What does Legends of Runeterra tell us about Udyr’s new rework?

Fans have gotten their first look at a new version of League of Legends’ spirit walker with a Legends of Runeterra Udyr adaptation being revealed.

Udyr is the next champion to be reworked in League of Legends by Riot Games. Keen-eyed fans will notice that the Legends of Runeterra Udyr looks quite different from both the rework previews and his current model. Why does Udyr look so different in Legends of Runeterra, and what does this tell us about what his new rework will be?

Is Legends of Runeterra Udyr canon?

Udyr’s new appearance might shock some fans, as his visual style has been modernized and new elements have been added to the Freljordian spirit walker’s appearance. Riot Games has said that they wanted to bring Udyr to Legends of Runeterra, but knew it would have to release before the League of Legends visual gameplay update. This meant that Udyr couldn’t be based on his original design or it would be quickly outdated, but they wouldn’t have the chance to see the finished version of Udyr’s rework either. As a solution, Riot Games decided to depict Udyr from a time in his past rather than at present.

Legends of Runeterra: A Curious Journey Expansion – Full Artworks & Flavour Text 12/2

– Udyr Lvl 1

"The Spirits shape our world just as we and our world shapes the Spirits. By drawing power from them we take power from within ourselves." pic.twitter.com/KSDEgGwdKo

— Jumaralo Hex (@JumaraloHexCore) February 12, 2022

Udyr is a spirit walker that allies with the Winter’s Tribe, Sejuani’s northern tribe. He spends time in Ionia learning how to harness the spirits of Freljordian demigods that try to manifest through him. The Legends of Runeterra version of Udyr is a younger man, freshly returned from his pilgrimage into the magical lands of Ionia. In both of his card arts, Udyr is clearly a younger man than indicated by the more grizzled appearance he has in the rework’s previews.

In his first form, Udyr is praying before candles as blue spiritual energy seeps off of him. In his leveled up form, a spirit representing each of the Freljordian demigods springs into being around him, formed from that same blue energy.

This new depiction does give us an idea of where Riot Games might be looking to push Udyr as it redesigns his character. But it’s not necessarily indicative of the final design, which will feature an older and more experienced version of Udyr.