League of Legends fans are in for a fiery treat as Riot Games has responded to criticism surrounding the appearance of the much-anticipated champion, Smolder. Just a day after the initial reveal, Riot's lead champion producer, Alexia “Lexical” Gao, took to Twitter on 5th January to announce that Smolder will be getting visual adjustments before he launches later this month. 

 https://twitter.com/neolexical/status/1743411535165481398 

In a captivating before-and-after showcase, Lexical highlighted the enhancements to Smolder's facial features. The once-enthusiastic hatchling now boasts a sharper gaze, a more vibrant color palette, and an array of additions that accentuate his dragon characteristics. The community's response? Overwhelmingly positive, as fans express delight at the remarkable improvement. 

Acknowledging player feedback, Lexical stated, "We heard your feedback on Smolder’s face and are making some adjustments to highlight his dragon features." Notably, the champion's splash art is also undergoing a makeover to seamlessly incorporate these changes. 

The decision to refine Smolder's appearance came swiftly after the initial reveal, where players, while appreciating the character's fiery soul, voiced concerns about the humanlike aspects of his face. Comparisons to iconic characters like Spyro and the early iteration of Sonic the Hedgehog from the 2020 film were prevalent, prompting Riot Games to address these valid critiques promptly. 

The League community responded with resounding praise, commending Riot for the rapid and effective adjustments. Fans particularly emphasized the impactful changes in Smolder's eyes, expressing collective satisfaction that the champion now exudes a more authentic reptilian allure.