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League of Legends: Renekton Skins’ Review – StrategyZero
Feb 192013
 
Renekton, the Butcher of the Sands
Renekton, the Butcher of the Sands

Renekton, the Butcher of the Sands slices and dices at his heart content; it’s what he does and he’s very good at it. Yet, that doesn’t mean that he doesn’t know how to look good while culling the meek as he has an enviable wardrobe. If you want anger to reign then this ruthless predator will rather his best clothes so take a look at this skins’ review.

Galactic Renekton
Galactic Renekton Splash Art Galactic Renekton Model
Category: Legacy
Price: 520 RP
Concept: Renekton as a futuristic alien warrior.
Model: Major model changes for Renekton and new model for his blade.
Particles: No new particles.
Animations: No new animations.
Sounds: No new sounds.
Splash Art: This piece is definitely straightforward: just Renekton posing with his blade and a flash of light to fill some space. Seeing as there’s no setting to consider let’s move right to the portrayal. Renekton’s pose allows a clear view of his style but the drab colours make it very difficult to discern any details. The general idea can be gotten but the richness of the design is lost; especially as Renekton’s skin is supposed to be pale and the armour decorated with light colours. Add to this the caricature-like proportions and we end with a certain letdown. Overall, the general idea is displayed but it fails at being an attractive spotlight.
Rating: Star clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZero
Conclusion: Galactic Renekton is a fantastic skin that provides an appealing and unique futuristic style. The pale skin nicely contrasts his dark armour. Moreover, the reasonably colourful armour and multiple adornments make the skin quite interesting to look at. The blade is also re-designed into a more sober but equally effective shape thus making for a distinct look; though a darker colour would’ve made the blade more unique. While the skin shows a lot of texture work and doesn’t reach a full re-model it perfectly manages to re-interpret Renekton. In the end, Galactic Renekton is an impressive skin that manages to give Renekton a whole different feel while keeping his core personality; definitely recommended.

Outback Renekton
Outback Renekton Splash Art Outback Renekton Model
Category: Regular
Price: 520 RP
Concept: Renekton dressed as an Australian bushman.
Model: Moderate model changes for Renekton and new model for his blade.
Particles: No new particles.
Animations: No new animations.
Sounds: No new sounds.
Splash Art: The first thing that comes to mind when looking at this piece is it’s rough lines and crude colours. However, that isn’t exactly a problem as it reinforces the theme of arid wilderness. Still, the depiction may be a little too sketchy. The background feels empty and boring while the elements that surround Renekton are quite simple. Furthermore, Renekton’s proportions aren’t convincing and the colours end up feeling flat. There is a good amount of detail in the depiction but it ends mixed with the messy style. As an extra note Renekton is shown as a mirror of his in-game model; noticeable when looking at his clothes. All things considered, it’s a piece that has an interesting composition and style but that ends buried by the same choices that make it distinct.
Rating: Star clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZero
Conclusion: Outback Renekton is a skin that does a lot with very little. That is, the base of his classic model remains and only clothes and blade are changed; as well as brand new boots added. Nevertheless, the new outfit manages to instil a new flavour that hardly reminisces of his classic style. The clever concept and simple but ingenious implementation are to thank for letting his crocodilian nature shine, which mixed with his clothing, make for an appealing cartoon-like, anthropomorphic reptile. On technical terms, Outback Renekton isn’t much of a departure from Classic Renekton. Nonetheless, the sum of its parts vastly surpasses expectations. If you are a fan of crocodiles or the Outback then Outback Renekton is a skin made for you.

Bloodfury Renekton
Bloodfury Renekton Splash Art Bloodfury Renekton Model
Category: Regular
Price: 975 RP
Concept: Renekton as a vicious armoured warrior.
Model: New model for Renekton and his blade.
Particles: No new particles.
Animations: No new animations.
Sounds: No new sounds.
Splash Art: This is a great example of a piece that leaves a visceral impression even though it fails at giving a complete picture of the action. The background is a rather diffuse matter: only a few brush strokes that hint at some scenery and a crumbling body to the left; at least the falling, broken sword adds some necessary drama. What the background lacks Renekton makes up for with his brutal rampage. The distinct red tint that permeates every part of his self is a good indication of his intentions and actions. While the depiction is quite good the left leg seems to be missing while the left arm and right tight lack scales. Regardless, the scene is eloquent enough about Renekton and if this piece doesn’t elicit any feelings then few will. On the whole, a very interesting and ultimately fine piece that just requires some polish to be excellent.
Rating: Star clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZero
Conclusion: Bloodfury Renekton is a skin that places the Butcher’s intrinsic rage to the forefront and lets it spread to every facet. Firstly, his focused eyes, large scales, plate-like osteoderms and sharp claws show a being born for combat. Secondly, the engraved, multi-layered, heavy armour that protects him allows freedom of movement while covering essential parts; the tail end decoration is a nice, matching extra. Lastly, the serrated and light-weight blade leaves little to the imagination about its effects when applied to flesh and bone. All these aspects come together to make a skin that delivers an impressive, ruthless focus on battle. If you like Renekton or savage warriors then Bloodfury Renekton is a skin that will certainly satisfy your thirst for crimson fluids. It may be only a re-model for 975 RP but, at the very least, it’s a very eloquent one.

