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League of Legends: Leona Skins’ Review – StrategyZero
Feb 232012
 
Leona, the Radiant Dawn
Leona, the Radiant Dawn

Leona, the Radiant Dawn is a champion entirely based on the theme of a protector. Her skins are not an exception so whether she dresses more avian or spiky Leona is ready to defend while sporting some good looks. If you need some guidance as to which of Leona’s skin to purchase, lean on this review.

Valkyrie Leona
Valkyrie Leona Splash Art Valkyrie Leona Model
Category: Regular
Price: 520 RP
Concept: Leona dressed as a Valkyrie from the poems of the Poetic Edda.
Model: New model for Leona, her sword and shield.
Particles: No new particles.
Animations: No new animations.
Sounds: No new sounds.
Splash Art: The art offers a fresh and nice representation of Leona. The lighter colours, her pose and the rich bucolic background make the piece feel vivid and relaxed. Details abound like the dents on the shield or the reflections on the armour and sword. Without doubt one of the finest pieces of splash art available.
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Conclusion: Leona dressed as a Valkyrie is a good concept that is well executed. Even if her body armour is lighter than usual her model is elaborate and original: every aspect of her is different from Classic Leona. Each piece of armour contributes to the whole feel and provides an alternative novel look at the armour-heavy Leona. At this price point it’s unusual to find such a nice and thorough model for a champion. If you like Leona you should consider getting Valkyrie Leona.

Defender Leona
Defender Leona Splash Art Defender Leona Model
Category: Legacy
Price: 750 RP
Concept: Leona wears heavy battle-worn armour.
Model: New model for Leona, her sword and shield.
Particles: No new particles.
Animations: No new animations.
Sounds: No new sounds.
Splash Art: The art shows Leona defiantly standing in front of a battle-torn landscape. Leona’s armour evokes the same feeling, dented and scratched but standing. While the background appears a bit simple the amount of detail on Leona and her dramatic stance are able to evoke the urgency of the situation. When a piece is able to capture a moment and transmit it’s feel it means that it’s something special.
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Conclusion: Defender Leona is a very well done skin that shows Leona as the vanguard of a staunch defence. Dents and cracks cover the whole armour, though the armour inexplicably doesn’t cover Leona’s right arm, and not even the sword and shield are spared of battle marks. The consistency of the model, reliance on darker tones and aggressive spikes convey a dedication to protecting that perfectly fits Leona. Moreover, it helps it stand apart from the other, brighter, skins. Few skins carry out a concept this well and for that Defender Leona is recommended.

Iron Solari Leona
Iron Solari Leona Splash Art Iron Solari Leona Model
Category: Regular
Price: 975 RP
Concept: Leona dresses in avian-themed armour as a member of the Iron Solari.
Model: New model for Leona, her sword and shield.
Particles: New particles for Eclipse, Zenith Blade and Solar Flare.
Animations: No new animations.
Sounds: No new sounds.
Splash Art: Leona is a protector and the art perfectly reflects that as she is shown before the quarters of the Iron Solari. The sun shining on her remind of her commitment to the Sun while it highlights the intricacies of her armour. The background compliments the piece and spreads the avian theme all over the piece. A great work with a consistent and original theme.
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Conclusion: Iron Solari Leona could be considered the best skin that Leona has available. While the source material wasn’t serious the dedication provided to this model definitely was. The avian theme permeates the whole model; feather-based sword, feathered armour and bird-emblem shield. Moreover, her abilities are changed to contribute to the Iron Solari theme. Unless the idea of the Iron Solari parrot-faction doesn’t convince you, you shouldn’t miss Iron Solari Leona.

Pool Party Leona
Pool Party Leona Splash Art Pool Party Leona Model
Category: Regular
Price: 975 RP
Concept: Leona dressed for the beach with sunflower adornments.
Model: New model for Leona, her sword and shield.
Particles: New Zenith Blade particles.
Animations: New recall animation.
Sounds: New auto-attack sounds.
Splash Art: The beach, a mermaid and Ezreal in a bad mood while Lux and Taric run, is the setting. Leona looks good but the background seems more interesting than her simple pose. At least her portrayal is quite nice as she seems to have all the necessary tools to enjoy a comfortable stay under the sun. The shading is also quite detailed and nice even if a tad too saturated. All in all, it’s good splash art that does a good job at alluringly presenting Leona. Although, the background steals the show more than it should.
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Conclusion: Pool Party Leona is essentially the Radiant Dawn as a beachgoer. The clothes display Leona as an attractive lady without leaving her half-naked. Besides, the impractical parasol and board suffice as weapons for battle. The new sounds are good at complementing the change as well as the new particles. The recall is particularly appealing as a welcome finishing touch. On the whole, Pool Party Leona is a lovely skin that could’ve toyed more with her solar thematic. It’s certainly a good choice for Leona’s fans but it doesn’t do enough to really stand out.

