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A lineup of Xin Zhao skins displayed together in League of Legends, highlighting multiple thematic designs
Image credit: Riot Games and League of Legends

TL;DR

  • In League of Legends, Xin Zhao is a warrior who has pledged his life to defending the kingdom of Demacia. 
  • Xin Zhao is one of the early champions of League of Legends, as he was released in 2010, a year after the game came out. 
  • Despite being an early champion, Xin Zhao does not have as many skins as some of the other early characters.
  • The best Xin Zhao skins combine excellent designs with effects while maintaining a theme that is well-suited to Xin Zhao’s character. 
  • Some of the best Xin Zhao skins at the time of writing are Marauder, Cosmic Defender, and Firecracker.

Xin Zhao is one of the classic early champions from League of Legends, released back in July 2010. When it comes to skins, Xin Zhao has a fair few for players to pick from, though not as many as some of the other earlier heroes. That being said, the skins that Xin Zhao does have all have their positives, though some are more noteworthy than others. 

With this in mind, we’re going to look at the top 10 Xin Zhao League of Legends skins in 2025. These skins are the best of the best at the time of writing in terms of design, animations, sound, and visual effects. They are also the best choices for skins that suit Xin Zhao’s overall character, including his design and personality. 

Top 10 League of Legends Xin Zhao skins, ranked

As mentioned, the best League of Legends skins are those that not only look great, but also reflect the character as well. Xin Zhao is a fierce and loyal warrior who fights for the kingdom of Demacia, so the skins that work well for him from a narrative perspective are those that creatively incorporate the resolute soldier and protective warrior elements of his character. 

This is important, but it isn’t the only factor that is considered when putting together these lists. Effects, animations, design, and how well these elements come together and work alongside one another are also highly important. These factors are what we have considered when putting together this list of the best Xin Zhao skins in League of Legends. 

Take a look at the table below for a quick breakdown of our pick of the best Xin Zhao skins. 

Xin Zhao Skin Cost to unlock Rarity How to obtain
Commando 750 RP Regular In-game shop
Cosmic Defender 1350 RP Epic In-game shop
Dragon Slayer 1350 RP Epic In-game shop
Firecracker 1350 RP Epic Legacy Vault
Marauder 1350 RP Epic In-game shop
Secret Agent 975 RP Regular In-game shop
Trials of Twilight 1350 RP Epic In-game shop
Viscero 975 RP Regular Legacy Vault
Warring Kingdoms 1350 RP Epic In-game shop
Winged Hussar 975 RP Regular Legacy Vault

10. Commando

Commando storms a battlefield in League of Legends’ Marauder theme
Commando is limited, but this is understandable, as it was the first skin released for Xin Zhao / Image credit: Riot Games and League of Legends
  • Release Date: July 13, 2010
  • No Chromas

Commando was Xin Zhao’s first skin, so it lacks the bells and whistles that the more recent skins have. There are no flashy effects, but the actual costume design and the Commando skin line is well-suited to him. His role as a warrior for Demacia fits in with the elite soldier theme perfectly, and for only 750 RP, it’s a cost-effective choice for those who want something that looks a little different from the default skin. 

9. Viscero

An armored fighter charges forward in League of Legends’ Commando theme
Xin Zhao was a pit fighter in Noxus before he was rescued, so this skin works from a narrative perspective as well / Image credit: Riot Games and League of Legends
  • Release Date: November 22, 2010
  • No Chromas

Viscero is similar to Commando in that it doesn’t have any unique effects, but it does change Xin Zhao’s outfit. With Viscero, Xin Zhao becomes a fierce gladiator. As with the Commando skin, this theme is highly fitting for Xin Zhao’s role as a loyal warrior, making it an excellent skin in terms of character. 

The gladiator outfit is well designed, if not a little minimalist, as Xin Zhao only wears metal and leather armor on his top half and a pteruges (the skirt-like defensive bottoms that gladiators donned in ancient Rome and Greece). Viscero is effective in showcasing Xin Zhao’s warrior nature in a creative, thematic manner. 

8. Winged Hussar

A mounted warrior leads a skybound assault in League of Legends’ Winged Hussar theme
Winged Hussar is a little awkward in-game because of how much the wings on the armor stand out / Image credit: Riot Games and League of Legends
  • Release Date: September 26, 2011
  • Chromas: No Chromas

Winged Hussar is a skin that suffers from the splash art versus reality issue that a lot of League of Legends skins deal with. This problem revolves around the splash art being way cooler than the actual skin. The Winged Hussar splash art is a bit misleading in terms of visuals, as it looks a little less polished in the game. This isn’t too big a problem, though, as this is bound to happen with the transition from 2D art to a 3D model. 

