League of Legends LXVIII: "MY PICK'EMS!" Part II: Who Didn't Get Out of Groups?

[thracian]

Couldn't tell you. I've leveled once and got one champion shard.

[Madcrafter]

I've gained 3 levels so far and each time got a collection of champs shards worth 810 BE. I seem to recall them saying something about cosmetics in those chests but the preseason update site just says "Capsules contain champ shards and blue essence, and if you hit special milestone levels, you'll earn special rewards like gemstones or rare emotes" so maybe not. (Also worth noting that the emotes themselves take a chunk of BE to unlock).

[Ivellius]

You DO earn cosmetic items for most levelups now though, right?

I'm pretty sure it's something like every 10 (or maybe even more) levels that you get "extras," so to speak. I'm at 35 and have gotten nothing but champion shards thus far.

Having said that, if you get FWotD bonus, it doesn't take too many games to level up.

[mrcarter11]

With how much weight is on fwotd, I've just done an aram and then logged off.

And the level up rewards should usually be champion shards I believe. Every so often you should get a skin shard through bad luck protection.

[Togath]

What are champion shards?
And does this mean skins are still mostly a costs-real-money thing?

[Qwertystop]

What are champion shards?
And does this mean skins are still mostly a costs-real-money thing?

Champion shards have four uses:
- You can get that champion permanently for Essence at a discount
- You can convert a shard into Essence if you don't want the champion
- You can get that champion for a week for a much lower Essence cost than the permanent unlock
- You can use three shards to unlock one random champion

[Ivellius]

Champion shards have four uses:
- You can get that champion permanently for Essence at a discount
- You can convert a shard into Essence if you don't want the champion
- You can get that champion for a week for a much lower Essence cost than the permanent unlock
- You can use three shards to unlock one random champion

I'm loading into a game so I can't check the third, but I'm not sure that's the case anymore, and I know you can't reroll for champions.

[Qwertystop]

I'm loading into a game so I can't check the third, but I'm not sure that's the case anymore, and I know you can't reroll for champions.

Hm. I might have misremembered. I know you can disenchant and buy-at-a-discount, because I've done both since the new system rolled out. I could be wrong about the rental and random, but I could have sworn there were still at least three options.

[Siosilvar]

The third option is still the 1-week rental, and I don't remember if it's free or costs essence (don't have a shard right now to check since I disenchanted the one I got for 1260 BE).

edit: turns out I got an honor capsule, the options are disenchant for 20% of the purchase price, free 1-week rental, and upgrade to permanent with a 40% discount.

[Vogie]

Hm. I might have misremembered. I know you can disenchant and buy-at-a-discount, because I've done both since the new system rolled out. I could be wrong about the rental and random, but I could have sworn there were still at least three options.

That is correct. You can roll three skin or ward shards into random new permanent skins, but they removed that from Champ shards.

I was quite aggravated to find that out when my first item (I can't remember if it was for leveling up or an honor capsule) came with 5 Champ shards, including 4 champions I already own. So I guess I can only turn them into essence now??

[Qwertystop]

That is correct. You can roll three skin or ward shards into random new permanent skins, but they removed that from Champ shards.

I was quite aggravated to find that out when my first item (I can't remember if it was for leveling up or an honor capsule) came with 5 Champ shards, including 4 champions I already own. So I guess I can only turn them into essence now??

To be fair, you can also just buy random champions for Essence now. Does 3 disenchanted shards average more or less essence than one random? Can't pull the game up now to check prices.

[Ivellius]

To be fair, you can also just buy random champions for Essence now. Does 3 disenchanted shards average more or less essence than one random? Can't pull the game up now to check prices.

Depends on the shards, but typically it's going to be less essence (if my experience is any indication; they seem to be weighted heavily toward "cheap" shards now).

Random champions are going to go away soon with the BE shop, though I don't remember the date.

[Vogie]

Depends on the shards, but typically it's going to be less essence (if my experience is any indication; they seem to be weighted heavily toward "cheap" shards now).

Random champions are going to go away soon with the BE shop, though I don't remember the date.

Crap. I've wanted to pull that trigger, (and have enough BE to pull it at least 5 times) but there are enough champions worth 3150 or less that I don't own yet.

Do we know if they're going to introduce anything new for BE? I know the new emotes cost RP, which I found really odd.

[Siosilvar]

Crap. I've wanted to pull that trigger, (and have enough BE to pull it at least 5 times) but there are enough champions worth 3150 or less that I don't own yet.

3150s also give you a shard back, in my experience. I only lost like 20 BE when I rolled a 3150 because of that. Can't speak for the cheaper ones.

