[Champion Concept] Medeia - the Shadow in the Woods
Champion Type
Mage/Assassin (Battle Mage subclass)
Champion Concept
A mage meant to stalk the jungle rather than fight in the middle lane, Medeia works best when dictating the terms of battle on her own, but her lack of burst and need to set up Fae Light and fight with Artura can be her undoing if she's the one caught off-guard. With Artura to protect her, she's perfectly adept at clearing the jungle, and naturally she does do her best work when the enemy doesn't know where she is. In teamfights she provides as much control as other mages, but she does it by sneaking up on the enemy rather than standing safely behind her allies. What she lacks in ranged offense compared to others of her class, she makes up for in her ability to rot enemies and their resistances away while Artura wreaks havoc within their ranks.
Lore
Gender: Female Race: Human Birthplace: Demacian Capital, Demacia Residence: Forests outside Demacia Occupation: Wandering Witch Faction: Independent
Once a gifted creator of spells that served the Demacian miliary, the death of Artura, Medeia's bodyguard and close companion, at the hands of Noxian assassins darkened her heart. When she turned her spell-weaving gift to look for ways to slowly torture her enemies to death in the name of revenge, she came to feel that she there was no longer any place for her in Demacia.
The first-born of the Branford family, Medeia's life would have been pleasant but uneventful had she not demonstrated a rare knack for magic at a young age. Far apart from merely learning spells quickly, Medeia was able to adapt concepts behind spellcrafting to suit her youthful desires almost as she pleased. Medeia's father was the patriarch of the family during the last days of its slow decline, and latched onto the hope that his daughter could be the one to restore the family glory. Shortly after Medeia's gift for spellcrafting was made apparent, he began to raise his daughter on a never-ending tale of the valor of Demacia's past heroes. Medeia hung on her father's every word with starry eyes until finally she uttered the words he had been waiting for: that she wanted to stand amongst those paragons of old.
Her course in life set from an early age, Medeia applied herself to master her gift, seeking tutelage from whoever would offer it. By the time she came into her own, Medeia could create potent and wide-reaching spells without need of any help - for nobody was able to help her. With nobody left to learn from but feeling that her own talents were still unrefined, Medeia accepted that she would simply have to teach herself. The Demacian military had been waiting with baited breath for the day that she would be eligible to serve, but Medeia herself was equally eager. When the day came that recruiters came to the Branford family at sunrise to finally collect Medeia, Medeia herself was standing at the door waiting for them.
Medeia rapidly made a name for herself, with her hand-crafted spells changing the course of entire battles. The notion of sending Medeia out to win personal glory never crossed the minds of the Demacian generals - she was too valuable to risk on battlefields. Though she was somewhat disappointed with the realization that tales would never be sung of her exploits on the front lines, she accepted that she could still do her country a great service even from safety and comfort.
Naturally, Noxus was less pleased in Medeia's existence. First ordinary assassins were sent to claim her life, but the well-guarded sorceress was more than safe from them. Finally, an agent from the Black Rose was dispatched to silence Medeia. The assassin managed to silence or bypass Medeia's guards, and the young spell-weaver would have met a very untimely end but for the actions of a young royal knight named Artura Allington. The following morning, Medeia made her first and only demand of her superiors: for Artura to be transferred to serve as her personal bodyguard.
At first Artura chafed under the seemingly career-ending appointment, but as time passed she grew used to her time with Medeia, and her heart warmed upon seeing Medeia's pride in serving her country without being able to seize honor for herself on the battlefields. Their arrangement would have been a pleasant one for years to come, if Medeia did not eventually draw the ire of a certain individual above her.
Klaus Schmidt, a relatively low-ranking but ambitious and clever royal sorcerer directly serving the Lightshield family, took note of Medeia's rise among the military with some concern. Having worked many long days and nights to climb the ladder as far as he had - and with designs to go ever further - the last thing he would accept was being usurped by a woman that was only a little over half his age. Contacting a friend of his named Edgar, Klaus waxed poetically about Medeia's virtues - those he had heard second-hand rumors of at least - until eventually Edgar's curiosity was peaked. After meeting the Branford girl himself, Edgar eventually arranged an engagement with her parents. Medeia's father, in particular, was nearly chomping at the bit for the sort of clout that a political marriage for his rising star of a daughter would bring.
