Winged Hussar Xin Zhao Lol Skin

This skin sees Xin Zhao decked out in the traditional armor of the Winged Hussars. If you’ve never heard of the Winged Hussars, don’t worry: They were elite Polish cavalry, characterised for the grand wings they wore.

These wings were made of wooden frames onto which were attached Falcon, Eagle or Vulture feathers.

There’s much debate over why the Winged Hussars wore these wings – some scholars speculate that the clattering they made was intended to spook their enemies horses and break their ranks. However, this appears to be a romanticization attributed to foreign writers.

In reality, we suspect the intimating armor of the Winged Hussars was made to instil fear in, not the horses themselves, but their riders. Some might argue that having wooden wings would only weigh them down, but that certainly didn’t’ seem to be the case.

‘Shock cavalry’ needs to do more than straight-up physical damage, they need to actually shock too. And what’s more shocking than a horde of fierce winged soldiers coming at you from atop galloping horses?

Winged Hussar Xin Zhao received a graphical update back in 2017, and it made him look more like the inspiration behind the skin than ever before!

Previously, his splash art showed him alone on horseback. Not only did the piece itself feel half baked, but it also didn’t make sense; the Winged Hussars were not lone warriors.

That all changed with the new splash art however! A determined Xin Zhao charges forward with countless fellow warriors emerging from the fog behind him.

In-game, Winged Hussar Xin Zhao is outfitted in armor that’s fairly accurate, aside from a few minor artistic liberties that Riots art team have taken – then again, if artists can’t take artistic liberties then who can?

His wings are a shining gold, and he looks quite regal in his silver, gold and red armor. His spear has also received a fresh coat of paint too! In place of the blue streamer that usually trails behind him, he now has a red and white one – the exact colours worn by the actual Winged Hussars!

This skin used to be available in-store for 975 RP, however it has since been locked away in Riots Legacy fault – be sure to check out our smurf store though, as we might just have an account with this skin unlocked!