Rune Wars Renekton
Rune Wars Renekton Splash Art Rune Wars Renekton Model
Category: Legacy
Price: 975 RP
Concept: Renekton as a warrior from the Rune Wars.
Model: New model for Renekton and his blade plus new textures for Ruthless Predator.
Particles: New particles for Dominus.
Animations: No new animations.
Sounds: No new sounds.
Splash Art: The background of this piece is simply a vague hint at an army ready for war. There are silhouettes and, maybe, a dawn or dusk but in the end the setting is just a suggestion; even Renekton barely escapes from the background. On the one hand, his face and body look fantastic with great shading and incredible detail. On the other hand, his blade and limbs seems to be dissolving in the reigning blurriness. All in all, it’s a splash art that does a little more than just a portrayal but that doesn’t provide as sharp a depiction as it deserves.
Rating: Star clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZero
Conclusion: Rune Wars Renekton is surely the most polished look that he has available. Every part of his body is refined and precise and the armour follows suit with a mute but functional design; there’s only a couple of runed decorations on his back as an extra. Moreover, the blade is given a specific circular shape, a hand protector and several extra grips. The whole of the style gives a sense of being meticulously designed to maximize battle performance. However, this clashes with Renekton’s natural, visceral brutality. Fortunately, the new particles and textures for his abilities allow the skin a distinct identity that sets it apart. In the end, Rune Wars Renekton is the most civilized warrior style that the Butcher has received. As such it’s an interesting and different look that will certainly be appreciated by Renekton’s fans.

Pool Party Renekton
Pool Party Renekton Splash Art Pool Party Renekton Model
Category: Regular
Price: 975 RP
Concept: Renekton as a lifeguard.
Model: New model for Renekton and his blade plus new textures for Ruthless Predator.
Particles: New particles for Cull the Meek, Ruthless Predator, Slice and Dice: light and dark red depending on fury. New bubbles for Ruthless Predator, Slice and Dice, and Dominus. New trail for auto-attacks.
Animations: New animations for Ruthless Predator, depending on fury, and recall.
Sounds: New bubble sounds for Ruthless Predator, Slice and Dice, Dominus and plastic sounds for auto-attacks plus new sounds for his recall.
Splash Art: Diving platforms and lots of sky make most of the background. So, if it weren’t for the diffuse cameos of multiple champions it would be a rather empty setting. This also means that Renekton has much to do in his lifeguard duty and he seems to be up for the job: attentive and vigilant. His depiction is rather good with interesting shading and a suitable setup. However, he doesn’t match his in-game look well: he’s missing fingers and toes and his scales have a dual pattern that the three-dimensional model lacks. Thus, this piece catches the viewers attention but has Renekton competing with the action in the background and also giving a wrong impression of how he actually looks like.
Rating: Star clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZero
Conclusion: Pool Party Renekton suffers from the same ailments as many other funny skins but the clear suitability of the concept for a crocodile excuses some of those faults. The Butcher’s appearance is particularly well adapted to the role but doesn’t provide anything striking to look at. That’s the job of the bubble particles and recall which add some necessary flair to the style; as well as the sounds. The red particles and auto-attack sounds merely keep the use of the weapon visually consistent but are welcome. When we add all the changes together we find that Pool Party Renekton is a rather satisfying skin that doesn’t do enough to impress but remains appealing.

Scorched Earth Renekton
Scorched Earth Renekton Splash Art Scorched Earth Renekton Model
Category: Regular
Price: 975 RP
Concept: Renekton as a lava-infused warrior.
Model: New model for Renekton and his blade plus new textures for Dominus.
Particles: New glow for his hands when at half or more fury as well as new particles for his abilities; with and without fury bonus. New sparks for his recall.
Animations: New recall animation plus furnace opening and closing for Dominus.
Sounds: New sounds for his abilities, auto-attack and recall.
Splash Art: This piece is direct and to the point: it shows Renekton with his new look and practically ignores the rest. For all intents and purposes there’s no setting to speak of. A few elements can be barely noticed but their identification is another matter. At least that choice makes Renekton’s portrayal come alive with vibrant colours, yet the depiction is uneven. His head is a pleasure to behold, despite the preposterous earring, but the rest of his body has a simple outline and diffuse shading. Only the blade escapes and just barely. Evidently, this splash art suffers from a forced depth of field effect that flattens everything that doesn’t reside at it centre. In the end, it’s a piece that can be fascinating in its good parts but sadly disappointing elsewhere.
Rating: Star clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZero
Conclusion: Scorched Earth Renekton has an interesting premise: it makes the Butcher’s fury more explicit by turning it into fire. On top of that, it adds a furnace as a generator that further fuels his rage. The idea is certainly appealing but the execution adopts a decidedly fantastic and stylized direction. That can be appreciated in his spiky dorsal and manus scales as well as his fantasised armour or ridiculous earring; or even in the missing toe of each boot. However, accepting its fanciful ways reveals an appealing style concerned only with providing a flaming, tough aesthetic. This is accentuated by the new particles and recall; especially when his fury is above half. Thus, Scorched Earth indulges Renekton’s desire for carnage with a clear yet fitting layer of flames and looks. So, as long as you embrace the skin’s idealized theme it provides quite a spectacle. However, it’s also completely focused on appearance and so it feels like it merely adds more of the same; with flames. In the end, Scorched Earth Renekton is an attractive skin that suits the Butcher rather well despite its pretentious flaws. At its price, it offers numerous and satisfying particles along an interesting yet whimsical model; though it also feels like it treads on the same beaten track.

