Loot and crafting in League of Legends, primarily through Hextech Chests, Keys, and Essences, offer players a way to acquire cosmetic items, champion shards, and other in-game rewards. This system provides a free-to-play avenue for customization and champion acquisition, adding an element of surprise and progression to the client experience.
Hextech Chests and Keys
Hextech Chests are a primary source of loot in League of Legends. They can be obtained through various means:
- Gameplay: Earning an 'S-' grade or higher on a champion you own in a match grants you a Hextech Chest. You can only earn one chest per champion per season.
- Purchasing: Chests can also be bought directly from the in-game store.
- Events: Special in-game events often reward players with Hextech Chests.
To open a Hextech Chest, you need a Hextech Key. Keys are earned by:
- Playing Games: Earning 'Keystone Fragments' by playing games and performing well. Three Keystone Fragments can be combined to form a Hextech Key.
- Purchasing: Keys can also be purchased from the store.
What's Inside a Hextech Chest?
When you open a Hextech Chest, you have a chance to receive one or more of the following:
- Champion Shards: These shards can be used to unlock champions permanently.
- Skin Shards: These shards can be upgraded into permanent cosmetic skins for champions.
- Emote Shards: Shards for unique emotes that can be used in-game.
- Ward Skin Shards: Shards for cosmetic ward skins.
- Rune Pages: Occasionally, you might receive a permanent rune page.
- Mythic Essence: A special currency used to craft exclusive Hextech skins and other rare items.
Champion Shards and Blue Essence
Champion Shards are a key component of the crafting system. When you receive a Champion Shard, you have a few options:
- Upgrade to Permanent: Use Blue Essence (BE) to upgrade the shard into a permanent champion unlock. The cost in BE varies depending on the champion's price tier.
- Re-roll Shards: If you have three Champion Shards, you can re-roll them to receive one random permanent champion you don't already own. This is a great way to acquire new champions, especially those with higher BE costs.
- Dismantle for Blue Essence: You can dismantle Champion Shards to gain Blue Essence. This is useful if you already own the champion or if you need BE to upgrade other shards.
Mythic Essence and Crafting
Mythic Essence is a premium currency obtained from Hextech Chests, event orbs, and through the Mythic Essence shop. It's used to craft exclusive items that are not available through normal means:
- Hextech Exclusives: Craft rare Hextech skins (e.g., Hextech Annie, Hextech Amumu) that are only available through Mythic Essence.
- Prestige Skins: Craft Prestige versions of popular skins, which often have unique visual effects and models.
- Other Rare Items: Mythic Essence can also be used for other limited-time cosmetic items.
Strategic Use of Loot and Crafting
You can strategically use their loot and crafting materials to:
- Acquire New Champions: Dismantle unwanted Champion Shards to accumulate Blue Essence for purchasing champions you want.
- Obtain Free Skins: Upgrade Skin Shards to unlock cosmetic skins without spending real money.
- Get Exclusive Cosmetics: Save up Mythic Essence for highly sought-after Hextech or Prestige skins.
The Hextech system provides a rewarding progression path for players who engage with the game regularly, offering a chance to customize their experience and expand their champion roster.