Pool Party Graves

Pool Party Graves hits different when you're running him through ranked grind sessions, and after 120 games with this skin, I can confidently say it changes how the champion feels mechanically. The water effects aren't just cosmetic fluff either.

The auto attack animation feels noticeably smoother compared to base Graves, especially when you're trying to CS under tower pressure. His Q buckshot has this satisfying water splash that makes the spread clearer to track in teamfights, which actually helped me land more combos during a baron fight yesterday where I managed to pop off against their fed Yasuo. But the real game changer is the ultimate. End of the Line shoots out this massive water cannon that's way easier to track than the dark explosion on his default or even Praetorian skin. The visual clarity alone probably won me three or four clutch dragon fights where knowing exactly where my ult would detonate made the difference between securing or throwing.

Compared to other Graves skins like Crime City or Sentinel, Pool Party genuinely offers cleaner animation cancels between autos and abilities. The reload animation with the water gun is less clunky than most of his other skins, making those crucial kiting moments feel more responsive. Worth the 1350 RP? Absolutely, especially if you're planning to main him this season. It's not quite pay to win, but the visual improvements definitely give you a slight edge in reading your own abilities during chaotic teamfights.

For anyone wondering if Pool Party Graves is worth it over his other options, I'd say grab it if you value gameplay feel over pure aesthetics. The skin aged surprisingly well since release and remains one of his most competitively viable choices.