LoL Dev Update - Welcome to NOXUS

Welcome to Noxus – these were the words Executive Producer Paul “Pabro” Bellezza and League Studio Head and Senior Vice President Andrei “Meddler” Van Roon began their presentation with in front of the fans. Together with other members of the Riot Games team, they unveiled the mysteries of what LoL Season 15 will look like and what to expect this year. They highlighted all the topics of interest, from Noxus to esports events and various patches. Let's take a look at what the developers have prepared for us.

Game Play Recap

The updated Patch 15.1 will first and foremost bring us the promised new Noxus map. It will feature changes to the landscape, towers, and will also include new music created specifically for the event.

Credit: League of Legends, EGW

The next major change in League of Legends Season 15 will be the introduction of a new jungle mob, Atakhan, Bringer of Ruin. Atakhan will spawn on the map every 20 minutes, featuring two unique forms, and the landscape in his lair will change accordingly. Naturally, he will provide a buff to any team that manages to defeat him.

Credit: League of Legends, EGW

In addition, new runes, items, teleportation changes, and the new "Empowered Feats" system will be introduced. This system will allow you to make your boots even more powerful. Detailed information about these changes can be found in the LoL Patch 15 Notes.

The ranking system has also been updated. In LoL Season 15, rank updates will occur only once.

The developers also focused on improving the interface, making it simpler and more user-friendly. Navigating and tracking seasonal progress, viewing news, and eliminating overall clutter have all been addressed, according to the developers.

This season will last for a total of eight patches, divided into two acts. Most interestingly, each act will feature its own unique battle pass. The battle pass will include various rewards themed around the acts, such as exclusive skins, frames, and much more.

New League of Legends Champion: Mel Medarda

Credit: Netflix, EGW

There have been many rumors and theories about a new champion in League of Legends, and finally, the truth has been revealed: it will be Mel, a character from the Arcane series. After completing her journey in Arcane, she has arrived on the shores of Noxus. With the new patch, Mel will join the champion pool with a new Noxian-themed appearance, highlighting her connection and roots with the lands of Noxus.

Credit: League of Legends, EGW

In addition to being intriguing as a new champion, Mel will also introduce a brand-new mechanic to the game that hasn’t been seen before this patch—projectile reflection. This ability will completely reflect any opponent’s skill, dealing the same damage while ensuring Mel takes no damage herself. While the developers have teased her other abilities, there’s already plenty of information about Mel Abilities, which are sure to appeal to a large portion of players.

Credit: League of Legends, EGW

The developers also mentioned the release of a new novel, "Ambessa: Chosen of the Wolves." This novel, set to launch in February, will delve into the backstory of Mel and her family, allowing fans to immerse themselves further into the lore of our beloved game.

One of the most significant announcements is that, to celebrate the opening of Noxus Season, Mel will be unlocked for free as part of one of the seasonal missions.

Thematic Narrative Expressions

League of Legends has a rich and fascinating lore, and developers Chad “Mackivor” Ballard and Brice “Athelas” Cox shared their plans for further expanding the LoL universe. Chad and Brice revealed that they have started working on deepening the lore and aim to integrate both in-game and out-of-game experiences.

Throughout the season, there will be thematic references and narrative expressions, such as the "Pits of Reckoning of Noxus," which will appear in the Arena. Additionally, animated comics and mini-games will be introduced. This decision was inspired by the success of last year’s "Spirit of Heart-Home," which was warmly received by fans. In the second act, players can look forward to a new mini-game designed to introduce them to the world of League of Legends.

The developers also announced that LeBlanc will receive a new skin, which was teased in the trailer. Later on, we can expect even more LeBlanc skins, all arriving this season.

Cosmetics update and new skins

The most vibrant and intriguing department for many players, represented by Steph “100PC Nuggets” Leung and Thomas “Riot Hylia” Randby, shared updates with fans on skins, including the Prestige lineup for this season. The first set of skins we will see in LoL Season 15 is the Black Rose Mask Skins.

Credit: League of Legends, EGW

Steph and Thomas shared a video about the philosophy behind creating skins for this season. As we’ve noticed, many of the skins featured in the Cinematic Trailer were included in the Black Rose Mask Skins set, while some were not. They focused on champions who, in theory, could attend the Black Rose Ball, to immerse us further into the atmosphere and lore of Noxus.