PROJECT: Leona
PROJECT: Leona Splash Art PROJECT: Leona Model
Category: Regular
Price: 1350 RP
Concept: Leona as a hi-tech defender.
Model: New model for Leona, her sword and shield plus new glow for her sword and shield.
Particles: New particles for her abilities, auto-attack and death.
Animations: New recall animation.
Sounds: New sounds for her abilities, auto-attack and recall. Processed voice-over and two new movement quotes.
Splash Art: Not much is clear in the background but the sense of a futuristic city abundant in neon and electronics manages to sip through the small cracks we are allowed to peek through. For some reason the floor appears quite diffuse but it doesn’t convince as dust due to the rain. The centre of the piece is certainly Leona crushing androids left and right.
Leona’s portrayal is eye-catching due to her stance and the combat context. It does seem more realistic in the surrounding parts and more cartoony in the centre; which is puzzling. Her face appears almost photorealistic as well as her left arm, and the androids, while her right arm and legs are almost there. However, in comparison, the helmet but especially her body seem flat and devoid of the depth that the other areas have; the same applies to the light sources. In spite of this issue the depiction is quite detailed and the running water over the armour helps alleviate some of the problems. Both shield and sword attacks are magnificently made as they eloquently attract the eye while stating the cybernetic theme.
All in all, it’s an uneven piece that suffers from the exact inverse problem as most other splash arts. Whereas most pieces are only clear in the central area this one seems flatter just there. Regardless, it something subtle so the portrayal is great, which added to the context and setting, make for an incredible splash art that can be considered among League of Legends’ best.
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Conclusion: At first sight, PROJECT: Leona looks more like a heavily armoured warrior than a cyborg. That suits her well as she’s known for her preference for good protection; at her service and others. In that regard, the new model preserves her core while communicating the cybernetic theme effectively. In particular, the transparent blade and shield wings are a great touch to make the theme clear and also visually appealing. The added glow is icing on a fine cake.
The particles have a fitting technological feel and so do the sounds. In both areas they are too strictly limited by the theme and so they can feel too similar to the usual. The digital waves provide a unifying design but also lack variety. Nevertheless, they are attractive and do their job. The enlarged shield when activating Eclipse isn’t as noticeable as in other skins but the aura of protection seems more satisfying with its animation. The teleport employed by Zenith Blade is a great choice so that Leona appears mighty yet surprisingly nimble; which is to be expected thanks to the artificial enhancements. The new recall conforms to the expected flamboyance without being an exaggeration. The modified particles added to her death keep everything consistent and further stress the digital angle of the concept; like the processed voice-over.
All things considered, PROJECT: Leona is a good skin but one that doesn’t go far beyond the usual additions. The new death particles are the only addition the skin has beyond the norm but as it’s necessary to keep cohesion it doesn’t really feel like a true extra. Fans of technology and Leona will find PROJECT a nice skin but one to get on sale.

Barbecue Leona
Barbecue Leona Splash Art Barbecue Leona Model
Category: Regular
Price: 750 RP
Concept: Leona as a griller, ready for a fight with fork and grill in hand
Model: New model for Leona, her sword and shield plus new sparks for her shield.
Particles: New shape for Zenith Blade.
Animations: No new animations.
Sounds: No new sounds.
Splash Art: With regards to a setting there isn’t much to speak of as there’s only a very blurry image of Master Chef Tahm Kench overlooking the meeting. There’s a paper lamp at the top and a table layered with all kind of delicacies. Still, the actual place is unidentifiable. Because of the multitude of utensils at the forefront a kitchen seems reasonable enough but the context eludes definition. There’s the possibility of a reunion of friends or a culinary competition but nothing concrete. The table also seems rather rustic, even like a slab of stone if the area near Olaf’s left hand is of any consequence. The food on display is also of uneven quality. The sausages and bread can look photorealistic and almost smell delicious while the crab pincer and the steak appear sketchy and unconvincing; other examples abound. The sashimi and its ingredients stand in the middle: cartoony but believable.
For the most part the cooks share the available space equitably. They are only visible from the waist up but they usually manage to transmit their speciality. Lines are clean and colours have different tones though they turn waxy when moving from left to right. Whereas Akali’s shading is sharp, Pantheon shows sketchy signs which Leona emphasises and Olaf only confirms. Additionally, there isn’t as good a connection between the cooks as there could be despite their proximity. Akali seems distracted, perhaps by the subtlety of a certain meat tenderiser, or maybe she’s simply staring vacantly into space; though that doesn’t seem to affect her concentration while chopping away. What she’s actually chopping isn’t clear but the result seems grated. Pantheon, with unexpectedly large rolling pin behind, is solely focused on admiring his masterpiece while Leona, escaping the encroaching fog, inspects the quality of the sausage’s grilling with satisfaction; as would be expected. Olaf pours all of his skill in making sure that the steak is tender and nice; a lesson the poor meat will have to learn. In other words, everybody is dedicated to their own activities so they could perfectly be on their own and each portrayal would be unmodified in the least.
All in all, this is a piece that crams as many champions as possible, a full team actually, into as little room as it can. While that means that some sacrifices need to be made it isn’t the main responsible for the uninvolved portrayal of cooks. Each one is solely interested in their own work and there’s no interaction between them. Given that the setting is as basic as it could be the splash art feels too straightforward and, ultimately, disappointingly simple. When all is said and done, it works as a shared spotlight for the cooks but it does nothing to make the presentation captivating.
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Conclusion: For a straightforward joke Barbecue Leona is quite appealing. The hat, though too small, apron and mittens are eloquent about her role while the napkin around the neck, baggy trousers and leather boots give a countryside air to the look. The nicely decorated apron matching the golden lined shirt gives a fine air of elegance. As is expected, the sausage-tipped fork and grill take charge of the preposterous side of the skin. The new weapons are to add the funny side of the skin. The fork with sausage firmly in place is amusing but the grill seems less inventive. It’s a flat, solid surface that looks more like a shield with a little forge than a cooking implement. The new sparks add to that idea more than to the original concept, also. Besides, it’s not exactly the ideal choice for a shield. An interruption would cause the cook to naturally grab a fork or knife, sausage on it or not, but the grill seems an ineffective and unconvincing stretch. The result is appealing for the most part and is a look at Leona’s cooking activity with an added exaggeration. With a less direct and forced joke the feel would’ve been more natural.
The particles are nothing significant but keep things consistent. Specifically, the new shape for Zenith Blade matches her new sword. That’s all there is of note in the ability department.
When all is added together, Barbecue Leona is a fine joke that also presents the Radiant Dawn in her cooking adventures; perhaps grabbing what she had at hand to defend herself. The skin’s identity is attractive but the pull of the joke means that exaggeration is necessary to cause a laugh and that dilutes the sensible and cute personality otherwise present.

