PROJECT: Sylas

First time I saw PROJECT: Sylas load in on the enemy team I thought it was a completely different champion for about two seconds. The silhouette reads so differently from base Sylas that my brain had to catch up. Been running this skin in Diamond since around patch 11.11 and the cybernetic aesthetic just works for a champion whose whole identity is stealing power. Feels right thematically.

How PROJECT changes Sylas on the Rift

The VFX overhaul is where your 1350 RP goes. Every ability gets the PROJECT treatment with those clean neon particle effects. His Q sends out these digitized chain slashes that read sharper than base, and the detonation zone has that hexagonal grid overlay the PROJECT line is known for. Honestly not gonna lie, the W heal visual is subtle but the data-stream effect on the tether looks premium.

E is where it gets interesting. The dash leaves behind this trail of fragmented code particles, and the second cast where Sylas flies in with the shield has way more visual impact. In teamfights around dragon pit last week I actually found it easier to track my engage windows because the particles pop against darker terrain. Could be wrong here but I think the hitbox reads slightly different visually even though its mechanically identical.

His R, the whole reason you play Sylas, gets the full PROJECT scan effect when you steal an ult. That targeting reticle with the geometric overlay before you hijack someone’s ability. Clean. The recall animation has him interfacing with some kind of PROJECT terminal, breaking free from restraints. Standard voice lines, no new VO, which is expected at this price point.

The PROJECT line and where this skin fits

PROJECT: Sylas dropped May 27, 2021. Late season 11 if I remember right, or maybe mid-season. David Villegas and West Studio handled the splash, and they captured that rogue operative energy perfectly. Sylas breaking chains in a cyberpunk setting is such an obvious thematic fit that I’m surprised it took Riot this long to make it happen.

The PROJECT skinline is one of Riot’s strongest. Sylas slots in alongside PROJECT Irelia, PROJECT Pyke, the whole crew. Kinda feels like he belongs in the resistance faction given his lore about breaking free from control systems. 9 chromas total if you want to customize. Sapphire gives him that cold operative look, Reckoning goes hard with the orange and dark teal contrast, and Pearl keeps it minimal. I’ve been daily driving Reckoning specifically because it stands out from the default PROJECT color scheme without looking out of place.

(Random aside: the Reckoning chroma splash would make a sick desktop wallpaper if Riot ever released chroma splashes properly.)

Is PROJECT: Sylas worth 1350 RP?

Real verdict: this is a strong Epic tier skin. Not the absolute best Sylas has to offer but solidly in the top half. The VFX carry it. Voice pack is base only, which stings a little when you compare to some of the newer 1350 skins that sneak in processing filters, but the visual package compensates.

For Sylas mains climbing through ranked this season, PROJECT gives you that clean competitive aesthetic without the visual noise some other skins add. Played maybe 200 games with this one across seasons 11 and 12 before rotating to other options. Keep coming back to it though. There’s something about the Q detonation particles in lane that just feels satisfying to poke with pre-6.

Shop has it, 1350 RP, permanent availability. If you one-trick Sylas and dont already own it, hard to argue against picking it up. Skip it if you already have Freljord or Ashen Slayer though, those compete for similar “serious” skin energy. For the price, PROJECT: Sylas earns its spot. Not the flashiest thing Riot has shipped but a reliable skin that holds up well even a few seasons after release. Worth 1350 RP if you main Sylas, full stop.