But if we’re being honest? My boy could really use a visual update. And until that fateful day comes, we’ll have to be content with skins. But out of Vladimir’s entire skin library, which ones stand out the most? Our goal here is to find an answer to that question.
11. Count Vladimir
Released: July 27th, 2010 Price: 520 RP This is one of those skins where you can really feel its age. It would barely even pass as a chroma by today’s standards. All it really does is change your outfit from red to black, and it dyes your hair. Really, that’s it. Sure, Count Vladimir is one of the cheapest skins around. But even then, I would expect a bit more. At least the splash art is way better than with the base skin. So if your standard for a good skin is “a chroma that has a better splash art”, this is the way to go.
10. Academy Vladimir
Released: August 26th, 2015 Price: 750 RP Just like the last pick, I feel like you have to be a very specific type of person to love Academy Vladimir. If you still defend Twilight to this day, and if you watch high school slice of life anime like a religion and obsess over every edgy male character, this is the skin for you. I do admit that the trope fits Vladimir surprisingly well. But personally, I always liked Vladimir more when he was a badass – and not some hot guy with daddy issues. All in all, the skin isn’t all that bad. But it just isn’t the right fit for a lot of people.
9. Vandal Vladimir
Released: January 24th, 2011 Price: 975 RP This is a rather weird one, as I’ve seen Vladimir mains on both sides of the fence. The skin is simple, and yet so unique, because it completely gets rid of Vladimir’s iconic cape and substitutes it with a cool leather vest. This makes the character model look very different, which you’ll either love or hate. Personally, I really like the skin’s aesthetic. But I do feel like is doesn’t fit his theme all that much. He looks like your typical badass antagonist who just happens to be wielding blood. So, Vandal Stans, I see you but I respectfully disagree.
8. Blood Lord Vladimir
Released: November 21st, 2011 Price: 1820 RP Well if that last entry didn’t put a target on my back, this one surely will. Blood Lord Vladimir is simply way too expensive for what it brings to the table. Yes, it takes Vladimir’s core fantasy and cranks everything up to eleven. But charging 1820 RP and then making almost no new particles or effects is kind of a rip off. The character model itself does look amazing. And the new emotes, plus the new voice, make the skin feel quite unique. But on the other hand, this skin has the most underwhelming backing animation imaginable. It does some things really well, but it also completely flops on other things. So until this skin gets a visual update and some new particles, the high price nerfs it down in the ranking.
7. Nosferatu Vladimir
Released: October 19th, 2010 Price: 975 RP This skin feels like the exact opposite of Academy Vladimir. Because it’s ugly as all hell – but also very interesting by design. If you’re sick of vampires being portrayed as pretty boys and want to go back to the good old days when they were terrifying, well here ya go. And yes, I am aware that Vladimir is not technically a vampire – but my point still stands! Maybe I’m in the minority here, but it just feels like a breath of fresh air to see Vladimir’s design taken in this direction. Although I will also admit that Nosferatu Vladimir is overpriced for what it is.
6. Marquis Vladimir
Released: July 27th, 2010 Price: 520 RP And just like that, we’re back in pretty boy land. Rich pretty boy land, to be more specific. Marquis Vladimir is very simple, but also very effective – it really nails the “royalty” look, giving you some more vibrant colors to work with, and a rather well-detailed suit. Granted, this skin isn’t anything to write home about. But considering it brings 975 RP worth of changes at only a 520 RP price tag, it’s definitely a valid choice if you have money on the mind. The splash art is also rather terrifyingly awesome.
5. Café Cuties Vladimir
Released: December 2nd, 2021 Price: 1350 RP Café Cuties Vladimir honestly had no business working out as well as it did. To be frank, I’m not a big fan of this skin line because I prefer my badass characters to remain badass. However, I can’t say I mind this skin at all. The character model still maintains Vladimir’s overall air of nobility and good standing, with a handful of well-designed chromas on hand as well. Instead of your usual glob of blood, you get a nice little tea cup floating in front of you. And as you can imagine, all of your abilities are tea-related as well. Although your Q and E don’t look particularly that amazing, I have to say that the W is a thing of beauty. You also get a pretty fancy backing animation too, and some good sound effects to round it all up. I would say that I still prefer Vladimir as a badass – but I can totally see why some players have absolutely fallen in love with this skin.
4. Soulstealer Vladimir
Released: July 9th, 2014 Price: 1350 RP Now we come to the big four of Vladimir skins. And we’ll start things off with Soulstealer Vladimir, and its age does nerf the skin slightly. In terms of theme, I absolutely love it. It has very strong Darksiders vibes. The character model looks amazing, with bones being used as accessories all over. And the purple cape + hood combo gives you a hint of mystery. I also like that the source of his power is more akin to a talisman here, rather than the usual flying ball of blood. It makes everything feel a bit more mystical. In terms of overall design, this skin definitely deserves to stand shoulder to shoulder with the rest of this ranking. But the lack of unique particles and effects puts it slightly below the others.
3. Nightbringer Vladimir
Released: December 12th, 2019 Price: 1350 RP Nightbringer Vladimir somehow managed to take everything that was cool about Vladimir, and then make it even cooler. You don’t just look like royalty here – you look like a king. You don’t just look like a mage – you look like a creature of legends. And you don’t just look hot – your V neck has conquered entire nations. I don’t even know what the theme of this skin really is, aside from being cool. And I take no issue with that. The new particles are all very well-made, with the W being a personal high point for me, as it looks like a piece of hell. If you can somehow get your hands on the Pariah chroma, then this skin could sit at #2. But if you can’t, then it still clears its way into this spot with ease.
2. Dark Waters Vladimir
Released: May 31st, 2018 Price: 1350 RP Dark Waters Vladimir pulled a reverse Katara and ditched blood for waterbending. OK jokes aside, this skin is simply dope on every level. The character model is positively impeccable, with a fabulous cape, expensive looking ornaments, and even an eye-patch. The new particles are likewise very clean and polished, from the auto-attack to the ult – everything just flows really smoothly. Plus, the skin does give you quite the advantage. And the ult is really hard to see if you’re standing in the river. I don’t have a single bad thing to say about this skin. And it only loses to the top spot by a slim margin.
1. Cosmic Devourer Vladimir
Released: November 24th, 2020 Price: 1350 RP I honestly feel like this skin should not have worked as well as it did. Thematically, it makes no sense on paper – and yet it’s so brilliant in practice. The character model simply looks like a literal god. And that isn’t even the main selling point of Cosmic Devourer Vladimir. The animations are also on a whole different level. The W alone would have been worth 1350 RP as far as I’m concerned. But the designers felt the need to keep going. The charge to your E looks amazing too, and the initial cast of your ult looks extremely impactful. Even your backing animation reminds you of just how powerful you are. I definitely did not see this one coming when I started making this tier-list, but Cosmic Devourer Vladimir is the way to go! Note: this content was created under Riot Games’ “Legal Jibber Jabber” policy using assets owned by Riot Games. Riot Games does not endorse or sponsor this project.
