As we know, Faker chose the Orianna skin for T1’s skin at the Worlds 2023 and skipped Ahri. This is a disappointment as Ahri is indeed one of the hottest champions in League of Legends. However, many later speculated that Faker may have chosen Orianna to honor his grandmother, who has always nurtured and cared for Faker since he was a child. Moreover, Orianna is the champion his grandmother knows best, as she often watched him practice with her even at 2 or 3 AM.
But to not disappoint fans, Faker also revealed that in 2024, fans are looking forward to the T1 Ahri skin which will bring a surprise. Many speculate that Riot might create an additional skin to honor Faker. After all, Faker and T1 are the only player and team so far to potentially have 4 Worlds championships. This is an achievement that is almost certain no player or team will surpass, especially since the closest player to this record has retired long ago (Bengi – 3 Worlds championships).
However, it turns out the reason is much simpler: Riot will be bringing a Legendary Ahri skin in 2024. Accordingly, the newly revealed skin release schedule from Riot includes the name Ahri. Thus, perhaps one of the reasons influencing Faker was that Ahri would also receive a new skin, which is a Legendary one in the new year. Therefore, alongside the main reason related to his grandmother, this led Faker to decide to “turn back”.
However, currently, no one has any official images revealed for the Legendary Ahri skin. But Riot is facing an invisible pressure: the Ahri skin must be “cool” enough to be worthy of being a “surprise” for the League of Legends community as Faker has revealed. Because many are still lamenting after Faker chose not to go with Ahri.
However, with what Faker and Ahri have revealed, 2024 will be highly anticipated as many popular champions will receive new skins, along with the 2023 Worlds skin for T1. And perhaps, at this moment, many viewers are already preparing their “wallets” to be ready to “donate” to Riot in the new year.