Sion Kit and Lore reconcept–Warning: Lore is (appropriately) dark!
Full Lore is available here, all in sequence with no interruptions and a section not included in this post!
Hello Sion lovers and passersby! There are four clearly-divided sections:
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My Goals (introduction)
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Teaser Lore
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Rework
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Lore Rework
Please skip to the one(s) that interests you, and ENJOY! :)
#Introduction
My Goals:
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Create the feeling of unstoppable fury for the Sion player with fast-paced combat
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Instill terror in opponents with unrivaled prowess in teamfights, late-game scaling, and ramping sustained DPS.
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Retain his hybrid nature (I know, that might be impossible!)
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Give him clear counterplay at all stages—while your enemies still live ;)
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Avoid resorting to a gap closer like most other bruisers in the game. He should be unique!
#Sion Teaser Lore
I've included music to theme the lore. It is, of course, optional :)
http://i.imgur.com/mtO4wMl.jpg?1
####Terror Begins
They say devout prayers and a mother’s bedtime kiss will protect from demons in the night—sometimes, parents must tell lies to calm a restless child.
The hunter raced at full power, a plume of dark smoke guiding his way home. Arriving outside his village, he stumbled in disbelief. Rampant fire engulfed everything, blazing tendrils scorching the night sky a dusky hue. What evil wrought this?
Out of the chaos came the cries of friends who had sloshed beer with him in better times; then came the high-pitched shriek of a child that rent his world asunder. No!
The desperation of a worried father spurred him through graveled streets like a mustang, his heart drumming louder than pounding hooves ever could.
An inhuman howl chilled the air, the roar of a feeding beast. Hunter instincts warned it was close by. Elaine! Kyra! He arrived to an undamaged home, gasping in relief. Barreling down the front door, his wife rushed gathering supplies.
“Elaine! What’re you doing here?! You have to get out!”
“Jett, you’re alive! Hurry, help carry the bags! What in light’s name is happening?!”
He clenched his fist. They needed to leave immediately.
“Where’s Kyra!?” He asked, snatching Elaine’s hand.
“Under the floorboards, hidden in the safe stash.”
He moved toward the stash, but something gave him pause. It was the tightening of the gut just before a fall, the kind of cold feeling that washes over a man when death whispers into his ear. Despite his soul pleading him not to, he turned his head to the doorway.
Staring back was a man—no, a demon—the size of a bear, wearing bloodstained armor and fangs dribbling crimson drops down his chin. A monster. It smashed through the doorway with a single stride and stabbed a curved axe larger than a full-grown man headfirst into the ground beside it.
Behind him, his wife's ragged breathing thundered in his mind with deafening urgency. The first rule of hunting: A hunter never waits to be hunted. He dashed in to attack, wielding a wicked dagger. A beefy palm retaliated faster than a snake, gripping his face in a numbing vice. The dagger clattered on the floor.
Peering between fingers thick as tree roots, he stretched a consoling hand toward Elaine. Even while crying, she was as beautiful as the day they gave their vows. She'd always loved hearing him say that. It was his go-to compliment that never failed him when she was sad.
He never had the chance to tell her those words again.
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Below the floorboards, Kyra whimpered prayers into darkness with hands clasped over her ears. Mommy said everything would be okay! A scraping sound in the floorboard above froze her quicker than a winter bath. Slowly, the trap door to her hideout creaked open. A column of light entered, a heavenly tunnel to hopefully wake her from this bad dream. Nothing… then a deep voice rumbled like a heap of gravel poured into a fresh grave, “Peek-a-boo.”
#Sion's Rework
I attempted to show the gameplay diversity between AP and AD Sion.
As you will see, AP Sion focuses more on AoE damage but AD Sion on single-target damage.
###Passive
Consume the Weak | Permanently increase maximum health by 1/1.5 per enemy killed, turret destroyed or champion assist. Increases at level 8.
Sion's size increases at 50/250/500/1000 bonus health, like a lesser Chogath Feast ult.
Sion consumes his enemies, becoming stronger the more he feeds.
I estimated Sion to reach level 8 at around 12 minutes into the game, and level 15 at around 30 minutes into the game. With perfect CS, this means:
level 8 – 126 CS: 126 bonus health (10% increase over 1235 base health)
level 15 – 354 CS: 468 bonus health (23% increase over 1963 base health)
###Q: Cryptic Gaze (iconic CC + Damage)
**Cryptic Gaze |**Sion’s cold gaze lays bare his enemy’s soul. Any enemies facing Sion in a cone before him are marked for 2.5 seconds. After a slight delay, Sion may reactivate Cryptic Gaze once more to unleash his dark energy in a cone that lashes enemy champions for magic damage upon collision. Marked targets suffer double damage and, if facing Sion when struck, are stunned for 1 second.
