Beauty is kinda weird in Runeterra. You’ve got literal space dragons, sewer rats with crossbows, and then you have the champions that make everyone stop scrolling through the shop. Honestly, the conversation around the sexiest League of Legends characters usually starts and ends with "who has the best splash art," but it’s actually way deeper than that.
Riot Games knows exactly what they’re doing. They’ve been at this since 2009.
In the early days, "sexy" just meant "put Miss Fortune in a pirate hat." Now, in 2026, the design philosophy has pivoted toward what the devs call "aspirational power fantasies." It’s not just about looking good; it's about how the character moves, their voice lines, and that specific "main character" energy they radiate during a pentakill.
Why Aesthetic Matters More Than Meta
People think they pick champions based on win rates. They don't. Or at least, most don't. If that were true, everyone would be a Zilean main because that old man has been low-key broken for a decade. But he’s a crusty dude with a clock on his back.
Compare that to Kai’Sa.
As of January 2026, Kai’Sa is sitting at an 18.1% popularity rate in ranked. Part of that is her new seventh item slot quest reward making her a late-game monster, but the other part? She looks cool. She’s got the whole "void-survivor-in-a-symbiotic-suit" thing going on.
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The "Pretty Human" Problem
There’s a running joke on Reddit that Riot forgot how to make monsters. For a few years, it felt like every new release was just another "hot human." We got Viego, then Akshan, then Zeri. Even Smolder—the dragon—got some heat for having a face that looked a bit too... human-adjacent.
But there’s a financial reason for this.
Attractive human champions sell skins. Period. You can see it in the 2026 Firecracker leaks. Seraphine and Camille are getting the spotlight because their silhouettes allow for high-fashion designs that people actually want to buy. You can’t really put a designer dress on Rek’Sai. Well, you could, but the "Landshark in a Tutu" niche is pretty small.
Ranking the Sexiest League of Legends Champions (Beyond the Surface)
When we talk about the sexiest League of Legends designs, we have to look at the ones who have stayed relevant through a dozen meta shifts. It’s about the "it" factor.
- Ahri: The undisputed queen. Even after her ASU (Art & Sustainability Update), she remains the gold standard. Her 2026 "Petals of Spring" skin is already being called one of the best-looking skins in the game because of the fluid tail animations.
- Evelynn: She is the only champion where being "sexy" is literally her lore. She’s a demon who uses desire as a lure. Her stealth mechanic makes her feel dangerous, which adds to the appeal.
- Sett: The "Boss" appeals to a very specific demographic. He’s got the heavy-hitter energy, the fur coat, and the "I’m going to suplex a tank" attitude.
- Jhin: Okay, hear me out. Jhin isn't "sexy" in the traditional sense. He's a masked serial killer. But his voice? His animations? The way he counts to four? The community consistently ranks him as one of the most "attractive" designs because of his sheer elegance.
The Nuance of Character Appeal
Riot’s internal "pods"—the teams that build champions—usually consist of a writer, an artist, and a gameplay designer. They try to find a "hook." For some, like the new 2026 champion Yunara, the hook is a mix of high-speed mobility and a sleek, ethereal aesthetic.
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There’s a weird tension between "monster" fans and "waifu/husbando" fans.
The monster fans want more stuff like Fiddlesticks or Bel'Veth—designs that are terrifying and alien. The general player base, however, gravitates toward champions they can project themselves onto. It’s why Ezreal is still one of the most played marksmen in history. He’s the "pretty boy" explorer. Simple. Effective.
Does "Sexy" Equal "Bad Design"?
Not necessarily.
A lot of people think that if a champion is attractive, the designers got lazy. That’s a total myth. Look at the 2026 rework for Shyvana. They kept her "humanoid" dragon-warrior look but leaned heavily into her muscular, draconic features. It’s "sexy" in a powerful, "I will burn your house down" kind of way.
Designing a "hot" character that isn't boring is actually harder than making a monster. You have to find a way to make a human silhouette stand out in a game with 160+ other humans.
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Actionable Insights for Players
If you’re choosing a main based on aesthetics, don't just look at the splash art. Splash arts are basically Instagram filters—they look better than the real thing.
- Check the In-Game Model: Use the 3D model viewers or watch a skin spotlight. Some champions look amazing in art but have "pizza feet" or stiff animations in-game (looking at you, older LeBlanc skins).
- Listen to the Voice Lines: You’re going to be hearing this character for 30 minutes straight. If their personality grates on you, the "sexy" factor wears off real fast.
- Consider the Silhouette: In a chaotic teamfight, you want a champion that feels distinct. Champions with "flowing" elements—like capes, tails, or floating weapons—usually feel more "premium" and attractive during gameplay.
The concept of the sexiest League of Legends champion will always be subjective, but the trend is clear: Riot is moving away from basic "bikini armor" and toward designs that feel iconic, fashionable, and powerful. Whether it’s the tech-heavy Aegis Frame skins or the whimsical Spirit Blossom line, the goal is to make you feel like the coolest person on the Rift.
The next time you’re in the loading screen, take a second to actually look at the character's design. There’s a lot of work that goes into making those pixels look that good.
To get the most out of your favorite champion's aesthetic, try adjusting your in-game "Character Quality" settings to Very High and turning on "Character Inking" in the video menu to make the models pop against the map.