And since our bug boy is on the chopping block for a VGU (at some point at least), I think this is the perfect time to appreciate what we already have. So let’s go through all of his skins and determine which ones are most worth getting.
12. Caterpillar Kog’Maw
Released: June 24th, 2010 Price: 520 RP Caterpillar Kog’Maw is one of those skins that’s so old it can barely be called a skin at all. In fact, most modern chromas offer way more than this skin. All it does is turn you green, without any interesting patterns, designs, or markings that would at least make it somewhat interesting. It just looks like the base Kog’Maw fell into some toxic waste and couldn’t be bothered to wash it all off. So if you’re one of those people that likes rare skins solely for being rare (and don’t care about their quality), then go for it. Otherwise I would probably avoid getting this one. I mean even the splash art is an assault on the eyes!
11. Sonoran Kog’Maw
Released: June 24th, 2010 Price: 520 RP Sonoran & Caterpillar were released together, and they will perish together. And just like its brother, this skin is simply a glorified chroma that offers very little – aside from the fact that it is somewhat rare. However, I will say that Sonoran is a lot more interesting than Caterpiller – because at least this skin makes Kog’Maw look like a different species of Void Hell spawns. Plus after the VFX update, the W does look quite nice here. Nevertheless, it’s just an overpriced chroma. And you can certainly do better.
10. Reindeer Kog’Maw
Released: December 14th, 2010 Price: 975 RP The previous skins were the only objectively bad picks if you ask me, so now we go straight into subjective town. Reindeer Kog’Maw has some amazing features – and is a pretty safe bet if you like slightly goofy skins. You get a new emote here where you sing some Christmas carols, which isn’t something I would usually expect from a demonic bug creature… but here we are. You also get some updated particles on all of your abilities, making the skin pretty rich for its price tag. However, I’m not the biggest fan of the new particles. They look more like water than snow. And while I do get a chuckle out of Kog’Maw casually spitting on you, it does somewhat nerf the skin in my eyes long-term. So it’s really decent, but not my favorite.
9. Lion Dance Kog’Maw
Released: February 1st, 2011 Price: 1350 RP This is one of those skins that’s good in concept, but just slightly overpriced for what it brings to the table. True, after the VFX update we did get a new E animation, which was quite nice. But it still can’t really compete with other 1350 RP skins. The auto-attacks are really satisfying here, especially if you go for max attack speed. And your Q, E, and R are thematically coherent. But the fact that you don’t get a new recall animation, or a voice change, or additional quotes, or at least a decent splash art… all just nerfs this skin quite heavily. Overall, if you love the design choice (and trust me it’s pretty spectacular) and if you don’t care about money, go ahead and snag this one. But I personally think there are better picks.
8. Monarch Kog’Maw
Released: November 16th, 2010 Price: 520 RP Monarch Kog’Maw has the weirdest cult following. In terms of what it brings to the table, it’s all over the place. On the one hand, the character model here looks oddly distinct – even though it’s basically just the base model with some wings and antenna slapped on it. Then on the other hand, it offers no new ability animations or particles whatsoever. So why do people love this skin? Firstly, because the new W now makes your wings glow up as well – and it is magnificent. And secondly, you do a little hop from time to time. That’s literally it. An entire community of Kog’Maw mains saw that little new hop animation and went buck wild. So if you too want to frolic ever so slightly, this is the skin for you. But do know that you can do a lot better in terms of flashiness and unique design.
7. Jurassic Kog’Maw
Released: March 23rd, 2012 Price: 975 RP This skin feels like an extremely safe bet overall. The character model is really cool here, as it perfectly channels the inner dinosaur-loving child inside of all of us. And ever since the VFX update, you even get some new ability particles, with your puke now being substituted for dust/sand projectiles. And if being covered in sand isn’t terrifying enough, your new W now has your mouth be set ablaze as you proceed to do Satan’s bidding onto any tanks that are foolish enough to be within your sight. Even the price is pretty cheap. So if you don’t want to spend too much money & have a love for anything dinosaur related, you can’t really go wrong here.
