History YMMV / LeagueOfLegends

* TheUnTwist: When the ''Katarina'' comic first launched, many fans were of the belief that [[spoiler:everything was going to be revealed as being orchestrated by [[TheChessmaster LeBlanc]], primarily with the idea that Marcus Du Couteau -- having [[NotQuiteDead suddenly revealed himself to be alive out of nowhere]] to assign her a mission -- [[DeadPersonImpersonation was LeBlanc in disguise]], compounded by his insistence that Swain was a traitor to Noxus and needed to be seen as an enemy, [[ArchEnemy which would fit in her MO]]. ''Literature/GarenFirstShield'' also previously implied her presence in Demacia, greatly suggested to have [[KillAndReplace killed and impersonated Garen's great uncle]], leading to further belief that the suicide mission to assassinate Jarvan III was part of another long-con XanatosGambit to destabilize the kingdom or House Du Couteau. Fans ended up surprised by the final issue, where [=LeBlanc=] was nowhere to be seen -- the Marcus we see is the real deal, with his validity confirmed by Talon, who helped fake his death, and both of them had developed on an anti-Swain conspiracy entirely on their own for years.]]

%%* AudienceAlienatingEra: The game had very tight and involved lore development for a MOBA, to the point where it even had its own subsection in the main client (the "Journal of Justice"). However, around 2012, the lore team switched hands, and much of their narrative philosophy changed, causing them to throw out a lot of old lore and start again. Newer heroes were considered uninspiring and bland, with little to no motivation to join the League, while some old characters had their entire backstories changed to very mixed reception. Eventually Riot decided to retcon the whole Institute of War in an attempt to appeal to the e-sports scene, angering lore fans even more.
%%** However, the audience-alienating era for the lore finally ended when the Bilgewater event was released. While some decisions were mixed at best (such as Gangplank's disable from all queues to coincide with his "death"), the following events and champion updates started to make the champions interact with each other even more; although infrequent, the new lores are actually being more well-received each passing rework/addition.

* AudienceAlienatingEra: The game had very tight and involved lore development for a MOBA, to the point where it even had its own subsection in the main client (the "Journal of Justice"). However, around 2012, the lore team switched hands, and much of their narrative philosophy changed, causing them to throw out a lot of old lore and start again. Newer heroes were considered uninspiring and bland, with little to no motivation to join the League, while some old characters had their entire backstories changed to very mixed reception. Eventually Riot decided to retcon the whole Institute of War in an attempt to appeal to the e-sports scene, angering lore fans even more.
** However, the audience-alienating era for the lore finally ended when the Bilgewater event was released. While some decisions were mixed at best (such as Gangplank's disable from all queues to coincide with his "death"), the following events and champion updates started to make the champions interact with each other even more; although infrequent, the new lores are actually being more well-received each passing rework/addition.

* UnexpectedCharacter: The main champion roster of ''Ruined King'' drew lots of surprised reactions upon announcement. While Miss Fortune and Illaoi were expected to a degree based off the Bilgewater/Harrowing setting, the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4L0OkSrsI8 "Kin of the Stained Blade"]] short not only built up to Yasuo and Ahri entering the mix, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2Q3RE3GH1s the official reveal trailer]] introduced both ''Braum'' all the way from the Freljord and ''Pyke'' [[EnemyMine on the side of the heroes to fight the Ruined King.]]

* ComplainingAboutThingsYouHaventPaidFor: The game is downloadable free of charge. Paying for new champions, boosts, and skins are ''completely'' optional. Yet for some reason, every time the servers go down or are choked by a bunch of players, everyone's complaining and calling them incompetent. There's a subgroup who twists this further, and says that paying gives them the right to complain, but that free players shouldn't be allowed to.

* BizarroEpisode: Patch 8.11, particularly on the competitive scene (it was the first patch played at the start of the 2018 Summer split). A ''massive'' nerf to critical strike items that eviscerated most marksmen led to a competitive meta straight out of wackyland, with very serious, hardcore, professional teams running comps that completely eschewed running a marksman whatsoever in favour of mages or even double bruisers in the botlane, running a support (as in a ''pure'' support like Taric, not a [[NotTheIntendedUse support/mage being played as an off-mage like Karma]]) in the midlane, and seeing a ridiculous surge of champions [[TierInducedScrappy who hadn't been considered valid picks]] in competitive [=LoL=] for ''years,'' such as Nunu, Nocturne, Karthus, Mordekaiser, Aatrox, ''Master Yi, Heimerdinger'', and more. The commentators in every single region were ''constantly'' [[LampshadeHanging lampshaded]] what a weird and wonderful meta they were watching, regularly being on the verge of hysterics at just how bizarre things were.

