TL;DR
- Hextech Chests are now purchase-only at 125 RP each, eliminating free mastery rewards
- Existing keys and fragments remain usable but require buying chests to open
- Free-to-play players can earn two skins per Event Pass and victorious skins through ranked play
- The new system prioritizes paid Battle Pass progression over random free rewards
- Strategic Event Pass completion is now essential for free cosmetic acquisition
Games and Esports Articles LoL
Riot Games has fundamentally transformed League of Legends’ reward structure with the 2025 season update. The introduction of a dual-tier Battle Pass system—featuring both premium and free tracks—significantly alters how players access cosmetics. This strategic shift makes acquiring free cosmetic items substantially more challenging, particularly due to the complete overhaul of the Hextech Chest acquisition mechanics.
The most impactful change eliminates Hextech Chest rewards from champion mastery, which previously served as the primary free skin source for countless players. Following the implementation of patch 25.S1.1, the mastery progression system now exclusively provides Event Pass experience points instead of tangible rewards. Obtaining Hextech Chests now requires direct purchase at 125 RP each, with the mandatory Hextech Key adding another 70 RP, bringing the total opening cost to 195 RP per chest.
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Many dedicated players have accumulated substantial stockpiles of Hextech Keys and key fragments now sitting idle in their inventories. This creates significant confusion about the future utility of these resources and optimal management strategies. Currently, the only viable options involve either holding these items indefinitely or purchasing Hextech Chests to utilize them.
Pro Tip: Calculate your key-to-chest ratio before making purchase decisions. If you have more keys than you can reasonably use through occasional chest purchases, consider prioritizing keys for potential future conversion events rather than spending RP unnecessarily.
Common management mistake: Players often panic and either waste RP buying excess chests or ignore their inventory entirely. The balanced approach involves monitoring Riot’s official communications for any announced conversion systems while using keys strategically for high-value chest openings during special events.
Acquiring premium skins as a free-to-play user has become considerably more difficult under the new system. Without random Hextech Chest drops from mastery, players must rely exclusively on Event Pass free track rewards. You can obtain two guaranteed skins: a thematic skin at level 20 and a random skin shard at level 45. The pass also includes additional cosmetic items like emotes, champion capsules, and other customization options.
Additionally, once per ranked split season, players can earn a randomized victorious skin by achieving 15 wins in ranked queue. This provides a consistent, skill-based alternative for dedicated competitive players seeking free cosmetic rewards.
Advanced Strategy: Maximize your Event Pass progression by focusing on daily missions and weekly objectives. The free track typically requires approximately 25-30 hours of gameplay to reach level 45, making efficient time management crucial for free skin acquisition.
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Action Checklist
- Audit your current Hextech key and fragment inventory
- Calculate your optimal chest purchase strategy based on key count
- Focus on completing daily and weekly Event Pass missions
- Prioritize reaching Event Pass levels 20 and 45 for free skins
- Aim for 15 ranked wins per split to earn victorious skins
No reproduction without permission：Game Guides » What to do with Hextech keys and chests in League of Legends. What happened to Hextech chests Complete guide to Hextech system changes, inventory management, and free skin strategies in 2025