The arrangement would have been a perfect one, as Edgar was by all accounts a good and noble man himself, had he not also desired that Medeia would leave the military life behind her and quietly help him to bring up a family. Medeia took to her work tearfully in those days, quietly preparing herself to say goodbye to a duty she had come to love. And in all that time, Artura watched on, feeling her charge's pain.
During a banquet celebrating the engagement, a masked knight step forward and challenged Edgar for Medeia's hand. A proud and skilled swordhand in his own right, Edgar accepted the terms, but almost immediately was his blade parried from his hand. Naturally, it was Artura that lay behind the mask. A great hush fell, but Edgar, summoning what pride that still remained within him, quietly admitted his defeat and never again sent word to Medeia or her family. Whispers of a scandal soon spread throughout some of the noble houses, but Edgar's refusal to press the issue with the Branford's and the military command's favor for Medeia protected the Branford family from the worst of the potential upheaval. Regardless, Medeia's father never spoke to her again, disgusted at the lost opportunity that the marriage would bring.
Klaus, however, was far from done.
Medeia came through the incident largely unscathed, but whispers dogged Artura's steps. The young woman thought she could endure the worst of them with her head held high, until Klaus subtly used his influence to have Artura removed from Medeia's side. Of course, the ambitious mage knew of the previous attempts on Medeia's life, and he knew also that Noxus would move once again now that Artura was no longer there to protect Medeia.
And naturally, it did happen.
One rainy night, while leaving her laboratory, Medeia was attacked by another assailant from the Black Rose. Her bodyguards fell instantly, and Medeia fled in a panic into the courtyard. There the assassin came upon her, but her deadly blade was blocked when a young woman stepped forth to offer her own body as a shield. Artura, though her weapons and armor had been confiscated, still carried out her duties to the last. Artura died in Medeia's arms, the poison that the dart carried taking her life quickly. With tears in her eyes, Medeia created one more spell, just as she had many times before. This spell wasn't meant to protect, but to hurt. Medeia's spell caused the Noxian agent's insides to revolt against her until blood poured from her eyes, mouth, and nose.
Medeia spent a year trying to return to her old life, but her spells had taken an inexorably malicious end to them. Where she once created enchantments to shield Demacian soldiers or strip the will to fight of the Noxian warriors, now she was just as likely to create a spell that would spread catatonic terror across entire divisions. Her superiors tried everything they could think of to help Medeia cope with what she had seen that night, but the truth of the matter was that Medeia eventually had to admit that she didn't want things to go back to the way they were. Demacian "Justice" was doing nothing to properly punish Noxus, nor had it seen Klaus brought to judgement for the things he'd done. Indeed, Medeia had learned the truth behind his machinations. When she finally could no longer calmly endure the injustice, she stole into his room and did to him what she had done to the assassin from the Black Rose. Breaking into the ancestral crypt of the Allington family, Medeia stole Artura's head from her corpse and stripped it of its remaining flesh and sinew. Her clothes, and enchanted lantern, and Artura's skull were the only things Medeia took with her when she left Demacia.
Her family had already abandoned her long before, and the military she once loved could no longer understand her. There was nothing left for her in her old home but bad memories and lingering regrets. She took residence in a forest miles away from the Demacian capital, and there continued her research so as to make Noxus suffer for Artura's death and Medeia's own suffering. And watching over her is a ghastly undead knight. Medeia's curses and Artura's unfulfilled desires to protect the woman she loved served to bring the knight back from the beyond, never to fail again.
Medeia’s Friends: Artura, Ryze Medeia’s Rivals: Swain, Leblanc
Artura’s Friends: Medeia, Taric Artura’s Rivals: Darius, Garen
A Witch
"Do you know what they call a mage who has turned her back on her land?"
Artura merely cocked her eyebrow. Smiling, Medeia brushed her hair out of her face and looked up from her research. Her latest spell was proving very stubborn and full of kinks.
"I've heard the term originates from the north, the Freljord," said Medeia. "They say an ice seer betrayed her land, and she's called the Ice Witch. They say those who wield magic and betray their people are branded witches or warlocks, and executed as soon as they're found."
"Ah, I see," Artura said quietly.
Medeia smiled again and looked back down at her work. Artura rarely did express much beyond a mild interest in her random bouts of trivia, but she was a handy distraction when spells refused to obey.
"Is something troubling you, my lady?" Artura asked, her expression edged in concern.
