LoL: Riot Backtracks as Free Hextech Chests Make a Comeback

Riot Games is making big changes to League of Legends after backlash over recent updates. Andrei "Meddler" Van Roon and Jeremy "Pabro" Lee acknowledged in a Dev Update YouTube video published on Wednesday that some decisions "did not land the way we intended" and that Riot needs to "make adjustments." The company is bringing back free Hextech Chests, reducing champion prices, making changes to the Prestige system, and adjusting Clash frequency. Riot says these updates aim to respond directly to community concerns and ensure League remains "a game that feels rewarding and worth your time."

The most important change is therefore the return of the Hextech Chests. "We didn't fully grasp how much this mattered to you," Riot admitted. Starting in Act 2 next week, players can earn up to ten Chests and Keys per Act. Eight will be in the free Battle Pass, replacing the Seasonal Skin and the 1350 RP or lower skin, since Riot considers players "prefer Chests." Chests will no longer be tied to Champion Mastery. "We want to ensure that they're accessible regardless of different playstyles," Riot explained. The remaining two per Act will be tied to the Honor system. "League is better when you're surrounded by players who make your experience better," Riot explains. In the short term, these Honor Chests will be given through missions while Riot works on further Honor system updates.

Riot also considers that new players struggle to expand their champion pool, and is addressing this by cutting the Blue Essence cost of all champions by 50% in the next patch. "Lowering champ costs is one way to help achieve that," Riot stated, recognizing community frustration over Blue Essence and champion shards.

Riot initially planned to reduce Clash frequency but reversed course after negative feedback. "We realized that what we took away was actually really important to some of you," Riot admitted. Clash will return to a monthly schedule, with March’s event featuring All Random URF and April bringing a standard Summoner’s Rift Clash.

On another hand, the release of Exalted Mordekaiser is delayed to ensure it delivers "on its core fantasy." Riot also says future Exalted skins will take more time, so they "likely won't release one in every Act this year." In response to criticism of the Seasonal Pass, Riot is replacing one non-Prestige skin with 25 Mythic Essence. "There's a lack of Mythic Essence on the paid Pass," Riot admitted. The Act 2 Battle Pass will feature skins for Darius, Sion, and Talon. Riot also confirmed the return of Your Shop and the Blue Essence Emporium.Your Shop will return in patch 25.6, while the Blue Essence Emporium is coming in patch 25.7. Riot says these features are returning "for their first runs this year."