What is the Shyvana rework in League of Legends?

League of Legends has adopted a new trend of reworking extremely old champions. This happened with the popular Xin Zhao, and the most recent champion to see this effect is slated to be Shyvana.

Shyvana’s rework will be much different than what some may be expecting. Like LeBlanc, the change is expected to be more of a cosmetic thing, ensuring she looks more in touch with the lore-related features that Riot Games needs.

Here’s everything to know about the upcoming Shyvana rework in League of Legends.

When will Shyvana’s rework be released in League of Legends?

Riot is planning to bring the Shyvana rework into the approaching Demacia-themed Season 1 of 2026. Leaked Roadmap info suggested the rework of Shyvana would be coming in 2025, but now the developer updates confirm the release of the rework will be in 2026. At the end of 2025, the lead developer of Riot, Meddler, confirmed the rework would not be coming in 2025.

The update is now expected to debut in Season 1 of 2026. Additionally, Meddler has made it clear that Shyvana's rework won't appear in the season's first patch. Rather, Riot anticipates a release window in February or May of 2026, which is early to mid-season.

Changes to Shyvana’s visuals and model in League of Legends

Concept art and early previews showcase Shyvana’s model getting a very noticeable redesign. With scaled skin and more reptile-like facial features, her human form now further represents her dragon side. Her current black hair has been replaced with a reddish-orange color that highlights her connection to flames and dragon energy. Additionally, she now has armor infused with petricite on her right arm and chest, showcasing Demacia's visual theme and strengthening her ties to the area.

Riot is also updating her Dragon Form to look larger and more impressive. The update will bring new character models, better textures, and more fluid character animation for both forms. Furthermore, it will introduce new visual effects to her skills in both human and dragon form. These visual updates highlight Shyvana’s half-dragon identity and Demacian origins.

Updates to Shyvana’s gameplay in League of Legends

While Shyvana’s appearance is getting updated, her core gameplay identity stays the same. Right now, Shyvana is a melee hybrid who transforms into a dragon fueled by Fury as her signature move. Instead of changing her theme, Riot intends to improve her gameplay and further develop who she is. Lead designer Sope explained that the team aims to add new depth to Shyvana, while still keeping her recognizable.

As of yet, no specific change to her skills has been fully revealed, only a direction in polishing her power spikes and adding to her utility. For instance, a passive skill change or a boost to her skills could happen, possibly changing the way her Fury interactions work. Shyvana’s rework will keep her iconic explosive breath attack and melee slam skills, though they will probably be reworked for a much stronger effect and a more improved player experience. However, the damage-oriented dragon design will remain the same in Shyvana’s case.

FAQs

When is Shyvana’s rework coming out?

Shyvana’s rework is planned for Season 1 of 2026. Riot has confirmed it will not release in 2025. The expected window is early to mid 2026.

Will Shyvana’s rework be a full gameplay overhaul?

No. The rework is mainly visual. Riot wants to modernize her look while keeping her core playstyle intact.

What changes are coming to Shyvana’s model?

Shyvana is getting a new character model with more dragon-like features. Her hair color, armor, and facial details will better reflect her dragon blood and Demacian roots.