Riot Games has just announced a major change that will make champion acquisition much easier for League of Legends players. Starting with Patch 25.05, set to release on March 5, 2025, the Blue Essence cost for all champions will be reduced by 50%. This decision comes in response to community feedback and aims to improve the experience for new players looking to expand their champion pools.
Riot Responds to Player Feedback with a Massive Price Reduction
For weeks, the League of Legends community has expressed frustration over the high cost of unlocking new champions, especially for those just starting their journey in the game. Riot Games has now addressed these concerns by announcing a permanent 50% reduction in the Blue Essence cost of all champions. This move is expected to significantly benefit new players and alternate accounts, allowing them to access more champions without the long grind that was previously required.
While veteran players who have already unlocked most champions may not be heavily impacted by this change, it represents a major improvement for newcomers. With limited Blue Essence available early on, choosing which champions to unlock has always been a crucial decision. This price reduction means that new players will now be able to experiment with more champions and find their favorites much faster.
Blue Essence, LOL (image via Getty)How This Change Affects Champion Prices
The biggest impact will be seen on the newer champions and those previously priced at 6300 Blue Essence, which will now be reduced to 3150 Blue Essence. This change makes it easier to obtain highly sought-after champions without needing to spend months grinding for in-game currency.
Additionally, lower-cost champions will also see reductions, making it possible for players to build a diverse champion pool much quicker. However, it remains uncertain whether special-priced champions, like Jhin, who costs 4444 Blue Essence due to his unique in-game theme, will also be included in this reduction.
Riot Games Makes Additional Changes Following Player Criticism
Alongside the Blue Essence price reductions, Riot Games has also announced the return of Hextech Chests—a move that has been met with excitement from the community. These chests, which previously provided free rewards and champion shards, had been significantly reduced in availability, leading to widespread complaints. Though Hextech Chests will return in smaller quantities than before, their reintroduction signals that Riot is paying close attention to player feedback.
This decision came after weeks of backlash from the community. In fact, some frustrated players even went as far as starting a petition to remove Riot Games’ CEO, Dylan Jadeja, accusing the company of prioritizing profit over player experience. The return of Hextech Chests, along with the Blue Essence price cuts, suggests that Riot is willing to make changes when faced with strong community pushback.
Blue Essence, LOL (image via Getty)What This Means for the Future of League of Legends
These recent updates indicate a potential shift in Riot’s approach to the game’s economy. For years, many players have felt that champion acquisition was a slow and tedious process, particularly for those who preferred not to spend real money on RP. By making champions more accessible, Riot is creating a more welcoming environment for newcomers while also keeping existing players engaged.
The return of Hextech Chests is another positive sign that Riot is listening to its player base. Though they won’t be as abundant as before, their reintroduction will still give players a chance to unlock champions and skins without spending money.
Patch 25.05: A Game-Changing Update
With Patch 25.05 launching on March 5, 2025, League of Legends players will finally be able to enjoy these much-needed changes. The 50% Blue Essence price reduction will make champion collection far more accessible, and the return of Hextech Chests will bring back a feature that many players have missed.
While this update may not fix all of Riot’s recent controversies, it is a step in the right direction. Whether this marks a long-term shift in the company’s priorities remains to be seen, but for now, players can celebrate a well-deserved victory. Riot Games has shown that it is willing to listen and adapt, and that’s something every League of Legends player can appreciate.
