Streamlined three-tier loyalty program where every member enjoys the same high-quality rewards, with benefits escalating at each tier.
Simple yet effective, this program stands as the best deal for Eloking's boosting services, ensuring maximum value and satisfaction for all our users.
Cashback on all Eloking boosts (3%, 5%, 7%)
Discounts for all Eloking boosts (5%, 10%, 15%)
Discount for a friend 🤗
Free daily lootbox spin with industry-leading rewards
Member exclusive season and event offers
What are the Xin Zhao changes in League of Legends?
h
Hamza Rashid
Gamer
13 Aug 2025
Posted On
League of Legends [1] has an ever-expanding roster of champions, from the popular Lux to the niche Zilean. However, because the game has been out for so long, a handful of champions have dated character models that don’t reflect their lore. In situations like this, Riot Games tends to rework the champion, as they did with Viktor.
The next champion to receive the overhaul treatment in League of Legends is Xin Zhao. In addition to his base model and animation, all of Xin Zhao’s skins will also be seeing slight changes to reflect the changes Riot Games wants to make. Fortunately, his gameplay will remain untouched.
Without any further delays, here is everything to know about the changes to expect from Xin Zhao in League of Legends.
When will Xin Zhao be getting reworked in League of Legends?
Riot has confirmed a full visual overhaul for Xin Zhao in the upcoming Patch 25.17 (scheduled for August 27, 2025). The official dev update plainly states, “Xin Zhao is getting a visual update to his base model and all skins”. Importantly, this change is purely cosmetic, meaning his abilities and numbers remain unchanged (dev note even says his gameplay is “untouched”). The update will bring Xin’s graphics up to modern standards without altering how he plays, making it a straightforward cosmetic upgrade for the 15-year champion.
Riot’s preview images show Xin Zhao’s updated model from multiple angles, revealing a younger, more noble-looking design. He now wears larger white-and-blue Demacian armor plates and has a refined posture. The update delivers higher-quality textures, refined model details, and smoother animations, making the game look sharper and his movements easier to follow. Players should notice crisper ability visuals and smoother animations, as Riot typically upgrades VFX and animations in a visual update to improve readability in fights.
Xin Zhao’s skin updates and new content
Xin Zhao’s skins will be updated to match the new art style. In particular, Riot is unvaulting his rare legacy skins for a limited time around 25.17 to 25.18. According to the announcements:
Vaulted skins return: All of Xin Zhao’s previously vaulted skins will be available again for a short window during patches 25.17 and 25.18. This gives players a final chance to acquire any legacy skins they missed.
Rare skins upgrades: The old Commando Xin Zhao and Imperial Xin Zhao skins are explicitly mentioned for visual touch-ups. These skins will keep their old price (520 RP) until Patch 25.17, after which their cost will rise to 750 RP. The rework improves their textures and effects to match modern quality.
Other skins: Although not detailed in the dev notes, all other skins (for example, Viscero, Warring Kingdoms Battle Academia, etc.) will be updated along with the base model. Essentially, every Xin Zhao skin will be polished.
New Epic skin: Riot is also releasing a brand-new Epic-tier Xin Xhao skin later in Act 1 of the season, built around the champion’s updated visuals.
These changes mean that by the end of patch 25.17, Xin Zhao’s entire cosmetic library, from his default look to the rarest legacy skins, will have a coherent, modern appearance. Vaulted legacy skins return briefly in 25.17 to 25.18, and players can expect upgraded animations and VFX for abilities as part of the overall makeover.
Struggling to win? Bad teammates?
Purchase a game with one of our PRO players.
One game
Average wait time <10 minutes
$4.00
$3.32 per game
Two games
Average wait time <10 minutes
$8.00
$3.00 per game
Three games
Average wait time <10 minutes
$12.00
$2.50 per game
Community reception to Xin Zhao’s changes
Player feedback so far has been mostly positive. Most fans appreciate Riot giving an older champion a fresh look without altering his kit. Some praised Xin Zhao’s updated design on Reddit, with a few noting a closer resemblance to Zhao Yun from the Three Kingdoms (his real-world inspiration).
Others responded with light humor or mild critiques. Overall, the community seems excited about the visual update. Players are happy with the update, excited to try the refreshed skins and new look, and glad the gameplay they love remains unchanged.
FAQs
What changes is Xin Zhao getting in Patch 25.17?
Xin Zhao is receiving a visual overhaul for his base model and all skins. This includes higher-quality textures, refined armor designs, smoother animations, and improved ability visuals. His abilities and gameplay remain exactly the same.
When is Xin Zhao’s update releasing?
The visual update will go live in Patch 25.17 on August 27, 2025. Vaulted skins will also return for a limited time between patches 25.17 and 25.18.
Which Xin Zhao skins are being updated?
All of Xin Zhao’s skins are being updated to match the new art style. Commando Xin Zhao and Imperial Xin Zhao are confirmed to get visual touch-ups and will see a price increase from 520 RP to 750 RP after Patch 25.17.
Quality
