How can you give all of the main characters Arcane skins and skip over my boy Viktor? I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that he was the highlight of the show. So it’s time to give him some love – and since we didn’t get the new skin that we deserved, let’s at least look at the skins he does have & see how they stack up against each other. Based on price and overall appeal, this is my ranking of all Viktor’s skins.
6. Full Machine Viktor
Released: December 29th, 2011 Price: 975 RP There are quite a few things working against Full Machine Viktor. Firstly, the splash art is an attack on the eyes of whoever has it. And you can immediately tell that this champion is over a decade old. Secondly, the in-game model is just way too generic. He looks like some robotic ant or something. This is even more saddening because this is the only skin to fully turn him into a robot… you know, his end goal in life. Like how can you end a character arc on such a mediocre note? If the skin at least had some chromas, or if the armor received a bit more polish, I could maybe see it working. But this is just disappointing. Thirdly, the skin is way too overpriced for what you get. It basically has no new animations or effects whatsoever, besides a new layer of paint on your W. And considering that even the character model is meh at best, 975 RP just sounds like a robbery. Full Machine Victor is something we thematically really need to see for this champion. But please don’t massacre my boy like this.
5. Creator Viktor
Released: September 30th, 2013 Price: 1350 RP Creator Viktor is one of the most egregious catfish scenarios in the game. The splash art is so good, where it finally depicts Viktor completely giving up on his humanity and just going to town on all the non-believers. And considering what we learned of his backstory, I can’t say I really blame the guy. But then you get in-game and discover this giant lump of metal staring at you. The character just looks way too bulky and more akin to a bruiser top laner than a mage. His mask is as generic as you can get, and his third arm doesn’t even look like an arm anymore. I will say that new particles are okay overall, except maybe the Q shield which is a bit too bright for my liking. But there isn’t anything that really blows me away. The only true positive that I can give this skin is the recall animation, as a droid pops out of your chest and simulates some holographic panels for you to tinker with. But one cool new feature, some okay particles, and an awful character model doesn’t really scream 1350 RP if you ask me.
4. PsyOps Viktor
Released: September 17th, 2020 Price: 1350 RP Okay, this one is just all over the place. I honestly both love and hate it. On the one hand, being among the newer skins also means receiving the most polish when it comes to the character model. And that is definitely the case with PsyOps Viktor. This is also the only Viktor skin that actually has chromas, so there’s that benefit as well. On the other hand, I just can’t fully get behind some of the design choices. The orb that’s present on his staff, as well as on his ult and in his new recall animation, just look like a children’s toy to me. I don’t know what it is exactly… but it definitely does not scream “badass evil scientist”. It also doesn’t help that your third arm looks like a menacing sunflower. And when it comes to the particles, they just seem a bit random. I feel like “tripping on mushroom” was the main idea behind the color palette, and I’m a bit disappointed. Especially since this released as the first new Viktor skin after like three years. I know that some people really like this skin, and I won’t judge you if you do, but it just isn’t for me.
3. Prototype Viktor
Released: December 29th, 2011 Price: 520 RP Now this is arguably one of the most biased picks I have ever made in my League skin rankings – but it’s my listing so I don’t care. Listen, this is the closest we’ll get to Arcane Victor for quite some time. So we have to cherish it! Also, the character model does look surprisingly nice. The technology looks a bit more primitive and “punk rock” than what we saw in the show, but it still makes a coherent whole – and it gives off the perfect vibe for a pre-revolution Viktor. Sure, it doesn’t really have any new particles or animations (except for a recolor on your W). And some new voice lines would make this skin absolutely amazing. But for only 520 RP, I think it’s still worth the investment. Reject Full Machine, return to cyborg monkey!
2. High Noon Viktor
Released: May 26th, 2022 Price: 1350 RP This is a weird one. Thematically, it basically has nothing to do with High Noon as you’re more of a nightmare creature than a cowboy. That being said, the skin is also extremely badass. The character model just screams Bloodborne – and that’s the highest coolness rating a videogame character can get. And not only are you completely dripped out, but you also have some haunting particles to go along with it all. I especially like the upgraded E as you can see the souls of the damned rise up with the explosion. Which is rather accurate to how using the ability feels. The other abilities aren’t as creative, but they still get the job done. And the sound effects are very punchy and distinct. But again, it doesn’t really feel like a High Noon skin. So having the ult also spawn in some tumbleweeds felt extremely awkward. It’s not a huge issue, but definitely a demerit in my eyes. That and the fact that the backing animation just has you bust up some junk. Overall, thematically the skin is a bit detached from the rest of the line. But it’s also extremely cool on its own – so give it a look!
1. Death Sworn Viktor
Released: October 25th, 2017 Price: 1350 RP By all accounts I should hate Death Sworn Viktor, as I usually value thematic consistency over everything else. But man does it look cool! This skin really just went out and changed everything we thought we knew about Viktor. From the ghostly abs to the Vel’Koz arm and the mysterious hood, this is not what one would usually expect from a mad scientist – and yet it works so well. Your W utilizes some sort of runes to trap your enemies, your E has this really quick ghostly effect upon the second explosion, your R just has a wormhole effect, and your backing animation has you performing some type of summoning ritual. It just makes sense! Plus, I can’t stress enough just how cool his character model is. I was expecting another cash grab Halloween skin, and ended up with the coolest Viktor skin in the entire game – so I would say this is quite the deal. 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.
