League of Legends is set to introduce flashy new “Finisher” animations in its main game modes. Riot Games is currently testing these VALORANT-style collectible cosmetics on the PBE in this latest update cycle
Over the years, the developers have primarily focused on skins as the main way to encourage players to spend money in the game. They release multiple skins throughout the year, tied to different skin lines and in-game events, to keep players engaged with new content.
However, it seems like Riot is now planning to introduce a brand-new type of cosmetic for the first time in several years. According to a recent datamine, there are hints that “finishers” may soon be added to League of Legends.
A well-known League of Legends content creator, SkinSpotlights, discovered a new cosmetic option codenamed “Pineapple” hidden in the game’s files. Upon further investigation, it was revealed that this cosmetic appears to be tied to finisher animations, specifically for the enemy Nexus, which is the core objective that players need to destroy to win the game.
If this turns out to be true, it would mark one of the first significant cosmetic additions Riot has made to the game in many years. Riot has already implemented similar finisher animations in their auto-battler game, Teamfight Tactics.
In that game, players can watch flashy animations when they defeat their opponents. It’s likely that the finishers in League of Legends will follow a similar concept but on a much grander scale.
The addition of these finishers would not only give players a new way to customize their game experience, but also a particularly bold way to rub salt in the wound of their enemies. Imagine not just winning the match, but also finishing it off with a flashy, taunting animation for all to see.
Based on the data mined information, it looks like Riot plans to offer multiple finisher options for players, which would be selectable in the game client, much like emotes. These finishers could potentially be used as a new way for players to express themselves and personalize their playstyle.
As of now, there’s no official release date for these cosmetics, but it’s expected that they will be available on the PBE in the near future for testing.