Riot Games changing champion prices, and Jhin loves it

League of Legends champions represent the core gameplay experience, with each offering unique abilities and rich backstories that define player identity. Riot Games’ comprehensive pricing overhaul marks the most significant currency adjustment in recent years, fundamentally changing how players build their roster.

The evolution of champion release cadence has transformed dramatically since the game’s inception. Early seasons featured bi-weekly champion launches, constantly introducing fresh gameplay dynamics to Summoner’s Rift. Modern development cycles now prioritize quality over quantity, delivering three to four entirely new champions annually alongside strategic reworks of existing characters.

Riot’s pricing realignment directly addresses the shifted release tempo, creating a more sustainable acquisition model for both new and veteran players. This systematic approach helps prevent currency inflation while maintaining accessibility.

Riot Games Revolutionizes Champion Acquisition Costs

Through their official Champion Pricing Update announcement, Riot Games unveiled a completely restructured approach to character acquisition. Champions are primarily obtained using Blue Essence (BE), the free in-game currency earned through gameplay. BE functions separately from Riot Points (RP), the premium currency reserved for cosmetic enhancements and optional purchases.

The revamped pricing framework prioritizes champion longevity rather than previous bracket-based reductions. This creates seven distinct pricing categories that better reflect each champion’s complexity and learning curve, providing clearer guidance for player development.

• 450 BE/260 RP – Ideal starting champions featuring straightforward mechanics and strong thematic identities perfect for learning fundamentals. Examples include Malphite’s rock-solid simplicity, Miss Fortune’s accessible marksman playstyle, and Yuumi’s beginner-friendly support role.
• 1350 BE/585 RP – Intermediate complexity champions that introduce advanced concepts while remaining approachable. Yasuo demands precise positioning, Lucian requires animation canceling mastery, and Sett teaches calculated trading patterns.
• 3150 BE/790 RP – Specialized champions with unique play patterns that help players discover preferred roles. Leblanc emphasizes burst combo execution, Shaco rewards strategic deception, and Yorick teaches split-push macro play.
• 4444 BE/880 RP – Jhin’s exclusive pricing tier celebrates his numerical obsession while maintaining reasonable accessibility for dedicated players.
• 4800 BE/880 RP – The standard pricing bracket housing the majority of League’s diverse champion roster.
• 6300 BE/975 RP – Recently released champions from the past two years, dropping to 4800 BE at their third season anniversary.
• 7800/975 RP – Brand new champions during their initial two-week launch period, designed to manage BE economy among experienced collectors.

Mastering Blue Essence optimization requires understanding several key strategies. First, prioritize champions that complement your existing playstyle rather than collecting randomly. Second, utilize the free weekly champion rotation to test complex champions before purchase. Third, focus on completing champion mastery missions that provide substantial BE rewards.

Avoid these common mistakes: purchasing high-cost champions without testing, ignoring role specialization, and wasting BE on champions you’ll rarely play. Advanced players should target champions that fill strategic gaps in their collection, particularly those that counter current meta picks.

For efficient long-term collection building, start with 450 BE champions to establish a solid foundation across multiple roles. Progress to 1350 BE tier champions to expand your mechanical skills. Reserve 3150 BE purchases for mastering your preferred specialty. Consider our Class Guide for detailed role-specific recommendations.

The comprehensive pricing changes arrive with Patch 13.5, delivering an aggregate savings of 140,606 BE across all champions. This represents one of the most player-friendly economic adjustments in League’s history.

Strategic BE spending following these guidelines can accelerate complete champion collection by approximately 30-40% compared to haphazard acquisition approaches. Reference our Complete Guide for additional optimization strategies and gameplay insights.

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