League VGU 2021: Comprehensive guide to champion rework candidates and voting process
Introduction to VGU Poll
League of Legends players face a crucial decision as Riot Games presents five champion candidates for Visual and Gameplay Updates (VGUs). This community-driven initiative follows the successful 2019 poll that transformed Fiddlesticks and Volibear, with voting now open until January 19, 2021.
VGUs represent the most comprehensive updates Riot develops, completely rebuilding a champion’s visual design, animations, voice lines, and gameplay mechanics while preserving their core identity. These intensive projects typically take 6-9 months to complete.
Champion Candidate Breakdown
Nocturne: The Living Nightmare
Riot aims to enhance Nocturne’s terrifying thematic by refining his base kit while preserving his signature ultimate ability. Developers specifically mentioned creating more satisfying gameplay patterns outside of his ultimate, potentially adding new mechanics that better represent his ‘living nightmare’ fantasy. Strategic Insight: Nocturne mains should pay attention to potential changes to his passive (Umbra Blades) which may receive significant modernization.
Shyvana: The Half-Dragon
After narrowly missing selection in 2019, Shyvana returns with focus on making her dragon form more impactful. The rework would likely adjust her transformation mechanics and possibly introduce new dragon-themed abilities. Pro Tip: Current Shyvana players should practice last-hitting with her Q (Twin Bite) as this fundamental mechanic may change significantly in any rework.
Udyr: The Spirit Walker
Udyr’s update prioritizes visual modernization while maintaining his shape-shifting playstyle. Riot has confirmed his stance-changing mechanic will remain core to his identity, but each form may receive more distinct visual and gameplay identities. Common Pitfall: Players often misuse Udyr’s Phoenix stance in late-game – the rework may address this by making all forms situationally valuable.
Skarner: The Crystal Vanguard
Despite previous rework attempts, Skarner remains in need of substantial changes. While his ultimate (Impale) will retain some form of displacement capability, developers plan to completely rebuild his kit from the ground up. Advanced Tip: Skarner’s current spire mechanic may be replaced entirely, so don’t base your vote on familiarity with this system.
Quinn & Valor: Demacia’s Wings
Quinn’s update would emphasize Valor’s role in her kit while maintaining her flexible playstyle across multiple lanes. Rather than pure power adjustments, Riot is focusing on thematic cohesion for this rework. Strategy Note: Quinn’s current roaming strength through Behind Enemy Lines may be preserved but could receive visual and mechanical refinements.
How to Vote in the 2021 VGU Poll
Voting Requirements
Participating in the VGU poll requires simply launching the League of Legends client. The voting interface appears automatically on the home screen, accessible to all players with accounts in good standing. Your vote is immediately locked upon submission, so consider your choice carefully.
Decision Factors to Consider
When selecting your preferred champion, evaluate both personal preference and game health factors. Consider which champion’s current state most limits creative gameplay or suffers from outdated mechanics. Data shows that champions with clearer thematic identities (like Nocturne) tend to receive more satisfying reworks than those with ambiguous fantasies.
Voting Timeline
The poll remains open until January 19 at 11:59 PM PT (January 20 in most time zones). Riot typically announces results within two weeks, with development beginning shortly after. Based on previous VGU timelines, expect the winning champion’s update to launch between late 2021 and early 2022.
Strategic Voting Considerations
Beyond personal preference, strategic voters should consider each champion’s potential impact on the game’s ecosystem. Champions with highly specialized kits (like Skarner) often benefit most from reworks, while those with broadly applicable mechanics (like Quinn) may require more nuanced changes. Community consensus suggests prioritizing champions whose current designs actively limit creative gameplay expression.
Remember that VGUs typically make champions more popular initially, so consider which champion you’d like to see more frequently in your games. Historical data shows reworked champions experience a 200-300% playrate increase in the first month post-update.
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