"Yeah," Medeia groaned as she sat back in her chair. She looked up at the roof and rubbed her eyes. "This spell doesn't want to cooperate with me. The generals rejected the last one I made so I'm trying to find a way to salvage all the time I put into it. Guess I should just start over from scratch but I hate work going to waste."
Artura frowned. "The one that would make Noxian soldiers flee from battle? Why was that denied?"
Medeia scoffed and muttered, "Something about it being dishonorable. I'm trying to make a spell that will inspire our soldiers with confidence instead, but since it's the opposite concept it's slow going."
She straightened in her chair and looked back to her notes contemplatively. "It would be easier if a soldier or two would let me test my current results."
"Nobody is willing to help you?" asked Artura.
"Well," Medeia said slowly, heat flooding her cheeks, "the last time somebody offered to let me test this spell on him, he couldn't make up his mind afterward whether he wanted to drill with extra gusto or go hide in his room and he was eventually escorted to the infirmary. His commanding officer wasn't pleased.."
She Artura a wry grin. "Strangely, nobody wants to help me anymore with this one!"
Artura gave a light laugh. "You can always test your spells out on me, my lady."
Medeia's smile immediately faded. "Are you sure? I'm not always commissioned to make... nice spells, you know."
"Of course, nothing would make me happier than you help you."
"Because it's your duty?"
Smiling warmly, Artura strode forward and wrapped her arms around Medeia from behind. Medeia put her hands over Artura's, her heart beating fast. In Artura's embrace, she felt warm. In her guardian's embrace, she felt safe.
"Because it's what I want to do."
How did everything go so wrong?
Her nightmares of that day always seemed to go by so quickly. The thundercrash, Artura hitting the ground, her last words, "Be safe, my lady."
Rarely was her sleep not haunted by visions of that night.
It's because of him
Klaus floated limply off the ground by his neck, as if hanging from an invisible noose. Blood trickled from his mouth and eyes, and he was twitching.
"P-please, mercy!" he gasped.
Medeia lounged on the other side of his desk, languidly watching Klaus' demise. "Hmm, it seems to me that mercy was in short supply when you tried to ruin my life twice."
"F-forgive..."
"Ask what Artura thinks, if she says you've suffered enough then I'll let you go."
"But she doesn't seem to be here," Medeia continued. "You and I both know where she is..."
Sighing, Medeia stood up and walked toward Klaus. As he hung, the older man tried to sputter off a few more desperate pleas for his life, until Medeia finally grew weary of it and cast a new spell, one that would burn off his tongue.
"What made you think that provoking a person you knew was your better was a good idea? If you had half the skill you'd need to be safe from me then you wouldn't have needed petty schemes to protect your position from me."
Tired of Klaus, Medeia turned and strode out of his office, which she carefully sealed as she made her leave. He could remain where he was until he bled out.
Why'd I steal her remains?
Medeia held her cloak shut to keep out the pouring rain. As she reached the forests, she turned and allowed herself one last look at the Demacian capital. Had they found Klaus' body yet? Had they noticed she was nowhere in sight, or that the Allington family tomb had been broken into? They would eventually, and the pieces would line up.
"Who knows, Klaus was at least somewhat important," she said quietly to herself, "maybe Jarvan will even send Quinn to find me."
Frowning, she turned and continued into the woods. As she walked, she kept one hand free. The other, she used to cradle a cloth-bound bundle to her chest.
I did it so she'd always be with me...
"Do you know what they call a mage whose had backs of her homeland turned on her?"
Artura turned to face her. She had no face. Medeia's spells that brought her back weren't enough to recreate her form properly, she was nothing more than a wisp that took on a feminine shape.
Medeia's forehead dipped against her notes. "They call her a witch," she said quietly.
Artura might have hugged her from behind then, like she did so many times. Medeia wasn't she. She wouldn't be able to feel it either way. She'd never feel Artura's warm, protective embrace ever again.
Appearance
Medeia wears her old nobility uniform, though with a new accessory in the form of her clawed glove. Her long dark hair is kept in a braid, and she carries a grimoire belted to her waist and a pale-lit lantern in her left hand.
When attacking she draws a small fireball from her lantern and throws it at her enemy. Her skills, particularly Withering Hex and Witch’s Territory make heavy use of sigils appearing on the ground in her targeting area before and during the time in which her spells begin to take effect. When summoning Artura, either through her passive or ultimate, her tome flips open briefly on its own and glows as it flips through its pages on its own. Upon activating Fae Light, she briefly swings her lantern in a circle around herself, which leaves a brief wil-o-the-wisp that conceals her as she stealths.