Prehistoric Renekton
Prehistoric Renekton Splash Art Prehistoric Renekton Model
Category: Regular
Price: 750 RP
Concept: Renekton as a humanoid Spinosaurus-Styracosaurus warrior in armour.
Model: New model for Renekton and his blade.
Particles: No new particles.
Animations: No new animations.
Sounds: No new sounds.
Splash Art: With only a yellow sky for background it’s the job of the dinosaurs to fill all the available space. There is a shaman and another person nearby but aside from making a small tribute to Primal Rage they add little. In spite of the three champions sharing the spotlight their interaction isn’t clear. Renekton and Cho’Gath battle each other as predators could reasonably do but then Anivia appears on the side freezing the land and Renekton’s leg. Adding the armour that they wear they seem like staging a fight for supremacy as if they were to become rulers of the Earth. It could be another reference to Primal Rage or the lack of context simply allows for as many wild guesses as one can venture.
What is evident is that the portrayals are an uneven affair: the three dinosaurs only have a clear upper body while the rest melts in a fog that merely fills space. When the depictions are clear they are vivid and detailed. They draw interest and make even the preposterous struggle of monster Tyrannosaurus, humanoid Dimetrodon and ice Pteranodon attractive. However, the intense blur doesn’t really convey their scale it instead diminishes the power of the portrayals by hiding more of what makes the dinosaurs interesting: their physiques.
Therefore, this is a splash art that sets up a nice scene but doesn’t exploit all the advantages that a fight of three dinosaurs has. There’s a lack of context and even if we just focus on the fight the characters aren’t fully depicted making the most of their primal designs.
Rating: Star clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZero
Conclusion: Forgetting about reality and going straight into fictional territory Prehistoric Renekton becomes a reptilian warrior with some traits of a few well known dinosaurs; so to speak. This departure from historical accuracy provides the skin with enough freedom to concentrate on offering an appealing appearance without worrying about resembling a specific dinosaur though the general aesthetic is that of a Spinosaurus; which had much in common with modern crocodiles plus a sail. Therefore, we have Spinosaurus-Renekton sporting horns like a Styracosaurus and a large sail on his back which also echoes a Dimetrodon, which isn’t an actual dinosaur, and a small one on his tail; which is only for show. His feet also show a digit that is larger than the others in an attempt to resemble a Velociraptor or a Deinonychus; even if both dinosaurs were probably feathered and resembled birds. The plate-like design of the scales is interesting and the contrast of colours makes the aspect stand out. Nonetheless, the protrusions like horns on the elbows seem like a poor choice that adds nothing to the style.
The armour is a significant item that the Butcher wouldn’t ignore. Therefore, we have asymmetrical armour that seems to be made of bronze; suitable to the concept at hand in a way. Unfortunately, the asymmetry doesn’t make much sense as it doesn’t effectively protect all the limbs that would be closer to the enemy: the naked left arm looks like a glaring oversight in its design. The blade with its brutal, quasi-serrated edge is a weapon fitting only the most inhumanly cruel of warriors; which describes Renekton rather well.
Overall, Prehistoric Renekton is a skin with a clear theme that is spread on the Butcher with a little of this and a touch of that. Regardless of being a mishmash of elements they mostly add up to a ruthless, reptilian warrior that echoes dinosaurs in his appearance. For fans of dinosaurs, it’s a clear pastiche but for fans of Renekton it’s just another interpretation with a prehistoric feel that suits the Butcher quite well.

