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[YOUSOCONCEPT] Nephree, the Dark Crusader

darkdill·6/2/2014, 6:51:40 AM·9 votes·4,825 views

Nephree, the Dark Crusader
http://danbooru.donmai.us/data/cf2a25a59852150a33461160310cd5de.jpg
http://danbooru.donmai.us/posts/1230541
http://danbooru.donmai.us/data/7d83631e19e1f915d8f18735a684d622.jpg
http://danbooru.donmai.us/posts/1485015
http://danbooru.donmai.us/data/027e95d7108038e6a0b63f65505fcc48.png
http://www.pixiv.net/member_illust.php?mode=medium&illust_id=46694200
(Artworks are for reference; credit goes to the original artists)

General Concept

Nephree is a tank/fighter Champion who can heavily punish opponents for attacking her via her passive, as well as force opponents to engage her via her taunt capabilities. Her damage scales with her armor as well, making her a continual threat throughout the game as she gets tougher. Offsetting her offensive and defensive power, however, is her weakness to magic damage, similar to Rammus or Malphite.

When attacked, Nephree places stacks on enemies that (upon reaching 4 stacks on a target) she can trigger for damage. This goes further while her ultimate is active, adding a taunt onto that damage. This leads to a perpetuation of "retribution hits" that can often trap an opponent in their own offense, essentially making them kill themselves (provided Nephree is counterattacking). That said, the pattern is not foolproof, in that stacks are not placed if an enemy attacks her with spells. Ultimately, Nephree is a powerful duelist for a tank, able to make other duelists and carries destroy themselves if they engage her.

Statistics (numbers are subject to change)
HP: 420 (+85)
HPR/5: 6.5 (+0.5)
MP: 240 (+33)
MPR/5: 5.5 (+0.5)
Damage: 55 (+3)
Range: 125 (melee)
Armor: 23 (+3.5)
Magic Resistance: 30 (+1.25)
Attack Speed: 0.625 (+2.02%)
Movement Speed: 340

Abilities (numbers are not finalized; don't freak out if things look OP)

Last Update: October 26, 2014

P - Curse of Retribution

Every time an enemy lands a basic attack on Nephree, it receives a stack of Retribution for 6 seconds (max. 4 stacks). If Nephree deals physical damage to an enemy with 4 stacks, the stacks are consumed and Nephree deals 35+(5*level)(+60% of total armor) physical damage to it.

Q - Guilty Blade (UPDATED)

Nephree's next basic attack releases dark power from her blade, dealing her attack damage plus 25/50/75/100/125 (+25% of total armor) bonus physical damage and applying a stack of Retribution. Guilty Blade's bonus damage increases by 1.25% for every 1% of Nephree's missing health, maxing out at 100% increased damage. Resets attack timer.
Maximum potential damage: 1.0AD + 50/100/150/200/250 + 50% of total armor

9/8/7/6/5 second cooldown. Costs 30/35/40/45/50 mana.

W - Aphotic Soul (UPDATED)

Nephree releases a burst of darkness around her, dealing 60/95/130/165/200 (+25% of total armor) (+0.3 AP) physical damage to all nearby enemies (300 range). Enemies damaged by Aphotic Soul have their attack damage reduced by 10/15/20/25/30 for 3 seconds. If an enemy Champion or large monster is damaged by Aphotic Soul, Nephree receives a shield for 4 seconds that absorbs up to 90/135/180/225/270 (+10% of bonus health) damage.

20/18/16/14/12 second cooldown. Costs 60/70/80/90/100 mana.

E - Malefic Strike

Nephree releases a blast from her sword in target direction (skillshot, max. 600 range). If it connects with an enemy, Nephree dashes to the target, dealing 60/100/140/180/220 (+0.4 AP) physical damage and taunting it for 1.1/1.2/1.3/1.4/1.5 seconds upon arrival (dash can be disrupted by knock-backs and knock-ups).

18/16/14/12/10 second cooldown. Costs 70 mana at all ranks.

