How to Use Custom Skins in League of Legends

The skins Riot Games offers players in their insanely popular MOBA game, League of Legends, are all pretty good. After all, who doesn’t like to play as Blood Moon Jhin or Headhunter Master YI?

Unfortunately, however, it isn’t like every character equally gets skins, neither in quality nor in quantity. Just compare the quantity and quality of skins that Seraphine (A relatively new champion) has when compared to a veteran like Zilean. Well, that’s where the thought of using custom skins comes into play.

We’re here to go through everything you need to know about custom skins in League of Legends including the answer to if custom skins even exist, as well as whether or not they’re bannable.

Can You Use Custom Skins in League of Legends

Well, yes but actually no. The thing is that if you want to use custom skins, then there’s no official way to do so. Instead, you would either have to use a third party software that would modify the champion textures for you, or download a custom skin file for the champion you want a modified skin for.

Additionally, there are some more things you have to keep in mind, which are:

• This texture change will only take effect on your PC/laptop. This means other players shouldn’t be able to see your custom champion skin.
• Every single time you launch League of Legends, you would have to use the third-party software again to reapply the texture change.
• There’s a VERY high chance that some of the third party apps might come with viruses, malware, and all around dangerous features.

How to Use Custom Skins

With that being said, you might now be wondering what the exact process of using custom skins is. Before you do, however, you first need to download the custom skin file for the champion of your choice. This can be done from multiple websites on the internet, but do be safe, as many downloads are rather unsafe. When you do this:

1. Go to the League of Legends folder.
2. Look for the assets folder, then click on characters.
3. After that, look for and click on the folder that has the name of the champion you want to modify. 
4. Search for that champion’s skin file.
5. Finally, drag and drop the custom skin file you downloaded over here, and when asked if you want to overwrite the already existing file click on confirm.

Can You Get Banned for Using Custom Skins in LoL

Again, it really depends. Many Riot employees are rather split on whether or not using custom skins should be a bannable offense. Of course, if the custom skin you use is a skin that’s already available for purchase from the in game shop, then you’re very likely to get banned.

To avoid having your account banned, the most recommended thing to do is to download and install an unofficial League of Legends client (cracked version) and to use the custom skins with that client.

Although this will mean that you won’t be able to play any actual matches (since you won’t be able to connect to the servers), you’ll still be able to satisfy the urge to play whatever skin you want. Of course, if you’re using this method then even using actual in game skins is fair game since there’s no chance of you getting banned.

Should You Use Custom Skins

Is using custom skins in LoL even worth it? Well, that really depends. You see, when you use custom skins via third party software, then it’s also possible to change other textures, such as how the map looks, and how minions or dragons look. 

In this sense, it might be worth experimenting with all sorts of different texture combinations just for fun. However, if you’re thinking of using custom skins because you don’t want to purchase skins, then it really isn’t worth it, as Riot gives players several opportunities to earn skins for free just by completing some challenges or taking part in some events.