SKT T1 Renekton
SKT T1 Renekton Splash Art SKT T1 Renekton Model
Category: Legacy
Price: 975 RP
Concept: Renekton dressed in a flashy, contemporary way.
Model: New model for Renekton and his blade.
Particles: New blue and yellow particles for his abilities and recall.
Animations: New recall animation.
Sounds: New recall sounds.
Splash Art: In terms of background, we can guess that the few flashes and lights around the champions intend to reflect an arena where they have proved their skill and ended triumphant. That’s all guesswork because there’s nothing concrete to reveal it. Although there’s little room for a setting, what is available is mostly filled with empty colours.
The rest is the shared display of the six champions. Colours are saturated but the excellent use of lighting allows for a contrast that makes the depiction full of detail, in places. There are simple surfaces, especially on the outskirts of the piece so it’s the champions on the centre that tend to receive the best work. It’s enough to compare how much of each champion is displayed and occluded to find the areas in-between where details are lacking.
Kalista manages to insinuate herself quite clearly while enjoying some great use of light. The highlights on the golden speak and the transparent ones on her back also catch the eye; better than the sketchy jacket. Alistar appears a bit simple in the large surface of his body but the head is sharply depicted. Metal and hair are nicely shown but cloth disappoints. Ryze stands in centre stage and is the only one whom more than posing is also displaying his magical might. Still, his face can seem cartoony and his legs foggy. Much more pronounced is that effect on Azir. In spite of the daring pose his back is mostly and empty shadow so there isn’t much to see. Only his outline and most salient features are noticeable. Elise seems to be web-slinging into action but the intense lights dull the colours of her body. Still, the evident contrasts manage to make her face clear. Renekton is the one whom struggles the most to catch a share of space. His face looks good though it’s not as vibrant as other areas of the piece. His body, is submerged in a blur that conceals what isn’t visible but also what is; like his arms. The blade is surprisingly hidden in darkness, which may make some sense, but is a letdown.
Overall, this is a splash art that provides an uneven distribution of space for the champions. Large ones struggle in small areas while smaller ones receive full depictions. It’s not just that, the portrayals themselves are also uneven with sharp areas against blurred ones. The composition isn’t bad at all. The daring and dynamic call to action is a classic choice that works well in any team. However, the result doesn’t take advantage of it and seldom organizes the champions in ways that make the most of their unique personalities. It shows that its an abbreviated display of champions and so the portrayal suffers for it.
Rating: Star clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZero
Conclusion: The crocodile body showing grey scales, lateral osteoderms on the tail and large thick scales on the head is hardly original but certainly appealing. The clothes leave such discretion behind and incorporate multiple bright colours that easily catch the eye. The tail opening is interesting while the mesh on the sides of the jacket and sleeves are something different and nice but that’s as far as it goes. The general feel is just of colourful, modern clothing with a clearly flashy design. So much so that the lone spaulder on Renekton’s right arm seems reasonable. The trouser and snickers are nothing noteworthy and the jacket’s huge logo seems exaggerated. The gloves also look rather extravagant but if we are to consider the monocle and headphones we could say that they fit right in with each other. The lavish extravagance is further displayed by the logo-shaped blade which simply strikes as preposterous. However, the new particle colours for the abilities are so subtle that can be easily ignored due to their limited relevance. The recall does make itself notable: fitting Renekton’s rage well, but there’s only so much it can do.
Adding it all together, there’re a few elements to rescue from the design but in general it’s overdone. The modern take is tinted with too obvious team references that make the skin subpar as a different look. If you look for a team skin, though, it certainly suffices.