During her recall and teleport animations, she floats into the air and concentrates with her arms outstretched, magic sigils appearing in the ground beneath her. During this time, Artura begins encircling her in spirit form, speeding up as Medeia’s channel nears completion. Upon completion, the sigil lifts and spins around Medeia, leaving a sort of small black hole that instantly teleports Medeia to her destination.
Artura spends most of her time while not summoned as an indistinct blue wispy spirit that drifts around Medeia, occasionally pausing to “look” around. While Medeia is in combat and Artura is in spirit form, she will attempt to move between Medeia and the nearest visible enemy, as if to protect her. Upon being summoned, Artura is briefly engulfed in black smoke and takes on the appearance of a knight with ragged equipment and long white hair. In this form she assumes solid and defensive combat stances, even while idle. Upon destruction her undead body simply falls apart and disintegrates in black fire, and her spirit form emerges from the remains.
In either form, Artura’s voice is modulated, “echoy” (similar to Janna in most of her skins) while in spirit form, and distorted while summoned.
Upon death, Medeia falls over, her lantern shattering. Medeia’s own spirit – similar to Artura’s – emerges from her body briefly, before she and Artura dissipate.
During Medeia’s dance animation, she and Artura’s spectral form perform a slow waltz.
Artura’s spectral form will appear to perform emote animations even if her undead form is summoned and fighting.
Medeia – http://danbooru.donmai.us/data/8427e6d1353718fa80213c3b2002d6ac.jpg (Credit to hako (mypixid))
Artura, Summoned- http://i.imgur.com/iatpvbS.jpg (Credit unknown)
Artura, Spectral- http://i.imgur.com/FAvIdzr.jpg (Credit unknown)
Statistics
Health: 532 (+80) Health Regen: 5.7 (+.55) Mana: 382 (+52) Mana Regen: 6 (+1) Range: 550
Attack Damage: 53.4 (+3) Attack Speed: 0.625 (+2.112%) Armor: 21.9 (+3) Magic Resistance: 30.0 (+0) Movement Speed: 335
Abilities Innate - Eternal Oath
Medeia is forever accompanied by her reanimated companion, Artura, who takes spectral form until summoned to battle. Whenever Artura is in spectral form, Medeia’s first basic attack against an enemy causes Artura to immediately take physical form and dash to Medeia’s target to attack them, modifying Medeia’s attack to deal (100% AD + [20 - 140 based on level] + 30% AP) magic damage that triggers spell effects. Enemy aggro will treat this attack as having been performed by Artura. If Medeia’s target is within 250 units, Artura’s charge also pushes them back 150 units or until reaching impassible terrain.
After being summoned, Artura remains on the battlefield. Artura cannot leave Medeia’s basic attack range. Artura can be directly controlled by holding alt and then issuing orders, but will operate under her own AI otherwise.
Artura returns to spectral form upon destruction or when Medeia dies or leaves combat. While in etheral form, Artura regenerates health at a rate of (10% max health) every ([5/4/3] at levels [1/7/13]) seconds, and cannot be resummoned until she has fully healed. Artura immediately restores ([30/40/50] at levels [1/7/13])% of her maximum health whenever Medeia scored a takedown of a champion or large monster.
Medeia's damaging abilities and Artura's basic attacks are treated as Curses, which interact with some of Medeia's abilities.
Artura
Gold: 24 EXP: 0
Attack Damage: [20 - 140 based on level] + 30% of Medeia's AP (Damage is dealt as magic damage) AP: N/A Attack Speed: 0.665 (+0% – 54.4%) Range: 125 Health: [300 – 1500 based on level] + 25% of Medeia’s max health Health Regen: 0 Movement Speed: 340 Armor: ([30/40/50] at levels [1/7/13]) + 20% of Medeia’s armor Magic Res: ([30/40/50] at levels [1/7/13]) + 20% of Medeia’s magic resistance
Artura takes 300% damage from enemy towers.
Attack Priority: -Enemy champion effected by Blighted Soul -Enemy champion that has last damaged Medeia -Enemy champion last damaged by Medeia -Enemy champion within 325 units of Medeia -Enemy champions -Non-champion effected by Blighted Soul -Non-champion that has last damaged Medeia -Non-champion last damaged by Medeia -Non-champion within 325 units of Medeia -Any enemy within range (Non-champions prioritize in order of Epic Monsters, Large Monsters, Large Minions, Monsters, and Minions)
Design Concept
Making an AP jungler was one thing, but how to do it in such a way that she doesn't just lane? To function as a jungler she needs more damage and durability than your average mage, and if she had those qualities she'd just go to mid lane and smash her enemy, even if she didn't have the poke to do a mage's job in the late game.
