All the major changes and updates coming to League of Legends in 2025 and why it matters

Note: This article was first published on 26th November 2024.

15 years after its release, League of Legends has announced that it will be introducing a new seasonal structure in 2025, with Season One set to begin in January. This will mark the beginning of a new chapter for the game, as the first season will be centred around the Noxian empire. 

According to Riot, the season promises new content, gameplay changes, and thematic updates that will improve the gaming experience around the world. 

Beginning next year, the 2025 seasonal structure will divide the year into three distinct seasons, each lasting around eight patches – or roughly 16 weeks. Each season will have a unique theme, with specific champions and regions in the world of Runeterra explored throughout the year. For the first season, the game will have an emphasis on Noxus which will influence the game such as the release of new champions, skins, game modes, and more.

Speaking of skins, Viktor will be the first champion to undergo a visual and gameplay update in the new seasonal model, as he gets a chance to better align with his portrayal in the second and final season of Arcane. Viktor’s update will see a refreshed look and new abilities, including a reworked ultimate that scales with each kill. Additionally, all of Viktor’s skins will be updated as well, including a price increase for Prototype Viktor from 520RP to 750RP once the update arrives.

Introduction of new Jungle monster and items

Moving on to the gameplay changes, one of the major additions for Season One is the introduction of Atakhan, Bringer of Ruin, a new epic jungle monster who will spawn at the 20-minute mark on the top or bottom side of the map depending on which part of the map has gotten the most champion damage and kills by the 14-minute mark. 

Atakhan will change the surroundings with his arena and spawn Blood Roses that grant adaptive buffs and exp to teams who collect them. When fighting him, he will have two forms. 

The first of the two is Ruinous who will drop more Bloody Petals to the team that defeats him along with increased effects from all epic monster rewards. On the other hand, there is the Voracious Atakhan who will give a one-time rebirth buff, which revives its holder upon taking fatal damage. According to Riot, higher action games will lead to the spawn of Ruinous Atakhan whereas lower action games spawn Voracious Atakhan. 

In addition to Atakhan, the season will introduce several item changes and additions. First up is Noxian-themed boot upgrades which will be available through a new mechanic called Feats of Strength. This mechanic will work by rewarding teams who complete objectives like the first blood or first tower. Besides the new boots, a new item, Bloodletter’s Curse, will reduce the magic resistance of targets when bought. Also, the Nexus turrets will now respawn after being destroyed, opening up another avenue for a comeback in the game.

Changes in Ranked System and new Swiftplay mode

Besides gameplay and the introduction of Atakhan, one of the most notable changes for 2025 is the shift in how the ranked system operates. Currently, LoL utilises a split-based ranking system that will see players have their rank reset three times a year. From 2025 onwards, the game will transition to a single, annual reset. This change aims to provide a more stable and consistent competitive environment, reducing the frequency of rank resets and allowing players to focus on long-term progression. As an added benefit, the annual reset will also ensure that players have more time to demonstrate their mastery of the game and progress through the ranks without frequent resets.

Despite the change, Riot did note that it will still retain the same three opportunities to earn Victorious skins throughout the year.

Alongside the ranked changes, the game will see a new game mode called Swiftplay. Designed for players looking for quicker, more casual matches, Swiftplay will offer a faster-paced version of LoL, with shortened match times, changes to gold and XP as it progresses, and adjustments done to the map to ensure that objectives are completed more quickly. This mode will be first available in PBE though overall, it seems like a good alternative to traditional matches or ARAM, allowing players to have faster gameplay while keeping core mechanics like teamfighting and objective control.

Battle Pass and Multiplayer Practice Tool

The last part of the update will see the Battle Pass system now feature both a free and paid track. Players will earn rewards directly through the pass, and for the first time, progression in Honor and Champion Mastery will contribute to the pass as well. Over the year, players can earn up to 12 skins through the Battle Pass, with half of these themed to each season’s content.

Finally, for those looking to improve their skills, there will be a new multiplayer practice tool that will be tested on PBE, allowing players to practice with one another in a controlled setting. 

When will Season One come?

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The 2025 Season One update will go live sometime in January 2025, with the full details available in the patch notes at that time. For more information, readers can visit the official LoL website here.

All in all, this update is shaping up to become an exciting one with substantial gameplay improvements, fresh content, and a deeper dive into Runeterra. All that’s left is to patiently wait for the update to arrive. 

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