Renektoy
Renektoy Splash Art Renektoy Model
Category: Regular
Price: 750 RP
Concept: Renekton as a plastic toy.
Model: New model for Renekton and his blade.
Particles: New particles for Dominus.
Animations: New taunt and death animations.
Sounds: New sounds for his death.
Splash Art: There are high hopes of a setting with much to show given the intense blur applied to it. The house wooden floor and sun-basking windows look nice enough yet somewhat empty. It’s not just the lack of detail in what is shown but also the fact that there’s little to see in what otherwise would be a residence. There seems to be some toys besides the dog bowl but that’s all the evidence left by pet and children. Of course, provided we don’t take into account a Toy-Story-inspired run for their life.
The apparition of the three toys under the sunlight is rather eye-catching. They flee with desperation from a dog that seems as playful as deadly; at least for them. Alistar displays the best shading to the point that the costume looks like photorealistic plastic. His face is a bit less convincing but still works well. The glass bottle seems a bit sketchy and the milk somewhat dense like cream but the effect is appealing. Kennen, instead, adopts a cartoony style emphasised by the streak of lighting behind him. The simpler shading and more exaggerated lines further reinforce the fact. It’s, in comparison, less attractive than Alistar’s portrayal but still effective. Renekton stands somewhat in the middle between quasi-photorealistic shading and cartoony lines. The soft shading strikes as too subdued and the outline may force the perspective a bit: the lower body seems too small. The slashing of a wet tennis ball isn’t well explained, though. Knowing Pug’Maw, he’d spit it against them but there’s no sign of it. At least, it suits the Toy Butcher.
Moving to the side and shifting focus, which is frankly ridiculous as all of the characters are of equal importance, we find Kog’Maw in dog form. Now, reassured of what we have to look at, we find that the, at times, photorealistic shading which, much like the three-dimensional skin, ends up bringing up the effects of the uncanny valley. The glassy eyes, sometimes waxy and sometimes sketchy fur, dead-like dry tongue, sketchy maw and nose, all before a body of unconvincing proportions and not entirely familiar shapes, like the legs and paws, makes for a slightly deformed dog that can appear more creepy than cute. The big eyes and maw aim at such intended cuteness but there’s obviously something off on sight.
All added together, this is an uneven splash art that provides a good context for three fleeing toys and a monstrous dog on the chase. The toys are the most appealing part given that the dog’s physique can feel off-putting when examined up close. The setting seems bare and minimal, as well as diffuse, but it frames the action well enough. What feels preposterous is that the shared splash arts blurs either toys or dog to indicate where the viewer should look at; which seems too patronising. The scene speaks for itself and as a shared splash art the spotlight should be, exactly, shared instead of focused arbitrarily. Maybe in future splash arts we’ll receive a diagram and manual to know how to go about them.
Rating: Star clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZero
Conclusion: Straightforward yet brimming with appeal Renektoy is a skin that doesn’t have any lofty aims but surely catches the eye. The model made up of connected blocks easily stands out with its soft lines and gentle curves. The result is a crocodile warrior that would appeal to any child. Perhaps he doesn’t look as scary as he could but he doesn’t lack the cartoony appeal that a favourite toy would have. Colours tend to be similar to each other, except for the dark cuirass, which is a bit of a missed opportunity to make the blade stand out. Speaking of which, the blade’s design strikes as a bit too inoffensive but its weighty shape makes up for it with sheer sturdiness.
Dominus new particles are a simple but welcome touch. The swirling loose bolts and screws reference the multiple articulations of the toy. Still, between the colour and the fact that plastic blocks are the main feature it feels a bit disconnected. The death animation is a great touch in terms of sound and disassembly that adds to the skin’s identity. It’s a pity that there aren’t more additions like it.
Overall, Renektoy is a nice skin without great ambition but with much appeal. The toy fantasy is well recreated and while there’s room to expand on it, it mostly makes for an attractive option.

Hextech Renekton
Hextech Renekton Splash Art Hextech Renekton Model
Category: Promotional (forge 10 gemstones or reroll skin shards and permanents in Hextech Crafting)
Price: Not Applicable
Concept: Renekton as a magically-fuelled abomination.
Model: New model for Renekton and his blade.
Particles: New particles for his abilities, auto-attack and recall.
Animations: New recall animation.
Sounds: New sounds for his abilities, auto-attack and recall.
Splash Art: With some effort and goodwill we can see some machinery which added to the magical chains that hold Renekton could indicate an installation where he is held captive. However, that’s as much an educated guess as a leap of the imagination. The truth is that the background is simply too blurry to make out any specific details.
Renekton’s portrayal looks rough. On the one hand it gives a certain primal power to his depiction. On the other, given the clean technological aesthetic that the Hextech line is known for, his portrayal does look sketchy and in dire need of polish. The fact that anything beneath his arms and head is obscured to the point that the new look can barely be appreciated is a bad sign. His arms do show some of the Hextech adaptation and his head is more preoccupied with communicating Renekton’s well known rage. Unfortunately, the posture and frontal view means that relevant parts of his physique are concealed. At least, the magical chains and their effects are clear and make for a nice contrast with the rest of the piece.
All in all, this is a splash art that seems to try to show as little as possible and in as rough a way as possible. With some cynicism it could be called a draft that was released without being finished. After all, the background is practically omitted and the portrayal shows only a partial view of Renekton. With a weak style and its usefulness compromised, there’s much that this piece could do better.
Rating: Star clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZero
Conclusion: Hextech Renekton looks a bit strange and that may be because instead of being a mechanical version of him he’s a being modified by magic. Thus, we find blue scales that neither look reptilian nor metallic; they seem plastic and have an ornamented design that seems out of place. The machinery in gold and with evident focus on decoration doesn’t seem like the ideal choice for a being that revels in battle either. Not only it isn’t Renekton’s style but it also doesn’t manage to give him a new style. The rage remains but covered with augmentations that are mostly show so there isn’t a lethal feel to his look. Actually, with his golden mask and golden decoration he can look rather aristocratic: as if attending a royal fancy dress party. The blade shares the same problem: it surely catches the eye but as a weapon it appears too cumbersome and focused on looks over having a deadly edge. The one feature that makes the model interesting is the screws which rise revealing a blue glow when Dominus is activated.
Particles are mainly blue trails for slashes and glows for enhancements. What stands out is the occasional use of blue streaks which give a more magical but also electric feel to his abilities. The golden highlights added to abilities when enhanced by fury make sense with the colour scheme. However, there isn’t a good transition between the golden and blue areas of ability effects so the highlights seem abrupt. Cull the Meek also shows a timid diamond pattern on the ground but it’s too brief to be noticeable. With Dominus something similar happens: the shy hextech pattern on the ground is too faint to be easily noticeable. Ruthless Predator is interesting even if not fully convincing; it doesn’t have the expected power.
Sounds belong to two areas: slashes and electricity. Slashes are a cleaner version of the classical sounds. That is, there’s a familiar and expected metallic scratch with no booming or roughness to them. It actually seems like a more conventional slash without any particular characteristics as used in any other blade-wielding character. What gives an interesting feel to abilities is the presence of electric sounds. Unfortunately, they aren’t often used. Only Dominus does employ them and for the whole duration; even if they are rather weak.
The new recall merely explains the exhaust pipes present in the blade’s inner side: they are turbines to fly with. It’s something that while not out of place seems arbitrary in the skin. There’s no hint of flying capabilities in the skin except for the blade’s design. It’s not bad, but seems unexpected.
All added together, Hextech Renekton seems unfocused and never captures the magical technology its concept is supposed to represent. It also seems unable to combine the hextech style with Renekton’s fury which seems ignored and neglected. The result has some appeal as a more polished, perhaps even aristocratic and better behaved version of Renekton. The problem is that it strikes as a washed out version of Renekton with a flashy style as compensation. Not really what a fan of the Butcher of the Sands usually looks for.