All this being said, Winged Hussar is still a great skin that gives Xin Zhao a cavalry-style Polish hussar look, complete with winged protrusions coming from the back of his armor. It suits him well and has a fascinating historical theme.

7. Trials of Twilight

A serene warrior channels mystical energy in League of Legends’ Trials of Twilight theme
Trials of Twilight depicts Xin Zhao following his success in the trials / Image credit: Riot Games and League of Legends
  • Release Date: October 8, 2025
  • Chromas: Obsidian, Rose Quartz, Ruby, Unlocked, and Worthy

Trials of Twilight is, at the time of writing, Xin Zhao’s newest skin, and it features all the effects and new animations associated with newer skins. While it is highly polished, it is a bit basic. 

The theme of the skin revolves around the Trials of Twilight lore and event arc for LoL. We’re not going to spoil exactly what happens, but the skin itself is based on the gear that Xin Zhao dons when he passes the Trials of Twilight. His armor is impressive and well-designed, and the effects of his abilities match the twilight energy and Ionian life magic found throughout the trial. 

6. Secret Agent

A covert operative launches a dynamic attack in League of Legends’ Secret Agent theme
Xin Zhao becomes a super spy with the Secret Agent skin / Image credit: Riot Games and League of Legends
  • Release Date: March 16, 2025 
  • No Chromas

Secret Agent is one of the more fun Xin Zhao skins, reimagining him as a secret agent/ bodyguard wielding a sci-fi style spear. While there aren’t many new effects, Xin Zhao does get a cool suit, complete with suave sunglasses and a beard and goatee combo. His Crescent Guard ability also gets a briefcase effect to emphasize the spy vibes. 

His recall animation is fun too, showing Xin Zhao receiving a call in his in-ear device before striking a bodyguard-like pose with his briefcase. This is a great choice of a budget Xin Zhao skin that offers something different without straying too far from his character.

5. Firecracker

Warrior distributes festive envelopes amid Lunar Revel fireworks in League of Legends’ Firecracker theme
Firecracker is arguably Xin Zhao’s prettiest skin / Image credit: Riot Games and League of Legends
  • Release Date: January 26, 2022
  • Chromas: Catseye, Emerald, Golden Tiger, Obsidian, Pearl, Rose Quartz, Ruby, Sapphire, and Tanzanite

Firecracker gives Xin Zhao a Lunar New Year-themed skin, complete with firework effects, a traditional Chinese-style red and gold outfit, a new hair color, and a jade blade for his spear. This is a particularly eye-catching skin that is bursting with color and fun fireworks. It’s a little less suited to his character as a whole, but the excellent design and extra animations and effects more than make up for it. 

4. Warring Kingdoms

Warrior spearheads a mounted assault in League of Legends’ Winged Hussar theme
Xin Zhao’s Warring Kingdom skin has historical inspirations, including a real historical figure / Image credit: Riot Games and League of Legends
  • Release Date: February 8, 2013 
  • Chromas: Amethyst, Aquamarine, Golden, Pearl, Peridot, Rose Quartz, and Ruby. 

Warring Kingdoms is another skin that has the perfect theme for Xin Zhao’s character. This skin collection reimagines champions as warriors and generals inspired by the Three Kingdoms period in ancient Chinese history. Dynasty Warrior was inspired by this period too, and you can definitely feel the matching vibes of that game series with this Xin Zhao skin. Xin Zhao’s design is inspired by Zhao Yun, a renowned Shu Han general from the Three Kingdoms period. Zhao Yun wielded a spear and was known as a loyal and brave warrior, much like Xin Zhao. 

Xin Zhao dons intricately designed Chinese-style armor with the skin, which can change color depending on the chosen Chroma. The theme of this skin, along with the real-life inspiration, makes this a historically interesting skin, but also one that is well-suited to Xin Zhao and has all the extras associated with Epic skins. 

3. Cosmic Defender

A celestial warrior channels stellar energy in League of Legends’ Cosmic Defender theme
The stars align with the Cosmic Defender skin / Image credit: Riot Games and League of Legends
  • Release Date: August 21, 2018
  • Chromas: Citrine, Emerald, Obsidian, Ruby, and Tanzanite

Cosmic Defender puts Xin Zhao in a sci-fi-themed warrior role, complete with a range of new animations and effects. The sound effects are particularly fun with this skin, as Xin Zhao’s spear gets a space-themed energy blast-like sound when it is swung, and his voice is modified to reflect the helmet he wears. His other abilities also get new cosmic sounds. 

The blade of his spear gets given a space makeover, as it glows brightly and includes star and light effects. Despite the otherworldly design, Cosmic Defender still manages to be a fitting skin and theme for Xin Zhao.

