Charred Maokai VU

Gragas Undressed·11/11/2014, 5:55:37 PM·44 votes·8,991 views

I have to say, I'm befuddled at this "visual update". Not only is this 975RP skin now essentially a recolor of the base model, it's a recolor that looks like a different champion. Now Charred Maokai looks like Malphite. This skin is extremely lackluster and really loses the concept of the skin, a charred treant scarred by fire. Now he is Charred Maokai the Rock Impersonator. This skin offer nothing at this point and is an extreme disappointment. Riot really has dropped the ball on this VU and Maokai has lost his identity as the Twisted Treant.

39 Comments

Jesnir11/11/2014, 9:48:50 PM12 votes

When I first played with a Maokai with the Charred skin, I thought I had a Malphite on the team. "Wait when did we have a Malphite on our team" "Dude I'm playing maokai" LMAO

AF Shogun11/11/2014, 8:59:14 PM9 votes

He does look like malphite

John Berserk11/12/2014, 12:59:41 AM8 votes

"Riot really has dropped the ball on this VU and Maokai has lost his identity as the Twisted Treant."

Ok, that's a little extreme for just ONE of his skins being meh. The rest seem pretty great to me.

junglerboy1611/12/2014, 1:27:27 AM4 votes

The old charred Maokai was also just a recolor of his base skin.

Star Warden11/11/2014, 8:26:22 PM4 votes

Now you know how we Sakura karma players feel. Without the fans the skin loses literally the entire purpose. Without Mao's skin being charred to nearly black, the skin is meh.

PhoenixSlayer1311/12/2014, 5:06:28 AM4 votes

I think a darker coloring and deeper red would help.

Thoroniul11/11/2014, 5:57:53 PM3 votes

Yams I say.

http://boards.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/c/gameplay-balance/jGzgqote-totemic-maokai-needs-to-remain-black?comment=0000

DrMemes11/11/2014, 8:55:42 PM3 votes

I thought this was going to be a post talking about how the skin was great, they I opened the images.

Yea it sucks.

Smoggert11/12/2014, 1:25:19 AM3 votes

Maokai is my favourite champion.

I'm quite happy I have totemic Maokai as well as the charred skin. Charred was my favorite skin, but as many said before me, this VU makes a joke out of the charred skin.

Also I'm not a fan of the new walking cycle, it's like he's floating on air... he's supposed to be a freaking treant, they don't float they make heavy stomps !

Wynsl11/12/2014, 6:05:06 AM3 votes

I kind of liked the old Charred Maokai better. It really looked badass.

Ruigtand11/12/2014, 8:29:02 AM3 votes

As a big fan of the awesome tree that is maokai, I am also really disappointed by this charred skin! I really hope they listen to the community like they did with that sion skin. When I look at it I wonder if Riot actually took the time to look at it :P.. people all seem to think its bad, so why don't they. Guess I shouldve bought Haunted Maokai when I had the chance.. never gonna play with this skin again if this is the end result :P

On a more positive note, I really like the VU in general and IMO all skins except charred (which just happens to be my only maokai skin) look a lot better. Nice skill animations and all. Just hope they take another look at charred maokai

inmUGco11/12/2014, 1:00:58 PM3 votes

yes，agree！Too much like Malphite ！do not like charred trees~is stone！

Fomortiis11/13/2014, 5:03:32 PM2 votes

I completely agree, the base model looks great now. The old one looked like a mess really. But as far as the charred maokai skin, it leaves a lot to be desired for. As many have already stated, the palette is very much on the light side, too bright without the charred contrast. I also see a lot of potential for new fire anims for this skin, although I understand this skin is not a 750RP one. Lastly, I recall the VU was aiming for a harder hitting twisted advanced anim, but quite frankly it looks worse than it was before the VU, very underwhelming.

Thoroniul11/11/2014, 6:47:12 PM2 votes

Did the previous forum get deleted?

DSRM Mobius11/12/2014, 1:57:16 PM2 votes

i agree with you, but I still like the skin idea.

Bowlbo11/12/2014, 4:48:42 PM2 votes

It's still on PBE. I sort of agree that a 975RP should have some clear particle/model alteration. They may still change this yet, Riot is pretty receptive to the concerns of its community, just look at the pulled Ahri splash. (Not that I agree with that- loved the new splash) Be patient and wait for more upvotes, you'll get em.

AleMage11/12/2014, 6:45:05 PM2 votes

Hm, you're right he really feels like a recolor right now. But perhaps some burning particles will fix this? nothing like volcanic wukong just a slight burn effect. and make him darker like he was before. An other nice touch would be to have his model warped a lil too.

Sisuwolf11/12/2014, 12:07:46 AM2 votes

Well then VU, sure am glad I didn't buy Charred Maokai. Already had Christmas Tree Mao and really wanted the Charred version also as IMO it WAS one of the coolest looking Mao skins. Already dissappointing enough to see how Festive Mao turned out, glad I didn't waste money on Charred since I'd never use it post-VU. Reminds me of the Orange Crush Rammus they destroyed with a "VU." Dat Orange powerball used to be my favorite Ramm skin, now i use anything except that one, would've been the same for Charred for me.

To be fair, I don't hate all VU's. In actuality I think most of the time they get it right. For example I think base Mao and Haunted are good upgrades, on the fence about the Totem(some good changes but also some bad), but hate the other two. Just so happens that the ones they always ruin happen to be my favorite skins. Maybe I got bad taste or something? IDK

And WHY IN THE WORLD is Charred now PINK???????????????????????

Is it gonna get name changed to Valentines Day Mao, or Fake Malphite Mao??? Sure doesn't make me think of Charred when I look at a pink, washed out, no detail Mao.

iMaB3AST11/11/2014, 10:32:51 PM1 votes

Speaking of Malphite, is he getting a visual or texture update soon?

Auz the Ripper11/12/2014, 2:11:43 PM1 votes

Remind me of what happened to ravanger Nocturne. Used to be my favorite skin, now I can't play it without expecting Noc to yell out "UNLEASH THE POWER OF THE SUN" at random intervals

Anyway, my apologies for Malphkai

Burkhart11/12/2014, 1:07:21 AM1 votes

When I saw it at first I thought they were making a "Golem Maokai" skin. Then I looked again and was confused even more.

TheHobbits11/11/2014, 9:31:31 PM1 votes

has anyone stopped to think that this skin may be more focused around the new particles? Has any of it been released yet? Ive seen the new particles for normal skin, but the Charred effects may be all fire.

Mewington11/12/2014, 6:54:08 PM1 votes

There is also the issue of the particle colors - they only fit the original Maokai's color scheme, which has blue details. The particle colors should be modified in accordance to which skin is selected. A purple Charred Maokai with blue particle effects isn't very aesthetically pleasing.

leg fetish11/11/2014, 6:51:59 PM1 votes

LMFAO Malphite

PhoenixSlayer1311/12/2014, 11:38:45 PM1 votes

Hey guys, update to Charred is on Surrender at 20: http://www.surrenderat20.net/2014/11/1112-pbe-update.html#more

Centuros11/16/2014, 1:24:22 AM1 votes

It's the smooth textures on the "wood" that makes it look like stone, IMO. He needs to looks a little more rough and cracked like the skin was originally.

Kryophyre1/7/2016, 7:10:34 AM1 votes

On top of the lackluster textures, would it be too much to ask for orange ability effects? Just something to tie the skin together and make it worth 975RP?

Xivus Arkan1/7/2016, 5:29:51 PM1 votes

I'm going to get hate for this, but I don't see any issue. Maokai is my main.