Riot Returns Hextech Chests to LoL

Hextech Chests Return and Champion Costs Slashed in LoL Patch 25.05!

Riot Games is reversing course on some controversial changes to League of Legends' reward system. Following backlash from the community, Hextech Chests are making a comeback, and the Blue Essence cost for new champions is being cut in half. This update arrives with Patch 25.05, marking a shift in Riot’s approach to in-game rewards.

Riot Acknowledges Mistakes in Reward System Overhaul

In an effort to streamline League of Legends' complex reward system, Riot made significant adjustments earlier this year. The goal was to reduce the overwhelming number of currencies, eliminate redundant steps, and simplify loot mechanics by consolidating most rewards into the battle pass. However, these changes unintentionally stripped away level-up rewards, making it much harder for players—especially newcomers—to unlock champions and skins.

The immediate response from players was overwhelmingly negative, with many calling for the return of Hextech Chests and better access to rewards. Riot quickly addressed some concerns by boosting Blue Essence rewards, but the demand for further adjustments remained strong. Now, the studio is acting on that feedback.

Hextech Chests Are Back

Riot has confirmed that Hextech Chests will once again be earnable in League of Legends. Starting in Patch 25.05, players can obtain up to 10 chests and keys per act. Eight will be available through the free battle pass track, while two more can be earned through the Honor system.

To accommodate the return of Hextech Chests, Riot is restructuring some battle pass rewards. However, the total amount of Blue Essence players can earn per pass will remain unchanged—just redistributed. Additionally, the chests earned from the battle pass and Honor system will be identical to the ones previously obtained via Champion Mastery.

Champion Costs Slashed by 50%

One of the biggest frustrations for new players has been the difficulty of building a strong roster. To address this, Riot is halving the Blue Essence cost of all champions in Patch 25.05. This significant reduction aims to boost accessibility for newer players and make the process of expanding champion pools more rewarding.

Changes to Skins and Future Content Beyond rewards and champion pricing, Riot is also adjusting its approach to skins. The highly anticipated Exalted Mordekaiser skin has been delayed to better align with its intended fantasy. Moreover, the studio is shifting focus toward quality over quantity for Exalted skins, meaning they won’t be as frequent as initially planned.

As part of this revised strategy, the total number of Season skins will be reduced to allow more development time for each release. Moving forward, each battle pass will include three thematic skins: two standard skins and one Prestige variant. For Act 2, the featured skins in the paid battle pass will be Prestige editions of Darius, Sion, and Talon.

A Positive Response from the Community

While some players remain critical of Riot’s handling of recent updates, the return of Hextech Chests and the reduced champion costs have been widely praised. Several players who had announced a "strike" have now returned to grinding Elo in LoL, ending their protest.These changes not only restore a sense of progression but also make League’s in-game economy more player-friendly.

In a final piece of good news, Riot has announced that players who purchased champions during Patch 25.4 can request a refund for half the Blue Essence cost by reaching out to player support. This retroactive boost to in-game currency ensures that early adopters aren’t penalized for changes made after their purchases.

LoL Patch 25.05

Riot has confirmed that Patch 25.05 is rolling out to the public beta environment, though some features may take time to fully reflect in the build. Players eager to test the new changes should keep an eye on further updates from the development team.

With these adjustments, Riot is making strides to repair the trust of the League community. By bringing back beloved features and making champions more accessible, the studio is setting a precedent for how it responds to player feedback. Now, the question is whether these changes will be enough to fully satisfy the player base—or if more adjustments are on the horizon.

 

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