The 2025 Rework: Why Winged Hussar Xin Zhao Is Now A Must-Have Legacy Skin

The Winged Hussar Xin Zhao skin has always been a fan-favorite, a powerful nod to a legendary historical military force, but as of the recent massive champion overhaul in 2025, it has become one of the most visually impressive and sought-after Legacy skins in League of Legends. This deep dive explores the skin’s incredible historical roots, its status as a rare collectible, and the dramatic visual upgrade it received in the latest patch, making it an essential addition to any collector’s vault. The excitement surrounding the Xin Zhao Update 2025 is palpable, especially for long-time players. The visual and gameplay rework, which went live in Patch 25.17 on August 27, 2025, didn't just modernize the champion; it breathed new life into all his existing skins, with the Winged Hussar theme receiving some of the most striking enhancements. This is your definitive guide to understanding the true value and availability of this iconic skin right now.

Xin Zhao: The Winged Hussar’s Profile and Origins

The Winged Hussar Xin Zhao skin is a tribute to one of the most formidable and visually distinct cavalry units in history. The concept transforms the Seneschal of Demacia into a Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth warrior, complete with the iconic, massive wings.

• Champion: Xin Zhao, the Seneschal of Demacia
• Skin Name: Winged Hussar Xin Zhao
• Original Release Date: September 25, 2011
• Original Price: 975 RP
• Rarity: Legacy (Vaulted)
• Inspiration: The Polish Winged Hussars (Husaria)
• Key Features: New model, new textures, and a completely refreshed look following the 2025 Visual Update.
• Legacy Status: It is not permanently available in the store and only returns during special sales or events, such as the temporary return coinciding with the 2025 rework.

The Historical Power of the Polish Winged Hussars

The skin’s appeal goes far beyond its in-game model; it’s rooted in genuine history, lending it an immense layer of topical authority. The Polish Winged Hussars were an elite cavalry force that dominated the battlefields of Eastern Europe from the 16th to the 18th centuries. Their most distinctive feature, and the one Xin Zhao wears, is the pair of large, wooden frames with eagle, swan, or vulture feathers attached to their backs or saddles. While the exact purpose is debated—ranging from psychological warfare to defending against lassos—the sight and sound of a charging line of Hussars was terrifying and legendary. The pinnacle of their military fame came during the Battle of Vienna in 1683. Led by Polish King Jan Sobieski, the Hussars executed the largest cavalry charge in history, with over 3,000 elite warriors smashing through the Ottoman forces besieging the city. This victory is widely considered a turning point that halted the Ottoman expansion into Europe, cementing the Hussars' legacy as saviors of the continent. The skin is a direct reference to this incredible display of martial prowess.

The Dramatic Visual Upgrade in the 2025 Rework

Before the major 2025 overhaul, the Winged Hussar skin suffered from the "splash art versus reality" problem common with older League of Legends skins. The splash art was magnificent, but the in-game model, released back in 2011, felt dated, with blocky textures and a lack of detail. The Xin Zhao visual update in Patch 25.17 changed everything. While the skin did not receive new particles or animations upon its initial release, the 2025 rework dramatically improved the core model and textures, making the skin finally live up to its promise. The key visual enhancements include:

• Feather Detail: The iconic wings now feature high-resolution textures, making the feathers look more realistic and less like simple polygons.
• Armor Polish: The Hussar armor, which includes a cuirass and helmet, now boasts a metallic sheen and intricate detailing on the pauldrons, reflecting the elite status of the historical unit.
• Spear Refinement: Xin Zhao’s spear, his primary weapon, has been completely remodeled to look sharper and more imposing, fitting the theme of a mounted lancer.
• Base Model Synergy: Because the rework updated Xin Zhao’s base model, the Winged Hussar skin now benefits from smoother animations and a more modern silhouette, addressing the issues of its original release.

This overhaul has significantly increased the perceived value of the 975 RP skin, bringing it visually closer to modern Epic-tier skins. For collectors, the reworked Winged Hussar is now a prized possession.

How to Obtain This Rare Legacy Skin in 2025

The Winged Hussar Xin Zhao is a Legacy skin, meaning it is permanently removed from the standard in-game store rotation (the Legacy Vault). This scarcity is what drives its high value for collectors. However, the 2025 Rework offered a crucial, but temporary, window for players to acquire it. Riot Games historically brings back all Legacy skins for a limited time when a champion receives a full Visual and Gameplay Update (VGU) or a major Visual Update (VU). Here are the only ways to currently obtain the skin:

1. Limited-Time Rerelease (The 2025 Event): Coinciding with the Patch 25.17 and 25.18 rollout (August/September 2025), the skin was made available for direct purchase in the store for its original price of 975 RP. If you missed this specific window, you must rely on the other methods.
2. Hextech Crafting: This is the most common way to get any vaulted skin. You have a chance to unlock the skin shard from Hextech Chests or Masterwork Chests, which you can then upgrade using Orange Essence.
3. Mystery Gifting: Receiving a random skin from a friend via a Mystery Gift or Mystery Skin Shard from the Your Shop event can potentially grant you the Winged Hussar skin.
4. "Your Shop" Events: Periodically, the personalized "Your Shop" event returns, offering six random skins at a discount based on your recent champion play. If you play Xin Zhao frequently, there is a chance this skin will appear.

Other Notable Legacy Xin Zhao Skins

The Winged Hussar is not the only rare Xin Zhao skin. The champion has several other skins locked away in the Legacy Vault that are highly valued by collectors, often returning during seasonal events:

• Firecracker Xin Zhao: A popular Lunar Revel skin (Legacy).
• Viscero Xin Zhao: An older, more gruesome-themed skin (Legacy).
• Warring Kingdoms Xin Zhao: A highly-regarded skin that often returns during the Lunar New Year event.
• Commando Xin Zhao: One of his older, more budget-friendly skins.
• Imperial Xin Zhao: Another skin that received a significant texture and model update in the 2025 rework.

The Winged Hussar Xin Zhao skin is more than just a cosmetic; it’s a piece of League of Legends history that now boasts a stunning, modern visual identity thanks to the 2025 rework. Its deep connection to the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the legendary Battle of Vienna ensures its place as a unique and meaningful collectible. If you have the chance to add this Legacy Vault treasure to your collection, especially after its incredible visual upgrade, do not hesitate—you will be wielding a spear with the weight of history behind it.

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