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@IronStylus; Any possibility of an Olaf VU?

ManDudeMcDudeman·2/18/2014, 2:03:05 PM·7 votes·4,019 views

His model's becoming more and more dated as time goes by, and while he may not need it as bad as say, Pantheon, Taric or Sion, he definitely does need an update.

My main questions are;

When can we expect an Olaf VU? Is it on your radar for eventual VUs?

What would you change about Olaf's appearance, if anything? Personally, I'd try to make him look more "savage", and fitting in with the theme of appearance the other Winter's Claw members share in terms of armor. Right now, for a member of Sejuani's army, he looks totally foreign from them, and while technically, he is, he could use a new outfit that cements his new Freljord heritage. I was thinking maybe some plate or chain armor, to help solidify his role as a bruiser and frontline fighter. Also, I'm not a fan of the metal, segmented horns on his helmet. IMO, they look too "modern" for a barbarian. Horns are a great addition to a Viking's helmet, if historically inaccurate, and are iconic to the modern "Viking" image, but maybe not metal. How about regular animal horns, or maybe even blue ice horns, like Sejuani's helmet? Or would that be stepping into Sejuani's visual territory?

Would a new voice-over be added to give Olaf more quotes and interactions with other League champions? I feel like Olaf would have a lot to say about the other Freljordian champions, namely his 'rivals' in Tryndamere and Trundle.

Also, when his VU eventually does come out, will anything be done to make Brolaf feel more legendary as a skin? Maybe a unique recall animation to the skin, or some more quotes, interactions, etc.?

Last but not least, what are Olaf's relationships with other League champions? Probably something you can't answer, but I like to feel that Olaf and Sejuani have more than just a business relationship, 'na sayin'?

Thank you for your time, here's a Viking for your trouble.

15 Comments

RiotIronStylus2/18/2014, 7:52:49 PM12 votes

I think Olaf is a good opportunity for some thematic cohesion passes. Like.. just what you're saying. Make him feel Freljord, not just some barbarian dude.

One of our internal artists did a really cool treatment of him that made him feel a little more savage, but still fitting in with the overall Freljord theme. It was extremely cool.

Currently, he's not high on the priority list and I don't feel he's in particularly bad shape in terms of rig, but I'd have to check on that. I think his feet slide a bit, but maybe that can be dealt with without making an entirely new rig. I'd have to check.

He's far down the list, however, sometimes what that means to me is that he might be an "easy win" in that we don't need some drastic overhaul to make him feel better, it's more about upping quality and making him feel more thematically solid.

Typhoom2/18/2014, 5:01:53 PM2 votes

I understand where you're comming from, his appearance is cool, but not quite winter warrior of death.

Currently his outfit doesn't fit with what he should be but it's not overly detracting from his style. I'd like to see a little bit of armor but not armored up like garen. He should have some defenses but he's not a straight up tank. It should be practicle and effective yet allow manuverability. I agree with the aspect of his helmet, it would look awesome if it had frost horns like Sej or in the Glacial Olaf skin.

In regards to his voice I just feel it's lacking a little bit of personality. His quotes cover the theme of angry rampaging viking but don't expand more than. I feel he could have a very interesting personality beyond killing.

In regards to Brolaf I feel if he got a VU they would most likely add recall animations to both the normal skins and his Brolaf. Though for his effects I think it would be cool to add maybe a trail of beer behind his axe as you throw it or have the axes drip beer instead of blood for W. I'm sure they could do something to the lightning bolt for E. Something to make his ult more draamtic wouldn't hurt either. Pentakill gets spinning maces (lets face it, they aren't axes) so Brolaf should get something cool akin to this. Maybe he could go into a drunken frenzy and make it look like he's stumbling around angrily as opposed to charging headfirst into battle.

ManDudeMcDudeman2/18/2014, 3:55:27 PM2 votes

Well, since I can't edit attachments in (I've tried like, forty friggin' times...), I'll just add it in a comment:

Here's a few images of Vikings wearing attire I think would be more appropriate for Olaf.

http://static4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110831192726/elderscrolls/images/4/4f/Dovahkiin_%28dragonborn%29.jpg

http://th01.deviantart.net/fs32/PRE/f/2008/220/b/7/SEGA__s_VIKING___Skarin_by_michaelkutsche.jpg

http://www.theoutageexpert.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/viking4.jpg

http://www.artofbrandonmoore.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/berserker_final.jpg

Now, most of these images evoke one of two themes:

The standard, armored Viking warrior, and the more feral, unarmored berserker.

Honestly, I think there's room for both in terms of Olaf's appearance, a sort of "middle ground". I think the first and second pictures are my favorites in terms of clothing; armor, but not too bulky. It evokes the feeling of being a warrior, but at the same time, the lighter aspect of the armor and lack of a shirt can be construed as "I don't care about my own safety", which is one of Olaf's biggest themes. I think a good middle ground for appearance would be this:

No shirt, covered in knotwork tattoos and scars (I know this can be VERY difficult to draw and depict in-game, but if you pull it off right it'll look AMAZING), with a more well-armored lower half, with plated leather coverings over a set of leather pants, with plated boots. Maybe wrap an animal pelt around his waist or shoulder? And of course, keep the iconic helmet.

The end result would be a more feral warrior, with a mix of armor types, that blends into a medium-armored warrior with an exposed chest, signifying his berserker nature and lack of concern for his own safety in combat.

Also, he needs to retain his beard. Olaf's beard is his most iconic aspect IMO. A Viking is nothing without his beard.

420CountSalTea4/19/2014, 10:23:29 AM1 votes

I understand that changes take time and everything but yah I'd like to see olaf have some armor made out of bear hide and bits of chainmail or something to give him a more Feljord skin like sejuani.

Mycool2/18/2014, 8:23:46 PM1 votes

I miss cho's super fast feet....

Ephidel2/19/2014, 3:02:08 PM1 votes

I kind of get what you're saying, but Ireally don't think Olaf is in that much trouble compared to lots of other champions. Rather than a full VU I'd prefer it if Riot just touched up his goofy hair. I'd like it if more champions got minor updates like that, rather than going this in-depth every time.

MrRado2/19/2014, 5:16:20 PM1 votes

Personally I don't see anything in the game more abhorrent than Olaf's HAIR.
Its coated in hairspray! Barely moves! Its distracting when I play because it doesn't make any physical sense in my brain.

(Watching Cass's tail wiggle provides the same sorta brain hypnotism)

That's my only real complaint on him visually though.

I also think he's a Thor-like skin that wields two hammers instead of axes.