R - Heart of Darkness

For the next 12 seconds, Nephree is surrounded by dark fire (~250 range) that deals 40/70/100 (+0.1 AP) magic damage and applies a stack of Retribution to nearby enemies each second. During this time, whenever Nephree triggers Curse of Retribution, she taunts her target into attacking her for 1/1.25/1.5 seconds. This taunt cannot reoccur on the same target within 5 seconds.

140/120/100 second cooldown. Costs 125 mana.

Champion Matchups

Champions Nephree is strong against

Aatrox Aatrox's high attack speed works against him thanks to Curse of Retribution, and Nephree's taunts can spell his doom in a hurry. Nephree should also have enough armor to take whatever Aatrox throws at her.

Riven Though she attacks slowly and won't trigger Curse of Retribution much, your kit devastates her with crowd controls and AD reduction. Riven's late-game will be nightmarish against you.

Yasuo Unless he uses Last Breath, Yasuo will have a hard time hurting you without killing himself. If you succeed in taunting him, he will die very quickly. Crippling his attack damage will also ruin his output.

Champions Nephree is weak against

DrMundo There's essentially nothing you can do against a Mundo as Nephree. He out-regenerates you, can deal magic damage based on your current health, and has way too much health of his own to ever be taken down. Burning Agony also lets him resist your crowd controls.

Trundle Trundle's ultimate not only makes you squishier, but also lowers much of your damage because of your armor scaling. He attacks rapidly, but can take whatever you dish at him with ease, and you can't run from him easily thanks to Pillar of Ice. Pray he's not the opposing jungler, or you will be in for non-stop invades.

Amumu Even if you taunt Amumu, it won't accomplish much since he WANTS to be near you while his Despair is active, shredding your health very rapidly. With him lowering your magic resistance with the few basic attacks he does get off, Amumu will drop you very quickly if you don't get large amounts of magic resistance. His natural resistance to physical damage doesn't do you any favors either.

Background (UNDER REWORK)

Trivia

  • Nephree is a member of the Demacian Crusaders, a special branch of the Royal Guards that serve as inspectors to the worst of criminal offenses (such as murders).
  • Nephree "taunts" her opponents by directing her own darkness into her foe (via the Ebonmere). This darkness briefly overtakes her foe, sending them into a frenzy.
  • Nephree and Jarvan IV used to be in a relationship with one another, but the two deny any sort of romantic connection. However, Nephree seems to be quite jealous of Shyvana, who is rather close to Jarvan.
  • Nephree and Quinn are old friends, despite that Nephree is a noblewoman.
  • Nephree has a bit of a competitive rivalry with Garen, as both are knight commanders in Demacia. She is rather amused by his relationship with Katarina.
  • Aatrox seems to know a great deal about the Ebonmere, but refuses to tell Nephree about its secrets. Nephree is determined to make him take the blade back, or kill him to redeem herself.

Quotes

Ideal Voice Actress: Willa Holland (Aqua from Kingdom Hearts series)

Selection
Justice, no matter the cost.
Movement
I will conquer the darkness within me.
For Demacia.
Ebonmere hungers...
The blade speaks to me.
I will reclaim my honor.
I cannot submit to this curse.
The darkness grows ever stronger in me.
Justice through darkness.
Attacking
Justice can be such a dark thing.
Ebonmere shall feed!
I'll lead the assault.
They should be running...!
Demacia, now and forever!
It must be done.
To victory!
The cravens will fall!
Using Malefic Strike
Face me!
Craven cur!
Activating Heart of Darkness
I say when it ends!
Face your sentence!
Taunt
Do your worst. It won't be enough!
Taunting Jarvan IV
Don't show me any mercy, my liege. For I'll show you none!
Taunting Shyvana
Come on, Shyvana! Show me your so-called dragon's pride!
Taunting Quinn
Nothing personal, Quinn. But I plan to live through this.
Taunting Lux
Your day's about to get a LOT darker, Lux.
Taunting Garen
Let's see which of us is the better knight, Garen.
Taunting Fiora
Time to learn a few lessons in humiliation, Fiora.
Taunting Vayne
You think you do not fear the darkness, Vayne? You soon will!
Taunting Varus
I have mastered my darkness. Have you?
Taunting Aatrox
Your kind made this blade. You will free me of it!
Joke (both are references to Monty Python and the Holy Grail)
Ugh... it's only a flesh wound... (clutches her side)
Urgh... I'm being repressed again... (clutches her side)
Death
I can't... fall here...

