League of Legends: Fnatic Season 1 Skins’ Review

Better late than never seems like an appropriate phrase as the Season 1 champions finally receive their own set of skins. There seems to be heavy use of the Fnatic logo and a firm basis on sports gear. Appears appropriate but is it good? Let’s find out.

Splash Art

With some effort, the background could represent the illuminated entrance from which the glorious team emerges. Unfortunately, it’s all so blurry and lacking in detail that it’s only a guess. The champions escape from the diffuse surroundings with effort. Their stances make it all feel quite dramatic but also somewhat exaggerated. In fact, it seems to unexpectedly evoke a poster from the eighties with all the nostalgia and excesses that implies. Moving onto the champions themselves, none make a convincing display of their classic personality. There are hints here and there but, for the most part, they seem to be out of character. Ultimately, this splash art accomplishes its basic premise of providing a dazzling display of the champions but in a confusing and chaotic way.

Category:	Legacy
Price:	750 RP
Concept:	Janna dressed in casual clothes.
Model:	New model for Janna, her staff and her air elemental, Zephyr.
Particles:	New particles for Zephyr.
Animations:	No new animations.
Sounds:	No new sounds.
Rating:
Conclusion:	While nicely dressed and charming Janna’s clothing is rather unassuming; which is surprising considering the alternatives. That’s not necessarily a bad thing but the rest of the skin doesn’t add anything to make the look stand out. The only thing that attracts attention is Fnatic’s logo, firmly placed in front of one’s face. Therefore, Fnatic Janna is a good skin with a different casual style but nothing groundbreaking.

Category:	Legacy
Price:	750 RP
Concept:	Corki as a modern copter pilot.
Model:	New model for Corki and his copter.
Particles:	No new particles.
Animations:	No new animations.
Sounds:	No new sounds.
Rating:
Conclusion:	Corki’s concept easily adapts to modern technology and the more refined copter and gear suit him well. The problem is that beyond the refinement there is nothing else. Essentially, it’s the same pilot behind the same aircraft. This makes the skin interesting for what it offers but lacking in depth. In conclusion, it’s not a bad option for updating Corki’s use of technology but just for that.

Category:	Legacy
Price:	750 RP
Concept:	Gragas wearing a training suit and carrying a large cup.
Model:	New model for Gragas and his cask.
Particles:	No new particles.
Animations:	No new animations.
Sounds:	New sound for Drunken Rage’s attack.
Rating:
Conclusion:	A training suit does a lot to make Gragas look more civilized. The new trophy-based cask still manages to appear less primitive even though it still is a vessel for liquor. Therefore, Fnatic Gragas adapts the classic Rabble Rouser to a modern age while adding some restrain. This means the skin has an identity but also that it’s far from unique as many of his skins have similar aims but are more elaborate. In the end, it’s a skin with a casual modern style for Gragas that stands apart from others but not by much.

Category:	Legacy
Price:	750 RP
Concept:	Jarvan wearing modernized armour.
Model:	New model for Jarvan IV and his lance.
Particles:	No new particles.
Animations:	No new animations.
Sounds:	No new sounds.
Rating:
Conclusion:	The new clothes at Jarvan’s disposal not only provide him with a modern look but also with a sporty angle. At a glance, it’s not much of a stretch to confuse him with an American Football player. That’s why it’s a bit surprising to find a fully bladed lance in his hand. It sure seems like a lethal weapon but also a lost opportunity to follow the sporty style. The goatee and ponytail are also something that doesn’t suit him that well. In spite of his elaborate armours he doesn’t strike to be the stylish kind. On the whole, Fnatic Jarvan IV offers a different look that has some good ideas but that weren’t followed through.

Category:	Legacy
Price:	750 RP
Concept:	Karthus dressed as a modern warlock.
Model:	Major model changes for Karthus, new model for his staff and new textures for his book.
Particles:	No new particles.
Animations:	No new animations.
Sounds:	No new sounds.
Rating:
Conclusion:	Between the colourful outfit and preposterous staff Karthus looks like a flamboyant, contemporary warlock. That’s rather fitting as he does have a knack for extravagance. However, the aspect ends up being whimsical rather than unique. Besides, the modern aspect does little, not to say nothing, to mesh with his supernatural nature. Overall, Fnatic Karthus is a reasonable option if you’d like a touch of modernism for the Deathsinger as long as you don’t expect much cohesion.

Conclusion

In general, the Fnatic skins offer little beyond a contemporary change of casual clothes. The new looks aren’t bad and add some refinement to the, otherwise, battle-focused appearances of the champions. Unfortunately, there is room for improvement as the skins seem to have the potential to be more than they are.

The conclusion is that any of these skins are worth getting if you’d like a dash of modernism added to these champions. There are interesting ideas but it’s evident that they weren’t executed to their fullest.