But today we’re going to put her into the spotlight and show our fishy support friends some love! We’re looking at all of Nami’s skins to determine which ones are the best of the best, so you can drown people is style. So let’s get to ranking her skin library according to each skin’s price, overall appeal, and my personal opinion.
9. Program Nami
Released: November 15th, 2018 Price: 1350 RP To be honest, Nami’s skin line-up is rather decent across the board, with no real ugly skins. But this one is the weakest link. I like the idea, but I think Riot slightly fumbled on the execution. The base model, although cool, also looks a bit clunky. And it’s missing that sense of elegance that Nami usually has. And if we want to meta-game things a little bit, I have to point out that her W is by far the most obvious in this skin, when it’s going to damage a champion, making it easy to spell-shield. To be fair, the skin does also have some really cool features – like the voice filter and the hologram E animation. But it just isn’t worth the price.
8. Urf the Nami-tee
Released: March 31st, 2015 Price: 750 RP This is the type of skin that you throw on from time to time but never fully commit to. Yes, the name is punny enough to make any dad proud – and the Urf thematic is always good for a laugh. But other than that, the skin is kind of empty. There are no new animations or particles, and even the base model isn’t so outlandishly unique that you would want to keep it around. If you have money to throw around, it can’t hurt to have this skin in your arsenal. But I definitely do not recommend it as your go-to skin.
7. Deep Sea Nami
Released: June 29th, 2016 Price: 1350 RP I have really mixed feelings about Deep Sea Nami as it does some things extremely well, and others extremely meh. Let’s start with the character model: I like the idea of making Nami look a bit more dangerous. And the little light at the tip of her hair was a brilliant idea. But as a whole I can’t say that I was blown away here, as I feel like they could have done more with the model design. When it comes to the abilities, the E and Q animation are just darker versions of the base abilities, while the W and R are absolutely amazing. Especially the W; I really like the jellyfish. Overall this skin has some really strong points. But since it isn’t all that consistent, I will have to dock some points too.
6. Koi Nami
Released: December 7th, 2012 Price: 975 RP Koi Nami is just remarkably okay. Unlike the previous pick, this one doesn’t really have any brilliant features. But it also doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses. The character model is really nice to look at, but it isn’t all that creative when you take the rest of her line-up into account. There are very few new particles, mostly just adding little koi fish here and there. But they’re alright for what they are. I mean, the skin is only 975 RP after all. Even the splash art is just remarkably okay. So I give it a Rammus/10.
5. SKT T1 Nami
Released: June 27th, 2017 Price: 1350 RP Now we’re getting into some of the heavy hitters. SKT T1 Nami is just truly something special. The character model gives off strong “mythical Atlantis warrior” vibes – and I am here for it. The ability animations are also really nice, as they’ve been recolored to orange and even given some SKT T1 logo flares to go along with them. But what really made me fall in love with this skin is the recall animation. Holy hell, it’s just the funniest and cutest recall animation that Riot has ever come up with. Why is it on a World’s skin and not on a joke skin? Who knows! But I love it, so it gets a mention here.
4. Bewitching Nami
Released: October 7th, 2021 Price: 1350 RP I just have a love-hate relationship with this skin. On the one hand, Nami looks way too human in this skin. And honestly it feels more like a huma cosplaying a mermaid cosplaying a witch than just a proper wicked fish lady. That being said, the skin has some jaw-dropping features. Specifically the little pumpkin fish are a really cool idea, and they appear in almost all of your abilities. The E animation is appropriately spooky too – and the ult animation design is one of the coolest things I have ever seen in this game. So if you don’t mind the more human appearance, this skin is an easy S-tier. That said, even if you like your Nami skins a bit more scaly, it’s still a decent choice.
3. Cosmic Destiny Nami
Released: November 24th, 2020 Price: 1350 RP This skin line initially seemed like a weird fit for Nami. But I have to say they pulled it off really well. The character model looks extremely powerful, like you’re holding the entire universe at your fingertips. And that’s not a feeling you commonly get when you play Nami. The animations are all clean too, and some of the particle effects really add to the wow factor. Also the constant sprinkling of stars and constellations just makes everything feel a bit more impactful. And the skin legitimately feels great to play. The only reason that I can’t exactly put it at the number one spot is because it strays a bit too far from the original champion fantasy.
2. Splendid Staff Nami
Released: September 26th, 2019 Price: 1350 RP As you’ll quickly see, it’s the simplest skins that I really like on Nami. It’s the skins that stay true to the mermaid thematic (while adding little improvements here and there) that seem to stand out the most. When it comes to Splendid Staff Nami, it just really accentuates the “caring healer” part of her character. The character model is filled with very soft and calming colours, Nami herself looks very peaceful, and all of the abilities look rather mellow. Except the ult of course, which just has a dragon, because sometimes murder is the ultimate aid. But above all else, this is the only Nami skin that has what we’ve all craved: a feet reveal. So 10/10 best backing animation in the game.
1. River Spirit Nami
Released: June 1st, 2014 Price: 975 RP And in first place we have River Spirit Nami. This skin simply offers the best bang for your buck, while also staying completely true to the champion fantasy. You look like a proper mermaid, gills and all, and the color palette is adequately as mystical. Granted, this skin doesn’t offer the biggest particle changes ever. But they’re just noticeable enough to distinguish it from other Nami skins. Plus, we’re talking about a 975 RP skin. But the thing that really sells me on the concept is her backing animation. Yes, it’s even more impressive than Misses WikiFeet from earlier. The backing animation is just you singing on a stone, like a true mermaid. Maybe I’m way too obsessed with theme consistency, but this is the best Nami skin in my book. 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.