Conclusion

In general, Renekton only has good skins; it’s not as if he would allow anything else. Due to the appealing dinosaur traits and impressive blade a skin worth recommending is Prehistoric Renekton. His aspect suits the Butcher’s style effectively while also having a prehistoric feel. It’s not the perfect skin for fans of dinosaurs but fans of Renekton will find much to like.

From the more traditional options, if there’s one skin to recommend, then it would be Bloodfury Renekton: it enhances and reinforces Renekton’s nature while explicitly and proudly displaying it; though it’s a bit expensive for a re-model.

A more pretentious yet also spectacular skin is Scorched Earth Renekton. It’s a skin that emphasizes appearance above anything else. Regardless, if you don’t mind its clearly fictitious style, it can be eye-catching with its array of flames and raw power.

Of course, there are other great skins: Galactic Renekton stands as a cheap but fantastic, sci-fi option. Whereas Rune Wars Renekton gives him a layer of civility while Outback Renekton goes directly down under.

Pool Party Renekton offers the strangely fitting role of lifeguard to Renekton in which he finely revels. The general appearance may fail to impress but it surely is appealing. As far as fun goes for the Butcher, it’s the only choice.

SKT T1 Renekton is a flamboyant skin with too pronounced a tribute to the corresponding team. The modern take isn’t bad but the extravagance detracts from the few interesting design choices made. Those looking for a contemporary style will find the skin overdone but the team ad side works.

Renektoy is a simple skin with an effective result. The plastic toy fantasy is appealing with its gentle yet appealing design. Dominus doesn’t help as much the theme but the death animation is a great touch of which there should be more. If you want a toy crocodile warrior to fight your battles then there’s no better choice.

Hextech Renekton is a skin without focus. It doesn’t communicate the hextech theme well and also doesn’t effectively integrate it with Renekton’s identity. There may be some things to like in the skin but it can strike as a sanitised, flashy version of Renekton without a real reason to be so.

In the end, it’s hard to go wrong with any of Renekton’s skins so it’s better to choose based on personal preference. All the skins have good concepts and executions so all that is left is to choose your favourite and unleash the Butcher.

  55 Responses to “League of Legends: Renekton Skins’ Review”

  1. THANK YOU! I’ve been waiting for these skin reviews to see what skin to buy on Renekton. Now it’s even harder for me since you rated Bloodfury and Rune Wars 4 stars. Based on your opinion. which one is better?

    • Glad that you like it and sorry for the wait.

      If you want Renekton at his most pure then there’s no better choice than Bloodfury Renekton. In essence, it’s the butcher dressed to kill. Regardless, Rune Wars Renekton offers a more polished and even civilized look. It lack some of the visceral brutality that is so appealing in Bloodfury but it compensates with its refinement.

      To be fair, both are terrific skins but if you have to choose the safest option is Bloodfury Renekton. Rune Wars adds a different flavour while Bloodfury is raw, undiluted Renekton.

  2. First impressions on Scorched Earth Renekton?

    • It seems like an improvement over the previous version. The preposterous earring remains but the model looks good and the particles are nice. A closer look is necessary and the price will be something to take into consideration. So far it doesn’t seem bad at all.

  3. Hey zero thanks for the fast review on scorched earth renekton!i just started using the site a few days ago and i really like ur style!just one question:Do u think Riot is using eye-catching colors like Hot Red to “catch more eyes”?Looks like their using psychological tricks more than putting more work in their skins.for instance look at skins that miss fortune or katarina have.just more bends and higher heals in their models to catch the eye.just seems kind of ridiculous to me

    • There’s definitely quite a bit of that. Although Miss Fortune’s skins are a bit old many recent skins, like Slay Belle Katarina, follow the same trend. It’s understandable to have a few skins to heighten the sex appeal of a champion but there are many cases where that’s all there is, or almost. This is part of a bigger trend: looks before concept or form over function; Viktor would be disappointed.

