - YouTube
VIKTOR REWORK ALL SKINS COMPARISON OLD VS NEW - League of Legends - YouTube
Image1of4Before…(Image credit: Riot / VrrSolo on Reddit.)… and after.(Image credit: Riot / VrrSolo on Reddit.)Before …(Image credit: Riot / VrrSolo on Reddit.)… and after.(Image credit: Riot / VrrSolo on Reddit.)
Image1of4Before…(Image credit: Riot / VrrSolo on Reddit.)… and after.(Image credit: Riot / VrrSolo on Reddit.)Before …(Image credit: Riot / VrrSolo on Reddit.)… and after.(Image credit: Riot / VrrSolo on Reddit.)
Image1of4
Before…(Image credit: Riot / VrrSolo on Reddit.)… and after.(Image credit: Riot / VrrSolo on Reddit.)Before …(Image credit: Riot / VrrSolo on Reddit.)… and after.(Image credit: Riot / VrrSolo on Reddit.)
Before…(Image credit: Riot / VrrSolo on Reddit.)… and after.(Image credit: Riot / VrrSolo on Reddit.)Before …(Image credit: Riot / VrrSolo on Reddit.)… and after.(Image credit: Riot / VrrSolo on Reddit.)
Before…(Image credit: Riot / VrrSolo on Reddit.)
Before…(Image credit: Riot / VrrSolo on Reddit.)
Before…(Image credit: Riot / VrrSolo on Reddit.)
Before…(Image credit: Riot / VrrSolo on Reddit.)
Before…(Image credit: Riot / VrrSolo on Reddit.)
… and after.(Image credit: Riot / VrrSolo on Reddit.)
… and after.(Image credit: Riot / VrrSolo on Reddit.)
… and after.(Image credit: Riot / VrrSolo on Reddit.)
… and after.(Image credit: Riot / VrrSolo on Reddit.)
… and after.(Image credit: Riot / VrrSolo on Reddit.)
Before …(Image credit: Riot / VrrSolo on Reddit.)
Before …(Image credit: Riot / VrrSolo on Reddit.)
Before …(Image credit: Riot / VrrSolo on Reddit.)
Before …(Image credit: Riot / VrrSolo on Reddit.)
Before …(Image credit: Riot / VrrSolo on Reddit.)
… and after.(Image credit: Riot / VrrSolo on Reddit.)
… and after.(Image credit: Riot / VrrSolo on Reddit.)
… and after.(Image credit: Riot / VrrSolo on Reddit.)
… and after.(Image credit: Riot / VrrSolo on Reddit.)
… and after.(Image credit: Riot / VrrSolo on Reddit.)
It’s only a small step towards glorious reconciliation, though, with said subreddit responding with alukewarm appreciationat best. If anything, this whole rework does seem a little poorly-handled. League of Legends' skins aren’t exactly unified in their aesthetic—and there are plenty of skins that present alternate-canon versions of its roster. So why go back and reinvent the wheel when players could have both? Still, it looks like Riot’sall-in on weaving Arcane into the game’s universe, so here’s hoping for some smoother inclusions in the future.
The biggest gaming news, reviews and hardware deals
TOPICSRiot Games
TOPICS
More about moba
League of Legends' new season trailer is basically an epilogue to Arcane with 6 new Fortiche champion redesigns in it—so if it’s not a preview of the upcoming Noxus show, I’ll eat my hat
League of Legends' new season trailer is basically an epilogue to Arcane with 6 new Fortiche champion redesigns in it—so if it’s not a preview of the upcoming Noxus show, I’ll eat my hat
LatestIt’s time for me to admit that AI-accelerated frame generation might actually be the way of the future and that’s a good thingSee more latest►
Latest
It’s time for me to admit that AI-accelerated frame generation might actually be the way of the future and that’s a good thing
It’s time for me to admit that AI-accelerated frame generation might actually be the way of the future and that’s a good thing
It’s time for me to admit that AI-accelerated frame generation might actually be the way of the future and that’s a good thing
See more latest►
Most PopularThis Jinx-inspired gaming PC is my favorite of CES 2025 and I’m head over heels for the hardwareHarrowing report alleges years of horrific abuse at Brandoville Studios, an Indonesian support studio that worked on Assassin’s Creed Shadows and The Last of Us RemakeTencent says it’s not a Chinese military company and is willing to sue the US Department of Defense if it isn’t removed from a blacklistAll Zenless Zone Zero 1.5 livestream codesAsus reveals three new Slash Travel Bags for carting around your ROG Ally—however, none of them are particularly fashion forwardToday’s Wordle answer for Friday, January 10We may not have a roadmap or balance patch just yet, but at least Path of Exile 2’s bugfix patch notes are funnyDeus Ex: Mankind Divided writer didn’t like the ending either: ‘Nothing is resolved’It seems like Square’s finally consistently taking the PC ports of Final Fantasy seriouslyLike a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii looks more like a zany RGG take on Black Flag than I dared hopeThe most important tool in Remedy’s new co-op FPS is the shower: ‘Saving water is essential’
Most PopularThis Jinx-inspired gaming PC is my favorite of CES 2025 and I’m head over heels for the hardwareHarrowing report alleges years of horrific abuse at Brandoville Studios, an Indonesian support studio that worked on Assassin’s Creed Shadows and The Last of Us RemakeTencent says it’s not a Chinese military company and is willing to sue the US Department of Defense if it isn’t removed from a blacklistAll Zenless Zone Zero 1.5 livestream codesAsus reveals three new Slash Travel Bags for carting around your ROG Ally—however, none of them are particularly fashion forwardToday’s Wordle answer for Friday, January 10We may not have a roadmap or balance patch just yet, but at least Path of Exile 2’s bugfix patch notes are funnyDeus Ex: Mankind Divided writer didn’t like the ending either: ‘Nothing is resolved’It seems like Square’s finally consistently taking the PC ports of Final Fantasy seriouslyLike a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii looks more like a zany RGG take on Black Flag than I dared hopeThe most important tool in Remedy’s new co-op FPS is the shower: ‘Saving water is essential’
