League of Legends Reward System: Does It Really Take 882 Hours to Unlock a Champion?

Let’s dive into the recent buzz about League of Legends and the claim that it now takes a whopping 882 hours to unlock a single champion under the new system. Is this for real, or just another internet exaggeration? Let’s break it down in a fun and chill way.

The Claim: 882 Hours for a Champion?

Recently, a Reddit post went viral, suggesting that with the latest changes in League’s reward system, players would need to grind for 882 hours to unlock a new champion. That’s like binge-watching the entire One Piece anime series… twice!

 

 

What’s Changed in the Reward System?

Riot Games revamped the traditional rewards and crafting structures, replacing Hextech Chests and keys with a seasonal battle pass system. The goal was to streamline loot drops and reduce randomness. However, the removal of level-up rewards, including Blue Essence (BE), has left many players frustrated. 

Breaking Down the Numbers

According to the viral Reddit post, the removal of level-up rewards means that players now have to rely solely on the battle pass to earn Blue Essence. For players above level 50, this change is particularly impactful, as they previously received champion capsules and other rewards for each level-up. Now, they must grind through the battle pass levels to earn the same rewards. 

 

 

Riot’s Response

Jordan ‘BarackProbama’ Checkman, a senior design lead at Riot, addressed the concerns:

• Earning Blue Essence: He emphasized that earning BE wouldn’t require any purchases.
• Battle Pass Breakdown: Each pass includes four champion capsules and 4,750 BE. With six passes a year, that’s-
• Capsules: 4 per pass × 6 passes = 24 capsules annually.
• Blue Essence: 4,750 BE per pass × 6 passes = 28,500 BE annually.
• Average BE per Pass Level: Approximately 335 BE per level.
• First Win of the Day (FWOTD): Yields about 100.5 BE.

Checkman noted that these values are based on average play patterns and that rewards are frontloaded in the first 50 levels of the pass. He also mentioned that if new players don’t get enough BE, the pass values might change.

Community Reaction

Despite the detailed breakdown, many players remain unsatisfied. Concerns include:

• Lack of Incentives: For players above level 50.
• Capped Rewards: Discouraging continued engagement.

Both of Checkman’s posts addressing these concerns were downvoted by Redditors, indicating ongoing dissatisfaction within the community.

Is the 882-Hour Claim Accurate?

While the exact figure of 882 hours might be an overestimation, it’s clear that the new system requires a significant time investment to unlock champions without spending real money. The removal of level-up rewards and the reliance on the battle pass have increased the grind for free-to-play players.

Final Thoughts

The recent changes to League’s reward system have sparked considerable debate. While Riot aimed to streamline rewards and reduce randomness, the impact on free-to-play players has been substantial. Whether you’re a casual player or a dedicated grinder, it’s essential to stay informed and provide feedback to help shape the game’s future.