      The thing is that the appearance of champions is relevant and has its place among skins. However, it would be nice if there were more skins that reinterpret a champion and show them under a different light. That’s the problem with Scorched Earth Renekton: it’s just the same angry crocodile but aflame. Considering he already has other skins that already display his furious side something different would be welcome.

      • honestly they do have to make the skins pretty cuz if they didnt that just wouldnt make sense and would be kind of stupid.Doing that would mean they wasted their resources and an opurtunity to make the skin look better.But especially in the splash arts they use really bright colors and revealing outfits to gain customers for the new skins.I myself do find myself falling for that and its a pretty good marketing strategy but i think it shows that they arent honest with us.Mostly in the new skins u can see really bright shades of red like in panda Annie or Scorched Earth Renekton even though the Renekton skin doesnt look half as awesome as it does in the splash art.Its just really eye-catching and kinda fools us…I now Ive been fooled by the new Ashe skin..

        • oh srry i just wanted to add this:For instance Miss Fortune is a champion COMPLETELY BASED ON SEX-APPEAL.even on her original splash art,for some unknown reason she cant even get her pants on properly :\ they have used every possible way to show more skin on her then oiled her up and there u go:Miss Fortunes splash art.Or Vi for instance,if u think the only part they really focused on is her hands ur wrong.Again another “sex champ”.From her original splash to her new skins all of them follow that trend and one of them is an abvious fetish even more than officer Caitlyn.Im not saying that I or other players dont like this(lets face it its simple biology) but i feel they arent being honest and not trying their best but instead doing these things just to get sales up.

        • We agree with you it’s understandable to a point but there’s a lot more that can be done with skins besides good looks and sex appeal. Besides, the difference between splash arts and actual in-game models can be significant in some cases. Unfortunately, it might be the best business policy and that’s something difficult to contend with.

  4. One thing worth mentioning is that Pool Party Renekton gets reduced effect from any ability related to light, like Leona’s Solar Flare, since he wears sunglasses!

    • Good point though it was supposedly removed. However, there’s no clear information about what happened with hidden passives so it could still be in effect.

  5. Why is not the image on all of the skins (not the splash art the in game image) like Pool Party Renekton and Scorched Earth they look so much better than like for examble Galactic Renekton???
    I would love if all the skins like Pool Party Renkton. 😀

    • Usually those are made by Riot to display the new features of a skin. We sometimes also do multi-panel images for the same reason. However, some skins are just a new model and so there isn’t much else to see. That’s why not all in-game images are so elaborate.

      • Ok thanks for the answer 😀 i would love if riot would do that will all of the skins 😀

        • Not at all and definitely agreed. They should also try to integrate those images into the store or, at least, in the champion’s profile so that it’s easier to check the real look of a skin. Unfortuntately, some skins aren’t even released along a good image but you can usually rely on a video.

  6. Si se pueden dar cuenta renekton tierra calcinada tiene efectos en su habilidad Dominus, por lo cual creo que deberian agregarlo, les recomiendo ver el video del skin finalizado

    • If you can give Renekton has scorched earth has an impact on their ability Dominus, so I think I should add, I recommend watching the video of the finished skin

  7. Oh, and new sounds for recall scorched earth and dominus.

  8. I have a question …. When using Dominus and cauldron back the skin of charred Land opens. Not count as an animation?

  9. Oh zero… I see something… Have a new sounds for his Slice and Dice, and i think new sounds for Ruthless Predator. 😀 Chek this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwgOYy4_CBg

    • It seems that there are new sounds for all of his abilities and also auto-attack. They are very similar to the classic sounds as they all sound like an explosion. It’s a subtle difference that’s difficult to notice in the noisy heat of battle. Although we could be hearing things we’ll list them anyway as we notice a difference.

      If anybody has more information or a way of hearing the sounds alone we’d be grateful for the tip.

  10. First I’d like to say Galactic Renekton is legacy now. Also, does the review consider last year’s changes?

    • You’re right, thanks for the correction.

      The review was updated to cover the changes after the mini-visual/texture upgrade. For example, the new boots for Outback Renekton are taken into account. They aren’t exactly welcome but push the skin more into the cartoon direction which gives the skin an identity.

      • It isn’t really ‘mini’ if you ask me. For one, many people have completely changed opinions on the Galactic skin and I’m not sure what to think of it currently, honestly. I actually just got it from a mystery gift.

        • The old images are misleading we apologize. The new Galactic Renekton seems like a polished version of the old one. It’s brighter in colours but all the elements that make Galactic attractive are there; except for the sandals.

          All in all, for the price it’s a rather good skin. Is there a specific change that has swayed former favourable opinions? We don’t notice anything major but there could be something we aren’t seeing.

  11. Can’t wait for the prehistoric reviews! (No rush though)

  12. Pool Party Renekton actually has new sounds for his abilities, or at least W, E and R. It is the sounds of those bubbles already mentioned. Also, new particles for his autoattack (a blue line following his weapon) and some subtle sounds for his recall.

