Origins of the Wharf Rat

As the dust settles from the explosive conclusion to the events in Bilgewater, let’s take a look back at a horrifying little critter who just wants to be loved: The Wharf Rat. Butcher’s Bridge introduced this brainchild of a few disturbed individuals, who are here to demystify the shark/rat hybrids.

Also, if you’re too squeamish for the gory details on the Wharf Rats - check out the Origin of the Poros!

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First off, who are the insane people behind the Wharf Rat?

Mark Gibbons was the artist who created the original concept art.

Max “Beezul” Gonzales worked off that idea and turned it into an in-game concept.

Jue Wang took the concept and mapped it over the original poro models, which were then brought to life through Nick “Nickstravaganza” Matthews and Kevin Freeman’s animation.

Where did the Wharf Rat idea come from?

The Bilgewater team knew they had a HUGE dilemma early on. They needed a replacement for poros on the Bilgewater ARAM map or the entire event would surely crash and burn quicker than Gangplank’s ship.

The main concern was that the creature had to fill the same niche the poro fills -- providing memorable interactions but not distracting from the actual gameplay. The team needed to bring this creature to life and make it unique enough to stand against the enormous poro fanbase.

A few early iterations of the poro’s replacement were far too cute -- like an octopus that waddled around on its tiny tentacles and walruses. The team needed something adorable, but terrifying, while being aesthetically fitting for the run-down, waterlogged terrain of Bilgewater.

Concept art of the wharf rat, shown below, was a product of early Runeterra explorations (deep dives on the people, flora, and fauna) done by Riot’s Foundations team. It was the perfect choice for Butcher’s Bridge.

How long did it take to create Wharf Rats?

Much like the poro, a lot of the foundational work (the initial modeling and base textures) for wharf rats was done in a single weekend.

After that, the team started in on the long process of polishing and refining these horrifyingly adorable critters.

What’s the connection between Wharf Rats and Razorfins?

Unlike poros, the rats grow and become more monstrous as they age. The full grown Wharf Rat is one of the four brawler minions within the new Black Market Brawlers game mode -- the Razorfin!

What else can you tell us about Wharf Rats?

• Wharf Rats are equal parts contempt, agility, and sharp pointy teeth.
• They’re more closely related to sea cobras than rats.
• No one has survived long enough to see the underside of a Wharf Rat...but it’s probably not pleasant.
• Wharf Rats have the capability of swimming like a shark or scurrying like a rat, so nowhere is safe.
• Wharf Rats also enjoy Poro-Snax, but usually it involves eating actual Poros...as snax.
• If confronted by a Wharf Rat, make yourself appear large. And unappetizing. Or just hope you properly notarized your Last Will and Testament.
• Dock workers sleep on raised cots to avoid being eaten by Wharf Rats in their sleep.
• Wharf Rats are the mortal enemies of bilge-lions.
• The Wharf Rats are armed with poisonous barbs in their tails... though most people don't survive long enough to see them.
• They were once used to keep the wharf clean of debris. (Seriously, they'll eat anything.)

Born out of malice, blinded by hate;

Cunning, deceitful; lying in wait,

Malevolent, evil; oh god it’s free,

Coarse, drooling; please don’t eat me.

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So, who do you think would be a better pet? A Poro or a Wharf Rat?