After a tremendous battle, the people won, and Graves’ nicotine habits were liberated. Now it’s time for a new frontier: his visual design. Luckily, this time around we can just pick a skin that suits our fancy. But for it to be the ultimate victory, we have to choose from the best-of-the-best. So we’re looking at all of Graves’ skins and deciding which are the most “worth it” taking into account the price, the visual appeal, and any notable features. Let’s go!
12. Hired Gun Graves
Released: October 19th, 2011 Price: 520 RP This skin definitely had a good idea, but somewhat failed in execution. The key focus of the skin was to make Graves even more badass than he already was – so they tore off his sleeves and gave him some nice shades. Now we get to see two gun shows whenever he’s on screen. But Riot also changed his gun to go from a two-barrel to a single-barrel design, which I neither love nor hate. And that’s about it. Taking into account how cheap this skin is, there are no new animations or effects – and even the base model change isn’t all that drastic, compared to some of the other skins here. It’s a pretty okay skin overall that just lacks that oomph that makes a skin memorable and beloved.
11. Jailbreak Graves
Released: October 19th, 2011 Price: 975 RP I can already feel the backlash for this one, but Jailbreak is rather mediocre in my opinion. I like what the skin was going for. But the end result just didn’t make a lot of sense. The color palette for the character model just seems a bit weird – I don’t usually picture Graves as all that colorful of a person. Plus, the base animations just don’t seem to fit this skin at all. You’re telling me you had the time to design this amazing, hi-tech looking gun, but neglected to think about how stupid it would look when paired with the base shotgun animations? It just seems a bit sloppy. It’s definitely a lot more recognizable than Hired Gun Graves, and I know for a fact there are Graves mains out there who love this skin. But at 975 RP, it just does not seem worth the price.
10. Cutthroat Graves
Released: July 21st, 2015 Price: 750 RP This one caught me a bit off guard. When I saw the splash art, I expected a guerrilla fighter type situation. But then I was met with Jack Sparrow in-game. That being said, the skin is just alright. The character model was pretty well-made, with an open coat, some high boots, and scattered armor parts giving off that “surviving and thriving” vibe. And having him operate a cannon is a pretty interesting choice. That being said, it only makes sense when you are ulting, as I don’t see a way that a cannon can fire out three separate shotgun shots. Cutthroat Graves is nothing game breaking – but it did lose a few brownie points for it.
9. Victorious Graves
Released: November 8th, 2017 Price: Ranked Reward If I had to describe this skin with a single word, it would be “polished”. Since it is a Victorious skin, it can’t get all that crazy when it comes to visuals. You’re given some fancy armor and a fancy gun with the usual purple, gold, and white color palette, and your base ability animations have just been polished and recolored. I know a lot of people were disappointed with this skin. But I frankly don’t mind it all that much. It plays really well in-game, the new animations aren’t too flashy (but still offer a significant change), and the splash art is rather badass. So if you weren’t around to get this skin, that sucks, but it isn’t the end of the world.
8. Praetorian Graves
Released: November 8th, 2018 Price: 1350 RP Praetorian Graves got severely axed by every other skin in its price point, hence the relatively low ranking. The skin itself has some amazing features but also some really big oversights. When it comes to the pros, you need look no further than the ability animations. Everything is so crisp and clear that it could make a grown man cry. And the Q animation in particular might be the best one Graves has ever gotten. However, this also feels nothing like Graves. The base model is unrecognizable. And the fact that you go “bip bop” instead of speaking does it no favors. It wouldn’t have been as jarring if they went all out with the robot theme, like in the ability animations. But Graves still walks and dances like a human while looking and sounding like a robot. Another nitpick is that his backing animation is the most nonsensical thing I have ever seen. But the gorgeous Q animation and the little jetpack for your W almost make it all worth it. Almost. Also, where is his vape?
7. Riot Graves
Released: August 16th, 2012 Price: 975 RP This is one of those skins that isn’t all that inventive, but just makes so much sense that you can’t help but like it. And even though associating violent men with weapons and a lust for money with the police is quite the social commentary, this skin has made it into the hearts of many Graves mains. You’re given the usual police gear, some shades, and another rendition of the single-barrel shotgun – while your forearms remain free and distracting. The skin doesn’t do anything crazy. But it doesn’t really have to either, since all of the base animations fit this theme rather well. Overall, Riot Graves is a decent skin that could be made even more fun if you do some themed games with your buddies where you all play dress up and enforce some jail time on the enemy team.