** In 2020, Nami has gained a new ship, not with any champion... but with [[{{Franchise/Metroid}} Samus Aran]]. Similar to Zac x Riven, this CrossoverShip has its roots in the {{Rule 34}} community. The nature of the relationship has ranged from a [[ChildhoodFriends childhood friendship]], to a full-on InterspeciesRomance. The logic behind the pairing is that both Nami and Samus are [[HalfHumanHybrid hybrids]]; the former is a [[OurMermaidsAreDifferent mermaid]], and the latter having [[TouchedByVorlons Chozo and Metroid DNA in her body]]. As Metroids do resemble [[BizarreAlienBiology floating parastic jellyfish]], it would technically mean Samus is related to fish. As shown in ''VideoGame/LegendsOfRuneterra'', Nami values all ocean life, so she'd take a quick liking to Samus due to her Metroid DNA. Coupled with the fact that both characters are [[TheChosenOne the chosen ones]] of their kind, it would be logical that they would get along as they are used to [[KnightErrant traveling alone to save those in need]]. Although Samus is from a completely different franchise, she seems to unintentionally synergize well with the Tidecaller due to her [[ChromaticArrangement colour schemes]], aesthetic designs, and her personality[[note]][[BroodingBoyGentleGirl Samus is usually depicted as being reserved and brooding, while Nami is far more outgoing and playful]][[/note]].

** Sett and Aphelios ended up a surprisingly popular ship despite never interacting in canon, largely due to being released around the same time (only a month between one another) and unintentionally forming an OppositesAttract dynamic with Sett the big, loud brawler vs. Aphelios the quiet, graceful assassin. [[AscendedMeme Riot later took notice of this]] for the two's Spirit Blossom incarnations, where [[ShipTease Aphelios is apparently Sett's "mooncake"]].

** In 2020, Nami has gained a new ship, not with any champion... but with [[{{Franchise/Metroid}} Samus Aran]]. Similar to Zac x Riven, this CrossoverShip has its roots in the {{Rule 34}} community. The nature of the relationship has ranged from a [[ChildhoodFriends childhood friendship]], to a full-on InterspeciesRomance. The logic behind the pairing is that both Nami and Samus are [[HalfHumanHybrid hybrids]]; the former is a [[OurMermaidsAreDifferent mermaid]], and the latter having [[TouchedByVorlons Chozo and Metroid DNA in her body]]. As Metroids do resemble [[BizarreAlienBiology floating parastic jellyfish]], it would technically mean Samus is related to a species of space jellyfish. As shown in ''VideoGame/LegendsOfRuneterra'', Nami values all ocean life, so she'd take a quick liking to Samus due to her Metroid DNA. Coupled with the fact that both characters are [[TheChosenOne the chosen ones]] of their kind, it would be logical that they would get along as they are used to [[KnightErrant traveling alone to save those in need]]. Although Samus is from a completely different franchise, she seems to unintentionally synergize well with the Tidecaller due to her [[ChromaticArrangement colour schemes]], aesthetic designs, and her personality[[note]][[BroodingBoyGentleGirl Samus is usually depicted as being reserved and brooding, while Nami is far more outgoing and playful]][[/note]].

** In 2020, Nami has gained a new ship, not with any champion... but with [[{{Franchise/Metroid}} Samus Aran]]. Similar to Zac x Riven, this CrossoverShip has its roots in the {{Rule 34}} community. The nature of the relationship has ranged from a [[ChildhoodFriends childhood friendship]], to a full-on InterspeciesRomance. The logic behind the pairing is that both Nami and Samus are [[HalfHumanHybrid hybrids]]; the former is a [[OurMermaidsAreDifferent mermaid]], and the latter having [[TouchedByVorlons Chozo and Metroid DNA in her body]]. As Metroids do resemble [[BizarreAlienBiology floating parastic jellyfish]], it would technically mean Samus is related to a species of space jellyfish. As shown in ''VideoGame/LegendsOfRuneterra'', Nami values all ocean life, so she'd take a quick liking to Samus due to her Metroid DNA. Coupled with the fact that both characters are [[TheChosenOne the chosen ones]] of their kind, it would be logical that they were get along as they are used to [[KnightErrant traveling alone to save those in need]]. Although Samus is from a completely different franchise, she seems to unintentionally synergize well with the Tidecaller due to her [[ChromaticArrangement colour schemes]], aesthetic designs, and her personality[[note]][[BroodingBoyGentleGirl Samus is usually depicted as being reserved and brooding, while Nami is far more outgoing and playful]][[/note]].

