This was the first time players could earn skins and other cosmetic content for free through gameplay.

The transition began on , with the rollout of the Season 6 Preseason (Patches 5.22 through 5.24). This period focused on diversifying gameplay through massive updates:

Perhaps the most discussed aspect of Season 6 was the introduction of , which replaced the traditional Solo/Duo Queue.

Levels 6 and 7 were added, allowing players to further showcase their expertise with specific champions. 3. The "Dynamic Queue" Controversy

Season 6 is remembered as one of the most transformative eras in the game's history, introducing foundational mechanics still in use today while also sparking significant community debate over competitive integrity.

Mid-way through the season, the static Dragon buff was replaced by four elemental drakes (Infernal, Mountain, Cloud, Ocean), adding strategic variance to every match.

Riot introduced "Turret First Blood" and reduced symmetry in tower defenses to discourage the "lane-swap" meta that had become stale in professional play.

Major reworks were applied to several ADCs to give them unique identities. Notable changes included Graves receiving his "shotgun" mechanic and Quinn gaining extreme mobility with Behind Enemy Lines .