Champion Q&A: Illaoi, the Kraken Priestess

RiotRiot ShadowStorm·11/24/2015, 6:44:49 PM·42 votes·191,464 views

http://na.leagueoflegends.com/sites/default/files/styles/scale_xlarge/public/upload/illaoi_ama.jpg

Thanks for participating everybody! We hope you have as much fun playing Illaoi as we did working on her.

May you go forth in constant motion, and remember: life is the sweetness of fruit, and the joy of battle!

Hey everybody!

We've gathered a bunch of Rioters from the Illaoi team for some Q&A about the Kraken Priestess! Whether you're interested in Illaoi's gameplay, story, art, or fun stories from her development, ask away and we'll be happy to answer!

Check out these links if you need to get up to speed:

http://na.leagueoflegends.com/sites/default/files/styles/wide_small/public/upload/illaoi-reveal-banner.jpg Champion Reveal: Illaoi, the Kraken Priestess: Check out Illaoi's reveal.

http://na.leagueoflegends.com/sites/default/files/styles/wide_small/public/upload/il-in-banner.jpg Champion Insights: Illaoi, the Kraken Priestess: Hear about the process behind Illaoi's creation.

http://na.leagueoflegends.com/sites/default/files/styles/wide_small/public/upload/promo_image.jpg Trial of the Kraken Priestess: Fight for your soul... if you have the courage.

http://na.leagueoflegends.com/sites/default/files/styles/wide_small/public/upload/illaoi_spotlight_thumbnail.jpg Illaoi Champion Spotlight: Everything you need to know to tentakill the opposition.

Now... let's get kraken!

808 Comments

MasqureMan11/24/2015, 7:00:57 PM47 votes

Given Illaoi's quotes when referring to spirit champions "Foolish spirit, begone!" (Bard, Anivia, Kindred), it would seem like she thinks they are a natural annoyance or not as important as other living things. Why does she treat them this way? And, if you can offer a glimpse into this, what role do spirits and elementals play in Nagakabouros?

Is Nagakabouros a part of a larger family/pantheon of gods? A mother, sister, daughter? Does she have any rival gods?

What would Illaoi's opinion of champions like Nautilus and Amumu be? Champions who have not chosen their fate but are clearly either immortal or undead now.

LostMarble11/24/2015, 7:13:11 PM23 votes

Why is she so ridiculously broken and unfun to play against? Is it that her damage is too high and melee champs can't even get close to attack her or is it that her e presents a false choice wherein you die if you try to fight and you're punished for running away? Maybe both?

Myles JT11/24/2015, 7:16:40 PM22 votes

I know this is pretty early to be asking this, but have you guys had any thought at all about a Dunkmaster skin for her, because of her W and R animations, or a sports trainer skin, because of general personality for wanting to teach others and Nagakaborus being a ball?

Sharjo11/24/2015, 7:07:14 PM20 votes

Yay question time! Before I go in though; great job on Illaoi, she's awesome in every aspect!

  1. Does Illaoi's religion have a name? If so what do they call practitioners?
  2. What's Buhru like and where's it located? Got any historical tidbits about it?
  3. Is the language Illaoi speaks specific to Buhru and are there any other details on the language itself to tell?
  4. What are the Serpent Isles? I'm led to believe they're a part of the Blue Flame archipelago where the Serpentine flows through but I dunno.
  5. Could you explain a bit about the nature of Illaoi's idol? Is it a literal or metaphorical "eye of god" so to speak?
  6. Illaoi has a line for when she buys {{item:3053} saying "Sterak? It is the fury of the Mother I will bring." The mother is obviously Nagakabouros so who is Sterak in relation? Her consort? One of her direct children?
  7. On that note what's the historical and religious significance of sea monsters in Illaoi's religion? Do they have a specific connection to Nagakabouros?
  8. Linked in with the above, what are Runeterran Hydras like? Are they real or mythological in universe?
  9. Considering the oceanic themes present in Illaoi's religion what's her thoughts on our resident sea-dwellers: Fizz Nami Nautilus?
  10. I imagine there's a few good myths and legends about Nagakabouros. Care to divulge any? Would love to hear what the story is behind her origins.
  11. Final question! What's a Paylangi? Illaoi called people it in Shadow and Fortune and I'm just sitting here wondering what the sod it means.

EDIT: Sod forgot one. FINAL QUESTION:

  • Is there some correlation between Nagakabouros, the souls of living beings, and the forever mysterious demons and darkin? I'm assuming those two kinds of beings are very distinct from everything included in the Maelstrom, and I'm wondering if they're even a part of it at all.
Dooomba11/24/2015, 6:48:02 PM18 votes

Also Illaoi, What does the Nagakabouros know about Nautilas?

OH NO ITS LU BU11/24/2015, 7:04:47 PM12 votes

Please give me your best ideas for a dish themed around Illaoi. Thanks. :]

lightdragoon8811/24/2015, 7:01:02 PM11 votes

Smooth or Crunchy peanut butter?

Does she like Sona music? Pentakill or DJ?

When did she first meet Nagakabouros?

Edit: When can we expect her lore/camp page here?

Solash11/24/2015, 7:14:11 PM9 votes

So the Void bringer skin is pretty dank. What other ideas/concepts for skins were discussed for Illaoi during her development?

Moral Support11/24/2015, 7:11:59 PM9 votes

How many tickles does it take to make Illaoi laugh?

Chesha11/24/2015, 8:10:39 PM7 votes
  1. What were some of the most memorable struggles y'all faced with her kit?

  2. Funniest moment during development?

  3. How did y'all go about deciding her color scheme? Any trouble there?

  4. What were some other possibilities for her release skin? (or was it the same through the whole process?)

  5. What would Illaoi's favorite genre of books be?

Thanks guys for the hard work this year! The champs have been awesome! Can't wait to see what y'all create next! :D

jotnotes111/24/2015, 7:10:00 PM6 votes

Being so close to an Elder God has to give her some sort of insight into the world. What are Illaoi's opinions on Tahm Kench? How about Kindred or Aatrox?

I'd also like to know: Would Illaoi test Braum if their paths crossed?

SpecterVonBaren11/24/2015, 6:50:39 PM6 votes

Illaoi is the first champ I've seen released since I've been playing the game to not really have any CC. Yes Rek'Sai has her knock up but Rek can use it more often than Illaoi's situational slow on her E and Rek has her tunnel vision as extra utility. Is there any particular reason you decided to forgo utility aspects of her in kit in favor of an almost completely damage oriented champion?

Dooomba11/24/2015, 6:46:59 PM3 votes

Illaoi, Volley-Ball or Basket-Ball?