League of Legends forced to immediately redesign its new dragon champ after fans point out its alarming similarity to an actual human child

GamesMOBALeague of LegendsLeague of Legends forced to immediately redesign its new dragon champ after fans point out its alarming similarity to an actual human childWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

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(Image credit: Riot Games)

Splash art for Smolder, League of Legends "audacious dragon cutie" champion.

Say hello to Smolder, the Fiery Fledgling 🔥 pic.twitter.com/oW6djOOhW6January 5, 2024

Which is why, soon after the official LoL Twitter account invited us to meet Smolder, the game’s champions team lead Lexi Gao took to the platform to assure fans that Riot had “heard your feedback on Smolder’s face and are making some adjustments to highlight his dragon features,” attaching a gif to showcase the precious boy’s draconic transition.

Hey Guys! We heard your feedback on Smolder’s face and are making some adjustment to highlight his dragon features. Thank you so much for Gem, @O0_Y_0O and @White_Leyth for making this happen! The splash team is working on some adjustments too! pic.twitter.com/6CWfVYwQjYJanuary 5, 2024

I have to say, the new Smolder is less likely to pursue me into my dreams, and all it took was the addition of a few dragon-ly ridges and scales on that smooth, smooth face. Fans seem to agree, with plenty of people chiming in via Gao’s replies to remark that Smolder “looks worlds better now,” and that his new design represented an “absolute glow-up” for the little tyke.

I mean, some people would still like him to have a more definitive snout, and I imagine the people drawingdisquieting fanartof the original Smolder are probably peeved, but you can’t have everything.

LoL has form for troubling character designs it later brings up to date. Who among us could forget Poppy, whoseterrifying splash artstill occupies a full 10% of my brain at any given moment? That change wasn’t as speedy as the Smolder redesign, mind you, and if you want to see how LoL’s newest champ actually handles in the field, you can find out when he arrives as part of patch 14.3 on February 7.

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