These skins will be the first rewards of the Battle Pass. Elise will be accessible through the free pass, while Samira, Renata Glasc, and Vladimir will be available in the premium Battle Pass. Katarina will be the final Prestige reward for the premium Battle Pass of the first act.

Credit: League of Legends, EGW

The video also revealed and showcased the upcoming Prestige skins for this season. Prestige skins for Katarina and Darius will be obtainable through the Battle Pass, while Prestige skins for Cassiopeia and Qiyana can be acquired with Mythic Essence.

Credit: League of Legends, EGW

In addition to Prestige skins, the developers have prepared plenty of exciting events outside the seasonal Noxus theme. They aim to add more variety by mixing skins from familiar sets with entirely new themes. For example, new additions like Cafe Cuties recipes and several completely fresh concepts.

Credit: Riot Games, EGW

To celebrate April Fools’ Day this year, the first Legendary skin for Shaco will be introduced, delving into his deep lore. Despite the fact that rank resets will occur only once this year, the skins team will still delight us with three Victorious skins across three splits. The Victorious theme will maintain its signature style, regardless of the seasonal aesthetics.

Fans were also given a sneak peek at the champions receiving Ascended skins this season. The first will be Radiant Serpent Sett, dedicated to the Year of the Snake. As for the next skins, the developers decided to keep the intrigue alive, revealing only that the second skin will be for Mordekaiser, deeply tied to the lore of League of Legends.

What's new in League of Legends Esports?

Credit: League of Legends

The key figures responsible for esports development also shared their plans for League of Legends Season 15 with fans. Chris “Riot Commish” Greely and Whalen “Riot Magus” Rozellen outlined their exciting goals for the year, ranging from major updates in Split 1 to a comprehensive global roadmap.

One of the biggest changes this season will be the full implementation of the Fearless Draft in Split 1, designed to elevate the level of esports. The ban on picking champions used in previous matches will push teams to adapt more and fully evolve the meta, significantly expanding their champion pools.

First Stand will take place from March 10 to 16 at LoL Park in Seoul, Korea. The goal this year is to make First Stand one of the most spectacular and unforgettable events, featuring guaranteed matches with the best teams from Split 1. The winners of First Stand will earn a direct slot at MSI 2025.

MSI 2025 will be held in Vancouver, Canada, from June 27 to July 12. This is a significant moment for the LoL community in the region, as the last major championship in Canada was back in 2017.

And, of course, the World Championship 2025, the most anticipated tournament of the year, will take place in China. The early stages will be held in Beijing, followed by the quarterfinals and semifinals in Shanghai. The grand final will take place in Chengdu.

Chris Greely and Whalen Rozellen also shared plans for 2026 and 2027. First Stand 2026 will kick off in Brazil, MSI 2026 will be hosted in Korea, and the World Championship 2026 will finally return to North America. In 2027, First Stand will begin in Southeast Asia, MSI will return to Europe, and the World Championship will once again be held in Korea.

Be sure to bookmark LoL Upcoming Events 2025 so you don’t miss this truly legendary year for League of Legends. With new modes and tournament formats, it promises to deliver an ocean of unforgettable emotions.

NOXUS Arena

The developers are excited to introduce a new game mode: All Random URF. This mode will add variety to the gameplay experience and will be available during the first act.

Credit: League of Legends, EGW

In the second act, we can look forward to an Arena update. The Arena will return, as the developers put it, with a fresh coat of Noxian paint and a new Noxus-themed map. Its design will resemble a gladiatorial arena but with unique mechanics exclusive to this map. Additionally, a new Honored Guests system will be introduced to the Arena.

Throughout the season, new items and additions will be gradually implemented. As a pleasant bonus, map changes, such as Koi Pond, will also be introduced. These updates were made in response to player feedback during the last Arena event.

An Exciting Year for League of Legends Fans

The Riot Games development team truly loves their fans, values their feedback, and appreciates the time they dedicate to the game. The year has just begun, and with the first patches, we already have a wealth of content. Save League of Legends Season 15: LoL Roadmap 2025 to ensure you don’t miss any events.

Looking at Riot Games' future plans, there’s so much to look forward to, both in-game and beyond. The expansion of the lore and deeper immersion into the League of Legends universe highlight the dedication of the developers, and as fans, we can’t help but be delighted by their commitment.

Let’s anticipate the new patches together, and wishing you great games!