What is Mythic Variant in League of Legends?

League of Legends has a massive cosmetics system, and Mythic Variants are one of the rarest and most exclusive types of skins in the game. They're essentially upgraded versions of existing Mythic skins, featuring distinct visual changes that set them apart from the base version.

Getting one isn't straightforward, and many players aren't even sure how the system works or what makes these variants different from regular skins. In this article, we'll explain what Mythic Variants are, how they differ from standard Mythic skins, and how you can actually get your hands on one.

What Sets Mythic Variants Apart?

Mythic Variants are not entirely new skins; they're reimagined versions of existing Legendary-tier skins, featuring changes to the model, VFX, SFX, and animations, along with a new splash art, icon, and border.

A good example of this is Dark Cosmic Erasure Jhin, the first Mythic Variant ever released, which was built on top of Dark Cosmic Jhin and added special elements tied to Jhin's unique mechanics, such as his fourth shot.

What really separates them from regular Mythic skins is their exclusivity. Mythic Variants are only available during a specific time window, which makes them significantly harder to obtain than standard Mythic skins that rotate in and out of the Mythic shop. They're currently only available through the Sanctum and are guaranteed by the 40th draw.

Also Read: All League of Legends Prestige Skins

How to Get Mythic Variants

Mythic Variants are only available through the Sanctum, a gacha-style system you can find under the Loot tab in the client.

To pull from it, you need Ancient Sparks, which are purchased with RP. The Sanctum has two separate banners, one for Exalted skins and one for Mythic Variants, each with its own drop rates and pity system, and progress does not carry over between banners.

The base drop rate is around 0.5%, but you're guaranteed to get the Mythic Variant by the 40th pull. Once you do, the pity counter resets to zero. Banners are time-limited, and Riot doesn't follow a consistent rerun schedule, so if you want a specific Mythic Variant, your best bet is to go for it during its initial release window.

Are Mythic Variants Worth It?

Honestly, for most players, no. The main criticism is that Mythic Variants are essentially upgraded versions of skins that already exist, and the price you'd pay to guarantee one is hard to justify. The regular Dark Cosmic Jhin, which looks almost identical to its Mythic Variant, costs around 1820 RP, while the Mythic Variant could run you up to 22,500 RP to guarantee. That's a massive gap for what many players consider a glorified recolor.

The community has pointed out that the Mythic Variant doesn't introduce anything actually new, no new voiceover, no new mechanics, just visual changes, making the gacha system hard to justify for what is essentially a chroma.

That said, if exclusivity is what you're after, Mythic Variants do deliver on that front, most players are unlikely to own one, which is exactly the appeal for collectors. Riot themselves have acknowledged that the majority of its revenue comes from a small percentage of players, and Mythic Variants are clearly aimed at that crowd.

So it really comes down to what you value. If you want a skin that almost nobody else has and you're willing to spend for it, Mythic Variants make sense. But if you're expecting a significant upgrade over the base Legendary skin, you'll likely walk away disappointed.

Final Words

Mythic Variants are one of the most exclusive cosmetics in League of Legends, but they come with a steep price and a gacha system that doesn't sit well with a large part of the community. If you're a collector who values rarity above everything else, they're worth considering. But for the average player, the base Legendary skin will give you nearly the same look for a fraction of the cost.