By Sagar V. Mankar 
The launch of the League of Legends Season 2025 has sparked a significant backlash among its player base. A major point of contention is Riot Games’ decision to remove the ability to earn free Hextech Chests, a feature that had long been a staple of the game.
For years, skins and champions have been central to the League of Legends experience, allowing players to customize their favorite champions with new appearances. Players could acquire skins by purchasing them with real money, or by obtaining them from chests and orbs. One of the most popular ways to acquire skins was by opening Hextech Chests, which often contained skin shards.
However, with the launch of Season 1, Riot Games has altered how players can earn these chests, causing many to wonder if the game is pushing players toward spending more real money.
Previously, players could earn Hextech Chests in several ways. One popular method was through the mastery system, where players earned rewards, including chests, for improving their performance with specific champions. Additionally, ranked rewards and achieving an S rank with a champion could also result in receiving Hextech Chests. This allowed players to earn skins and other rewards just by playing the game well.
But after the Season 1 update, Riot Games has removed several of these free ways to acquire Hextech Chests. The only remaining option for players who want to get a chest is to purchase one for 125 Riot Points (RP). Since a Hextech Key is required to open the chest, players now need to spend an additional 195 RP to unlock a chest, which can lead to frustrations for players hoping to earn skins without paying real money.
This sudden change has left many players frustrated, with some calling it the “last straw” in their relationship with the game.
The player community has expressed their dissatisfaction on various platforms. One player, who had spent the past year collecting free Hextech Chests, called the decision “the worst in the history of League.” They added that they hoped Riot Games would reverse the change and reinstate the weekly chest rewards tied to mastery progress.
This sentiment has been echoed across the community, with many urging others to take a stand. Some players believe that the only effective way to get Riot’s attention is to “vote with their wallets” and boycott the game. A commenter highlighted that Riot seems to prioritize profits, making financial pressure the most impactful form of protest.
However, not everyone is convinced that a boycott will work. Critics point to past unsuccessful attempts, such as the brief protest against the $500 Ahri ban, which fizzled out within days. They argue that unless influential content creators and professional players join the movement, it’s unlikely to gain traction.
Despite the ongoing backlash, Riot Games has yet to respond or indicate any plans to reevaluate the decision. For now, the controversy over Hextech Chests has become a rallying point for players dissatisfied with the game’s direction.