Solar Eclipse Leona
Solar Eclipse Leona Splash Art Solar Eclipse Leona Model
Category: Legendary
Price: 1820 RP (1001 RP, 45% off, if you own Lunar Eclipse Leona)
Concept: Leona as a crusading knight of the Sun.
Model: New model for Leona, her sword and shield plus minor model changes and new model glow for Solar Flare.
Particles: New particles for her abilities, auto-attack, emotes, high-speed run, death, respawn and recall.
Animations: New animations for her abilities, auto-attack, critical hits, standing idle, walk, high-speed run, plus new animations for emotes, death, respawn and recall.
Sounds: New sounds for her abilities, auto-attacks, emotes, high-speed run, death, respawn and recall. New voice-over with new quotes when buying items, specific interactions with certain champions, starting the game and killing enemies.
Splash Art: With some many similarities between Solar Eclipse and Lunar Eclipse Leona their splash arts aren’t far from being a re-colour. First we’ll go over the common design and then delve into specifics. The setting or the absence of a proper context is one thing that easily comes to the forefront, besides how blurry it is. From what little can be seen there’s the interior of a temple or cathedral with gothic architecture. The highlight of shadows is different between Sun and Moon so that they look warm and cold, respectively. Unfortunately, the background is devoid of elements which directly reference either heavenly body. The result is a setting which ends up feeling generic.
Leona’s portrayal is clearer, as usual, but with a touch of sketchiness which gives her a rough look. This matches the grim and gritty approach of the concept. The elaborate, decorated armour plates are prominently displayed but her sword and shield only partially. For being so important they seem relegated. That matters mostly because the shield is mainly covered by a rather blurry cape which doesn’t add anything substantial. The loincloth also covers her right leg as a less serious repetition of the same incident. The perspective allows Leona to look imposing and the might of the Sun or Moon to glow strong as her support. Conversely, highlights of the magical power on sword and shield are quite weak.
On specifics, Solar Eclipse Leona manages royal warmth combined with stern might. Lunar Eclipse manages royal coldness combined with stern might. It’s an interesting approach but the only differences are given by the colour palette and the interpretations natural of sunlight and moonlight.
The result is two splash arts that simply can’t shake the fact that they are a re-colour of each other. In spite of some minor differences in Leona’s look and the light in use the message is essentially the same. Thus, as presentation cards, they work, as legendary splash arts, they could’ve tried harder and as different views of complementary characters, they disappoint.
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Conclusion: As much as we may try to see the differences between Solar Eclipse and Lunar Eclipse Leona we are left with the feeling that they are too similar. Whereas Leona and Diana could be seen as two sides of the same coin here we have two reflections of the same image: that image is Classic Leona. In this case, the concept is clear: crusading knight of the Sun. The idea is a reinterpretation of the knight with dark fantasy behind it. The result is a Leona with more aggressive armour and weapons yet still ornamented in a ceremonial way. Whereas Solar Eclipse seems blunter Lunar Eclipse seems leaner yet we are talking about subtleties like the shape of the swords’ blades, shields’ symbol, hairstyle, tiara and spaulders. In terms of model, what stands out the most is the colour palette. The changes given by Solar Flare are similar between the skins. In comparison with the base look they enhance each models’ main features. Solar Eclipse Leona becomes more aggressive, with a burning fire coming through her armour and the Sun glowing behind her. It’s a nice effect which adds to the skin’s personality.
Particles are uneven. The glowing orbs on impact are a nice effect. However, Sunlight and Shield of Daybreak look too timid. At least, the shield glow of Shield of Daybreak is rather nice. The other abilities show ornamented designs which suit the ceremonial decoration of the armour. Eclipse stands out with its explosion pattern. Solar Flare also shows an appealing explosion pattern as well as circular effects for the beam of light.
Sounds are metallic with an echo added for impacts and explosions. When solar energy is used there’s a burning energy but the metallic feel remains regardless of the prevalence of melee strikes or pure magic. While the consistency is commendable the aural landscape doesn’t always make sense.
Animations tend to be rather similar to the classic counterpart but with a subtle rising of the shield, which is good. Eclipse and Solar Flare stand out a bit more than others as well as auto-attacks. The arrival animation for the recall is quite good, too. Still, by and large, there aren’t any real highlights.
The result is a skin which can be considered a concentrated, distilled version of Leona. In this regard the concept hardly offers anything new. Fortunately, the implementation is quite good. It may be more of the same but the darker approach makes Solar Eclipse Leona feel novel. It’s certainly a skin for Leona’s fans but a worthwhile choice.