Most PopularThis Jinx-inspired gaming PC is my favorite of CES 2025 and I’m head over heels for the hardwareHarrowing report alleges years of horrific abuse at Brandoville Studios, an Indonesian support studio that worked on Assassin’s Creed Shadows and The Last of Us RemakeTencent says it’s not a Chinese military company and is willing to sue the US Department of Defense if it isn’t removed from a blacklistAll Zenless Zone Zero 1.5 livestream codesAsus reveals three new Slash Travel Bags for carting around your ROG Ally—however, none of them are particularly fashion forwardToday’s Wordle answer for Friday, January 10We may not have a roadmap or balance patch just yet, but at least Path of Exile 2’s bugfix patch notes are funnyDeus Ex: Mankind Divided writer didn’t like the ending either: ‘Nothing is resolved’It seems like Square’s finally consistently taking the PC ports of Final Fantasy seriouslyLike a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii looks more like a zany RGG take on Black Flag than I dared hopeThe most important tool in Remedy’s new co-op FPS is the shower: ‘Saving water is essential’
Most Popular
This Jinx-inspired gaming PC is my favorite of CES 2025 and I’m head over heels for the hardware
Harrowing report alleges years of horrific abuse at Brandoville Studios, an Indonesian support studio that worked on Assassin’s Creed Shadows and The Last of Us Remake
Tencent says it’s not a Chinese military company and is willing to sue the US Department of Defense if it isn’t removed from a blacklist
All Zenless Zone Zero 1.5 livestream codes
Asus reveals three new Slash Travel Bags for carting around your ROG Ally—however, none of them are particularly fashion forward
Today’s Wordle answer for Friday, January 10
We may not have a roadmap or balance patch just yet, but at least Path of Exile 2’s bugfix patch notes are funny
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided writer didn’t like the ending either: ‘Nothing is resolved’
It seems like Square’s finally consistently taking the PC ports of Final Fantasy seriously
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii looks more like a zany RGG take on Black Flag than I dared hope
The most important tool in Remedy’s new co-op FPS is the shower: ‘Saving water is essential’
HARDWARE BUYING GUIDESLATEST GAME REVIEWS1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads2Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop3Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most4Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands5Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review: An anarchic treasure trove of jokes and skits2Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review—like juggling chainsaws on horseback3WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review4Ikea Utespelare desk review5Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review
HARDWARE BUYING GUIDESLATEST GAME REVIEWS1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads2Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop3Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most4Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands5Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review: An anarchic treasure trove of jokes and skits2Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review—like juggling chainsaws on horseback3WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review4Ikea Utespelare desk review5Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review
HARDWARE BUYING GUIDESLATEST GAME REVIEWS1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads2Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop3Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most4Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands5Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review: An anarchic treasure trove of jokes and skits2Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review—like juggling chainsaws on horseback3WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review4Ikea Utespelare desk review5Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review
HARDWARE BUYING GUIDESLATEST GAME REVIEWS1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads2Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop3Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most4Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands5Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review: An anarchic treasure trove of jokes and skits2Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review—like juggling chainsaws on horseback3WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review4Ikea Utespelare desk review5Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review
HARDWARE BUYING GUIDESLATEST GAME REVIEWS
1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads
1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads
1
Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads
2Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop
2Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop
2
Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop
3Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most
3Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most
3
Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most
4Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands
4Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands
4
Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands
5Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested
5Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested
5
Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested
1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review: An anarchic treasure trove of jokes and skits
1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review: An anarchic treasure trove of jokes and skits
1
Thank Goodness You’re Here! review: An anarchic treasure trove of jokes and skits
2Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review—like juggling chainsaws on horseback
2Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review—like juggling chainsaws on horseback
2
Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review—like juggling chainsaws on horseback
3WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review
3WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review
3
WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review
4Ikea Utespelare desk review
4Ikea Utespelare desk review
4
Ikea Utespelare desk review
5Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review
5Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review
5
Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review
