League of Legends has had a poor standing in large parts of the community since the new season 2025. Many innovations have been heavily criticized by the community. However, Riot has now provided an update and is partially backtracking.
Why was Riot criticized? With the new season of LoL, there were many changes in 2025 that were not just gameplay-related. Due to a new battle pass structure and a new type of skin that started in 2024, there was a lot of criticism from the community.
- Free Hextech chests were removed
- The Exalted skins, which can only be obtained from a gacha system, were criticized for their quality
- The way to obtain Blue Essence was changed, and it temporarily became more difficult to unlock champs
These changes were perceived as “greedy”. Apparently, after supposedly losing some players, especially paying players, in 2024, Riot Games wanted to squeeze more money out of the existing players.
All of this led to parts of the community complaining in many places, such as under regular videos or in response to posts from Riot. The major criticism that Riot Games is getting too greedy seems to have prompted some action, as Riot is now addressing many of the complaints, as they explain in a new blog post.
Riot changes the Battle Pass again, addressing other points of criticism
What will change? In a new blog post on their official website and a developer video on YouTube, Riot announces that they will revise many systems after the significant criticism from players. They state: We want to put players first, and if our decisions do not turn out as we envisioned, it can damage your trust.
The following adjustments will take place in the future:
- The free Hextech chests will return. There will be 10 per act, 8 of them in the free battle pass, 2 through a Honor system. According to Riot, this means up to 60 free chests per year. They are set to return with Patch 25.05.
- The cost in Blue Essence for each champion will be halved with Patch 25.05.
- The new Exalted-Mordekaiser skin will be delayed to improve it. Generally, the quality of the battle pass is set to be improved.
- The purchased battle pass will have one less skin, but you will receive 25 mythical essence in the pass.
- The Clash mode is set to return monthly.
- The Your Shop is expected to return in Patch 25.06.
- With Patch 25.07, the Blue Essence Emporium is set to return, where you can purchase skins with Blue Essence.
With these changes, Riot is addressing many of the points of criticism from recent months. Another major point of criticism is the Exalted gacha system, which is not intended to change in general, but they do want to adjust the quality for the next skin. They also aim to make advertising for the Exalted system in the launcher less intrusive.
What do you think of the changes? Do you think it’s good or has Riot not done enough yet? Feel free to share your opinion in the comments. Riot is also criticized by a German caster for other issues: German caster criticizes big deal of LoL with Saudi Arabia: “It breaks my heart”
