Riot Games has officially announced a release date for its highly anticipated "classic" mode in League of Legends, set to launch on July 29. This new mode, revealed during the Mid-Season Invitational Finals with a showmatch featuring prominent players, is not a simple re-release of an older version but rather a curated blend of different eras, with a particular emphasis on Season three.
League of Legends Classic will bring back a variety of older champion kits and gameplay elements, though with modernized art and the inclusion of some later additions like ward trinkets. Players can expect the return of fan-favorite, often considered "busted," builds such as ability power Master Yi and pre-rework Sion, as well as items like Deathfire Grasp for mages.
In a departure from modes like World of Warcraft Classic, League of Legends Classic will not be locked to specific historical versions. Instead, it will evolve over time through community votes on new patches, drawing inspiration from Old School RuneScape's player-driven development. This system could potentially see the reintroduction of popular elements like the 3v3 map Twisted Treeline.
The classic upgrade systems are also making a comeback. Players will once again utilize runes and quintessences for incremental stat bonuses, and mastery pages will be simplified into three talent trees. Old summoner spells, including rally and revive, will also be available.
Riot Meddler, a developer at Riot Games, has been active on Reddit, confirming details and answering player questions. He indicated that more old-school champions will be added post-launch, with Graves and Urgot being cited as examples of characters slated for future inclusion, while Sion will be available on day one. The classic champion select music is also confirmed to return.
Player reaction to the "era mashup" approach appears to be mixed. Concerns have been raised online regarding the inclusion of modern mechanics and art assets. Some players have expressed a desire for modern mechanics like trinkets and base gates to be removed, or for modern character models to have toggleable classic skins. The visual presentation, specifically new health bar graphics, has also drawn criticism from some community members who feel they are less aesthetically pleasing than older designs.
A developer blog with further details is expected to be published by Riot Games on Tuesday.