Login Theme (I didn't make this)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENPdhg59l-o

Critiques and constructive feedback will be appreciated.

51 Comments

Fisyx8/23/2014, 4:17:23 AM3 votes

"I say when it ends!" Fire Emblem: Awakening reference? Plus a whole bunch of Arthas/Lich King references, I think! Other than that, a really cool champ! Even with the added vulnerability to mages, she still seems like she could just build super tank and still do lot of damage. I'm terrible at reading numbers, though, so I can't actually tell.

CrimXen6/2/2014, 7:20:24 AM3 votes

it would be awesome if riot made someone like an evil saber :D! the concept looks good, great work!

Azlagor8/2/2014, 4:38:38 PM2 votes

I see some problems in her kit. She would peobably snoeball pretty hard with so much def->damage ratios, especially with her W shield on top. A tank proffiting offensivly from armor/mr should have a rather bad base hp-pol so he still needs to buy health to maximize his effecktive hp.(take a look at rammus, not to great base hp for a tank, no shield/heal or bonus hp, scales with armor and has a armor/mr boost) same for health scaleing tanks, they shouldn't have increased damage-mittigation in their kit so they still need to buy armor/mr to maximize tankiness(volibear for example has healthscaleing dmage, a huge base hp pool with stats+passive, but no bonus damage reduction in his kit so he still needs armor/mr)

I also don't think having physical damage on a tank but no %penetration anywhere in the kit will work, as the damage will drop alot in the lategame since each champ has a rather high base armor lvl18 and it's also more easy/cummon to get more armoe especially on melees, wich would be the main focus of her since she acks the tools to reach the backline. Giving her higher ratios to still have impact in the late would mean she snowballs to hard off a gold/item lead. if u look at other physical-damage-Tanks, they usually rarly see play/drop in the late or easily can reach the backline, or they have %pen(like J4, Rene, Xin, Wukong)

I also don't rely like no offenseive scaling champs. I usually like to have the option to go for more damage building ad or ap, but thats more a personal prefference from me.

besides that, i like the 'retribution' concept of her, from the looks it's like leona evil twin, with a similar playsyle.

Sneak Dog8/25/2014, 11:21:39 AM2 votes

Lore is very similar to Varus. Good person embracing evil (they were supposed to protect) because they needed its power to succeed. Then they got stuck with it and try to control it.

hugsabugs6/2/2014, 1:20:19 PM2 votes

She looks kinda like a Leona skin without the shield. Not terribly original if you ask me.

LilStacey876/10/2014, 4:07:09 AM2 votes

Well from a personal stand point she seems like a tank/fighter. I can see her wit like a thorn mail/sun fire cape combo. Build her support items sort of like Braum and she'd really see a lot of play. But since your the creator your vision probably is more clear for how you see her being played.

Luner Hunter8/29/2014, 6:23:26 AM2 votes

thats... saber from fate stay night... in some sick ass armor!! T^T

EDIT: YES PLS!

