Visual Upgrades in League of Legends

Visual Upgrades in League of Legends: What to Expect and Which Champions Need One Badly

Explore how visual upgrades transform champions—and which beloved favorites are overdue for a fresh new look.

Riot Games defines a Visual Upgrade (VU) as a rework covering a champion's model, artwork, voice-over, and sometimes minor bug-fixes and balance changes. However, these changes maintain the champion's core fantasy and gameplay identity.

Over the years, we’ve seen champions like Twisted Fate, Janna, Garen, Sivir, and Nasus receive stunning visual improvements. These upgrades breathe new life into older champions, making them more appealing and competitive without altering their essential gameplay.

Before her VU, Sivir’s outdated and clunky appearance made it hard to appreciate her strength as a champion. Post-upgrade, her refined model and animations match her dynamic kit, encouraging more players to pick her up. Visual fidelity enhances player engagement, immersion, and satisfaction—critical elements in maintaining League’s long-term health.

Curious to see which champions are slated for updates? Check the official tracker here:
Completed Champion Visual Upgrades

Not all visual upgrades are the same. There are generally two major styles:

🔹 Design Touch-up: This refreshes and modernizes a champion's existing look without drastically altering it. Example: Twisted Fate retained his recognizable aesthetic but received cleaner lines, richer textures, and updated animations.

🔹 Complete Re-Design: This fundamentally reimagines a champion’s design while keeping the core fantasy intact. Example: Nasus looks drastically different after his VU, trading his dated design for a towering, majestic figure of divine wrath.

As we look forward to future updates, here are champions that many players feel are overdue for an upgrade:

🔹 Kassadin — A full rework could transform his early-2000s sci-fi vibe into a true Void terror.
🔹 Taric — His old-school gem aesthetics could use a complete visual modernization.
🔹 Evelynn — Though already stealthy and seductive, a sleek visual upgrade could elevate her animations to new heights.
🔹 Alistar — A touch-up to his animations and textures would make this iconic tank even more fearsome.

Visual upgrades often come with enhanced voice acting and ability effects. These improvements complete the transformation, making every ability cast, emote, and death animation feel modern, crisp, and more thematic.

As League of Legends continues to evolve, maintaining visual consistency across champions is key. Visual upgrades prevent classic champions from feeling outdated, while keeping the player base excited and emotionally connected to the evolving world of Runeterra.

Whether through minor polish or full reimagining, VUs are an essential part of keeping League of Legends fresh, competitive, and legendary.

Which champion do you think deserves the next big visual glow-up? Share your ideas, and let's predict the future of the Rift together!