Lunar Eclipse Leona
Lunar Eclipse Leona Splash Art Lunar Eclipse Leona Model
Category: Legendary
Price: 1820 RP (1001 RP, 45% off, if you own Solar Eclipse Leona)
Concept: Leona as a crusading knight of the Moon.
Model: New model for Leona, her sword and shield plus minor model changes and new model glow for Solar Flare.
Particles: New particles for her abilities, auto-attack, emotes, high-speed run, death, respawn and recall.
Animations: New animations for her abilities, auto-attack, critical hits, standing idle, walk, high-speed run, plus new animations for emotes, death, respawn and recall.
Sounds: New sounds for her abilities, auto-attacks, emotes, high-speed run, death, respawn and recall. New voice-over with new quotes when buying items, specific interactions with certain champions, starting the game and killing enemies.
Splash Art: With some many similarities between Solar Eclipse and Lunar Eclipse Leona their splash arts aren’t far from being a re-colour. First we’ll go over the common design and then delve into specifics. The setting or the absence of a proper context is one thing that easily comes to the forefront, besides how blurry it is. From what little can be seen there’s the interior of a temple or cathedral with gothic architecture. The highlight of shadows is different between Sun and Moon so that they look warm and cold, respectively. Unfortunately, the background is devoid of elements which directly reference either heavenly body. The result is a setting which ends up feeling generic.
Leona’s portrayal is clearer, as usual, but with a touch of sketchiness which gives her a rough look. This matches the grim and gritty approach of the concept. The elaborate, decorated armour plates are prominently displayed but her sword and shield only partially. For being so important they seem relegated. That matters mostly because the shield is mainly covered by a rather blurry cape which doesn’t add anything substantial. The loincloth also covers her right leg as a less serious repetition of the same incident. The perspective allows Leona to look imposing and the might of the Sun or Moon to glow strong as her support. Conversely, highlights of the magical power on sword and shield are quite weak.
On specifics, Solar Eclipse Leona manages royal warmth combined with stern might. Lunar Eclipse manages royal coldness combined with stern might. It’s an interesting approach but the only differences are given by the colour palette and the interpretations natural of sunlight and moonlight.
The result is two splash arts that simply can’t shake the fact that they are a re-colour of each other. In spite of some minor differences in Leona’s look and the light in use the message is essentially the same. Thus, as presentation cards, they work, as legendary splash arts, they could’ve tried harder and as different views of complementary characters, they disappoint.
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: As much as we may try to see the differences between Solar Eclipse and Lunar Eclipse Leona we are left with the feeling that they are too similar. Whereas Leona and Diana could be seen as two sides of the same coin here we have two reflections of the same image: that image is Classic Leona. In this case, the concept is clear: crusading knight of the Moon. The idea is a reinterpretation of the knight with dark fantasy behind and a small shift in allegiance. The result is a Leona with aggressive armour and weapons yet still ornamented in a ceremonial way. Whereas Solar Eclipse seems blunter Lunar Eclipse seems leaner yet we are talking about subtleties like the shape of the swords’ blades, shields’ symbol, hairstyle, tiara and spaulders. In terms of model, what stands out the most is the colour palette. The changes given by Solar Flare are similar between the skins. In comparison with the base look they enhance each models’ main features. Lunar Eclipse Leona becomes more supernatural, with a bright moonlight coming through her armour and a halo glowing behind her. It’s a nice effect which adds to the skin’s personality.
Particles are uneven. The glowing orbs on impact are a nice effect. However, Sunlight and Shield of Daybreak look too timid. At least, the shield glow of Shield of Daybreak is rather nice. The other abilities show ornamented designs which suit the ceremonial decoration of the armour. Eclipse stands out with its bright circular design for the buff. Explosion patterns, unlike Solar Eclipse, tend to be sparse and less interesting that Solar Eclipse’s.
Sounds are metallic with an echo added for impacts and explosions. When lunar energy is used there’s a stronger echo so that the metallic feel remains regardless of the prevalence of melee strikes or pure magic. While the consistency is commendable the aural landscape doesn’t always make sense.
Animations tend to be rather similar to the classic counterpart but with a subtle rising of the shield, which is nice. Eclipse and Solar Flare stand out a bit more than others as well as auto-attacks. The arrival animation for the recall is quite good, too. Still, by and large, there aren’t any real highlights.
The result is a skin which can be considered a reflection of Solar Eclipse Leona. In this regard the concept offers little new: a different take which keeps the core intact. Fortunately, the implementation is quite good. However, particles don’t seem as evocative as Solar Eclipse. The good thing is that the lunar approach makes the visuals feel fresher. In the end, it’s a more supernatural approach with a lot of similarities to Solar Eclipse Leona. Still, it’s a good skin for Leona’s fans but only as an alternative to Solar Eclipse.

