Boards›Mechs vs Minions

I really don't like what's been done to Rumble

Erdamon·10/18/2016, 11:06:39 AM·5 votes·3,486 views

Before I start this quick rant, I'm telling you in advance that I'll not talk about there not being a Rumble figurine in the actual game because that's been pointed out by everyone at this point. Also this does contain spoilers for radioplay.

I'd much rather focus on the background aspect of the game, namely the radioplay that's been released several days ago. While I do appreciate the effort put into it and the overall quality, and the basis of the story isn't too bad, what irks me is a rather disrespectful representation of Rumble and the overall character development.

So, what exactly is the problem? Well, let's for starters see who exactly Rumble is, he's a short tempered, stubborn in his action Yordle mechanic, who's loyal to his homeland, holds a strong grudge against humans and their Yordle supporters (hint hint, Heimerdinger) due to his rather sad past related to them and his personal opinions. However he knows what he's doing, and is rather passionate about his job and is willing to show the world what he's really worth, even if all he has to work with is a pile of scrap.

See, that's a rather well defined character with unique personality, and there's a lot that can be done with him, which Mech vs Minions never does.

For starters, what the hell is even Heimerdinger doing there? Why would Rumble even invite him if he feels nothing but burning hatred towards him? Well you would expect that this would leave to some hilarious scenarios where, Heimer doesn't get the diploma at the end because of some made up excuse, or Rumble would take advantage of him being here and make him do some really embarrassing stuff? Not really, Rumble just calls him names once or twice and that's really it. Which is a shame, because I can't see how could the writers not take advantage of their rather spiteful relations, I mean, in old lore of LoL Heimer openly stated that Rumble is simply not suited for fighting and should just go back to Bandle City and mind his own business, right after destroying his mech of course. I don't think Rumble would just get over it like that.

Now, that was rather dumb, dumb being a keyword for this section. Rumble for "one of the best students in the academy" does a lot of dumb stuff and overall looks like an incompetent moron. Keep in mind that yes, he's a quick thinker, he creates inventions made of stuff he finds on the junkyard, but he's not dumb, quite the opposite (he does make his machines work after all). So the fact that he uses a literal bomb as his energy supply, and doesn't take any safety measures regarding Tristy when his workshop is under attack (that is of course until it's already been too late), is all rather questionable, isn't it?

And speaking of questionable decisions, the whole reveal of Rumble just trying to hit on Tristana, and the reasoning behind the cover up made me want to just slam my head against a wall. Now, we all know that it was obvious that there's gonna be Rumble X Tristana subplot, like, everyone saw it coming. But the way it's been presented is negative for both of these characters, Rumble doesn't even try to be subtle, showing him as nothing more but a lovestruck kid who really wants the hot Yordle puss-puss, and Tristana is being either annoyingly clueless or goes ultra whiny bitch mode (wah my marksman competition wah it's all your fault Rumble wah). This kind of execution also makes the last scene (where Tristana does kiss Rumble in the end) feel rather fake, I mean, she gives him shit for everything bad that's happened, and he still loves her, AND she just gets over it over the last five minutes? That's a pretty weak resolution if you ask me.

I wouldn't make this post if it wasn't for the fact that I'm a Rumble enthusiast. I really like the guy overall, from gameplay to background lore, and now that he's been getting some attention in department other than Morello's chopping block, I was really excited to see something Rumble related, but once I actually got to see Mechs vs Minions inside out, I feel rather disappointed, because I know we won't get anything Rumble related any time soon (the chore of being unpopular), and just have to be stuck with this complete misinterpretation of who Rumble even is. And without a figurine in the actual board game (You know? MECHS vs Minions?).

7 Comments

Jaliyah Tungle10/18/2016, 7:13:48 PM5 votes

Thanks for mentioning it. It sucks that barely anyone gave feedback about the radioplay.

I totally agree with you. The whole characterization felt very half-hearted and even though I am usually excited about news on Tristana&Co., I was not satisfied with the result at all. I did like the part where she roasted Rumble (mission 9 was my fave) as I really enjoy him getting dumped by her (sorry), which made it only more disappointing and confusing for me that she forgave him so suddenly. Also I found it weird that Rumble literally couldn't think of any other reason to build his own school. Like, improving his reputation all over the map and trying to become a more notable person idk???

And the worst thing of all is that, which you also mentioned, we're sitting on all this confusing stuff and there won't be answers any time soon. Very frustrating. I hope their future lore wont be as lame and uninformed as this. It's like they forgot about their own characters. (especially Teemo :<) Other than that I would only repeat your comment if I had to share my full opinion so thanks and good job for noticing. We need more people like you.

Vademen10/19/2016, 4:11:44 AM2 votes

FINALLY SOME ONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, I HATE HOW RIOT HAS BEEN TREATING RUMBLE; NO NEW SKINS, NO ICONS WHEN THE RECENT SUPER GALAXY SKINS CAME OUT, AND NOW HE'S NOT EVEN IN THE NEW BOARD GAME!!? which i still wanna buy, but come on riot give rumble some development :(

Sozan512/27/2016, 1:00:35 PM1 votes

While I'm only on mission 2 of MvM so far, I actually think they got Rumble more or less right.

For starters, what the hell is even Heimerdinger doing there? Why would Rumble even invite him if he feels nothing but burning hatred towards him? Well you would expect that this would leave to some hilarious scenarios where, Heimer doesn't get the diploma at the end because of some made up excuse, or Rumble would take advantage of him being here and make him do some really embarrassing stuff? Not really, Rumble just calls him names once or twice and that's really it. Which is a shame, because I can't see how could the writers not take advantage of their rather spiteful relations, I mean, in old lore of LoL Heimer openly stated that Rumble is simply not suited for fighting and should just go back to Bandle City and mind his own business, right after destroying his mech of course. I don't think Rumble would just get over it like that.

I believe you mistake what kind of emotions Rumble feels towards Heimer, because I am certain it is not pure hate. Rumble doesn't like his decision to help humans and thinks he's a "sellout". HOWEVER, when the human graduates showed up in Bandle City he couldn't resist the temptation of meeting up with them - which hints at him secrectly respecting Heimerdinger and his works, considering that Rumble seems to be completely racist towards humans.

Also, Heimer and Rumble never met before, as far as I know. The "meeting" you refer to was nothing but a League Judgement - it was all in Rumbles mind (which also shows that he's probably pretty afraid of being rejected by Heimer and wants to prove himself (and Bandle City) to him).

That said, it doesn't mean Rumble likes him too much. He's still a traitor to Bandle City in his eyes (and that's the only reason why he didn't join his academy).

So the fact that he uses a literal bomb as his energy supply, and doesn't take any safety measures regarding Tristy when his workshop is under attack (that is of course until it's already been too late), is all rather questionable, isn't it?

I think it fits him. Rumble, while being an exellent tinkerer and mechanic (and mech-anic) doesn't really show any concern for safety. Here's some example, from that League Judgement:

Rumble tumbled from his seat, cursing. One of these days, he would install seat belts…right after he finished the designs for the Juicer.

He makes thing works and they work rather well, but you wouldn't call them safe in anyway. Using a bomb as a power source is well within the realm of possibilities for Rumble - as long as it produces a lot of energy (which it does).

The rest, I know nothing about, since as I said - haven't beaten it yet. The only thing out of character is that he was actually considering inviting Teemo (he's on the list of potential students). That one makes no sense. He clearly doesn't like him and that'd be counterproductive if he wanted to hit on Trist - considering that Teemo-Tristana is the closest thing we have to a confirmed relationship in League (well, except Ashe and Trynda, but they are a special case).