I’ve played League of Legends for years. I’ve spent more RP on skins than I like to admit. At first, I just bought whatever looked cool.
Later, I noticed not all skins feel the same. Some change only a little, and some feel like a brand-new champ.
That’s when I started paying attention to skin tiers. Epic, Legendary, and Ultimate all offer different things. The prices look simple, but the value changes a lot.
Maybe you’ve wondered what makes a 1350 RP skin different from a 3250 RP one. You’re not alone.
In this guide, I’ll explain the tiers, their costs, and what you get. By the end, you’ll know which ones are worth your RP.
Understanding LoL Skin Tiers
When I started picking skins in League of Legends, I realized each one falls into a tier that shows how much it changes your champion and what you’ll pay for it.
Epic skins add new effects, animations, and sounds, giving style at a fair price.
Legendary skins include full model updates with brand-new voice lines, making your champion feel completely different
If you want the biggest upgrade, Ultimate skins add things like forms that change during matches and special UIs.
Skins only change looks, not gameplay; try chromas for color swaps or prestige versions for rare styles.
I always suggest starting with Epic skins since they offer the best features for the price, but if you play a champion a lot, Legendary or Ultimate may be worth it for you.
Epic Skins: Affordable Upgrades
Epic skins are the ones I tend to buy most often. At 1350 RP, they hit a solid middle ground between cost and features. These skins usually come with:
- New visual effects (spells look different)
- New animations for abilities and recalls
- Updated sound effects
Sometimes they even add small voice changes, though that’s pretty rare. Spirit Blossom Ahri is a good example. It feels fresh without being too expensive.
Project: Vayne also changes her look and animations in a way that feels satisfying. Epics give you a clear upgrade without draining all your RP.
Legendary Skins: Complete Visual and Audio Reworks
Legendary skins take things a step further. At 1820 RP, they cost more but bring much bigger changes. You’ll usually get:
- Completely new voice lines
- A full model rework
- Unique ability animations and sound effects
- Special interactions with other champions
For me, High Noon Lucian was the first Legendary that felt worth every RP. His voice lines, gun animations, and smooth design made him feel like a whole new champ.
That said, not every Legendary hits the same mark, so I’ve learned to always check previews first. If you main a champion, though, a Legendary can make every game feel fresh.
Ultimate Skins: The Full Champion Overhaul
Ultimate skins are the top tier, priced at 3250 RP. These are rare and meant to completely transform how you experience a champion. Features often include:
- Multiple evolving forms or themes
- Custom UI elements (like DJ Sona’s music player)
- Unique recall animations and voice packs
- A full gameplay experience that feels new
DJ Sona is one I bought years ago, and even today, switching her music mid-game is fun. Spirit Guard Udyr and K/DA ALL OUT Seraphine are other examples that give you different styles or evolving designs as you play.
They’re pricey, and honestly, I only recommend them if you play that champ a lot. Otherwise, it’s a lot of RP sitting on a skin you rarely see.
Things Players Should Know About Skins
Before you drop RP on a skin, there are a few things I wish I had known early on. They would’ve saved me some regret and helped me make better choices:
- Skins don’t change gameplay as they’re purely visual.
- Chromas are cheaper color swaps that can refresh a skin without spending much.
- Prestige skins are limited gold-themed versions of existing skins.
- Legacy skins sometimes get vaulted, which makes them rare and harder to get later.
Knowing these details makes it a lot easier to decide which skins are actually worth your RP.
Getting the Most Value from Skins
If you care about stretching your RP, it helps to know a bit about how Riot handles pricing and where you can save. Riot’s skin prices used to shift around more, but now they’ve settled into consistent tiers.
Within those tiers, though, some skins stand out as better value.
Community favorites like Star Guardian Jinx or the PROJECT line are often praised for giving a lot of quality for their price.
You can also cut costs if you’re patient. Sales, Hextech crafting, bundles, and event tokens are some of the best ways to pick up skins without spending as much RP.
Conclusion
League of Legends skins are more than just cosmetics. They’re a way to make your favorite champs feel unique and fun to play.
The real question is figuring out which tier gives you the most value for your RP.
Epic skins are affordable and give you noticeable upgrades. Legendary skins are best if you want a full champion rework and play that champ often.
Ultimate skins sit at the top, but they’re only worth it if you’re truly dedicated. Alongside the tiers, it helps to know about chromas, prestige skins, and sales, since they can save you RP or add variety without overspending.
Now that you know the breakdown, you can match your choice to your playstyle and budget.
If you’re curious about which champions actually have the most skins, check out my guide: Who Has the Most Skins in League of Legends 2025?