** In 2020, Nami has gained a new ship, not with any champion... but with [[{{Franchise/Metroid}} Samus Aran]]. Similar to Zac x Riven, this CrossoverShip has its roots in the {{Rule 34}} community. The nature of the relationship has ranged from a [[ChildhoodFriends childhood friendship]], to a full-on InterspeciesRomance. The logic behind the pairing is that both Nami and Samus are [[HalfHumanHybrid hybrids]]; the former is a [[OurMermaidsAreDifferent mermaid]], and the latter having [[TouchedByVorlons Chozo and Metroid DNA in her body]]. As Metroids do resemble [[BizarreAlienBiology floating parastic jellyfish]], it would technically mean Samus is related to a species of space jellyfish. As shown in ''VideoGame/LegendsOfRuneterra'', Nami values all ocean life, so she'd take a quick liking to Samus due to her Metroid DNA. Coupled with the fact that both characters are [[TheChosenOne the chosen ones]] of their kind, it would be logical that they were get along as they are used to [[KnightErrant traveling alone to save those in need]]. Although Samus is from a completely different franchise, she seems to share a few unintentional synergies with Nami; she meshes well with the mermaid in her [[ChromaticArrangement colour scheme]], aesthetic design, and her personality. [[note]] [[BroodingBoyGentleGirl Samus is usually depicted as being reserved and brooding, while Nami is outgoing and playful]][[/note]]

** In 2020, Nami has gained a new ship, not with any champion... but with [[{{Franchise/Metroid}} Samus Aran]]. Similar to Zac x Riven, this CrossoverShip has its roots in the {{Rule 34}} community. The nature of the relationship has ranged from a [[ChildhoodFriends childhood friendship]], to a full-on InterspeciesRomance. The logic behind the pairing is that both Nami and Samus are [[HalfHumanHybrid hybrids]]; the former is a [[OurMermaidsAreDifferent mermaid]], and the latter having [[TouchedByVorlons Chozo and Metroid DNA in her body]]. As Metroids do resemble [[BizarreAlienBiology floating parastic jellyfish]], it would technically mean Samus is related to a species of space jellyfish. As shown in ''VideoGame/LegendsOfRuneterra'', Nami values all ocean life, so she'd take a quick liking to Samus due to her Metroid DNA. Coupled with the fact that both characters are [[TheChosenOne the chosen ones]] of their kind, it would be logical that they were get along as they are used to [[KnightErrant traveling alone to save those in need]]. Although Samus is from a completely different franchise, she seems to share a few unintentional synergies with Nami; she meshes well with the mermaid in her [[ChromaticArrangement colour scheme]], aesthetic design, and her personality [[note]] [[BroodingBoyGentleGirl Samus is usually depicted as being reserved and brooding, while Nami is outgoing and playful]][[/note]].

** In 2020, Nami has gained a new ship, not with any champion... but with [[{{Franchise/Metroid}} Samus Aran]]. Similar to Zac x Riven, this CrossoverShip has its roots in the {{Rule 34}} community. The logic behind the pairing is that both Nami and Samus are [[HalfHumanHybrid hybrids]]; the former is a [[OurMermaidsAreDifferent mermaid]], and the latter having [[TouchedByVorlons Chozo and Metroid DNA in her body]]. As Metroids do resemble [[BizarreAlienBiology floating parastic jellyfish]], it would technically mean Samus is related to a species of space jellyfish. As shown in ''VideoGame/LegendsOfRuneterra'', Nami values all ocean life, so she'd take a quick liking to Samus due to her Metroid DNA. Coupled with the fact that both characters are [[TheChosenOne the chosen ones]] of their kind, it would be logical that they were get along as they are used to [[KnightErrant traveling alone to save those in need]].