Enter Artura, who tanks and deals damage for Medeia in the jungle :) Plenty of champions are heavily bound in their relationship with pets they create - Elise has her spiderlings, Zyra her plants, and Heimerdinger his turrets, but only Annie is closely related with A pet that directly helps her in battle, and even still she does plenty of things on her own. Medeia's playstyle therefor relies strongly on managing Artura's combat properly, as Medeia's own abilities are somewhat unreliable in their usage.
Holding Artura back from being too strong in lane is that Medeia can't make her go away once she's out without getting out combat herself, and she has no choice as to whether or not she summons her whens he tries to attack. In most situations Artura's going to be little more than a particularly powerful minion that might get to do some damage before being taken out of the game for 50 seconds. Restraining her to Medeia's own attack range was to ensure that Medeia can't just sic her on an enemy laner and walk away while laughing to herself. Lastly, making it so Artura gets blown the hell up by turrets is to curtail no-risk turret diving.
The "Curses" part at the end so I can shorten the descriptions on Medeia's Q, E, and R, lol.
Q - Defiled Soul
Cost: 50/55/60/65/70 mana Cooldown: 10/9.5/9/8.5/8 seconds Range: 950 (skillshot range) / 75 (explosion radius)
Active: Medeia hurls a cursed bolt that explodes upon hitting an enemy, dealing (80/120/160/200/240 + 60% AP) magic damage to enemies nearby, slowing them by 25% for 1.5 seconds, and marking them with Blighted Soul for 5 seconds. Artura is drawn to attack enemies with Blighted Soul, and her Curses against them deal bonus magic damage equal to 2% of their maximum health, capped at 100 damage against monsters, and renews the slow.
Design Concept
In previous versions of the concept, one of the biggest concerns was that Medeia didn't do enough on her own and Artura didn't have enough bite without the old ultimate. This spell is meant to address both issues, giving Medeia some instant damage and kiting ability without needing Artura while also giving Artura some heavier damage against effected enemies.
Lore-wise, this curse would afflict the enemy down to their very soul, causing a reaction both with Artura and with enemies she hits. Medeia already knows a thing or two about messing with souls - Artura's continued existence is proof of that.
W - Withering Hex
Cost: 70/75/80/85/90 mana Cooldown: 16/15/14/13/12 seconds Range: 750 (cast range) / 300 (area of effect)
Active: Medeia lays a curse upon the target area that takes effect after a .5 second delay and remains active for 5 seconds, dealing (20/35/50/65/80 + 20% AP) magic damage per second to enemies in the effected area and transferring 4% of their armor and magic resistance to Medeia for 6 seconds, stacking up to 5 times. Medeia's armor and magic resistance cannot be boosted above a value of (10/20/30/40/50) in this way, but effected enemies will continue to lose armor and magic resistance even if she cannot gain more.
Enemies that step into the cursed area remain afflicted by the curse for up to 2 seconds after leaving it.
Design Concept
It's a dot which creates a zone of control which Medeia can play around. Taking the full 5 seconds of damage will have a pretty massive effect, but most enemies with some awareness should be able to get out quickly and take only 2 or 3 of the damage procs, limiting the damage somewhat. The resistance theft gives Medeia some options to deal with tankier enemies while also increasing her ability to survive on the front lines.
E - Fae Light
Cost: 50 mana Cooldown: 22/20/18/16/14 seconds Range: 450 (Beguile placement range)
Passive: After being out of combat and sight of enemy non-wards for at least 2 seconds, Medeia’s lantern lights until 2 seconds after Medeia enters combat or is detected by an enemy non-ward. While Medeia’s lantern is lit, nearby enemies that she has vision of will be marked with Beguile. Once one stack of Beguile is on an enemy, Curses will place additional stacks. Once the 7th stack is placed, the marks consume themselves to deal (80/125/170/215/260 + 80% AP) bonus magic damage and force the target to walk harmlessly toward Medeia for 1.5 seconds.
