The skins commemorating T1, the 2024 League of Legends World Championship* winners, have finally been unveiled. Built around the core keywords “sleek” and “menacing,” the line carries two slogans—“Make Them Believe” and “Heavy Is the Crown”—that encapsulate T1’s heroic arc. Born from deep collaboration with the players, these aren’t mere cosmetics; they’re being praised as artworks that capture the team’s sweat, effort, and personal stories.

This year’s designs draw inspiration from classic fantasy and London’s statuary. They aim for grandeur—both threatening and elegant. Departing from the usual bright palette, the team leaned into a darker, more serious mood: black, gray, and silver form the base, sharpened with gold and crimson accents for refinement. The developers say the 2024 skins deliberately use color tones not seen in past T1 Worlds skins to create something fresh and daring. Riot Games also stressed it prioritized polish over speed of release.

T1’s Glory, Captured in Their Skins

“Zeus” Choi Woo-je — Gnar

Zeus asked to include his trademark glasses on his Gnar skin. He also wanted lightning-infused VFX to heighten the skin’s intimidation factor. The recall animation nods to real life: right after T1 won Worlds 2024, he accidentally bumped his head against the trophy—and that moment is now immortalized.

“Oner” Mun Hyeon-jun — Vi
Oner requested that the tiger-symbol necklace he often wears be incorporated into Vi’s gauntlets. For his recall, he wanted his signature move—swinging his jacket over one shoulder—brought to life.

“Faker” Lee Sang-hyeok — Yone & Prestige Sylas

Faker selected Yone, who shone in the finals, and picked Sylas as the champion for his Finals MVP Prestige skin. For both, he rejected brighter tones in favor of darker colors, aiming to reflect the struggle of a hard-fought journey and the overcoming of self-doubt and pressure. Prestige Sylas emphasizes asymmetry and shadow play; in his recall, he awakens in golden radiance while still bound by chains, then raises the trophy. According to Riot, Faker played the elder-statesman role, listening to other players’ ideas and keeping the conversation moving.

“Gumayusi” Lee Min-hyeong — Varus

Gumayusi said he preferred brighter colors for his Varus skin. He also requested European art- and sculpture-inspired motifs and asked that his own hairstyle be reflected. His recall recreates his famous bit from the Worlds 2024 semifinal—biting into a croissant and exclaiming, “It’s good!” The dev team said his ideas helped crystallize the overall vision for the line.

“Keria” Ryu Min-seok — Pyke

Keria proposed a sophisticated yet menacing assassin concept in a serious tone for Pyke. For the recall, he asked for a T1 ship in the background, a treasure chest containing two Worlds trophies, and a moment where he plants the T1 flag. The developers said it was the most memorable request because it was such a big swing—something beyond the usual scope.

More Than Just Skins

Riot emphasized these aren’t just “champion skins.” They’re a medium for players to share their feelings and experiences with fans worldwide. Thirty percent of the sales revenue from the 2024 World Championship skins will go to T1 and the wider LoL Esports ecosystem.

Sarah Carmody, Senior Manager at Riot Games, said, “Korean players’ steady interest and passion have been a tremendous source of inspiration and strength for the dev team,” adding, “Working on the T1 skins has been personally meaningful and an honor.”

Manager Thomas Randby added, “It’s always a joy to work with T1, and we’re pleased this skin line lets us pay tribute to Korean players.”

Developer Q&A

Why is this release schedule later than last year’s?

Sarah Carmody: We felt it was more important to raise the level of quality than to rush the release. We had enough time as we prepared for the coming Worlds, and in pursuing the best possible skins, we ended up revealing them on this timeline.

The Prestige skin and the epic-tier skin are for different champions this time. Could they be for the same champion in the future?

Sarah Carmody: It would depend on discussion, but if a player wants it, it’s possible.

Thomas Randby: Skin decisions consider many elements comprehensively, including extensive conversations with the players.

What’s the biggest difference between the earlier T1 skins and this year’s?

Thomas Randby: The 2023 skins drew on Korean culture and mythology with brighter, heroic notes. The 2024 set emphasizes “black” and “silver” for a newer, more challenging feel.

Which player request stands out the most?

Sarah Carmody: The T1 ship in Keria’s Pyke recall. It was a bold idea that went beyond our usual scope.

Thomas Randby: Talking with Zeus about recreating the trophy head-bonk was a delight. We speak with the players right after the finals precisely to capture the joy and energy of that moment.

Any message you want to share with pro players when creating a championship skin?

Thomas Randby: Please think of a championship skin as an “opportunity to share your story with the world.” It’s a medium to convey the hardships and emotions of the title run.

Will the ward skin also release in a distinct form?

Sarah Carmody: Yes. The ward skin is planned for this year as well, designed around a crown motif.

Thomas Randby: Working with the same roster two years in a row meant the players came in with clear ideas, and from the dev side, the process itself felt rewarding.

Which player contributed the most feedback, and which skin was the toughest to build?

Thomas Randby: Faker, with his experience, naturally took on a big-brother role that drew out others’ ideas. Gumayusi, inspired by classical art he saw in London, provided a vision that influenced the dev team greatly.

Sarah Carmody: The hardest was the Finals MVP Prestige Sylas. It’s a standalone skin in a new approach rather than building off an existing thematic, so carving out originality wasn’t easy.

Some say today’s championship skins include less of the players’ personal narratives, and that decisions are driven by revenue.

Sarah Carmody: We focus on reflecting player requests as much as possible. We propose multiple paths—like whether they want a unique but potentially less “popular” champion—and discuss them together.

Thomas Randby: It’s also important to maintain balance so every skin comes out as the best version of itself.

A final word to Korean fans.

Sarah Carmody: Korean fans’ passion has been a huge source of inspiration and strength. This T1 skin line has been personally meaningful and an honor.

Thomas Randby: It’s always a pleasure working with T1. We’re happy we can pay respects to Korean fans, and we hope we get many more chances to do so.

This article was translated from the original that appeared on INVEN.