* [[TierInducedScrappy/LeagueOfLegends Tier-Induced Scrappy]]

** The entire conflict between Demacia and Sylas' revolution is a rare phenomenon where due to [[GreyAndGreyMorality the conflicting morals and deep flaws of each side]], the support of either or both sides could count as this. Sylas is usually rooted for because [[VillainHasAPoint he genuinely has a good reason for why he wants to overthrow Demacia]] (that being [[FantasticRacism their anti-magic racism and genocide]]), despite the fact that he's also depicted as [[TheRevolutionWillNotBeCivilized violent and dangerous]], [[AndThenWhat lacking a definitive endgoal beyond toppling the kingdom]], and generally [[JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope being way more antagonistic and dangerous than he needs to be for his cause]], with his supporters justifying the amount of violence he brings because genocide is [[MoralEventHorizon abhorrent enough to deserve it]]. For Demacia's case, some defenders flip specifically because of Sylas' flaws, acknowledging that while Demacia is ''deeply'' flawed in its own right for their genocide (which with the case of Riot themselves, [[FatalFlaw they always depict as a terrible thing]]), they can still be seen as [[LesserOfTwoEvils at least better]] than [[SaltTheEarth the rubble Sylas wants to leave them as]], and one whose genociding ''could'' be addressed in a less tumultuous way than a bloody uprising. ''VideoGame/TheMageseeker'' ended up addressing this balance by [[spoiler:giving both sides an out via redemption: Sylas' selfishness is recognized as a flaw [[CharacterDevelopment that he learns to develop out of]] in the name of protecting his commune of mages, with his violent revolution being taken [[PayEvilUntoEvil specifically against the inhumane zealots of the Mageseekers]]. Meanwhile, Demacia's disapproval of their own anti-mage philosophies is put far more at the forefront, and Jarvan IV [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone experiences a personal reckoning]] that leads him to properly abolish the Mageseekers. This leaves the Status Quo a microcosm of what is described above: Sylas and his rebellion continues exactly ''because'' Jarvan and his nobility [[MoralEventHorizon crossed a genocidal line there's no coming back from]] regardless of how sorry they are, and that any concessions made are not guarenteed to last as long as they remain in power, while most demacians - even mages - are willing to give the peaceful path a try.]]

** The entire conflict between Demacia and Sylas' revolution is a rare phenomenon where due to [[GreyAndGreyMorality the conflicting morals and deep flaws of each side]], the support of either or both sides could count as this. Sylas is usually rooted for because [[VillainHasAPoint he genuinely has a good reason for why he wants to overthrow Demacia]] (that being [[FantasticRacism their anti-magic racism and genocide]]), despite the fact that he's also depicted as [[TheRevolutionWillNotBeCivilized violent and dangerous]], [[AndThenWhat lacking a definitive endgoal beyond toppling the kingdom]], and generally [[JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope being way more antagonistic and dangerous than he needs to be for his cause]], with his supporters justifying the amount of violence he brings because genocide is [[MoralEventHorizon abhorrent enough to deserve it]]. For Demacia's case, some defenders flip specifically because of Sylas' flaws, acknowledging that while Demacia is ''deeply'' flawed in its own right for their genocide (which with the case of Riot themselves, [[FatalFlaw they always depict as a terrible thing]]), they can still be seen as [[LesserOfTwoEvils at least better]] than [[SaltTheEarth the rubble Sylas wants to leave them as]], and one whose genociding ''could'' be addressed in a less tumultuous way than a bloody uprising. ''VideoGame/TheMageseeker'' ended up addressing this balance by [[spoiler:giving both sides an out via redemption: Sylas' selfishness is recognized as a flaw [[CharacterDevelopment that he learns to develop out of]] in the name of protecting his commune of mages, with his violent revolution being taken [[PayEvilUntoEvil specifically against the inhumane zealots of the Mageseekers]]. Meanwhile, Demacia's disapproval of their own anti-mage philosophies is put far more at the forefront, and Jarvan IV [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone experiences a personal reckoning]] that leads him to properly abolish the Mageseekers, finally granting both sides the peace they desire.]]

** Demacia's status as an oppressive AntiMagicalFaction was brought to the forefront with the revelation and release of Sylas, an AntiVillain whose goal is to tear Demacia apart in retribution for the way he and his fellow mages were treated by Demacia. While the ''Lux'' comic, Sylas' own short story, and the 2020 season cinematic focus on this conflict and all made major progress in some regard, a drought of content related to it has left it stagnant-- especially since the 2020 season cinematic ends with [[spoiler: Lux openly using magic to summon Galio and standing at the head of Demacian forces while clearly wielding her staff with magic, seemingly ''[[ScrewTheRulesImDoingWhatsRight backed by Demacia's army]]'' in doing so]], events that should have huge consequences on the conflict that haven't come to fruition since the cinematic was released.