Conclusion

Leona has a wonderful collection of skins, all different and inspiring. From the serenity of Valkyrie Leona to the stern dedication of Defender Leona, without ignoring the parrot-esque Iron Solari Leona or the beach-inspired Pool Party Leona, none of her skins disappoint.

Regardless, when the time comes to make purchases Iron Solari Leona stands above thanks to its new particles. Both Defender and Valkyrie Leona are also good, though a bit more modest, so you can choose based on concept or price. Pool Party Leona is also a fine option for something less serious despite not making the most of its concept.

At the highest price comes PROJECT: Leona with attractive digital visuals and sounds. The theme is clear and fittingly adapted for the Radiant Dawn but there’s nothing beyond the expected additions. It remains a fine skin but one that needs to offer more to really excel.

Barbecue Leona is a skin with an appealing identity that shows a cooking Radiant Dawn at the ready for a fight. The presentation is quite appealing and the implementation consistent. However, the identity is made to take an extra step beyond the amusing to be funny and that ends up compromising the pleasing and sensible personality. It’s a nice skin but the plain statement of the joke doesn’t make it funnier.

Solar Eclipse and Lunar Eclipse are two flavours of the same idea; which is a dark fantasy reinterpretation of Classic Leona. Solar Eclipse is more aggressive while Lunar Eclipse is more supernatural but the differences are subtle so the choice is mainly based on preference. Solar Eclipse Leona is a worthwhile reinterpretation of the Radiant Dawn. Lunar Eclipse Leona is an alternative, still good, for those that prefer the minor differences offered.

No matter what you buy, it’s difficult to go wrong with any of Leona’s skins. Some are certainly more attractive than others yet all skins offer something unique and interesting.

  36 Responses to “League of Legends: Leona Skins’ Review”

  1. Isn’t the particles on Iron Solari Leona’s Eclipse the same?

    • Apparently not as the magical explosion has a different pattern. Although, to be fair, it’s not as noticeable as it should probably be.

  2. Nice review of all the current skin. though cheaper with little to no changes, I decided to buy Valkyrie Leona. Iron Solari doesn’t seem toattract me more than Valkyrie.

    • Glad that you like it. Truth be told, Valkyrie Leona offers a new model for her that is quite appealing even if somewhat fantastic. It may not have new particles but, for the price, it’s quite nice.

      Iron Solari seems more sensible, in terms of gear, with a clear bird design; of a parrot, specifically. The nice model and new particles make it a great option for the price but it also falls under the ‘new armour’ skin category. Valkyrie is more of a departure and so it stands out more.

  3. In the Iron Solare skin, there is an animation on her shield, the wings opens when she uses her w.

    • We are aware and that’s an animation that happens in all of her other skins; even the classic one. The shield is composed of three parts and the ones on the sides extend to provide more protection when Eclipse is activated. It’s a nice touch that remains across skins but with some differences due to the dissimilar shield designs.

  4. fun fact, you can see leonas underwear when she goes into a bush in the valkyrie leona skin

    • We read about that somewhere though we don’t remember much about it. If we recall correctly, correctly it’s because when hidden the game displays a lower layer of the model so it gives that impression.

  5. Yas, Project Leona is out, to be fair, I do think that the overall theme is consistent, even though basic, but what are your thoughts is it worth the price?

    • Yes, we think PROJECT: Leona is worth its price. We were expecting more but it may be one of the skins, along with Zed, that does the most to realize its theme. The new glow for her weapons and the new death glow help add some extra complexity to a skin that mostly does the usual.

      We still would advise to get it on sale; especially as one is coming soon, not the best discount but useful. There’s little reason to spend 375 RP extra to get a border as the skin doesn’t benefit from it. Better to save the RP and get something else you like.

      • thank you for this! such a great review ^_^ i just needed someone to say the border has no benefit, it just looks nice. i shall wait for the rp price to drop for sure now.

        • Not at all, glad that you like it.

          Definitely, there’s no point in spending so much for a simple border. We understand the desire to have a collector’s item but the cost is too high for so little. If it were instead a matter of buy early and you get a bonus then that’s something else.

          Take into consideration that two 1350 RP skins bought with the border means an extra expense of 750 RP. That’s the full price of a re-model skin or enough to get a PROJECT skin on a regular sale: 675 RP.

          To be fair, the idea is understandable but the price makes no sense.

