New LoL Champ Smolder Receives Facelift Just One Day After His Reveal
Riot Games has been quick to respond to criticism over the design of the newly-revealed League of Legends champion Smolder, with the Fiery Fledgling set to receive a touch-up before he hits the Rift later this month.
Riot’s lead champion producer Alexia “Lexical” Gao revealed the visual changes Smolder will undergo on Jan. 5, sharing a before-and-after with notable features on his face enhanced. A sharper set of eyes, a more vibrant color palette, and numerous additions to the baby dragon’s face—and I’ve got to say, he looks a lot better already.
“We heard your feedback on Smolder’s face and are making some adjustments to highlight his dragon features,” Lexical said in the tweet, adding the champion’s splash art will also be updated to reflect these changes.
The decision comes less than a day after the champion’s reveal. An enthusiastic but naive hatchling with a fiery soul, he looks far from the menace we’re sure he’ll be once he lands in League this summer. But players were quick to point out an issue with Smolder’s humanlike face, with many believing it was far too uncanny for their liking, drawing comparisons with the likes of Spyro and the first look at Sonic from the 2020 film Sonic the Hedgehog.
Hey Guys! We heard your feedback on Smolder's face and are making some adjustment to highlight his dragon features. Thank you so much for Gem, @O0_Y_0O and @White_Leyth for making this happen! The splash team is working on some adjustments too! pic.twitter.com/6CWfVYwQjY
— Riot Lexical (Lexi) (@neolexical) January 5, 2024
The Reason for the Facelift
The initial design of Smolder, the Fiery Fledgling, drew criticism from fans who found the hatchling’s human-like face too uncanny. Many compared it to the initial design of Sonic the Hedgehog from the 2020 film before his own redesign. This immediate backlash prompted Riot Games to spring into action, visibly altering Smolder’s face to better reflect his dragon lineage.
Implications of the Design Changes
The new design has brought about a sharper set of eyes, a more vibrant color palette, and several additions to the baby dragon’s face, adding a more reptilian and intimidating appearance. These changes not only pleased the League community but also furthered the champion’s connection to their fiery draconic heritage.
While these changes focus on Smolder’s visual appeal, they may also have implications on his place within the League of Legends lore. Now having a more distinct dragon-like appearance, Smolder might find himself intertwined within the existing dragon-based storylines, characters, and conflicts, reinforcing the immersion of the game’s narrative.
Effects on Gameplay and Competitive Play
It is unclear if the changes to Smolder’s design will directly affect his gameplay and competitive performance. Riot Games has not mentioned any changes to his abilities or stats during this facelift, but the newfound enthusiasm surrounding the character may lead to a surge in his player base and usage in competitive play.
Enthusiasm Surrounding League of Legends
Riot Games’ swift response to the fans’ concerns and subsequent design changes have been met with high praise from the community. This positive reaction reinforces Riot’s commitment to their player base and will likely keep fans engaged and excited about Season 2024 and the future of the game.
As we speculate on the potential skins for the Fiery Fledgling and await his arrival on the Rift, this situation highlights the importance of community feedback and developer responsiveness in shaping the ever-evolving world of League of Legends.
Now, with a more detailed skin and bone structure and tougher-looking scales, Smolder is more than ready to take on League’s mightiest champions and prove to the world—and his mom—that he’s fit and firing for the Rift.
The changes were met with high praise from many in the League community who were overjoyed and impressed with the speed at which Riot made the changes. “The eyes alone make a huge difference,” one fan said, with their sentiment echoed by many more who are happier now that Smolder looks a little more reptilian.
In conclusion, Smolder’s hasty facelift is more than just a design change. It represents Riot Games’ dedication to their community, a testament to their flexibility and ability to adapt based on player input. While the long-term effects of this change are still uncertain, it surely has ignited excitement and anticipation for the upcoming season and the future of League of Legends.
I personally can’t wait to see the many skins Riot surely has in store for the Fiery Fledgling, who is set to swoop into League in the coming months as season 2024 kicks off.