** The entire conflict between Demacia and Sylas' revolution is a rare phenomenon where due to [[GreyAndGreyMorality the conflicting morals and deep flaws of each side]], the support of either or both sides could count as this. Sylas is usually rooted for because [[VillainHasAPoint he genuinely has a good reason for why he wants to overthrow Demacia]] (that being [[FantasticRacism their anti-magic racism and genocide]]), despite the fact that he's also depicted as [[TheRevolutionWillNotBeCivilized violent and dangerous]], [[AndThenWhat lacking a definitive endgoal beyond toppling the kingdom]], and generally [[JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope being way more antagonistic and dangerous than he needs to be for his cause]], with his supporters justifying the amount of violence he brings because genocide is [[MoralEventHorizon abhorrent enough to deserve it]]. For Demacia's case, some defenders flip specifically because of Sylas' flaws, acknowledging that while Demacia is ''deeply'' flawed in its own right for their genocide (which with the case of Riot themselves, [[FatalFlaw they always depict as a terrible thing]]), they can still be seen as [[LesserOfTwoEvils at least better than the rubble Sylas wants to leave them as]], and one whose genociding ''could'' be addressed in a less tumultuous way than a bloody uprising - or even just a less destructive uprising than what [[SaltTheEarth Sylas is intent on]].

* DesignatedVillain: Sylas is often cited as this; his lore and stories show that he's been oppressed since birth by Demacia's extreme AntiMagic systems, to the point that he's conscripted to hunt and imprison his fellow mages, causing innumerable amounts of trauma for him. And then he spends years in solitary confinement which just continue to damage him mentally and emotionally. The ''Lux'' comic, though, often depicts him in a sinister light, including a notorious page of him happily standing among the corpses of both civilians and soldiers he's killed escaping from his execution. More scenes and images focus on his derangement and destruction, and his manipulative relationship with Lux who's supposed to be sympathizing with her fellow mages. A common criticism is that there's not enough explored about his character to give sympathy for the horrors he's experienced and that he ends up falsely equated to Demacia's oppressive governance.

* DesignatedHero: Sylas is often cited as this; his lore and stories show that he's been oppressed since birth by Demacia's extreme AntiMagic systems, to the point that he's conscripted to hunt and imprison his fellow mages, causing innumerable amounts of trauma for him. And then he spends years in solitary confinement which just continue to damage him mentally and emotionally. The ''Lux'' comic, though, often depicts him in a sinister light, including a notorious page of him happily standing among the corpses of both civilians and soldiers he's killed escaping from his execution. More scenes and images focus on his derangement and destruction, and his manipulative relationship with Lux who's supposed to be sympathizing with her fellow mages. A common criticism is that there's not enough explored about his character to give sympathy for the horrors he's experienced and that he ends up falsely equated to Demacia's oppressive governance.

* DesignatedVillain: Sylas is often cited as this; his lore and stories show that he's been oppressed since birth by Demacia's extreme AntiMagic systems, to the point that he's conscripted to hunt and imprison his fellow mages, causing innumerable amounts of trauma for him. And then he spends years in solitary confinement which just continue to damage him mentally and emotionally. The ''Lux'' comic though often depicts him in a sinister light, including a notorious page of him happily standing among the corpses of both civilians and soldiers he's killed escaping from his execution. More scenes and images focus on his derangement and destruction, and his manipulative relationship with Lux who's supposed to be sympathizing with her fellow mages. A common criticism is that there's not enough explored about his character to give sympathy for the horrors he's experienced and that he ends up falsely equated to Demacia's oppressive governance.

* GenreTurningPoint: This was the game that put the [[MultiplayerOnlineBattleArena MOBA]] on the map of mainstream gaming after mods like ''Aeon of Strife'' and ''VideoGame/DefenseOfTheAncients'' (to which this game is a SpiritualSuccessor) first developed its core elements, and the game that made [[ProfessionalGaming e-sports]] popular outside South Korea once it became clear that it was as fun to watch as it was to actually play.

** Can you guess who's one of ''the'' most-commonly lusted-after and sexualised female champions (behind ''only'' [[GagBoobs Sona]], and [[FantasticFoxes Ahri]])? [[CuteAndPsycho Jinx]].