  6. Project Leona also has 2 new lines “Pen or sword – the shield is mightiest.” and “The day is upon us.”

  7. Eh, I personally feel that PROJECT Leona is worth 2 Stars, just think the w and ult are beyond lackluster but good reviews nonetheless.

    • In our view more could’ve been done with the PROJECT skins. The price is high so we are to believe that they’ll have some extras beyond the usual changes of new model, particles and sounds. Besides glowing weapons and Leona’s new death particles there’s nothing special; a couple of quotes as well as processed voice-overs should also be mentioned.

      The particles are a bit too strict with regards to the visuals but the result is good. Eclipse seems to be well done with different visuals for each of the three stages of the ability and a few extra animations for said particles. The enlarged shield isn’t as obvious as in other skins but, overall, the ability looks good. We agree, nothing is truly spectacular but we think that the general result is good.

      In the end is a matter of taste but we agree on the fact that we expected much more; especially considering the great presentation that PROJECT has received.

  8. Hey strategy zero! As a big Leona skin and owner of half her skins, I just want to give my two cents about some of the skins as someone who has played Leona extensively, to reiterate some of your points and just help Leona fans choose a skin.

    I own Iron Solari, Valkyrie and Project Leona, and for the most part I completely agree with your review of them.

    First I got Valkyrie and Iron Solari, as a gift and a purchase, and I think both of these are very solid choices. However, I would say, for dedicated fans, Iron Solari is definitely the superior one, enhancing the militaristic aspects of Leona and developing the Solari religion into a military order. The model is gorgeous and her minor particle changes to her E, W and R are a nice touch, although they are not substantial. It’s a very solid skin that is worth at full price and further complements Leona’s personality, although it is nothibg that goes beyond that. I strongly recommend it.

    Valkyrie is a lovely skin and good for those who don’t want to spend too much money on skins. With that said, for me it’s charm quickly wore off and I would say Iron Solari feels like a more satisfying skin. If you want a pretty, fantasy Leona for a small price, then it’s good, otherwise look at the other options.

    Finally, Project Leona is a skin that, at first, I thought is not worth its price and I would generally pass. Recently, however, I got it in hextech and played it for a couple of games and I have to say – it is a very, very satisfying skin with a few flaws. Thematically it’s very consistent, with eye-catching and cool particles, a rather serious, yet fitting model, and gorgeous weapons. Thematically, it perfectly fits Leona and she feels like an actual cyborg warrior, she has an almost “digital paladin” feel which is very cool and satisfying.

    When it comes to particles, initially I thought they are all lackluster, but as I played it I can say the following: her W, E and R feel very, very satisfying and powerful. They are intricate, very well done and actually quite awesome within the theme of Project. With that said, I have minor issues with her Q and passive. The Q stun, which on classic feels powerful, in Project feels more like a “love tap” rather than a powerful shield bash, and not because of the particles, but the soft digital sounds that accompany it. Likewise, her passive is very soft and actually hard to see – quite often I can’t really see who I’ve marked and who has my passive triggered. These soft particles are more visible on a single enemy unit, but easily get lost in the thick of battle, which really reduces visibility and satisfaction. To an extent that is also true for W’s explosion, although the aura makes up for it. Thus, the main flaw is really with the softness of some particles and the soft digital sounds that come with them. These do not impair gmseplay seriously, but they could be better done. Thus, I would say Project Leona is definitely worth it and is a skin I highly recommend – but when discounted or gifted. I was lucky enough to get it in hextech and I love it, even with its small flaws.

    So, definitely consider getting either Iron Solari or Project (on sale) , as these are for me the best skins right now.

    If you prefer something more fun, choosing between Pool Party and Barbecue, I would say Pool Party is slightly more interesting and creative as it’s model and silhouette deviates much more and this gives the fun a novel appearance. Still, barbecue is also nice – really depends on the theme you enjoy more.

    Whatever you choose, you really can’t go wrong with any of Leona’s skins – just follow your heart on what looks and feels like the best purchase for you and which theme attracts you the most. Again, I highly recommend Iron Solari or Project (on discount) . Hope my personal experience with these skins was useful for you guys!

    • Thanks for the detailed analysis of skins. We agree with you so we actually have nothing specific to add to the points you raise. We do find one omission: Defender Leona. We’d like to defend, ahem, the skin adding that it’s a great re-model that reinterprets Leona in a grittier and perhaps more practical way; she still wears high heels though. Still, it exemplifies how the core concept of a defender can remain while interpreted under a different, dimmer, light.

      It’s only a re-model so there won’t be any other extras to notice. Besides, it can look a bit washed out, it’s the idea of the skin in a way, but the point remains. Regardless, it’s a skin that adds a different flavour to the Radiant Dawn with more emphasis on her role and less on the Sun; the shield only shows a slight connection to it. Therefore, we’d say that it’s a worthwhile skin for fans of Leona.

      In the end, we agree: it’s difficult to go wrong with Leona’s skins. Some skins may be better executed than others and some concepts may be more interesting or original than others but there’s nothing that is bad. it’s a matter of choosing what you like best and let Leona take care of looking good and spread the radiance.

