The elves are here and they bring presents, sweets and good wishes for everyone. They also wield some ranged weapons so naughty ones may choose to stay away. While they won’t do anything that Old Z couldn’t Chronoshift back to normal it’s usually wise not to anger the sasquatch. With that out of the way, let the Snowdown Showdown commence.
Category: | Legacy |
Price: | 520 RP |
Concept: | Nidalee with a snow based theme. |
Model: | New textures for Nidalee and cougar form. |
Particles: | No new particles. |
Animations: | No new animations. |
Sounds: | No new sounds. |
Splash Art: | With a background that barely suggests a setting one is left to guess that Nidalee dramatically poses as a blizzard hits the woods. The feline image behind her is a good idea that isn’t well integrated as a reference. Besides, her pose is evidently forced despite being eye-catching. The shading is quite good, though, as Nidalee looks quite believable. However, her body appears a bit too meek for a warrior of the wilds. The result is certainly a mixed bag. There are some good elements that make the piece interesting but they have to combat the background and artistic licence. |
Rating: | |
Conclusion: | Human: pale skin plus light coloured hair, clothes and javelins are the result of this re-texture. The effect isn’t bad but it isn’t anything striking either.
Cougar: a re-texture as well but while human Nidalee looks Nordic the cougar doesn’t really pass for a snow leopard; even without the mane. Overall, not a bad re-texture for its price but it could’ve had a nicer northern aesthetic. |
Category: | Legacy |
Price: | 520 RP |
Concept: | Tristana dressed as a Santa elf. |
Model: | Minor model changes for Tristana and new textures for her cannon. |
Particles: | No new particles. |
Animations: | No new animations. |
Sounds: | No new sounds. |
Splash Art: | Earnest Elf Tristana is a piece with background and foreground working in unison. The background sets the appropriate setting and mood of the piece. It’s a little blurry but the falling snow makes the effect reasonable. Tristana looks quite cute and suitably childish while holding a present; sitting on top of a chimney. The cartoon style is fitting and well done: the clothes show complex folds, different textures and her equipment clearly displays metal and wood. Consequently, this is an excellent splash art with great quality and a distinct style; one of League of Legends best. |
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Conclusion: | As a limited skin, Earnest Elf Tristana can be considered a collector’s item. Regardless, it’s a skin that may have more value for its lack of availability than the originality of its aspect. It’s not a bad looking skin but it adds very little to Tristana; just giving a Christmas reference with a new set of clothes. For a low price the skin delivers a nice look but it’s hardly worth worrying if you missed it. |
Category: | Legacy |
Price: | 520 RP |
Concept: | Teemo dressed as a Santa elf. |
Model: | Minor model changes for Teemo. |
Particles: | No new particles. |
Animations: | No new animations. |
Sounds: | No new sounds. |
Splash Art: | This splash art is very good both in technique and composition. The background is excellent because it not only provides a setting but it also reinforces the theme and engages the viewer. The snow, trees and sky are okay but Santa’s sledge crossing the Moon and the snowman, with more than a passing resemblance to Urgot, are great additions. Teemo is well depicted, even though the fur and clothes look quite solid, the overall quality of the drawing is good. All things considered, this is a very nice piece and one of League of Legends’ best. |
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Conclusion: | Happy Elf Texture is mostly a re-texture of Teemo with a new cap. It’s not a bad re-texture because it does try to convey the Christmas spirit; as the candy scrolls demonstrate. The clothes are alright and except for the stretching of Teemo’s ears everything seems acceptable. For the price it provides enough but it certainly isn’t a great skin. For collectors it may be valuable but most people won’t have to worry about missing it. |
Category: | Legacy |
Price: | 520 RP |
Concept: | Zilean as a time-travelling Santa. |
Model: | Minor model changes for Zilean and his time machine. |
Particles: | No new particles. |
Animations: | No new animations. |
Sounds: | No new sounds. |
Splash Art: | As far as backgrounds go this one is effective and up to the point: a Field of Justice with Christmas, or Snowdown, decorations. It’s all rather dark and plain but it sets the mood and serves as a proper frame. Zilean’s depiction makes ample use of frosty sparks to augment the drama; including a Teemo-cuckoo. The portrayal is rather good and clear and surely serves as a nice spotlight. However, it does generate expectations that the actual model can’t reach. It’s definitely a good splash art but a tad misleading. |
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Conclusion: | Old Saint Zilean is direct about its concept but also simplistic in its approach. The model is barely but suitably changed so that the intent is clearly dispatched. However, the implementation is so limited that it hardly stands out. Thus, what it does it does well, but it doesn’t do much to start with. If you caught Old Saint Zilean during his time lapse it’s hardly a bad Christmas skin, yet those that didn’t won’t be missing much. |
Category: | Legacy |
Price: | 520 RP |
Concept: | Nunu and Willump dressed as Santa helpers. |
Model: | Minor model changes for Nunu and moderate model changes for Willump. |
Particles: | No new particles. |
Animations: | No new animations. |
Sounds: | No new sounds. |
Splash Art: | Mostly blue shades and snowflakes, the background hints at a snowed forest but doesn’t elaborate on the setting. It looks a bit like filler and it may well be. Nunu and Willump don’t look much better either: they seem like a shot of the three-dimensional model with some shading added over. The general look is rather rough and doesn’t really stand out in terms of quality. On the whole, it’s a passable splash art that does its job but seems to be outdated. |
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Conclusion: | Workshop Nunu is direct and unimaginative in its approach to Christmas. Willump is crudely outfitted in a Santa suit and Nunu hides behind his hat with only the aforementioned as an addition. The concept is realized and the reference clear but the result is more a quick solution than an elaborate or clever concoction. Collector’s and avid Nunu fans will probably value this skin but there are much better exponents of the Christmas spirit available. |
Conclusion
This year is quite humble in terms of Christmas spirit: it’s there but not embraced much. The recommended skins are Earnest Elf Tristana and Happy Elf Teemo merely because they suit the concept better than the others. Old Saint Zilean isn’t bad either but the time warlock elements are a bit too obvious.
Snow Bunny Nidalee and Workshop Nunu do offer something fitting, in theory, but the execution is too thinly related to the idea behind these skins. Dedicated fans or collectors may find them appealing but, ultimately, they don’t offer much.
There seems to be a mistake for Nunu’s skin on this page. I believe it is Workshop Nunu instead of Sasquatch Nunu.
Just a heads up!
You are right, sorry for the mistake.