You get to wreak havoc, set your own rules, and engage in all your “guilty” pleasures guilt-free. So, in other words, you get to feel like a total badass. If you want a taste of the dark side – aka you want to feel like Thanos while you steal your enemies’ LP – investing in a crime city skin is the way to go.
10. Crime City Nightmare Zyra
Released: August 26th, 2021 Price: 1350 RP I have mixed feelings about Crime City Nightmare Zyra. There are plenty of aspects I love – like the new voice filter, the demonic character model, and the horror movie-worthy ultimate – but there are also plenty of things I hate. Apart from the ultimate, the animations are lackluster, and in my opinion the plants haven’t exactly received a transformation worth 1350 RP. Riot has pretty much just slapped some purple hues and black mist on the base model plants and called it a day. The recall is also pretty mediocre. While the demonic transformation she undergoes is pretty nice, there’s nothing that really catches your eye. All in all, this skin is an excellent pick for those after a more eerie look for Zyra, or who aren’t fussed about the minimalist plant design. But for those who want something flashy? There are better Crime City skins out there (as you’ll soon find out).
9. Crime City Jinx
Released: October 9th, 2013 Price: 975 RP Crime City is Jinx’s first ever skin, so it’s already got iconic status. The skin itself however, is… well, all over the place. The colors are obtrusive, the outfit is whacky – and features a Ninja Mutant Turtle-like headband – and she throws giant corkscrews at her opponents. But hey, the skin perfectly captures Jinx’s personality: pure chaos and madness. And you do get new emotes and particle effects, which is amazing value for a 975 RP skin. Plus her strutting out to a gramophone is a total mood.
8. Crime City Nightmare Darius
Released: August 26th, 2021 Price: 1350 RP Right. I’ll get this out of the way first: this skin does make Darius look like the evil version of Sett. But if you can look past that, or even see it as a positive? Crime City Nightmare Darius is the perfect skin. Each ability is bursting with nightmarish particle effects and eerie purple hues, and the sound effects are seriously satisfying. The ultimate animation is especially well-made; it genuinely looks and sounds like you’re sending your enemies to the depths of hell. Plus, there’s a good range of chromas, all of which feel polished and unique.
7. Crime City Miss Fortune
Released: November 1st, 2011 Price: 975 RP Crime City Miss Fortune essentially revamps Miss Fortune’s base model, turning her from western gunslinger to mafia boss. She looks like she came straight out of an old school crime flick, and the guns are absolutely badass. The splash art is also impressive and ups Miss Fortune’s deadly but sexy vibe by tenfold. While this skin isn’t as flashy as other Crime City skins, I do feel its simplicity is its strength. Everything works well and nothing is obtrusive.
6. Crime City Twitch
Released: October 13th, 2010 Price: 975 RP Crime City Twitch is the ultimate meme skin; it’s inspired by the trope that rats are secretly the gangsters of the rodent world (think Flushed Away). Twitch looks absolutely dapper and dressed for evil in a pinstripe suit and fedora, and he even has a nifty tie to top off his gangster look. While the execution is solid, I can’t really put this skin higher up on this list. Mainly because I wish Riot had made it a 1350 RP skin and blessed it with some new, mafia-themed sound effects. The current sound effects just feel a little out of place with this new character model.
5. Crime City Graves
Released: April 2nd, 2012 Price: 975 RP The most badass 975 RP skin award goes to… Crime City Graves, without question. It draws inspiration from the noir film genre and turns Graves into a mobster, with an edgy black jacket and Gatsby-style flat cap. Sure, you don’t get new voice lines, animations, or particle effects, but the skin doesn’t actually need them; they all suit the new noir look exceptionally well. The updated splash art also shows off Grave’s iconic mustache and killer guns. Despite its lack of fancy features, this skin is sure to satisfy any Grave main’s heart.
4. Crime City Nightmare Akali
Released: August 26th, 2021 Price: 1350 RP If you’re after something that’ll truly give your enemies nightmares, this skin delivers on all fronts. While the character model itself isn’t that scary – it just gives Akali a badass punk look – the animations are shudder-worthy. Your attacks summon up evil, satanic eyeballs that watch your opponent’s every move, and the recall transforms you into a demon so eerie and creepy, it makes Evelynn’s demon form look angelic. The skin even gives Akali a distorted voice filter that makes her sound like a ghoul from a horror movie. Overall, I personally love this skin. Mainly because I’m a sucker for horror and the grotesque (don’t judge – I went through a goth phase back in the day). However, it’s quite a departure from the iconic “mafia boss” look.
3. Crime City Braum
Released: August 23rd, 2018 Price: 1350 RP Crime City Braum is definitely one of the best skins that Riot has released in recent years. It boasts a simple but polished character model, slick attack animations, and a stunning splash art. Visual clarity is marvelous and nothing feels out of place. What really sets the skin apart from others in this line though is that it’s just so entertaining to play with. Your shield is now a giant vault, your emotes feature gunslinger poros, and your attacks make “kaching” noises. You even get to hurl bags of gold at your enemies. Sadly, although hilarious, I do find that the sound effects become grating after a while. But apart from that I really can’t fault this skin. It also puts Braum’s guns on full display, which is something we can all secretly appreciate.
2. Crime City Nightmare Twisted Fate
Released: August 26th, 2021 Price: 1350 RP Crime City Nightmare Twisted Fate is honestly a blessing and a curse. A blessing because it looks absolutely badass and devilish, and a curse because it’s sure to make you spend your savings. The skin is just too good to pass up! The character model makes Twisted Fate look like an iconic anime villain – ahem, Muzan Kibutsuji – and it’s jam-packed with killer details, like a fiery hand and demonic shoulder pad. The animations are just as impressive. They’re distinct, clear, and brimming with black and purple particles that make your attacks feel seriously creepy. Plus, the backing animation is equal parts hilarious and evil; you literally sign off your soul to the devil. Honestly, the recall is a total mood and actually makes Twisted Fate relatable. After all, we’ve all contemplated giving our soul to the devil before, whether for money, a puppy, or even some sweet LP.
1. Crime City Nightmare Shaco
Released: August 26th, 2021 Price: 1350 RP Shaco is meant to be this horrific, murderous demon, but his base model is anything but that. Apart from the sinister smile, he just looks like a derpy, old-fashioned clown. Even his attack animations and sound effects are lackluster. But then Crime City Nightmare was released, and everything changed. The skin finally gives Shaco the terrifying demonic form he’s always deserved. He looks like something out of a 18+ rated horror movie, and every animation is designed to induce dread in your opponents. Plus the recall is genuinely the most morbid and grotesque thing I’ve ever seen in League. But the main reason why I gave this skin the no.1 spot? The demonic voice filter – it’s pure, evil perfection. Note: this content was created under Riot Games’ “Legal Jibber Jabber” policy using assets owned by Riot Games. Riot Games does not endorse or sponsor this project.
