Time of Snowdown

The Time of Snowdown is a Special Celebration of the Valoran people to conmemorate the passing of one year to the next.

Lore
For countless years, the citizens of Valoran have celebrated the end of the calendar year in numerous ways. Even while the Rune Wars raged their fiercest, most people still reserved time to celebrate the passing of one year into the next. Each city-state observes this holiday– known as the Time of Snowdown – in its own unique way. The yordles of Bandle City prioritize merriment and indulgence, throwing week-long banquets and feasting on roasted meats and sweet liquors. Demacia observes the Time of Snowdown with a strong sense of reverence, hosting grand ceremonies which commemorate the past year’s fallen heroes. Even the insidious Noxians honor the Snowdown with surprising gentility by offering clemency to select prisoners of non-violent crimes.

The people of Valoran venerate the Time of Snowdown with such devotion for reasons rooted in history of the world. Many parts of Runeterra have always suffered bitter, merciless winters; this is especially true on Valoran after the devastation wrought upon the world by the Rune Wars. Valoran’s inhabitants have historically ceased their political squabbles to band against the greater threat of nature run amok. Countless tales of yore recount instances of sworn enemies easing their hostilities with one another in order to share in lavish feasts or to allow soldiers a chance to return home briefly. In modern times, the League of Legends continues the ancient traditions by adopting the holiday as a time of revelry – both to celebrate the peace that the League brings to Valoran and as a way of giving back to the city-states that granted the League its unique position of power in the world. League embassies in each city-state are made open to the public, and feature three week festivals to which all are welcome. The Institute of War holds an exclusive month-long celebration, and invites distinguished guests from all across the continent. Special runes are forged and awarded to exemplary summoners. Great celebratory scrimmages are held in the Fields of Justice, culminating in an epic battle royale amongst the League’s most powerful summoners.

Snowdown Showdown
In order to commemorate this festive event, Riot will introduce a few changes to the game and items that will be available as the world of Valoran celebrates for the next 3 weeks (store item images attached below).

Champion skins
Riot Games will release 3 new skins on Day 1 of the Snowdown Showdown:
 * Snow Bunny Nidalee (special price of 260 RP if bought as bundle with Nidalee from 16 to 23 of December, then priced at 520 RP)
 * Happy Elf Teemo (available from December 16 to January 6)
 * Workshop Nunu (available from December 16 to January 6)

Also limited edition skins which will only be available during the following periods:
 * Old St. Zilean (only available from December 23 to December 27)
 * Earnest Elf Tristana (only available from December 31 to January 3)

Runes
6 special holiday runes will be released and only be available from December 16 to January 6 of them will be Tier 1.5, and 3 will be Tier 2.5.
 * Mark of the Crippling Candy Cane (Tier 2.5, critical damage)
 * Mark of the Yuletide Tannenbaum (Tier 1.5, critical chance)
 * Glyph of the Special Stocking (Tier 2.5, cooldown reduction)
 * Glyph of the Gracious Gift (Tier 1.5, AP per level)
 * Seal of the Elusive Snowflake (Tier 2.5, dodge)
 * Seal of the Stout Snowman (Tier 1.5, HP per level)

Map
The Winter Summoner's Rift will be replaced with Snowdown Rift, a seasonal variant that includes many holiday elements.

Item
The health potion in the in-game store will be replaced by the Riot Nog potion. The effect of the potion will remain identical to the effect of the health potion.