[Ivellius]

Crap. I've wanted to pull that trigger, (and have enough BE to pull it at least 5 times) but there are enough champions worth 3150 or less that I don't own yet.

Do we know if they're going to introduce anything new for BE? I know the new emotes cost RP, which I found really odd.

I don't think they've entirely decided, but I will point out there are a few (very expensive) new items in the BE shop--icons + gemstone and a couple of emotes.

(Also Urfwick, but if you can afford that we wouldn't be having this conversation.)

[mrcarter11]

I really don't get the urfwick hype. I could have gotten it, went for the gemstones instead. It just looks like a very meh skin to me.

[Siosilvar]

I really don't get the urfwick hype. I could have gotten it, went for the gemstones instead. It just looks like a very meh skin to me.

Collector's value. It was only previously available on April Fool's Day 2010.

[Nadevoc]

I really hate how apparently a video autoplays the first time you log into the client during the Project event. Not sure who the heck made that decision, but can't imagine how they came to the conclusion it was a good idea. Especially since, at least for me, it's rather loud.

[Dienekes]

I really hate how apparently a video autoplays the first time you log into the client during the Project event. Not sure who the heck made that decision, but can't imagine how they came to the conclusion it was a good idea. Especially since, at least for me, it's rather loud.

Cheers. It’s fine for Riot to be proud of their work. Doesn’t mean everyone cares. Personally I’m completely uninterested in all this Project stuff.

[EternalMelon]

Spoiler: Post Season LCS

Show

Doublelift to Liquid...

dang

I really liked this past two year TSM line-up. I think they did pretty well domestically with some neat personalities. Doublelift really grew on me as a player (to be fair, I also started to pay more attention to out of game stuff over the past two years) but I'm not sure I can follow him onto the dumpster fire that is Liquid.

So far I'm not sure who I'm going to be following... I was thinking of watching IMT games next split but looks like that's not an option anymore. After years of TSM following I think I have a good idea of what Bjergs going to go through this split so that's not really peaking my interest. The rest of my favorite players are dedicated streamers or Aphromoo who isn't signed yet. I guess I'll jsut wait for Mark and Scarra to tell me who the best ADC is and watch them *shrugface.idk*

Maybe I'll keep an eye on Bio, it will be interesting to see how he does without TSM to have his back (lovemesomeregi's historical player compensation notwithstanding.

Eu seems to be experiencing the continuation of the talent leak to NA. With a lot of their mainstream talent leaving and the explosions of teams (with or without funding) it should be... interesting to see what happens in EU.

[McDouggal]

CLG just confirmed their starting roster for LCS

Spoiler: TL:DR

Show

Top: Darshan
Jungle: Reignover
Mid: Huhi
ADC: Stixxay
Support: Biofrost

Aphro's gone, rumor has him going to 100 Thieves. Omargod heading to CLG.Black.

I'm interested. Reignover hasn't been on great teams, but with good solo lanes he can facilitate, this could turn around really fast. Biofrost was the only support in free agency who could possibly have been considered an upgrade from Aphromoo.

[Olinser]

CLG just confirmed their starting roster for LCS

Spoiler: TL:DR

Show

Top: Darshan
Jungle: Reignover
Mid: Huhi
ADC: Stixxay
Support: Biofrost

Aphro's gone, rumor has him going to 100 Thieves. Omargod heading to CLG.Black.

I'm interested. Reignover hasn't been on great teams, but with good solo lanes he can facilitate, this could turn around really fast. Biofrost was the only support in free agency who could possibly have been considered an upgrade from Aphromoo.

Yeah I'm not super surprised.

Spoiler

Show

Aphromoo is a good player but he just hasn't been performing particularly well this year. He and Stixxay just didn't seem to mesh very well, so you have to replace one of them, and with Biofrost free now's the time.

Reignover is a mistake. He's just not a good team player.

[EternalMelon]

Yeah I'm not super surprised.

Spoiler

Show

Aphromoo is a good player but he just hasn't been performing particularly well this year. He and Stixxay just didn't seem to mesh very well, so you have to replace one of them, and with Biofrost free now's the time.

Reignover is a mistake. He's just not a good team player.

Spoiler

Show

Aphro leaving was his own idea.

[McDouggal]

Spoiler

Show

Aphromoo is a good player but he just hasn't been performing particularly well this year. He and Stixxay just didn't seem to mesh very well, so you have to replace one of them, and with Biofrost free now's the time.

Reignover is a mistake. He's just not a good team player.

Spoiler

Show

CLG left a big offer on the table for Aphro.

Reignover can't be any worse than Dardoch was for the team atmosphere or worse skillwise than Omargod(who needs some time to get on an LCS level).

