So if you already have the mental toughness to suffer through twenty different kits and playstyles during the course of a few years, you at least deserve the satisfaction of getting yourself a good skin. But which one should you choose? That’s the question I will (hopefully) be answering here. So let’s take a look over his entire catalogue and rank every skin based on price, features, and overall appeal.
13. Tribal Ryze
Released: March 4th, 2010 Price: 520 RP This is probably one of the most catfish skins in the entire game, as the splash art is nothing short of epic while the in-game model looks like a Wish Young Ryze. Because that’s all it really does, it just turns you human. Sure, you also get some scraps of fur and some horn earrings. But that isn’t really something you’re going to notice while playing with this skin. So if you really want Young Ryze, but don’t feel like selling your kidney, this skin could be somewhat attractive… but that’s about it.
12. Triumphant Ryze
Released: August 31st, 2010 Price: Tournament Participation Let’s be blunt here: You’re probably not going to get this skin these days, as it’s extremely rare. That’s already quite the nasty quality. But even if you could get it, I think there are better options out there. Yes, the gemstones in his chest and around his waist give him a certain sense of power and authority. But that’s honestly the only thing this skin has going for it. It makes you look really sickly, plus it doesn’t offer any new animations or particles. And even the splash art is pretty mid-tier at best. Visually I prefer this design to Tribal Ryze. But I still think it’s one of the uglier skins.
11. Young Ryze
Released: July 17th, 2009 Price: Pre-order Retail Collector’s edition Since we already talked about Triumphant Ryze, let’s get his partner in crime out of the way as well. Young Ryze is insanely rare so the price might as well be infinity. And the skin itself is hardly worth that much. Yes, the concept is rather cool. And the character model actually holds up to modern standards. But Riot could have at least thrown in some new animations or a new voice actor! I mean seriously, even if you get lucky, you’re dropping at least a few dozen dollars – and all you get is a good splash art and a decent character model? The bragging rights just aren’t worth it.
10. Professor Ryze
Released: October 5th, 2010 Price: 975 RP Let’s be clear: you’re paying 975 RP for raw class. Pun intended. Just like the previous skins, Professor Ryze doesn’t offer any new animations or particles – but rather just a character model redesign. And as the name might suggest, you get a healthy dose of that headmaster energy. You’re in your best black and pink three piece suit, with a large book by your side, and glasses on your nose. Overall, this skin looks rather decent – and it even has a pretty good splash art. But Riot’s charging way too much here for a simple character model change.
9. Dark Crystal Ryze
Released: February 20th, 2012 Price: 975 RP Finally, a skin that actually rolls up its sleeves a little! First, let’s talk about the character model. You look like a full-on demon with horns coming out of your arms and head, and with the skin complexion of a boiled lobster. And instead of your usual scroll, you have a giant crystal chained to your back, which is something I could totally see Ryze doing. You don’t get any new animations, but you do get some particle recolors on your abilities. So at least that’s something. Dark Crystal Ryze is a rather good skin overall – but I think it pales in comparison to many others because of a lacking “wow” factor.
8. Ryze Whitebeard
Released: December 7th, 2015 Price: 750 RP I usually don’t like skins that make me feel like I’m playing a completely different champion – but this one is sort of the exception. Does this kinda just look like a Zilean who lost his clock? Yes. But is it also really fun to play with? Also yes. There’s just something about the generic wizard aesthetic in this skin that makes Ryze feel a lot goofier and more casual, which is a nice change of pace. True, it doesn’t add any new animations or particles. But the skin works surprisingly well with what it has. Overall it’s not very expensive and rather fun.
7. Uncle Ryze
Released: July 3rd, 2010 Price: 520 RP Whitebeard might be goofy, but Uncle Ryze feels like a true masterpiece for casual gaming. This splash art alone makes the already low price point feel like a steal. And the in-game model lives up to that hype. Not only are you dressed like Uncle Sam, but you also have the Constitution on your back and some rock hard abs in the front. It’s like Independence Day meets that one Halloween episode in How I Met Your Mother. But the true cherry on top is the fact that you get a nice little eagle sound effect when you ult. It’s like American patriotism, goofs, and badassery all rolled into one cheap skin!