Sodaman648/6/2014, 9:14:28 AM1 votes

I like a lot of the concepts here. Her ult seems very interesting and as long as the cue for it is noticeable it shouldn't be a huge problem for Marksmen and auto attacking focused champions to avoid unless they get caught by her e or are stupid. I would need to see all her abilities in game to figure out where she would really fit in as a champion. She does remind me a lot of Shen however without the Global presence. I've seen that you said that she would be a jungle but I think she could have a very hard time clearing the camps (depending on just how good her passive is). One thing that might help her in the jungle is if her w affected large monsters. That's just an idea though. Otherwise I like a lot of her stuff and would like to see Riot take a swing at her.

darkdill8/6/2014, 5:52:16 PM1 votes

Gave a couple of buffs to Nephree's passive, Q and W. The passive now has 60% total armor scaling (I felt it was too weak considering how it works), the Q now deals her base AD in the splash effect, and her W got a better base and slightly better armor scaling.

Again, numbers are probably off the mark. A Rioter would help land the right ones. ;)

darkdill10/5/2014, 10:50:49 PM1 votes

I decided to remove the damage cripple from Nephree's W, as it feels like too much utility and power. Her W was buffed as some compensation, but I'll be trying to think of other improvements in the meantime.

darkdill10/13/2014, 10:02:25 PM1 votes

Updated Nephree's lore. Here's the old one for reference.

"One must be wary of their own sins, lest they become as vile as the ones they fight." - Nephree

Few Demacian heroes have as tragic a history as Nephree. Cursed to bear an ancient black sword, and feared by the people who once called her a hero, the knight holds an uneasy vigil over the people of Demacia, fighting as best she can for justice with the dark power she is condemned to wield, whilst simultaneously fighting the very power that threatens to corrupt her.

Nephree's endeavors began when she was sent to reinforce an ancient temple in Demacia under siege by Noxian forces. The Noxians sought an ancient Darkin blade sealed away within the temple named Ebonmere, a cursed weapon forged of hatred and rage. Her forces were hopelessly outmatched against the Noxians and, in desperation, Nephree took hold of the very weapon she was charged to protect, hoping to use its dark power to save her comrades. Upon breaking the seal, Nephree cried out as the sword's curse took hold of her, turning her white armor ebony and her blue eyes a deep crimson. Seconds later, she found herself in the middle of a horde of dead Noxians, covered in their blood. She had singlehandedly won the battle, but could not remember a moment of it.

Despite warnings from her comrades of the sword's curse, she could not compel herself to abandon the blade, and opted to keep the Ebonmere and use it to further Demacia's cause. In battle after battle, Nephree led her forces to numerous victories against Noxians and bandits, each battle ending with her regaining consciousness amid a pile of fallen foes. Yet with each victory, her men grew more and more fearful of her, her bloodlust unnerving even the most experienced soldiers. What was more unnerving was that none of her foes ever surrendered to her, no matter how hopelessly outmatched, as though they too shared her bloodlust. Though she claimed to be hunting down the enemies of justice, many feared that she was becoming as vile as the ones she hunted, sparing no foe regardless of the weight of their crimes.

On one day, Nephree was met by Prince Jarvan IV, who wished to congratulate her on her successes. As the prince approached her, Nephree lashed out at the prince, the Ebonmere drawn as she claimed he was to be judged and punished for his crimes. The prince, accompanied by Garen Crownguard, squared off against Nephree in battle. Onlookers watched in horror as Nephree's darkness seemed to ebb into the prince and his comrade, driving them to seek her blood. Eventually, the fight dragged to a standstill. But just as Nephree was about to renew her assault, she suddenly stopped her rampage, regaining her senses and seemingly freeing her opponents of their own bloodlust. Believing that the Ebonmere's curse had corrupted her and that it threatened all of Demacia, Jarvan sought to destroy the blade. Yet Nephree protested, claiming she could control the weapon, and herself, if the prince would give her the chance. Jarvan accepted, but demanded that Nephree seek the aid of the Summoners, and warned that she would not be spared if the curse took a full hold of her. Nephree departed for the Institute of War that day, seeking to conquer her demons before they conquered her.

The new lore probably needs tweaking, but it now is more unique compared to Varus.

darkdill10/26/2014, 12:37:40 AM1 votes

Update for Nephree's W: It now reduces the attack damage of enemies it hits for a short time. This is similar to the old damage cripple, but falls off later in the game and doesn't have really any effect on mages, emphasizing her role more on anti-physical.

