Season Two of League of Legends kicks off this summer with a Spirit Blossom-themed update, marking the return of one of its most beloved skin thematics. The update will feature gameplay improvements, a new look for the Summoner’s Rift, a brand-new game mode, system improvements, skins, and more.
The update was announced alongside the release of a brand-new cinematic, “Here, Tomorrow,” which features an original song from Lilas Ikuta (also known as Ikura of YOASOBI), alongside Made in Abyss and Tower of God composer Kevin Penkin.
Gameplay Updates
Season 2 introduces a number of key changes to neutral objectives:
- In response to player feedback, Atakhan’s Voracious and Ruinous forms will be replaced with a single new form, Thornbound Atakhan. In addition to Bloody Roses, Thornbound Atakhan rewards the team that slays him with all unclaimed Roses on the map, and all of the team’s Bloody Petals will be purified into Spirit Petals, which grant increased effects.
- Void Grubs will now spawn later in the game and only once per match.
- Rift Herald will now spawn at the 15-minute mark and will be easier to take down with the removal of the Shelly’s Gaze debuff.
- The Bounty System will be re-tuned to more consistently activate only for the team that is behind.
- In Champ Select, only junglers will now have access to Smite, which will be automatically assigned to them. Additionally, once the game has started, supports will automatically be given the World Atlas item.
- Summoner’s Rift will also receive a visual update inspired by the Spirit Blossom thematic.
Riot Games also plans to make significant improvements to the game’s inting and griefing detection system, which will now automatically identify and punish players for various in-game behaviors to help minimize negative experiences due to poor sportsmanship.
Finally, players can look forward to a new playable champion, Yunara, and a new in-client metagame coming later in the season.
New Game Mode: Brawl
Set on a brand-new map in the whimsical Bandle City, Brawl is a fast-paced, 5-versus-5 game mode with a focus on combat. In order to win, players will fight to push their minions into the enemy team’s base. The mode has no towers or other objectives, putting the emphasis on head-to-head champion combat.
Cosmetics
The fan-favourite Spirit Blossom skins are set make their return, with new skins for Ashe, Irelia, Bard, Varus, and Zyra. The Act 1 paid pass will also feature Prestige Spirit Blossom Lux, Spirit Blossom Ivern, and Pool Party Twitch as earnable skins.
Morgana was also revealed to be the next Exalted skin coming to League of Legends, while Zed will be the Prestige skin on the Pass, and Aphelios will be the Prestige skin in the Mythic Shop. Fans can also expect another pro player to be inducted into the Hall of Legends this May.
More information can be found on the official League of Legends website.
