Here’s Riot Sirhaian with a thread on VFX updates for this cycle:
“Hello everyone!
Similar to the previous VFX updates we’ve made in the past (Kennen, Olaf, Wukong, etc), we’re working on updates to the Visual Effects (VFX) of more champions whose spell effects are in need of some love. Our aim is to get their FX to current League standards and improve gameplay clarity. In Patch 9.12, we’ll be releasing VFX updates for Amumu, Lulu, Tryndamere and Ziggs.
Just like the previous ones, and since these are smaller updates geared toward sprucing up some of the oldest members of the roster, they aren’t in the same prioritization conversation as to how we decide who gets a VGU (where we take model, gameplay, and thematic into account too!): they do not affect any other timeline, and are more of a side project.
We’re looking for feedback on those changes, which should be up on the PBE now. Please try them out there —especially if you’re a main— and leave us your feedback!
I. Amumu
VFX Update aimed at reinforcing his Shurima thematic and improving his gameplay clarity. Also tried to get as close as possible to his music videos style.
Kit:
BA – New impacts
Q – Added a subtle effect to show the width of the missile. The tip of the missile is now brighter, too.
W – Subtle clarity change, now displaying a reflection. Better representation of the hitbox. Also has a hit effect, now.
E – New AOE, now with sand! Better representation of the hitbox. New and more condensed impact effect.
R – Entirely new AOE effect, now with actual Shuriman runes, sand and flair!
P – Just cleaned up a bit.
Skin changes:
All Skins: Cleaned up to match base.
Sad Robot Amumu received new spell effects across the board.
II. Lulu
VFX Update aimed at making her magic feel a bit more unique and improving her gameplay clarity.
Kit:
BA – New missiles and hit effects.
Q – New missiles and cleaned up hit effects.
W – Ally – Improved and cleaned up buff effect.
W – Enemy – Cleaned up missile, with new hit effect.
E – Ally – Improved and cleaned up shield.
E – Enemy – Improved Pix teleport and hit effects.
R – Entirely new AOE effect. Cleaned up enemy hit effect, and new slow effect. Leaves a subtle trail of fairy dust behind.
P – Pix bolts have been cleaned up a bit, while keeping that fairy magic feel.
Skin changes:
All Skins: Cleaned up to match base.
Dragon Trainer: Pix now shoots small pink fireballs.
III. Tryndamere
Mostly a clean up to reduce all the noise from his old VFXs, while adding a little bit of Freljord flair.
Kit:
BA – New hit effects and adjusted weapon trails.
Q – More visible heal effect with reduced noise.
W – Added a cast effect that shows the range of the ability.
E – New effect, showing the actual width of the AOE (yes, his weapon is bigger than the AOE size).
R – New activation effect and buff.
P – New rage indicator effect.
Skin changes:
All Skins: Cleaned up to match base.
Demonblade: New fiery spell effects.
IV. Ziggs
Complete VFX overhaul, focused on showing the actual size of his AOEs and bringing him up to today’s quality standards.
Kit:
BA – New missiles and impacts. Sparks!
Q – New missile, but especially new explosion, leaving a crater that shows the AOE size. Sparks too!
W – New explosion, with crater. Has an upward movement to reinforce the knock-up feel. Now has a hit effect. Adjusted AOE indicators to match the hitbox. Also sparks!
E – Added a subtle trail to the missiles. Added a subtle range indicator on the mines. They also leave a small crater on impact. More sparks!
R – New cast, indicators, missile, AOE and hit effect. Finally an actual mushroom cloud! And guess what? Yes, sparks!
P – Empowered hit is more explodey and the missile has more sparks!
Emotes – Changed the various explosions to look closer to the rest of his kit.
Skin changes:
Mad Scientist: Added bubbles and goo here and there. Green explodey stuff!
Pool Party: Cleaned up the noise and brought him closer to the rest of the skin line.
Snow Day: Cleaned up the noise and added some warmer accents in the missiles and explosions.
Arcanist: Added the crater in the ult and updated the indicator to match base.
Odyssey: Added the crater in the ult.
Please test those changes on the PBE and let us know if you have any feedback!”