6. Snow Day Graves
Released: December 14th, 2016 Price: 1350 RP When it comes to the two shot and then reload mechanic, I have to say this is the most sensical skin in Graves’ entire catalogue. This gives Graves quite the visual update, with a rather distinct character model change, and some pretty dope animations. The character model is cozied up with some warmer clothes & the giga-Chad equivalent of a snowball launcher. The animations were likewise snowed up with your auto-attacks, Q, and R all firing out snow. And your W throws out a spinning penguin that dispenses snow, which just seems like animal cruelty if I’m being honest. It all fits together rather nicely. And the skin is definitely worth its price tag. The only complaint I have is that the R sound effect makes it sound rather weak, which is not really something you want to hear with your ultimate ability.
5. EDG Graves
Released: May 12th, 2022 Price: 1350 RP When it comes to championship-based skins, I have to say Riot has gotten a lot better. This is because they are now just cool stand-alone skins instead of just glorified fanservice. That being said, EDG Graves serves a whole different kind of fanservice – as he rocks that grey fox aesthetic to the max. Like seriously – the character model is just undeniably hot. And even though the skin only has one chroma – it’s so different from the base skin that it feels like a completely new design. However, the new particles and animations aren’t as jaw-dropping as the character model. I think the W is pretty amazing and your E finally feels a bit impactful. But the rest isn’t quite up my alley. For one, it feels weird shotgunning fairy dust. And even though the Q and R do have a pretty hefty sound effect – the sparkles really take away from the impact. It’s not quite a game breaker but if I’m going to one-shot half of the enemy team – I want the game to reflect that fact. Overall: one of the best character models if you just want to ogle at Graves all day, but slightly underwhelming particles.
4. Sentinel Graves
Released: July 22nd, 2021 Price: 1820 RP The following skins for the rest of this ranking are just on another level overall – and these could easily swap places in my head, so we can almost consider all of these a tie. For now, I’ll begin with Sentinel Graves, as there are some nitpicks that bug me about it. But first, let’s cover the pros: The character design for Graves himself is surprisingly on the subtler side, considering the theme. But his gun is a whole different story. It’s probably the best gun design for Graves among all of his skins. The animations are also rather gorgeous, starting off a bit darker, with the mist theme being present and then becoming a lot more light focused past level 11. This skin is literally its own Prestige edition. I also want to shout out the death animation, as it has Graves escape using Twisted Fate’s blue card, which was an amazing detail to add in. As far as the nitpicks go, the dance looks way too awkward without the backing music. And the ability outlines are a bit too bright for my liking, as enemies can more easily dodge them now. But still an amazing pick overall.
3. Pool Party Graves
Released: September 9th, 2013 Price: 1350 RP This skin has been iconic ever since its release. And no, it’s not just because Graves is now shirtless, but that definitely did contribute. The skin is on the sillier side of things – but it flows so seamlessly that it’s hard to ignore. The auto attack animation is clear, and the Q animation is very clear going forward, but a bit deceptive on the return which is great for catching people off guard. And your W is a literal sprinkler. Plus, you get that iconic diving board backing animation that a few other Pool Party skins share. Some people might take issue with this skin, as it doesn’t feel as impactful as the rest – because splashes of water can realistically only sound so damaging. Which is why I decided to leave it here in our ranking (for now).
2. Battle Professor Graves
Released: May 15th, 2019 Price: 1350 RP Besides just making a lot of people question their sexuality, this skin offers so much that it’s crazy. I’m absolutely in love with the character design. It tiptoes that fine line between badass and elegant so perfectly. The gun design also took everything that was cool about Jailbreak Graves, but gave it the particles it needed to truly shine. All of the animations look slightly cartoony, which I thought I would hate, but ended up loving. The auto attacks and the R especially look like energy blasts, while the Q and W are even further stylized. But the real selling point of this entire skin is the homeguard animation. It literally has you running with giant books in your hands, and a piece of toast hanging out your mouth. You never truly realize how much you need something like that in your life until you see it.
1. Crime City Graves
Released: April 2nd, 2012 Price: 975 RP This might be the first time ever that I’m ranking a skin with no new animations at the number one slot. However, I just finished watching Peaky Blinders, and Crime City Graves is the only thing that can fill that void in my heart now. It just goes with Graves’ personality perfectly, only changing his base model so that the badass side of him is even more evident than usual. All of your voice lines go perfectly with this skin. And all of the animations go perfectly with this skin. And Graves as a whole goes perfectly with this skin. There’s no real method to the madness. It just feels really good putting on your best Tommy Shelby impression on, and go on a murder streak. Plus this skin has been iconic among Graves mains for so long that it feels disingenuous not to put it at the top. 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.