Range: 700
Cone width: 80 degrees
Magic damage: 40/65/90/115/140 (+0.4 AP)
Marked magic damage: 80/130/180/230/280 (+0.8 AP)
CD: 20/18/16/14/12
Projectile speed – 1800 (almost Varus’s ult speed)
After piercing a window to his enemies' souls, Sion unleashes the spirits of previously consumed victims to brutalize his enemies and instill terror in their minds.
This functions like a reverse Tryndamere's Mocking Shout. The timing challenge is up to Sion initially; correct timing from Sion unlocks its full damage. The CC is up to the opponent's timing; correct counter timing from the opponent will prevent the CC. It is AoE in a cone but can be body blocked.
AP Sion will use this whenever possible to deal damage with a focus on hitting as many enemies as possible rather than scoring a priority target.
AD Sion will save this for the opportune moment to charge as well as try to focus on catching a priority target.
###W: Death's Beckon (Shield); Death's Caress (Detonation)
Death’s Beckon | Sion surrounds himself with a shield for 6 seconds, gaining bonus movement speed when moving towards an enemy champion. The bonus ramps up over 3 seconds and persists for as long as the shield is active. If a target is marked by Cryptic Gaze, the bonus movement speed is amplified. After 3 seconds, Sion may activate Death’s Caress.
*Bonus movement speed when approaching an enemy champion: 15% + 5% each second for the first 3 seconds. (Bonus 3% for each enemy marked by Cryptic Gaze). *
Death’s Beckon Health: 50/75/100/125/150 (+8% of current health) (+20% AP)
Death’s Caress | Sion detonates the shield, dealing magic damage to surrounding enemies.
Range: 550
Death’s Caress damage: 80/135/190/245/300 (+60% AP)
CD: 10 seconds after detonation
Sion roars his hunting call - hunting for flesh. Summoning consumed spirits to guard him, he charges his enemies in ravenous bloodlust. At the peak of the summoning, his power is at a maximum, and he may unleash it to devastate his surroundings.
It scales on current health, which means it becomes quite weak as Sion's health is reduced. This is meant to give the feeling of "bringing down the beast" for the opponents.
AP Sion will want to focus on timing the detonation to just before it explodes, prolonging it for survival but still getting his damage off. He might also try to blow it as early as possible if burst is needed. He is more likely to activate the shield a couple seconds prior to charging, so that it will be ready for a fast detonation.
AD Sion will want to save the shield for MS, but may choose to explode it early for quick base damage. He is more likely to use it for aggressive charges to get to the back line.
###E: Enrage - Maim (Passive); Enrage - Terminate (Active)
Enrage - Maim | Sion passively applies a stacking debuff of 2/3/4/5/6 flat armor reduction with each autoattack dealt. Stacks cap at 6, duration 2.5 seconds. Additional stacks reset the duration (Think Jax's passive). Every 2 applied stacks of Maim unlocks Terminate.
Enrage - Terminate | Sion replaces his next autoattack with a massive strike on a target area, releasing a shockwave in a line behind it. The closest enemy in front of Sion still within autoattack range receives (100/105/110/115/120% AD) (+80% AP) physical damage and is slowed by 30% for 1.2 seconds. Enemies in the shockwave behind it suffer half damage. Terminate may be held for 10 seconds without attacking.
Autoattack range increased by 40 for Terminate. The bonus damage can critically strike, but not lifesteal (spell vamp instead).
Range of Shockwave - 500 units in front of Sion
Width of Shockwave – 80 units
Sion possesses titanic strength, raining down blows on his enemies with unstoppable force, crushing metal to splinters and scarring them. Each blow enrages his mounting fury, until he channels it into a cataclysmic impact on targets before him.
Maim functions exactly like Jax's passive, except it's a debuff on the opponent instead of a self-buff. Thus, CC'ing or distancing yourself from Sion can result in the stacks resetting. This is probably the riskiest change proposed (but I can explain my logic on request! ;))
Terminate is a reference to the Arnold Schwarzenegger joke with Sion. This is meant to create "playmaking" opportunity with accurate aim to catch an escaping enemy. Also, it should really rev up the pace of his close-combat style, rather than mindless autoattacking like other melee champions. Terminate will be used constantly in close combat to give you that feel of unleashing rampant destruction on the enemy team!
Note that Terminate deals physical damage, which means AP Sion can't build MPen to enhance it's damage. The large AP ratio is meant to compensate for this.
AP Sion will try to aim this for maximum AoE damage.
AD Sion will try to aim this to stick to his target, or withhold it if he is anticipating his enemy using a dash so he can catch him afterward.
