Riot Games has officially launched Season 1: For Demacia in League of Legends, marking the beginning of 2026 with a comprehensive update that touches every aspect of the game. The season kicked off with Patch 26.01 and introduces sweeping changes to gameplay, cosmetics, and competitive structure while placing Runeterra's ancient kingdom at the center of the narrative.
The update arrives alongside a new cinematic featuring the original song Salvation, showcasing champions like Quinn, Garen, and the newly reworked Shyvana. Summoner's Rift receives visual updates inspired by Demacia's signature petricite architecture, complete with gold-accented structures that transform the map's aesthetic.
Shyvana Rework
The centerpiece of Season 1 is Shyvana's complete visual and gameplay overhaul, scheduled for Act 2. The rework addresses years of community requests by reimagining both her human and dragon forms with modernized models, animations, and abilities. The cinematic provides the first look at her fearsome new dragon design, emphasizing her role as a powerful hybrid champion.
Riot has not released detailed ability information yet, but the studio confirmed the rework aims to make Shyvana feel more impactful as the dragon she was always meant to be. Players who have followed League of Legends lore will recognize this as a significant moment for a champion who has been overlooked in recent narrative content.
Demacia Rising
Demacia Rising introduces a new approach to seasonal content delivery. Unlike previous meta-games that launched all at once, this city-building experience unfolds gradually throughout Season 1, similar to the Jinx Fixes Everything event structure.
Demacia Rising
Players assume the role of Luxanna Crownguard (Lux) as she learns politics, military strategy, and governance from her aunt Tianna Crownguard. The meta-game chronicles Demacia's evolution from its original settlement during the Rune Wars to the modern petricite fortress players know today.
Key Features of Demacia Rising
- Consistent autosave functionality allows players to engage for any duration
- Progressive content updates reveal new chapters throughout the season
- Battle Pass XP rewards scale with player engagement
- Available until March 4, 2026 through the in-game client
- Community preservation expected through third-party meta-games website
The meta-game addresses political upheaval following recent canonical events, including the assassination of King Jarvan III, the dismantling of the Mageseeker order, and the presumed death of Seneschal Xin Zhao in Ionia.
Demacia Rising
Gameplay Changes
Patch 26.01 implements substantial gameplay adjustments designed to increase strategic options and accelerate match pacing. Riot specifically targets what the development team describes as objective fatigue while making split pushing and sieging more viable strategies.
Match Flow Improvements
- Faster Champion Select phases reduce pre-game wait times
- Earlier minion spawn times across Ranked, Normal, and Swiftplay queues
- Adjusted jungle spawn timing for improved early game flow
- New map mechanics including Faelights and Crystalline Overgrowth
Reworked Role Quests
Role-specific quests now offer more distinct rewards tailored to each position:
These changes aim to balance role agency while ensuring each position feels impactful throughout the match.
Cosmetic Content Spans Three Acts
Season 1 introduces multiple skin lines distributed across its three acts, catering to diverse aesthetic preferences.
Act 1 Releases
- Battle Academia skins for Briar and Samira
- Demacian-themed cosmetics featuring petricite and gold accents
- Victorious Braum skin earnable through Ranked play at any tier
Upcoming Content
- Darker Demacia-themed set scheduled for Act 2
- Additional thematic releases throughout the season
- Motion comics expanding seasonal narrative
The Victorious Braum skin represents a shift in Riot's reward philosophy, making prestigious cosmetics accessible to players regardless of rank rather than restricting them to high-tier competitors.
Tip
The Victorious Braum skin requires Ranked participation but not a specific rank, making it the most accessible Victorious skin to date.
ARAM and Alternative Modes
Riot confirmed that ARAM: Mayhem will remain available longer than initially planned, with a significant update scheduled for Patch 26.03. The extended availability responds to community feedback requesting more time with the chaotic game mode.
Swiftplay continues receiving iterative improvements focused on maintaining fast-paced matches while preserving competitive integrity. These updates complement the broader gameplay changes targeting match flow and strategic diversity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is included in the League of Legends Season 1: For Demacia update?
Season 1: For Demacia includes the Shyvana visual and gameplay rework, the Demacia Rising meta-game featuring Luxanna Crownguard, major gameplay changes targeting strategic diversity, new map mechanics like Faelights and Crystalline Overgrowth, reworked role quests, multiple skin lines including Battle Academia and Victorious Braum, and a restructured esports format with new international tournaments.
When will the Shyvana rework be available in League of Legends?
The Shyvana rework is scheduled to launch during Season 1 Act 2. Riot Games has not announced a specific date, but Act 2 typically begins 6-8 weeks after the season launch. The rework features completely redesigned models for both her human and dragon forms, along with updated abilities and animations.
How long will Demacia Rising be available to play?
Demacia Rising will be available through the League of Legends in-game client until March 4, 2026. The meta-game features autosave functionality allowing players to engage for any duration, with rewards scaling based on time invested. After March 4, the community-run meta games website is expected to preserve access.
What are the new role quest rewards in Season 1?
Role quests now provide position-specific rewards tailored to each lane. Mid laners receive enhanced recall options for improved map mobility, while bot laners gain increased gold generation plus an additional item slot. Top laners get split push and siege bonuses, junglers receive improved objective control tools, and supports gain enhanced vision and utility options.
How do I earn the Twitch Drops emotes for League of Legends?
The Lightshield Stonks emote requires watching one hour of any eligible League Partner Program streamer during January 9-25, 2026. The GarenHype emote requires subscribing or gifting a subscription to an eligible LPP channel during the same period. Only live viewing counts toward progress, and your Riot account must be linked to Twitch to receive rewards.
