Now, in a shocking reversal, Riot Games has announced the return of Hextech Chests, just two months after their removal. This update follows overwhelming player backlash, proving that the community’s voice still matters in shaping League of Legends.
Let’s break down the timeline of this change, why Hextech Chests were removed, and what’s different now that they’re coming back.
How Long Were Hextech Chests Removed?
- Hextech Chests Introduced: 2016
- Hextech Chests Removed: January 2025 (Start of Season 15)
- Community Backlash: Immediate and ongoing
- Hextech Chests Reinstated: February 26, 2025
- Total Time Removed: Approximately 2 months
Riot Games originally removed Hextech Chests at the beginning of Season 15, claiming that the free rewards were hurting the game’s financial model. However, due to the massive negative response, Riot backtracked on their decision just eight weeks later, reintroducing Hextech Chests with some key changes.
Why Were Hextech Chests Removed in the First Place?
1. Riot Games Wanted to Increase Skin Sales
One of the biggest reasons Riot removed Hextech Chests was financial sustainability. Since players could earn free skins by simply playing well, fewer players were spending money on cosmetics.
By removing Hextech Chests, Riot pushed players toward paid loot boxes, Battle Passes, and direct skin purchases, increasing revenue. However, the backlash showed that players valued free rewards and were unwilling to accept a fully pay-to-win system.
“The current reward system was not sustainable long-term, so we had to make necessary changes.” — Riot Games (Source)
2. A Shift Toward the Battle Pass System
Many modern games, including Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Valorant, rely on Battle Pass systems rather than free loot rewards. Riot tried to move in the same direction, removing Hextech Chests and shifting focus to seasonal Battle Passes.
However, unlike Valorant, where skins are individually crafted and highly detailed, League’s Battle Pass skins didn’t feel rewarding enough, leading to widespread player dissatisfaction.
3. Riot Underestimated the Community’s Reaction
Riot likely expected some negative feedback, but the sheer scale of the backlash was unprecedented. Players took to Reddit, Twitter, and forums, flooding Riot’s posts with complaints about the removal of one of the few free reward systems left in the game.
Many players even boycotted in-game purchases, pushing Riot to respond faster than expected.
How Are Hextech Chests Changing Now?
With Riot bringing back Hextech Chests, they’re also adjusting how they work to balance free rewards with monetization.
New Hextech Chest System (2025 Update)
- Players can now earn up to 10 Hextech Chests per Act.
- 8 Hextech Chests will be available through the free seasonal pass.
- 2 Hextech Chests will be earned via the Honor system (rewarding positive in-game behavior).
This means players will still get free rewards, but the number of available chests is slightly more limited compared to the previous system. Riot is clearly trying to strike a balance between free progression and maintaining skin sales.
“We recognize that players valued the ability to earn skins through gameplay, so we are adjusting the system to ensure both engagement and sustainability.” — Riot Games (Source)
Community Reaction: Are Players Happy?
With Hextech Chests making a comeback, the community reaction is mixed.
Positive Reactions:
✅ Players are glad Riot listened and reversed the removal.
✅ Free skins are still available, even if slightly limited.
✅ The Honor system rewards good behavior with additional chests.
Negative Reactions:
❌ The new system limits free Hextech Chests compared to before.
❌ Riot still removed fully free progression, replacing it with seasonal passes.
❌ Some players feel this is just a temporary fix before another monetization push.
While Riot’s decision is a step in the right direction, many still feel skeptical about future changes. Players will continue monitoring how this new system develops.
FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About Hextech Chests (2025 Update)
Why did Riot remove Hextech Chests?
Riot removed Hextech Chests in January 2025, stating that the free skin rewards were unsustainable and hurting skin sales.
How long were Hextech Chests gone?
They were removed for about 2 months before being reinstated in February 2025 due to community backlash.
What’s different in the new Hextech Chest system?
- Players can earn up to 10 chests per Act.
- 8 chests come from seasonal progression.
- 2 chests are earned through the Honor system.
- The completely free system no longer exists, but players still get free rewards.
Will Hextech Chests be removed again in the future?
There’s no confirmation that they will be removed again, but Riot has stated they will continue to adjust in-game reward systems based on player feedback.
Final Thoughts: How Riot’s Quick Reversal Shows the Power of Community Feedback
The removal and return of Hextech Chests within just two months shows how player feedback can influence game development. Riot Games initially made the change for financial reasons, but the backlash forced them to reconsider and reintroduce free rewards in a new form.
The Big Takeaways:
- Riot removed Hextech Chests for financial reasons.
- Community backlash led to a reversal within two months.
- The new system limits the number of free Hextech Chests, but they are still available.
- Riot is experimenting with new monetization strategies, meaning more changes may come in the future.
This situation highlights the ongoing battle between monetization and player satisfaction in free-to-play games. While Riot did listen this time, it’s important for players to stay vocal about changes that impact the game experience.
What Do You Think?
Are you happy that Hextech Chests are back? Do you think Riot will make more changes to the system? Drop a comment below and share your thoughts! ⬇️
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