###R: Cannibalism (Ult steroid - Pure Devastation)
Cannibalism | Sion gains 30/45/60% attack speed and 30/45/60% Lifesteal for 8/10/12 seconds. His lifesteal restores equal health to nearby allies. In addition, his autoattacks reduce his basic abilities' cooldowns by 1 second per autoattack.
The ultimate expression of terror. Sion delves into hell itself and rips out wailing souls who cannot exist in the mortal plane without excruciating pain. In their desperation to return, they warp the space around them, saturating it with life-stealing energies and undead power which feeds Sion's frenzy for blood.
Autoattacks reduce the cooldown of his Q and W, making the ult useful for AP Sion. Furthermore, the active on E relies on Attack Speed, so AP Sion also benefits from the Attack Speed.
AP Sion will use this for that extra firepower to really decimate the enemy team!
AD Sion Same thing! Wreak havoc!
In finale:
#Sion's Reworked Lore
http://i.imgur.com/StO7jZ9.jpg
####Sion - The Ravenous Betrayer
“Scion, you will bring light to this world. One day, all of Valoran will praise you as a hero and savior!”
Flashbacks skipped through his mind like a film reel.
“Demacia needs you, Scion! We created you as the pinnacle of biological engineering, the ultimate weapon to defeat Noxius. You are to be a scion of light in dark times; let your name serve as a constant reminder of your purpose. Never forget it! Together, we shall purge the world of injustice!”
The figure stood proud, with one leg propped onto a rocky outcropping. His determined gaze pierced into the sky, as grey as his armor. No, his armor was a brilliant gold. I remember it blinding me in the sunlight, and the sky was pure blue…Wait, what does blue look like?
He choked on a mirthful snort, and his eyelids fluttered in those unstable moments before awakening.
“Scion, you are mine now! Demacia's reckoning is come!” He struggled helplessly against shackles holding him hostage. A skeletal face bored into his soul with fiery eyes. “Ah ha! I can see you still require a little convincing. Allow me to remove your brain!” The figure cackled maniacally as a vicious pain wracked his skull.
His eyes shot open. A red glow permeated the darkness. Something dripped from the ceiling. He groggily examined his surroundings. He was alone in a chamber with strange devices–gnarled wooden crosses and worn pulleys, cruel spikes and strange tools. Before him lie bodies. Dead bodies. Their gore painted a tapestry, a mesmerizing mixture of red and black intertwining across the cold stone floor.
Images flashed before him: Screams of captives from a nearby village, an enormous axe singing a cruel harmony to its wielder’s mad laughter. He looked down at his brutish hands. They still held the axe. Why am...here? A ghostly whisper dragged out in his mind like a dying sigh, “Eeeaaattt.”
He smiled cheerfully and dutifully licked his fingers one by one: pinky, ring, middle, index, and thumb. Eagerly gnashing into flesh and bone, his thoughts accompanied him in the lonely silence. I feel stronger.
I? What is my name? He had forgotten. But the bloody feast reinvigorated his thoughts, like oil to an engine. A decrepit voice from his past reminded, “You are my finest corruption, Sion. Go forth, no longer as Demacia’s hope, but as its despair!”
My name is Sion.
He hoisted up his gargantuan mass with mighty legs that put Piltover mechas to shame. Lacking essential organs to function independently, he relied on cannibalism. The life force of others fueled both body and mind, revealing uncanny intelligence behind seemingly dull wits. Only, mere mortals made such poor sustenance; quality engineering like his required better prey…legendary prey.
The memory of the golden warrior of his past clouded his vision. He had struck down Sion, impaling him on the point of his banner. He said he was no longer the savior of Demacia, but turned into a monster. Ah, how the confidence in his adversary's face tremored when Sion snapped his herald and smashed a meaty fist across his face, splattering bloody droplets gloriously along Sion’s lips. He had licked them up like fine wine. The savor of this worthy opponent still whet his appetite. He set forth with a new purpose: find and consume the golden knight.
Sion heaved a large cast-iron axe over his shoulder, its notched edge glistening red rivulets like teeth after biting into a juicy steak. As he exited the building, he passed by a barely-fuming torch on the wall. Raising two fingers around it, he squeezed together and snuffed out the last remaining light. Much better. Cast in darkness, Sion roared into the night, the far-reaching echoes heralding grim tidings for Demacia.
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"Mercy is for beasts who have a soul. Sion's black spirit belongs in the bottommost pits of hell, and my spear eagerly waits to show him the way." – Prince Jarvan IV
And that's it!
Please check out the Deviant Art pages (just click on the pictures), if you liked the artwork!
Also don't forget the entire lore if you want to see it all in order with no interruptions (plus an extra section! :)
Thanks again for reading, hope you enjoyed! Leave your comments below, I love each and every one