I've also taken down the lore for Nephree while I rewrite it to something more befitting. Here is a rough summary I'm using for now.

Nephree is a member of Demacia's Crusaders, who are kinda like detectives/police/royal guards/etc. At one point in her career, Nephree becomes witness to a murder, but the killer is a highly-respected noble, who uses a spell to confuse her and then pins the murder on her. Due to the noble's meticulousness, all the evidence points to her, and her word that she is being framed is met with disbelief by the city guards. She is forced to run, evading capture.

While hiding, Nephree desperately tries to think of a way to prove her innocence. At this time, she is approached by Aatrox, who offers her a Darkin sword as a way to give her the power she needs to bring the murderer to justice. Desperate, she accepts, but becomes cursed by the sword.

Nephree returns to Demacia and confronts the nobleman, defeating his guards and arresting him. As Jarvan IV arrives (the two are old friends), Nephree is able to make the nobleman confess to the murder and to framing her. But then, before she can hand the noble over to Jarvan to be imprisoned, the sword's curse makes Nephree lose control and she kills the noble.

Nephree is not charged for murder because Jarvan knows that the sword made her do it, and she could not resist. However, due to the curse, Nephree cannot compel herself to get rid of the sword, nor can she or anyone else in Demacia destroy it. Nephree now seeks to find Aatrox again to get the Darkin Blade to free her of the curse, one way or another.

Vbunnie10/26/2014, 1:06:40 AM1 votes

Ok quick question on the passive is that damage per stack? if so I believe it to be a little powerful. I mean 60% armor lets assume I build 300 armor... That would be 305 per stack at level 18 and at 4 stacks that would be 1220 damage...

darkdill10/26/2014, 7:57:21 AM1 votes

Did a rework of Nephree's Q. It doesn't splash anymore, but now deals increased damage based on her missing health.

This was done to give her more of a "duelist tank" feel as opposed to one who just does tons of AOE damage. I might even change up her ultimate too in that regard, but it's a wait-and-see sort of thing.

The numbers for her new Q are probably off, so don't freak out.

LilStacey876/2/2014, 7:52:44 AM1 votes

So basically you have a Taunting champion? Sounds far enough. If I were you I'd switch the AP scaling items to health maybe? Not sure if that would mess up your plans but it sounds more flush with item builds. I can see Nephree as like a Tank/Fighter type. I'd top lane her or she may can hold her on down there in the bot lane. What was your idea?

LilStacey876/10/2014, 2:40:01 AM1 votes

Which lanes do you think Nephree would do the best in, and why? Because her moves and style (With taunts) seems pretty soild.

darkdill8/2/2014, 12:53:00 AM1 votes

Updated Nephree's passive. Now any physical damage she deals can trigger it when a target has 4 stacks. This just gives her more ability to damage the enemy, and also improves her jungling with the appropriate mastery.

I might go back on this, though, if it's too strong for her ultimate.

Not a lot else going on here, though. :(

darkdill8/3/2014, 2:23:12 AM1 votes

After some debate with peers, I've decided to remove Nephree's magic resist ratios, and adjusted her armor ratios to compensate. Now Nephree is a pure-armor tank, much like Malphite, Rammus or Taric, giving her a clear weakness and strength.

Other changes include adding an AP ratio onto her W, but also changing her W to no longer be castable while moving (there's now a cast animation). Now you can dodge it more easily.

Future changes will depend on more feedback.

yumira8/6/2014, 8:27:47 AM1 votes

I feel like her "W" and her "E" are a lot like leona's "W" "E" with the shield and dash, but that is just my thought on her. I did like the idea otherwise.

The Liability8/6/2014, 8:38:00 AM1 votes

Haha she is from a series of anime called "Fate/Kaleid liner prisma illya". I dont think Riot can copy right or base a champion from an anime. Or there would be alot of request from animes such as AoT (Attack on Titan) and SAO (Sword Art Online) etc.