  9. Valkyrie Leona is just such a horrible skin…. Splash art is not as good as in game

    • The splash at is of little relevance when in-game. We review skins based on what you actually get in the battlefield. We can agree that a skin should have a good presentation card. However, what really matters is what you experience in-game.

  10. “A mermaid”, are you serious? Nami’s my favourite champion :'(

    Apart from this, thanks for all your insight; it’s a fine read when you wanna delay bedtime but don’t feel like playing 🙂

    I’m gonna go for Barbecue Leona because… I just love the joke, and her face looks drop-dead stunning in the splash art. I am definitely disappointed with the grill-shield indeed; but what can I say, the ensemble seduces me 🙂

    • Well, we didn’t want to spoil all the fun of finding Nami in the splash art. We ought to mention that there’s a nice cameo but we always try not to ruin surprises.

      Glad that you like the reviews. Hope they are as useful as they are entertaining.

      Barbecue Leona is actually a rather charming skin. Had it employed a different approach it could’ve been fantastic. The problem with the exaggeration is that it gets in the way of her appeal. If the skin instead tried to show her as a cook, not perfect but not trying to be funny either, it could’ve benefited from Leona’s charm more. Still, it’s hardly a bad skin by any means.

  11. It seems PROJECT: Leona will be on sale for 675 RP this December. I know you gave a rating for that skin when it is full price (1350 RP). How will you rate it and how many stars will you give it when you consider the price as 675 RP? Thank you for taking time to respond to this. I look toward to your analysis and response.

    • We take into account whether a skin can be put in sale or not. That’s why we are more strict with legacy skins because their price can’t change; they are also supposed to be special and so better than usual. In sale, we’d say that it’s a more palatable skin to get; which is why the review recommends to get on sale.

      In other words, if you like PROJECT: Leona then the sale is the best time to get it. It’s a bit straightforward but the result is nice. While the implemenation could’ve gone further with the changes what is present is appealing. With a lower price then you can lower the entry barrier.

  12. Hi! I wanted to say that Project: Leona has a back animation too. I also wanted to ask what should I get between Project or Iron Solari Leona? Iron Solari looks a little old to me since the splash-art looks pretty out-dated compared to the others… I love your reviews, they are so great!

    • Glad that you like the reviews.

      What do you mean by a ‘back animation’? We don’t understand the action and her back doesn’t seem to have any new effects beside the new model.

      If you find Iron Solari Leona outdated let it be because of the model and particles not being as elaborate as PROJECT. The splash art, besides being a presentation card that is only partially used when loading a match doesn’t have any use in-game; little portrait on the corner aside.

      There’s no doubt that PROJECT has an advantage over Iron Solari but it’s also more expensive. Both are good skins but chances are that the parrot joke of Iron Solari isn’t what it used to be. It’s still a nice skin with an appealing bird motif. PROJECT is also good but we would’ve like to see more depth in the cyber side.

      We’d recommend to get the skins on sale: PROJECT is expensive and Iron Solari may not be up to par with nowadays level. Neither is a bad skin but PROJECT may be a choice that is more apt if you are used to the current technical development of skins.

      • A re-spawn one. I meant she does something after recalling I didn’t know the term

        • After recall they call it windup animation; if we are not mistaken. Respawn is when the champion comes back to life after being killed.

  13. Hey StrategyZero team, long time no see! I didn’t follow up on my application to join you due to time constraints and personal reasons, but I still follow your reviews.

    I wanted to ask what you guys think of the new Leona legendary skins. I’ve been a Leona main for quite some time and as you may see in this thread, I’ve already left my opinions on most of her skins. With the Solar and Lunar Eclipse, however, I have to say I was mindblown and really curious about your preliminary thoughts.

    Although the idea of alternate skin versions is new, I have to say I was impressed by both skins as I tried them on the PBE. In a way, Solar Leona is a heightened but darker version of herself – while classic Leona is a protector, Solar Eclipse Leona is an aggressive knight-paladin who seeks to vanguish all evil. There is a certain hint of mercilessness and cruelty in Leona and that is both refreshing and badass. Lunar Leona, on the other hand, strikes me as more delicate and mystical.

    For both skins I would give a separate score of 4, but for different reasons. The strength of Solar Eclipse Leona lies in her upgraded form after she uses her ultimate, as well as the strong synergy of sound and color in her particle effects. Apart from the gorgeous animations and medieval yet sort of mechanistic approach, her particle effects convey a sort of solar power that perhaps should have been part of classic Leona: intense, dynamic, powerful. Leona herself says she calls upon the “Cruel Sun” and this skin really stands out for it’s bold reinterpretation which simultaneously enhances the classic elements but with a darker, more aggressive twist. Because the skin both enhances and reinvents the classic persona, I give it 4 stars as a standalone purchase.

