League of Legends Moves Down The Lockbox Path

For better and for worse League of Legends has decided to move down the infamous "Lockbox" path with Hextech Crafting now making its way onto the PBE. The system is a new way for players to earn and unlock new Champions and Skins for the MOBA by taking advantage of the recently implemented Champion Masteries.

When a player or one of their premade party members earns an S rank they will receive a Locked Mastery Chest which can be opened by Keys that can randomly drop from any matchmaking games or by purchasing them for 125 RP. Chests can also be purchased for 125 RP and will contain actual loot, loot shards or essences and can contain multiple types in one box. Shards can be crafted in Hextech Crafting to unlock permanent Champions and Skins and can also be used to unlock a Champion for a one time use. Essences come in two flavours Champion Essence and Cosmetic Essence, and are used to upgrade shards.

While the system may appear to favor players at first glance, it could be a foot in the door for "Gatchapon Hell." Is Hextech Crafting a way to reward players who devote to the game or is it a Trojan Horse set up to pave the way for SSR (super super rare) skins that can only be obtained through lockbox lotteries? Let us know your thoughts below.