6. SKT T1 Ryze
Released: August 17th, 2016 Price: 975 RP Simping for Faker is basically a given if you’ve played more than two games of League of Legends. And this is the Rift equivalent of bath water. The backing animation for this skin has the Faker roll on full display, and that’s honestly reason enough to get it. Jokes aside, this skin does have some really nice features. You finally get some new particles on your abilities, with the yellow to blue fade on your E and the SKT T1 flare on your W being the most unique. And in terms of the character model, I’m not the biggest fan of it – but I will admit that he has the smuggest face ever. And the fact that he carries his trophy around kind of justifies that.
5. Zombie Ryze
Released: October 19th, 2010 Price: 975 RP People seem to be rather torn about this one. It’s definitely a lot less zombie-ish than in the old days, but it also does still look pretty sick. As you could imagine, the character model has major spooky vibes with a literal tombstone on your back, cuts and bruises all over your body, one pant leg missing, and a face of utter terror. Zombie Ryze does also give you some new particles, but they’re nowhere near as impressive as the last skin – because here it mostly boils down to recolors. Technically this skin isn’t all that impressive in general… but zombies are cool as hell, so I have to show it some love.
4. Pirate Ryze
Released: October 26th, 2012 Price: 975 RP This is the type of skin I would usually slam in the rankings. There’s nothing about Ryze that makes me think of scallywags, and the theme feels forced as hell. Plus there are no new particles either, so you’re just a pirate who randomly knows magic for some reason… But then I saw how your Q gets a brand new animation where you actually shoot from your cannon, and I was honestly sold. True, the skin could have easily been made a lot better, maybe with some Gangplank powder type Es and a whirlpool ult. But I find the cannon thing funny enough to still rank it this high up.
3. Guardian of the Sands Ryze
Released: January 22nd, 2020 Price: 1350 RP Both of these skins near the top are high-end skins that actually change a lot of stuff. Guardian of the Sands Ryze has a very “Gaara of the Sand” vibe, and it works way better than I could have hoped. All of your particles are sand, obviously. And your Q has a little summoning circle at the beginning, which is a very nice touch. Plus your E gets a complete redesign, and your backing animation confirms that sand does in fact get everywhere. I will say that I’m not a huge fan of the fact that Ryze is so human again. And that’s somewhat why I decided to put this skin just shy of the top spot. But the design for his outfit here is on point. And finally, this skin gets really funny if you start picturing Ryze as having sand in his pockets and throwing it into people’s eyes.
2. Arcana Ryze
Released: April 14th, 2022 Price: 1350 RP Although Ryze has seen nothing but nerfs in 2022, this skin almost makes it all worth it. First off, just look at that splash art. If that doesn’t make you give out the biggest chief’s kiss, I don’t know what will. And the in-game model is just as impressive. That outfit is absolutely sick, and the mask makes you feel way cooler than almost any other skin. We then move on to the animations, and it’s another slam dunk. Just like every Arcana skin, the backing animation is just magical. And your abilities have some really nice, detailed red particles that make this skin feel rather distinct. Even the ult feels like an actual spell and not just a trolling mechanism. The only reason I’m not putting this skin at number one is that I think it could get slightly dull after a while. Then again, you also have eight great chromas to choose from, so maybe I’m just overthinking it. Overall, an absolute banger of a skin that lost out to the number one spot by the slimmest of margins.
1. Championship Ryze
Released: September 26th, 2019 Price: 1350 RP Just based on the skin-line, I really didn’t think I was going to like this design all that much. But man was I wrong. The splash art gives you such a grand sense of power. And believe it or not, the in-game experience matches up perfectly! The in-game model is an appropriate level of blue da ba dee daba die, while your clothes look ancient and epic. But it’s the animations that really steal the show. Both your empowered W and your ult now feature mysterious hooded figures, likely the Summoners. This makes the skin feel so grand in my eyes; like I’m truly channeling the powers of an ancient relic that must be kept away. Or maybe I’m just a nerd. Who knows? But as it stands, Championship Ryze is taking this ranking. Note: this content was created under Riot Games’ “Legal Jibber Jabber” policy using assets owned by Riot Games. Riot Games does not endorse or sponsor this project.