6. Deep Sea Kog’Maw
Released: September 19th, 2011 Price: 975 RP Deep Sea Kog’Maw is a skin that doesn’t get nearly enough love, even though it is certifiably epic. Sure, if you want to make Kog’Maw cute or goofy, there are quite a few extremely good options. But if you want a walking nightmare, this is the only real choice. I mean just look at that thing! Deep sea fish are already demons in disguise. And the fact this design spits on you until you die just makes it worse. Besides the S class character model, this skin also brings some nice particle changes that make you feel more at home at sea – and even a rather decent splash model. If you want to reject cuteness and bring horror to the Rift, there isn’t a better choice out there.
5. Pug’Maw
Released: March 29th, 2017 Price: 975 RP Okay, I take back what I just said, because this abomination is way more terrifying. It’s like, how does one even describe this skin? Your name is a pun, your character model is how dog haters see actual pugs, your auto-attacks have you bark when you use your W, and you somehow slobber even more than a real pug. Plus, we have to talk about that abnormally long tongue that goes up in the air with each ult cast – as if you were trying to french the heavens. Needless to say, Pug’Maw is extremely unique. And if you want a healthy mix of goofiness, terror, and dog drool, this is definitely the skin for you. It’s even cheap, so bonus points there.
4. Hextech Kog’Maw
Released: December 7th, 2017 Price: 10 Gemstones I’m usually not the biggest fan of Hextech skins. But this one might just be an exception. The character model is honestly brilliant, with the usual combination of robotic parts and magical crystals making you feel like the true sidekick Arcane needed. Your new ability animations are all pretty clean and distinct too, with my only complaint being the sound effect on your E feels off with the new visuals. And your new backing animation having two different versions is kinda eh. All of that being said, the skin is extremely expensive and it really should have included a voice filter to completely sell the schtick. Nevertheless, if you’re mister/misses money bags, this is definitely a viable option.
3. Bee’Maw
Released: March 4th, 2021 Price: 1350 RP Now that we’re closing in towards the top, just note that all the rest of these skins are top tier & are extremely close in ranking. And Bee’Maw is without a doubt the cutest pick for Kog’Maw. It turns you into the most adorable little fuzzy bee. Hell, most enemies will probably feel bad even attacking you – and might just let you 1v9 the entire game. The new backing animation is the cutest thing you’ve ever seen. Plus your abilities feel a lot more fun and wholesome, and all of the new bee sound effects really put you in a whimsical mood. All of that being said, the fact that you still have the original voice over (as well as a rather terrifying death animation) makes this skin equal parts adorable and horrifying. So proceed at your own risk.
2. Battlecast Kog’Maw
Released: November 25th, 2014 Price: 1350 RP Battlecast skins are an absolute blast when done right – and this skin definitely falls under that category. Instead of the usual puke-filled monster, Battlecast Kog’Maw makes all of your attacks seem a lot more tactful, by using several different guns to fire off your attacks. The voice filter is really nice, the ability particles sell you on the chaos, and your backing animation just seems convenient as hell. This might not win any awards for most creative aesthetic. But it does what it’s supposed to do really well – and it is honestly one of my go-to picks. Especially if I plan on sweating and don’t want a cute/goofy skin.
1. Arcanist Kog’Maw
Released: July 9th, 2020 Price: 1350 RP I’m just going to be frank with all of you and say that I’m a filthy AP Kog’Maw lover. And no other Kog’Maw skin is as appropriate for these mage shenanigans as this one! You even carry an Amp Tome on your back, after all. The character model here is equal parts adorable and mystical, with some really nice “How to Train your Shyvana” vibes. And your abilities fit the AP Kog’Maw fantasy so well. Kog’Maw feels like a legitimate mystical being spitting out energy blasts, cosmic drool, and magical crystal air strikes – and I am here for it! Plus, that backing animation is simply adorable. If you’re an AD Kog’Maw normie, I would suggest picking one of the previous two skins. But if you’re an AP Kog’Maw enjoyer, this is the only real option. 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.
