In the world of League of Legends, where champions are more than just avatars — they’re icons of style, story, and flair — skins are a big deal. Some skins are flashy, others are subtle. Some are legendary, and others are… legacy.
But what exactly is a Legacy skin in League of Legends, and why do collectors and longtime players pay special attention to them? Here’s a breakdown of what legacy skins are, how they differ from regular cosmetics, and why they matter in the wider League economy.
Defining Legacy Skins: The Vaulted Collection
A Legacy skin in League of Legends refers to a retired or limited-time cosmetic that is no longer available for purchase in the regular in-game store. These skins aren’t necessarily rare in terms of ownership, but they are vaulted, meaning they can only return on special occasions — typically during event sales, loot drops, or Hextech crafting.
Legacy skins are stored in what Riot Games calls the Legacy Vault, a rotating catalog of discontinued skins that are temporarily re-released during events like Snowdown, Lunar Revel, or Anniversary promotions.
Key Characteristics of Legacy Skins
- Not always ultra-rare: Some were widely available before being vaulted.
- Unavailable in store: They can’t be bought with RP unless temporarily unvaulted.
- Still obtainable: You might unlock them through loot chests, rerolls, or special bundles.
- Standard pricing: When available, they usually cost the same as regular skins (unless bundled).
- Distinct from truly exclusive skins: Legacy skins differ from what were historically called “Limited” skins, which were once considered permanently retired.
Types of Skins That Become Legacy
Riot typically marks the following types of skins as Legacy:
- Holiday or event skins (e.g., Snow Day Gnar, Pumpkinhead Fiddlesticks)
- Early seasonal skins (e.g., Bewitching Nidalee)
- Outdated or reworked visuals (e.g., some old champion skins moved to legacy after visual updates)
- Promotional bundles that rotate out after a short period. Notably, some skins are moved to the Legacy Vault after a thematic event ends, while others were always intended to be time-limited.
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Understanding “Limited” Skins (Historically)
It’s important to differentiate Legacy skins from a much rarer category, often referred to as “Limited Edition” skins. These were typically tied to one-time, highly exclusive promotions, such as attendance at a specific event (e.g., the original PAX Sivir, PAX Jax, PAX Twisted Fate) or achieving a very high rank in a specific season (e.g., Championship Riven 2012).
While these skins were initially stated to be permanently retired and unobtainable, Riot has, in some cases, introduced new avenues for their acquisition.
For example, some “Limited” skins have seen “Neo” versions released through Hextech Crafting or other special means, which can sometimes grant access to the original skin as well, effectively blurring the line of “permanent retirement” for some of these very exclusive cosmetics. Despite this, they remain among the most coveted and difficult-to-acquire skins in the game, making them distinct from the more frequently unvaulted Legacy skins.
Why Do Players Want Legacy Skins?
Legacy skins carry a sense of prestige and nostalgia. If you’ve been playing for over a decade, that goofy 2011 Urf skin might remind you of the early days of League. For others, legacy skins represent collector’s items or a way to stand out — especially when a skin hasn’t been seen in the shop for years.
Moreover, since Riot occasionally brings Legacy skins back without much warning, players often keep an eye on seasonal promotions in hopes of snagging one that’s been unavailable for a while.
How to Get a Legacy Skin Today
If you want a Legacy skin, you have a few options:
- Loot Chests: They can drop as random shards.
- Rerolls: Combine three skin shards for a chance at a permanent, which could be a Legacy skin.
- Event Capsules and Orbs: Limited-time loot events may contain Legacy shards.
- Special sales: Riot occasionally runs Vault sales where dozens of Legacy skins are briefly unvaulted.
The Bottom Line
Legacy skins in League of Legends are more than just old cosmetics — they’re snapshots of the game’s evolving history. Though not the rarest items in the game, they remain coveted by collectors and longtime fans for their limited availability and nostalgic value.
So, the next time you see someone in a match rocking a dated but stylish Snowmerdinger or Definitely Not Blitzcrank, know that they’re wearing a piece of League history — one that might not be available again for years.
Written by:
Christian