One of Skarner’s Classic Skins is Getting an Upgrade in League of Legends

Skarner is receiving a gameplay update or VGU in League of Legends that levels up his abilities and overall character design. Alongside these changes, his classic Earthrune skin is getting a much-needed visual refresh to bring it in line with newer skins. However, this update comes at a cost for players who don’t already own the skin.

Riot has confirmed Earthrune will be moved to the “Deluxe” tier after the rework hits live servers. As a result, its RP price will be increased from the old 520RP standard to the current 750RP Deluxe tier. For existing owners, they’ll receive the upgrade automatically at no extra cost. But new players interested in the revamped Earthrune will have to spend more RP compared to its original price point.

A Skin Upgrade Comes at a Price

The decision to increase Earthrune’s price has received some criticism from parts of the League of Legends community. Some argue other skins, like Shadow Evelynn, received visual overhauls without a price adjustment after their champions’ VGUs. There is a concern this sets a precedent where older skins could see cost hikes later down the line.

However, Riot may see the Earthrune changes as more substantial than a simple visual update. The skin is getting a complete overhaul to match Skarner’s new aesthetic after 11 years. This likely means new animations, textures, and other assets beyond a fresh coat of paint. For a “legacy” 520RP skin reaching Deluxe tier quality, a price bump may be deemed justified by the developers.