And I personally think you're wrong. He's an enabler jungler in the vein of Xmithie, the problem was that he was the best part of Liquid and they tried to force him to be a carry jungler.

[Joran]

Spoiler: Post Season LCS

Show

Doublelift to Liquid...

dang

I really liked this past two year TSM line-up. I think they did pretty well domestically with some neat personalities. Doublelift really grew on me as a player (to be fair, I also started to pay more attention to out of game stuff over the past two years) but I'm not sure I can follow him onto the dumpster fire that is Liquid.

So far I'm not sure who I'm going to be following... I was thinking of watching IMT games next split but looks like that's not an option anymore. After years of TSM following I think I have a good idea of what Bjergs going to go through this split so that's not really peaking my interest. The rest of my favorite players are dedicated streamers or Aphromoo who isn't signed yet. I guess I'll jsut wait for Mark and Scarra to tell me who the best ADC is and watch them *shrugface.idk*

Maybe I'll keep an eye on Bio, it will be interesting to see how he does without TSM to have his back (lovemesomeregi's historical player compensation notwithstanding.

Eu seems to be experiencing the continuation of the talent leak to NA. With a lot of their mainstream talent leaving and the explosions of teams (with or without funding) it should be... interesting to see what happens in EU.

Spoiler: TSM Roster moves

Show

As a TSM fan, I'm not a huge fan of their roster moves. I think Ssong is a good coach and I would have liked them to keep the team together (maybe move Svenskeren) and see what a good coach can do with the roster. I think Mithy/Zven as a pair is a side-grade skill-wise for Doublelift/Biofrost, but Mithy brings shotcalling and a confident voice, which is what TSM has been looking for in the last two years.

I loved Doublelift and Biofrost on the roster and will miss them. This move better work out because TSM's probably the most hated team in the LCS now. My brother who roots for whatever team Doublelift is on now says TSM is dead to him, so... that's a tad awkward.

I feel a bit sad for the EU LCS because there seems to be a clear pecking order and major talent drain. NA teams can offer more money than EU teams, established teams like G2, Fnatic can offer more money than a self-funded team like Unicorns of Love.

[Ivellius]

If anyone wants more Riot "storytelling," here's the latest champion they've narratively replaced.

(It's Varus.)

[PhantomFox]

I dunno, I wasn't particularly interested in his old story, but this one has several interesting elements and story hooks. Also, a hint a new darkin champion down the line.

[9mm]

I dunno, I wasn't particularly interested in his old story, but this one has several interesting elements and story hooks. Also, a hint a new darkin champion down the line.

There isn't exactly much new in the new lore anyway. Instead of a upstanding family man falling due to the death of his loved ones, its now two lovers who fall. Who Varus was before being corrupted really doesn't matter, which makes the change stand out as being change for changes sake, which rarely leads to improvement. That what was being guarded was a Darkin was the only change they need to make, and they had already. The biggest problem I have is unless the next patch includes new Voice over for Varus it'll just sound silly and wrong.

[PhantomFox]

There isn't exactly much new in the new lore anyway. Instead of a upstanding family man falling due to the death of his loved ones, its now two lovers who fall. Who Varus was before being corrupted really doesn't matter, which makes the change stand out as being change for changes sake, which rarely leads to improvement. That what was being guarded was a Darkin was the only change they need to make, and they had already. The biggest problem I have is unless the next patch includes new Voice over for Varus it'll just sound silly and wrong.

The interesting change is that Varus is no longer a single corrupted man, but an amalgam of three different entities, each still fighting for control, and with the two sides with their own agendas. And the agenda is no longer just "Kill all Noxians". This opens up a lot more places for the story to go instead of the singular path it had before.

...whether it'll be followed up on is another question, but for the time being I can appreciate relaying what looks like a more sound foundation.

[Ivellius]

The interesting change is that Varus is no longer a single corrupted man, but an amalgam of three different entities, each still fighting for control, and with the two sides with their own agendas. And the agenda is no longer just "Kill all Noxians". This opens up a lot more places for the story to go instead of the singular path it had before.

...whether it'll be followed up on is another question, but for the time being I can appreciate relaying what looks like a more sound foundation.

I mean, the agendas are "unleash more Darkin and destroy the world" or "somehow take control of an amalgamated body being held together by the Darkin," neither of which can realistically be followed. The former is maybe cause for a new champion (which is probably years away if Riot's previous timelines are any indication) but can never be completed (because then no Runeterra), while the later seems like it should be fatal to the lovers and at the minimum is a weird body-horror existence.

Not to mention Riot probably won't use it to tell a story, as you note here.