By Far The Worst Rework................

So this Aatrox rework has been bugging me and i wanted to just let my thoughts fly for a sec. Before i talk about what IMO makes this a bad rework let me start this off by saying i am not trying to sound ungrateful since i do really appreciate riot actually giving Aatrox attention, which many of us have been wanting to see ever since reworks were a thing. My purpose with this is to just give the perspective of someone who sees the big potential of Aatrox and why i think its squandered on a sorta generic/lazy revamp of the character.

Thematic Issues Aatrox in lore and in his voice lines is someone who is suppose to be a sorta GOD of War. A demon yet angelic kind of figure who just shows up and fights then vanishes. He had this calm demeanor and had this air of deep wisdom and knowledge. He sounded like a someone who been through so much war it didn't phase him anymore, he was detached from that, only his goal mattered. His goals were just mysterious as him cause no one knew his purpose or what he was trying to achieve, which i felt added depth to the character.

The NEW Aatrox really just sounds like another Berserker/Psychopath who just screams and only emotion seems is rage. His arrogance inst charming and genuinely just sounds cringe-y and pompous. We have so MANY of this crazy characters who love battle in League another one is just boring. Old Aatrox felt so refreshing when you heard him deliver his bone chilling lines about making the battle field a masterpiece or using fear as fury, because even though he loved battle, he seemed so experienced to get overly emotional about it.

Voice Issues This is a smaller one so let me get this out of the way. Aatrox new voice sounds WAY too similar to Rhaast/Kayn Darkin form. Look i get it, they are both Darkins but do they have to sound so similar? Rhaast screaming when he takes over Kayn's body felt more like him being excited to have a body back while Aatrox just screams casue he can. Even Varus sounds atleast different then the both of them.

Gameplay Issues Lets just say it shall we? Aatrox is just a Riven clone. Look I understand its hard to come up with ways to make melee champs interesting and different but i honestly think Riot missed the mark badly with this one. Aatrox brings nothing interesting or different in this new rework other then "Hey guys i play like another bruiser".** REMEBER ** when people would always be wondering whats the point of Aatrox's massive wings if he barely used them? Well except of answering that issue with Aatrox incorporating them in his fighting style or abilities, RIOT just got rid of his wings. Aatrox clearly used his wings in battle in the old lore, it was part of how he just showed up and vanished. Even though i dont personally think his OLD style matched the thematic well either, it did show signs of trying to show his MASTER of WAR thematic. His Q was a snappy CC that he could use to hop/ engage into battle quickly. His ULT had a big burst of damage along with his attack speed increase and range increase, really did feel like you changed the course of battle when you landed it right. New Aatrox is a good duelist but his lack of uniqueness with such a crazy cool design makes it feel lacking.

Model Issues The New Aatrox model is HORRIBLE. Like he just a big ball of smooth Red and gray. His texturing is so lacking compared to the old one is pretty ridiculous. His legs actually are skinnier and look horribly bad, especially with his new big upper body. The model needs a lot of work for me to even call that decent revamp and is was one of the weakest parts of this rework. NOTE Personally im only talking about is Aatrox BASE skin as i personally think his other skins look fine so far. Final thoughts It sounds like im hating but again, I made this cause i REALLY do think Aatrox had the potential to be a great rework like a Warwick or Sion and still do but i dont think this was it.