Active: Medeia enters stealth for up to 5 seconds, being visible only by the glowing light of her lantern. She gains (10/15/20/25/30)% bonus movement speed while stealthed and for up to 2 seconds after leaving it. Fae Light can only be activated while Medeia’s lantern is lit.
Design Concept
It's the classic wil-o-the-wisp leading you to your doom :) Stealth seems more appropriate for a sneak like Medeia than just giving her some form of a dash. Something I always like to do is try to fit in a Charm where I can on my concepts, just so Ahri's not alone in possessing that form of cc. The passive is where most of the power in this skill is, potentially allowing for an aoe charm, but pulling that off would be quite difficult. 7 stacks is unusually large for any sort of stack-to-proc effect, but remember that Medeia has many options to damage enemies a large number of times while keeping them within Artura's range. I chose the number 7 because it's a classic important number when it comes to magic.
Remember, while the stealth removes most of Medeia's presence and takes her off of the minimap, observant enemies will still be able to tell where she is by the glow of her lantern.
R - Witch's Territory
Cost: 100 mana Cooldown: 120/100/80 seconds Range: 900 (cast range)/ 800 (territory range)
Active: Medeia converts the ground around a target area to her territory for 10 seconds, dealing (100/200/300 + 80% AP) magic damage to enemies in the area. Artura is invulnerable while inside Medeia's territory and can move freely within it.
While inside Medeia's territory, enemies damaged by Curses gain a stack of Lingering Curse, up to 10 max, and take (10/20/30 + 10% AP) bonus magic damage for each stack of Lingering Curse on them whenever they take damage from a Curse.
The bonus damage dealt by Witch's Territory is not itself considered a Curse.
Design Concept
Witch's Territory, an ability that previously damaged enemies based on damage Medeia had previously placed on them, was a popular spell in her previous version, so replacing her previously-unpopular ultimate with it seemed natural. Witch's Territory fully encompasses Medeia's concept of fighting where she has the advantage, as Witch's Territory allows her and Artura to deal truly staggering damage if enemies insist on fighting within its bounds and fail to kill her before she can stack it up. This ultimate is at its most useful when Medeia's fighting somewhere important, such as over the Baron or Dragon, but it's at its weakest if enemies can afford to simply leave its zone of influence.
This also somewhat addresses Artura's general vulnerability to smite or minion-killing skills in team fights by simply making her invulnerable. Note that she is not untargetable. You can still get her out of your face with a well-placed bit of crowd control.
Recommended builds:
Summoner's Rift:
Starting: Doran’s Ring, Health Potions, Warding Totem
Early: Boots of Speed, Fiendish Codex, Lost Chapter
Essential: Sorcerer’s Shoes, Morellonomicon, Rylai’s Crystal Scepter
Offensive: Rabadon’s Deathcap, Void Staff, Liandry’s Torment
Defensive: Abyssal Scepter, Zhonya’s Hourglass, Hextech GLP-800
Consumables: Health Potion, Vision Ward, Elixir of Sorcery
Summoner's Rift (Jungle):
Starting: Hunter’s Talisman, Refillable Potion, Warding Totem
Early: Boots of Speed, Tracker’s Knife, Aether Wisp
Essential: Sorcerer’s Shoes, Runic Echoes (Tracker’s Kife), Rylai’s Crystal Scepter
Offensive: Rabadon’s Deathcap, Void Staff, Morellonomicon
Defensive: Abyssal Scepter, Zhonya’s Hourglass, Hextech GLP-800
Consumables: Health Potion, Vision Ward, Elixir of Sorcery
Twisted Treeline:
Starting: Boots of Speed, Doran’s Ring, Refillable Potion
Essential: Sorcerer’s Shoes, Morellonomicon, Rylai’s Crystal Scepter
Offensive: Wooglet’s Witchcap , Void Staff, Liandry’s Torment
Defensive: Abyssal Scepter, Moonflair Spellblade
Consumables: Oracle’s Extract, Health Potion, Elixir of Sorcery
Twisted Treeline (Jungle):
Starting: Hunter’s Talisman, Hunter’s Machete, Refillable Potion
Essential: Sorcerer’s Shoes, Runic Echoes (Tracker’s Knife), Rylai’s Crystal Scepter
Offensive: Wooglet’s Witchcap , Void Staff, Morellonomicon
Defensive: Abyssal Scepter, Moonflair Spellblade
Consumables: Oracle’s Extract, Health Potion, Elixir of Sorcery
Howling Abyss:
Starting: Boots of Speed, Lost Chapter, Health Potion
Essential: Sorcerer’s Shoes, Morellonomicon, Rylai’s Crystal Scepter
Offensive: Rabadon’s Deathcap, Void Staff, Liandry’s Torment
Defensive: Abyssal Scepter, Zhonya’s Hourglass, Hextech GLP-800
Consumables: Oracle’s Extract, Health Potion, Elixir of Sorcery
Strategy
General/Jungling Medeia would work best in the jungle, as Artura can soak up a number of blows from the neutral camps and spare Medeia a considerable amount of damage. Her wide variety of aoe damage should clear camps quickly but keep in mind that despite her strong clears, Medeia is very vulnerable to invasions.
