Riot Confirms End of Free Hextech Chests in League of Legends

It's official: Riot Games has confirmed that free Hextech Chests are gone for good in League of Legends. After nearly a decade of rewarding players with free skins, the controversial change introduced in Season 15 is here to stay.

Since their introduction in 2016, Hextech Chests have been a beloved feature of League's crafting system. Players earned them through regular gameplay, unlocking skins, and other in-game cosmetics without spending real money. However, when Season 15 launched earlier this year, players quickly noticed that Hextech Chests had disappeared as free rewards. Instead, Riot introduced a new Battle Pass system that significantly reduced the number of free skins available, with Hextech Chests now only accessible via RP purchases.

After months of community backlash, Riot Games finally addressed the issue in their latest Dev Update. The developers acknowledged the removal of free Hextech Chests was "unpopular" but stated it was necessary to ensure the game's financial sustainability. Riot emphasized their commitment to the new Battle Pass model, signaling that free skins from Hextech Chests will not be returning in the future.

While some players understand Riot’s need to monetize the game more effectively, many have expressed frustration over the removal of one of League’s most player-friendly features. The change marks a significant shift in the League’s reward structure, forcing players to adapt to a system that now heavily favors microtransactions.

With free Hextech Chests now officially a thing of the past, League of Legends players will have to decide whether to embrace the new system or voice their dissatisfaction through their wallets. As Riot continues to refine its monetization strategy, the future of free-to-play rewards in the League remains uncertain.