When chromas were initially announced, it felt like the community was going to throw a riot (pun intended).
It seemed like an obvious cash grab that adds nothing to the game. But things are quite different now.
Somewhere down the line, the majority of the player base changed their mind. So now chromas are seen as extra accessories for skins that can help you stand out in a crowd and/or flex on the haters.
With that in mind, let’s look at some of the best chromas that League of Legends skins can offer.
10. Shockblade Zed
Credit: Riot Games
Released: November 13th, 2012 Price: 975 RP
Shackblade Zed’s chromas are the simplest of the bunch.
Even though all of his chromas basically change the main color of your getup – it just leads to loads of fun.
You get to feel like you have all the Power Rangers at your fingertips.
And some of the chromas just feel like cosplay. For example, the Catseye chroma from this skin is basically just Scorpio from Mortal Kombat.
And, of course, we have to talk about the Rose Quartz chroma – arguably his most popular one. The best pick for all of those people who just find it hilarious to Ace the enemy team under the disguise of the pink ninja.
Overall, they might not be that complicated, but these chromas definitely make the skin a lot more interesting.
9. Blackfrost Rek’Sai
Credit: Riot Games
Released: March 5th, 2020 Price: 1350 RP
The character model for Blackfrost Rek’Sai is already so cool looking, and yet the chromas still managed to up the ante.
The Citrine chroma visually takes Rek’Sai back to her roots as it has Shurima desert plastered all over it.
The Emerald one just makes you feel like a walking bush of destruction and the Ruby is a flat-out demon.
Let’s also not forget that this skin gives you the option of picking Rose Quartz and constantly reminding people that you’re actually a female underneath all those spikes and claws.
Jokes aside, this skin simply doesn’t have a single bad chroma. And it really gives Rek’Sai a bit of that visual variety that she’s been missing for quite some time.
8. Surprise Party Amumu
Credit: Riot Games
Released: March 31st, 2015 Price: 1350 RP
This was already pretty legendary for the Amumu mains – so the chroma pack had to deliver as well.
And I think it did quite a good job honestly.
There are two main components to these chromas: the cake on your head and the balloon in your recall animation.
Do you want a purple cake and a Lulu balloon or perhaps a light blue cake and a Poro balloon? Maybe you’re feeling a bit naughty and want the orange cake with a Devil Teemo balloon!
The world truly is your oyster.
I mean, the whole idea is quite simple but fun. And since the eight chromas are all completely unique, I think it’s worth the investment as well.
7. Crystal Rose Swain
Credit: Riot Games
Released: February 11th, 2021 Price: 1350 RP
Until now, we’ve talked about chromas that give a skin variety. But there’s another scenario to consider.
I’m really not a fan of the color scheme for Crystal Rose Swain for example – but the chromas can make that pain disappear instantly.
From the absolute pimp that is Rose Quartz to the kingly Obsidian and Saint Patrick’s Day Peridot – the chromas for this skin allow me to actually appreciate this skin.
Bonus points for including Catseye, as it literally just looks like a Prestige edition.
6. Mecha Malphite
Credit: Riot Games
Released: July 23rd, 2014 Price: 1350 RP
Robotic skins are always prime chroma real estate because there’s so much that you can do.
Mecha Malphite for example becomes a lot more fun if you think of him as a Transformer. And every chroma is like a different vehicle transformation.
While Citrine has a very rust-bucket feel, Pearl pretty much looks more like a racecar. Then there’s also the tank aesthetic of the Sandstone and a possible death machine with Obsidian.
Regardless of which one you like best, you have to admit that the variety is way above just changing the base color (as was initially the case).
Ever since her Ahri-versary event, each one of her skins has gotten at least one solid chroma.
But Elderwood is definitely still my favorite.
This is because you can basically change the entire feel of the skin with a single click of a button.
You already feel like a forest spirit in the base skin – but if you opt for Aquamarine, you feel like a fairy with frozen horns and bright yellow tails that lives in a pond. Or you can go for Ruby and be a fire spirit with a more demonic look.
My personal favorite is Obsidian as it almost has a celestial quality to it, which is quite creative.
4. Coven Lissandra
Credit: Riot Games
Released: November 27th, 2018 Price: 1350 RP
Coven Lissandra has a very similar selling point as the last – because your choice of chroma visually defines what element you might belong to.
Ruby just looks like the goddess of forest fires.
Aquamarine takes you back to your ice roots.
Dark Ritual is simply as menacing as it sounds, and Sandstone has a distinct desert vibe.
And there’s the Rose Quartz chroma as well – in case you want to look slightly cuter while summoning frozen zombies to decimate your enemies.
Overall, a lot of detail and lots of very distinct looks that you can go for here.
3. Firecracker Teemo
Credit: Riot Games
Released: January 26th, 2022 Price: 1350 RP
This skin only came out a shortly before writing this article – so this is the newest of the bunch here.
The base skin already took Teemo in a direction I didn’t see coming and somehow made him even cuter than before.
But then the chromas just went “hold my blowpipe” and made it even better.
Some of these chromas just change the type of cat that you are (with Rose Quarts unsurprisingly being my favorite) while others just go wild with the concept.
Obsidian makes you a panda and I don’t think I even have to tell you what Golden Tiger looks like.
The designs are adorable, extremely distinct, and overall brilliant. I really hope this sets the new precedent when it comes to chromas moving forward.
2. Papercraft Anivia
Credit: Riot Games
Released: February 21st, 2019 Price: 1350 RP
Papercraft Anivia simply has a character model that was made for good chromas – as patterns are everything.
And to be frank, there isn’t a single bad chroma in this collection.
The Emerald chroma for example gives off a completely different vibe than the original. With almost a scale-like texture on your back and with more shades of green than in Snoop Dogg’s stash.
Then there’s the Obsidian chroma that just makes you look like the messenger of death.
And on the other hand, the Pearl chroma that makes me feel like I should be delivering babies or something.
All eight of the designs are just so distinct and detailed that it really feels like you’re getting eight different skins with one chroma bundle.
1. Pug’Maw
Credit: Riot Games
Released: March 29th, 2017 Price: 975 RP
Pug’Maw has the same selling point as Firecracker Teemo, in that each chroma basically makes you a different breed of dog altogether.
And those are some really good news for me because the base model just scares me immensely.
There are even some extra perks with certain chromas – like with the Rose Quartz also giving you a pink onesie or the Sandstone chroma giving you an eyepatch.
That last one does sound a bit weird. But hey, variety is the spice of life.
And honestly, this skin is making a chroma curry right now.
I think this one’s got the best chromas overall, in terms of both variety and design – and hopefully we’ll see more skins like this really soon.
Note: this content was created under Riot Games’ “Legal Jibber Jabber” policy using assets owned by Riot Games. Riot Games does not endorse or sponsor this project.