2. Dragon Slayer

A fierce warrior battles through flames in League of Legends’ Dragon Slayer theme
Dragons beware / Image credit: Riot Games and League of Legends
  • Release Date: March 9, 2017
  • Chromas: Amethyst. Catseye, Emerald, Obsidian, Ruby, and Sandstone

Another fitting skin for Xin Zhao that has some awesome effects is Dragon Slayer. As the name states, Xin Zhao is transformed into a slayer of dragons with this skin. He dons dragon scale armor with horns, and his spear has a fiery tip. Dragon roars can be heard when he attacks with his spear and uses his abilities. 

The coolest part of the skin is the recall animation, which shows Xin Zhao slaying a dragon before he returns to the hub. Perfectly fitting with an amazing fantasy-style design and brimming with cool effects, Dragon Slayer is one of Xin Zhao’s best looks. 

1. Marauder

A gladiator-styled warrior prepares to strike in League of Legends’ Viscero theme
Marauder is the top choice of a skin for Xin Zhao / Image credit: Riot Games and League of Legends
  • Release Date: January 7, 2021
  • Chromas: Amethyst, Citrine, Emerald, Obsidian, Rose Quartz, Ruby, Sapphire, and Turquoise

Marauder is a fan favorite Xin Zhao skin, and for good reason. The skin comes from the dark fantasy Marauder skin line, which reimagines LoL heroes as members of the brutal, conquering Marauder regiment. Xin Zhao’s Marauder skin sees him take on the role of a Marauder commander, transforming his light and elegance into something darker. It fits his character, but feels different enough to keep things interesting. 

The effects and animations of the skin feature a dark glow of red energy, while his voice is altered due to his armored helmet. The gritty and ruthless vibes of the skin make it particularly striking, while the animations and effects make the darkness of the Marauders seem more potent. All of this comes together to make Marauder Xin Zhao’s best skin. 

Conclusion

These are our top picks for Xin Zhao skins in League of Legends due to the various factors that we mentioned earlier. The top-level skins on this list combine these elements to create a memorable skin that not only looks great, but feels right for Xin Zhao. Marauder does all this, but it also takes the standard skins often given to Xin Zhao and turns them on their head, transforming him into a dark fantasy villain, but in a way that is still true to his character. This is why Marauder has to take the number one spot on our list of the best Xin Zhao skins in League of Legends. 

FAQs

What are the rarest skins in League of Legends?

The rarest League skins are those that were only available for a limited time or during a certain event. While these skins can make a comeback, they are much trickier to obtain and might never come back again. Some of these skins include:
• Black Alistar
• PAX Twisted Fate
• Silver Kayle
• UFO Corki
• Young Ryze
Other rare skins include those that can only be obtained via the Sanctum gacha system. This is because players need to pull for Exalted skins and Mythic variant skins via Ancient Sparks, which are 400 RP each. Unless you’re very lucky, you’re looking at using a maximum of 32,000 RP for Exalted skins and 16,000 RP for Mythic variants, which is incredibly costly. Because of this, you don’t often see the Sanctum skins in games. The League of Legends Arcane skin Exalted Fractured Jinx is one of the skins that faced scrutiny because of this. 

How to get free skins in League of Legends?

There are a few ways to get your hands on free skins in League of Legends, though it can take time, patience, and playing a lot of games to do so. Here are some ways to go about it:

• Complete event missions to make your way through the free pass track. The track often includes skin shards and capsules, which can later be used to unlock skins. 
• Be a good sport in games and earn Honor Levels. Getting to Honor Level 5 rewards a capsule with random cosmetics along with a skin shard. 
• A free League of Legends Victorious skin can be unlocked by winning 15 ranked games in a season while being at least Honor Level 3. 
• Hextech Chests. These contain skin shards, but can also include fully unlocked skins (though this is very rare). You can also get orange essence to craft skins. Earning level S- or above on champions earns one Hextech Chest, but weekly missions can also include chest rewards. You’ll need Hextech Keys to unlock the chests, and these can be earned by keeping up a good Honor Level and by winning games. 

How do Prestige skins work in League of Legends?

League of Legends Prestige skins can only be unlocked with Mythic Essence or by earning Event Tokens during an event and trading the tokens for a Prestige skin. Mythic Essence can be earned in event passes, but there is also a small chance to get them in capsules, event orbs, Hextech Chests, and Masterwork Chests. It can also be obtained by rolling with Ancient Sparks in The Sanctum. 

What is Xin Zhao’s backstory in LoL?

In League of Legends lore, Xin Zhao is a warrior in the kingdom of Demacia. He was freed from the Noxus fighting pits by Demacian forces, and because of this, he pledged his life to serve the kingdom. He wields a three-taloned spear and is endlessly loyal to Demacia.

REFERENCES

The post League of Legends: Best Xin Zhao skins in 2025 appeared first on Esports Insider.

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