    Lunar Eclipse Leona, on the other hand, is a bit of a surprising but equally satisfying choice. Although technically a lunar eclipse is just a blood moon, Lunar Leona is not concerned with the eclipse thematic but more with depicting Leona as a servant of the moon in general. While it is evident that Lunar Leona borrows model and animations from her Solar counterpart, I have to say that despite the similarities Lunar Eclipse manages to create a more unique aural experience and to subvert Leona’s classic theme: she is now a templar of the “Savage Moon” as she puts it. Particle effects are similar, but noticeably more ethereal and magical. The use of blue-purple as a color scheme is revolutionary (first skin to deviate from the yellow-orange palette), and the sounds have a pleasing soft and magical feel to them.

    Lunar Eclipse Leona feels a bit weaker when compared to Solar Eclipse, but on her own she presents an amazing idea: Leona as a dedicated templar of the Moon, fighting evil spirits. Due to the Moon’s association with purity, actually this Eclipse skin also makes perfect sense with all of her quotes about defeating the everdarkness. Where Lunar Leona lacks power she makes up for with eloquence and a certain sense of magic and mysticism. The skin presents and, more importantly, executes a very interesting concept. I give it 4 stars as a standalone skin with a superbly original concept.

    Just my two cents.

    So, StrategyZero team, what are you thoughts of these skins so far?

    • We like the idea of an ultimate that, even if only cosmetically, changes the champion. For starters, that’s a good feature that both Solar Eclipse and Lunar Eclipse have in their favour. We also notice, from what little we’ve seen, that both skins share the same base. In a way, they seem to be different flavours of the Eclipse theme. From what we can see, animations are probably shared while model, partcles and sounds are different. However, particles’ design seem somewhat similar in the general scope.

      Regardless, it’s an interesting theme. We agree that Solar Eclipse feels more interesting than Lunar Eclipse which seems more homogeneous. We aren’t talking about major differences but little things which add up. We don’t yet know what rating they’d get. We’ll have to give the skins a good look and see.

  14. Hey Strategy Zero,

    I just want to make a small correction in regards to Lunar Eclipse Leona: the W particles were updated and now the sunburst from Solar Eclipse is at the centre, in addition to some lunar circles around the edges. If you take a look at one of your screenshots you will see it.

    Personally, I’m not a big fan of the sunburst, I think it doesn’t mix well with the skin’s visuals and thematics. But at the same time, it does solve the problem of the W feeling empty. Maybe with some imagination we could call it a magical starburst, but I’m not a big fan of this change.

    Otherwise, the skin is gorgeous

    • It’s true that Lunar Eclipse Leona’s Eclipse isn’t as empty as it was but still isn’t as florid as Solar Eclipse or has a pleasing pattern to it. We agree that the sunburst doesn’t fit in well. Perhaps a subtler beam of moonlight would suit the more supernatural and less explosive feel of the Lunar theme.

      Still, as you mention, the skins are rather good. A pity that they aren’t more different so that Solar and Lunar Eclipse could each show a radically different view of connected themes.

      • I’d have to disagree on the florid part. When you look at the “The Coven and the Eclipse” trailer, you can see actually that Lunar Eclipse W looks more elaborate and impactful. The Sunburst is not necessarily suitable, but I’ve noticed they modified it so that it’s not too much. So in that regard, Solar W feels more explosive, but Lunar W feels more elaborate/complex, just from variety – it’s a starburst framed by two rings of lunar patterns and a ring of runes. It also remains longer than Solar W for a few seconds. So from that perspective it’s more elaborate.

        Just my two cents.

        • We just checked the video and we see what you mean. It’s just that it’s at the end of the video. There is a new pattern that we didn’t see on Lunar’s Eclipse’s explosion. Besides, that it almost looks identical, sans colour, to Solar’s. Regardless, we still think that Lunar’s Eclipse’s buff is the most salient feature. It’s helps the most to keep Lunar supernatural as opposed to Solar’s explosive feel.

          Thanks for the notice. We’ll see if we should modify the review to be clearer about it.

  15. In reagards to Lunar Eclipse. I agree with it’s rating being equal to solar. But i strongly disagree with end concensus of it being “only as an alternative to solar eclipse”. While mechanically it may be so (it’s a variant), it’s the end result that matters.

    And the end result here is that it is the only Leona skin that actually makes a departure from her solar/fire thematic. Every other skin is “sun skin” either by it’s fiery theme, or simply by grace of default skill animations and quotes.

    Because solar is basically a superior version of base theme, while lunar is a reverse of that, I’d say it’s the solar that can be considered “an alternative” or a variant, while Lunar has the biggest “rebel” among her current skin lineup

    • We understand your point of view and we actually don’t disagree with it. Solar Eclipse, more than a different version, is a variation of Classic Leona. The problem is that Lunar Eclipse is based on Solar as evidenced by the assets used. For Solar Eclipse, a strong use of light with an explosive feel is well suited. For Lunar Eclipse, a subtler, more supernatural or magical approach is better. There’s a bit of that in the skin but not to the point that it can become an actual departure from the Sun magic.

      Conceptually, Lunar Eclipse Leona is a departure but in practice it’s a variation of the Eclipse theme. Ideally, it should embrace the Moon but it seems that the skins were made with Eclipse as the main theme with the Sun as the main star. The Solar and Lunar part is more of an aesthetic change than a deeper, conceptual approach.

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