    • It’s true, there were a bunch of things we omitted. Thanks for the notice, it’ll make for a much more accurate review.

  13. Looking at Prehistoric Renekton, isn’t it closer to a Spinosaurus rather than to a Dimetrodon, due to the mouth shape?

    • On a general view yes it is. We were looking for dinosaurs bigger than the famous Tyrannosaurus rex, which has very good press, but we ultimately went for what we knew. So, we identified the sail as that of the dimetrodon but the Spinosaurus look is certainly clear. After all, Spinosaurus had much in common with crocodiles; much like a gigantic version of them from what we read.

      Thanks for the information, we’ll add it to the review.

  14. Hi zero, which one do you think is better Prehistoric or Scorched Earth, in game wise (attacks and movement)

    • Scorched Earth Renekton is a rather elaborate skin that has some really good moments when he has some fury. Prehistoric is only a re-model but a good one. It depends what you want from the skin and how much you are willing to pay. If you are a fan of Renekton then it’s difficult to find a bad though some re-models should have a lower price. In the end it’s a matter of what theme you like the most and what your budget is.

      In conclusion, Scorched Earth is superior because it’s more elaborate and expensive. Regardless, Prehistoric has a very nice new model that in its modesty stands tall along the other options.

  15. Galactic Renekton’s splash art was updated, I love this skin so much!

    • We’re progressively updating splash arts as they are so many. It’s a great skin so, hopefully, the splash art will be a better representation of what it offers.

  16. Galactic Renekton has a new splash and he will be receiving a new SKT T1 skin ? Just want to see your opinion on the new Galactic splash

    • We are rather delayed in the update of the new splash arts. There’s no doubt that the new Galactic Renekton splash art is a thorough improvement over the old one. However, we’ve yet to go into specifics. We are giving top priority to new content like skins and sales so we always relegate the splash art update. We do hope to finish it at some point and as soon as we have time we’ll update more reviews.

  17. Do SKT T1 Renekton! The skin just came out and i love your review, so please do one!

  18. Hey Zero! Which skin do you think I should buy, Pool Party or SKT? Love your reviews c:

    • Pool Party Renekton offers more than SKT, new particles for example, and also SKT is too reliant on the new model. The quasi-space-age style of SKT is attractive but a lifeguard crocodile is also a rather good concept. Of course, if you like the gamer or modern style of SKT it isn’t a bad skin. Between the two we think that Pool Party is better accomplished.

  19. Am I the only one seeing a different walk animation on Renektoy? I’m almost certain he has a new animatin for that.

    • With the model being different it could look as if the animation is different. In fact, it’s possible that Renektoy’s walk has some slight alterations to accommodate to the new model. However, we don’t notice any significant change with respect to Classic Renekton’s walk; if there’s a difference it’s quite sublte. If you have more information about it we’ll give it a look and change the review as needed.

      • I found his walk animation a little Toy Soldier Gangplank-y, especially around his arm. And I have played with the skin in-game.

        • We didn’t notice anything as notorious as Toy Soldier Gangplank. We understand that, even when standing idle, Renektoy has a toy-like feel. However, that’s probably because of the model and its adapted animations.

          There may be some touches to make the animations fit the model but we don’t see anything different enough to warrant being properly new. In fact, we don’t notice anything relevant in regards to the adaptation. However, if you notice something specific we could add it to the review. Thanks for bringing this to our attention.

  20. Haio Zero, I’m looking to pick up Renekton again as he is kind of hidden op up at top lane as of right now. What skin would you recommend for him, based on how worth the aesthetics, particles and price are? Thanks in advance!

    • For a re-model Prehistoric Renekton suits him very well. It was a raw, primal feel that works very well with his personality. For something more eye-catching and a little more expensive you can get Scorched Earth Renekton. The flames as an reflection of his rage are a great touch and while it’s somewhat fantastic it’s also quite visually appealing. We’d recommend a sale to save money, though.

  21. Hey there, once again is me :D.

    Renekton got some visual updates and some of reviews maybe need adjusts. My thought on new VFX is some what a downgrade, which is similar thing that Riot did on Morgana before. Especially the Scorched Earth Renekton, his ultimate is replaced the flaming ring around him just for 1 dark red circle spare for the inner flame.

    On the other hand, New VFX is making Galatic Renekton look way much better and giving his unique E and recolored Ultimate.

    I hope you can update the reviews, also stay tuned for Hextech Renekton.

    • Hello again.

      Indeed, his VFX got updated. We haven’t yet checked but we imagined it would be mostly a technical update and polish pass that would keep the design of the abilities intanct. It seems we could be wrong. From what you say, some skins got better and other worse; which isn’t surprising seeing how uneven updates always are.

      We’ll try to give a look to Renekton’s skins. Hextech Renekton should be the first skin post VFX update and what we saw wasn’t particularly great. We’ll have to see how that extends to the rest of skins.

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