League of Legends' Noxus Season Ends Without a Visual Update for Vladimir — But There’s Still Hope

League of Legends’ recent Noxus-themed season brought bold changes to the game — from cinematic expansions and themed skins to long-awaited character updates. However, one champion many fans expected to receive a visual and gameplay update (VGU) has once again been left behind: Vladimir.

Noxus Season Brings Big Updates — But Not for Everyone

The Noxus season introduced immersive visuals and storylines centered on the militaristic and brutal region of Noxus. Through cinematic storytelling, Riot explored narratives involving characters like Mel Medarda and LeBlanc, teasing how events from Arcane connect with the current state of Runeterra.

Among the major changes, LeBlanc received a full VGU — her default appearance now aligns with the darker, more refined aesthetic seen in the cinematics. Fans welcomed the update, and naturally hoped her close ally, Vladimir, would get the same treatment. After all, he's also a major Noxian figure tied deeply to LeBlanc and the Black Rose.

Vladimir’s Visuals Are Overdue for a Makeover

Vladimir was introduced back in 2010, and while he’s seen a couple of gameplay tweaks, his last visual update was in 2014, and his last gameplay update was in 2016. For many in the League community, that’s far too long. His current in-game model feels outdated, especially when compared to other classic champions who have received VGUs in recent years.

In the Noxus season cinematics, Vladimir appears with a noticeably modernized design, sparking hope that a full rework was finally on the way. But with Riot already preparing for the next regional focus — Season 2 in Ionia, launching April 30 — it appears Vladimir’s update won’t be part of the current release cycle.

Riot Might Be Playing the Long Game

While some players feel misled by the updated cinematics, there’s still a chance that Vladimir is simply not part of Riot’s current VGU schedule. Riot may be planning to release one major VGU per season, with LeBlanc representing Noxus.

That said, it wouldn’t be the first time Riot surprised fans with a late-season update — and Vladimir still has a chance to reappear in future plans, especially considering the groundwork has already been laid.

Wild Rift Offers a Glimpse at a Better Vladimir

Interestingly, Vladimir did get an upgraded look in 2023 — just not in the main game. His design in League of Legends: Wild Rift features more refined textures, stronger facial features, and a modernized outfit, all of which have been praised by players.

This proves that Riot already has a polished visual model for Vladimir — the only barrier might be the technical effort needed to translate the mobile version to the PC client.

Will Vladimir’s Time Come?

While Vladimir’s VGU may not be imminent, it doesn’t seem out of the question. Riot could be prioritizing champion balance and new content in 2025, but the demand for a Vladimir redesign is loud and clear. With assets available and story relevance climbing, it's only a matter of time before the Crimson Reaper gets the modern update he deserves.