Riot Games has unveiled a bold new direction for League of Legends, promising to redefine the game with a series of changes set to arrive in 2025. The updates will unite lore and gameplay like never before, introducing a Noxian invasion, a new epic jungle monster, and a Visual Gameplay Update (VGU) for Viktor inspired by the second season of Arcane.
At the heart of the changes is a new seasonal structure, which will see the game adopt a three-season format, each lasting 16 weeks and exploring a unique theme. The first season of 2025 will focus on Noxus, kicking off with a cinematic centered around the warmonger region and its champions.
The Noxian invasion will bring significant changes to Summoner’s Rift, including the introduction of a new epic jungle monster, Atakhan, Bringer of Ruin. The monster will have two forms and will spawn at the 20-minute mark on the most contested side of the map, shifting Baron Nashor’s spawn time to 25 minutes.
Atakhan will also introduce a new mechanic, Blood Roses, which will grow in areas where champions die and grant both XP and a stacking Adaptive Force buff to champions who collect them. Additionally, the Noxian invasion will bring a new Feats of Strength mechanic, which will reward the first team to claim key objectives with enhanced Noxian-themed boots.
Other changes coming to the game include new runes, such as Deep Ward and Axiom Arcanist, which will provide new ways to outplay opponents. Nexus turrets will also respawn after destruction, helping teams mount comebacks. The Teleport ability will be overhauled, no longer instantly blinking players to their target but visually traveling across the map for a more immersive feel.
Outside of the Rift, Riot Games is introducing a new game mode called Swiftplay, a faster-paced, lower-stakes experience that retains core League elements like farming and teamfighting. The mode will be tested in select regions beginning in January, with the aim of adding it to every region by the end of the year.
