League of Legends Season 3 Approaches! New Theme, WASD Controls, Skins, Xin Zhao Update, and More

Spirit Blossom Beyond is reaching the end of the line, which means it's time for League of Legends to move on to its third and final season of the year. Season 3 is set to bring much change to the game, including a completely new thematic, tying together the two previous themes: Spirit Blossom & Noxus.

Along with this new direction, the new season will also bring forth a wave of other changes, from a Visual Update to Xin Zhao, to new skins and even WASD controls! Make sure you're there to try out LoL Season 3 when it releases with Patch 25.17 on Wednesday, August 27th.

New Season, New Theme

While few specifics are known about the theme for the new season, Riot Games has stated that Season 3 will pull together a year's worth of League of Legends stories. This means that you can expect the new theme to see Welcome to Noxus (Season 1) and Spirit Blossom Beyond (Season 2) converge for the final season of the year.

As for the main characters of the coming season, Yunara, LeBlanc, Xin Zhao, and even Atakhan are ready to take center stage as their tales continue to unfold.

LoL Season 3 will prove to be all-important on several levels, though, as it will also set the stage for the 2025 World Championship (Worlds), which will take place in China starting in October!

Xin Zhao Gets an Update

As one of the main characters of the new season, it seems only fitting that Xin Zhao got some love, this time in the form of a visual update (VU). Xin mains, worry not, as the Seneschal of Demacia's gameplay will remain entirely untouched.

Along with his base skin update, all of Xin Zhao's skins will also be updated. But that's not all; to celebrate the champion's journey in 2025, Xin Zhao will receive a brand new Epic skin as well during Act 1 of Season 3.

Xin Zhao is getting a complete visual update in Season 3. (Credit: Riot Games)

Doom Bots Return!

Season 3 is set to bring back one of League of Legends' most beloved game modes: Doom Bots. Originally released more than 10 years ago (2014), Doom Bots is a unique Co-op vs AI game mode which pits players against some of the strongest bots ever created, featuring empowered abilities and better decision-making.

This time around, though, Doom Bots is all improved. Starting in Season 3, the game mode will feature new bots, a new boss, a new difficulty mode, new curses, and new missions. In case this wasn't enough, all-new Trials of Doom will also be introduced for Doom Bots, bringing forth new ways for you to test your skills against faster, stronger, meaner bots.

The Doom Bots are not to be taken lightly. (Credit: Riot Games)

WASD Controls Are Coming to LoL

What could be one of the biggest changes to ever hit League of Legends is knocking on our doorstep: WASD movement keys. Given the scale of such an addition, WASD controls will first be introduced into the PBE for testing. From then on, it will arrive to non-Ranked League of Legends queues first before finally hitting the ladder.

The main objective of the addition of WASD controls as opposed to the traditional click-to-move controls is to grant new players a smoother introduction into League of Legends. Don't worry, though, you will always have the option to choose between moving with your keys and moving with your mouse.

Smurfs No More: A Better Ranked Experience

Starting with Patch 25.18 (the second patch of Season 3), League of Legends will begin taking action against accounts found to be smurfing or boosting. This will be done through Vanguard, but made possible through the 'Rank Manipulation' report option. So, to keep smurfs away, make sure to keep submitting your reports.

In order to improve the Ranked experience even further, Riot will continue to test True Skill 2. This all-new matchmaking system is designed to match players against one another more accurately, and more quickly.

Skins, Skins, Skins

Last, but not least, we have several new skins and cosmetics coming our way. Here's a short recap of some of the skins confirmed to hit League of Legends in Season 3:

• New Prestige Sylas and Mel skins will be available through the Mythic Shop
• New Jarvan IV skin tied to the Act 1 Pass
• New Zoe skin tied to the Act 2 Pass
• T1 Worlds 2025 skins will hit the store in September
• Machine Herald Viktor will arrive on Patch 25.19
  • Players with Viktor Mastery Level 5+ will receive this skin for free

Along with these new additions, several emotes and icons that you could only get from the Teamfight Tactics (TFT) Passes will return to the Mythic Shop once more.

Mel is set to receive her second skin in Season 3. (Credit: Riot Games)

Ready for Season 3?

The final season of 2025 approaches, and it promises to deliver an exciting conclusion to what has been a rollercoaster of a year for League of Legends. From champion updates to new movement controls, there is plenty to be excited for when it comes to the new season.

Can't wait? Make sure to be there when Season 3 releases with Patch 25.17 on August 27th!

Follow Strafe Esports for all the latest League news and our X account for the latest content and coverages. Also, stay tuned to Strafe YouTube for exclusive interviews, press conferences, and more.

Feature image credit: Riot Games

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