When attacking the dragon, be sure to move Artura such that you and her are on opposite sides of the beast. If it’s forced to choose to attack only one of you then you’ll be able to deal a greater amount of damage, but if the dragon can catch both you and Artura with its splash attacks, the fight may not end well.
Choose either Stalker’s Blade or Tracker's Knife when looking for a smite upgrade. Stalker’s Blade will help you if you’re not yet comfortable landing Defiled Soul, but Tracker's Knife will be the more useful upgrade, as Medeia both wants to know where enemies are and wants to make sure they don’t know where she is. She very much likes having both Tracker's Knife and a red trinket.
Naturally, you should build Runic Echoes. Remember that Artura’s summoning charge can trigger its passive. After that you should build durable AP items, such as Zhonya’s Hourglass, Abyssal Scepter, and Rylai’s Crystal Scepter, as Medeia must remain close to her enemies to do her work. Rabadon’s Deathcap should be sufficient to round off her build. For boots she will most likely want either Ionian Boots of Lucidity or Sorcerer’s Shoes.
Laning Medeia could theoretically work well as a situational counterpick to melee champions in top lane. Carefully using Artura, Defiled Soul, and Withering Hex will be an effective way to harass enemies from a comfortable distance, but be careful of the enemy jungler. While not jungling, Liandry’s Torment or Void Staff would most likely be the best replacement for Runic Echoes.
Ganking Always try to begin ganks in stealth with Fae Light, and be sure that Artura is ready to be summoned. When you make your move, try to hit the enemy with Defiled Soul, as the replenishing slow from Artura can keep them within range of Withering Hex and allow for the charm from Fae Light to be triggered easily. While charmed, enemies will helplessly take damage from yourself, Artura, your damage over time curses, and whatever damage your ally laner is also dealing, leading to a simple kill.
Just be careful of where the enemy laner is located. Medeia is very vulnerable to counterganks once Artura is summoned and Withering Hex is placed.
Teamfighting While teamfighting as Artura, try to flank enemies while stealthed from Fae Light, and get near enough to drop Witch’s Territory close to their midst. Have Artura chase their vulnerable carries, forcing enemies to fall back or risk her killing them. While Witch's Territory is active, place Withering Hex near them to ensure an easy trigger of Fae Light on at least a few enemies. In this situation, Defiled Soul is best saved for kiting enemy bruisers that are liable to come after you while allowing Artura to deal bonus damage to them. If an enemy assassin marks you as his target, try to escape; Medeia's at her unhappiest when enemies with burst are after her head.
Try to treat Medeia like an assassin rather than as you would with a normal mage. Wait for someone else, either your allies or your enemies, to make the first move and then strike. Just remember to keep vision in the jungle clear, you don’t want your enemies to know you’re coming.
Countering Medeia Fittingly enough, while Medeia is at her best when she’s the one deciding where a fight breaks out, she’s at her weakest when caught off guard. In the early game, attacking her when she’s busy fighting jungle camps or trying to gank a lane is the most effective way to strike her down, as Fae Light will be unusable and there is a good chance that Artura will summoned and worn down and Withering Hex will already be placed and away from where she needs it. Remember that since minions and monsters have no armor or magic resistance, Medeia cannot steal any from them with Withering Hex.
Should her user attempt to lane with her she’s particularly vulnerable to ganks, as she has no escapes other than Fae Light, which will rarely be usable while laning, and she has no ability to kite if she has used or missed Defiled Soul. If she summons Artura, remember that Medeia has no way to call her back without leaving combat, and Artura can take up to 50 seconds before she’ll be ready to appear again. Be wary of lane ganks. Try to set up a ward near the end of the lane as far as you can place it, lest she surprise you by coming straight at you while stealthed. If you suddenly find the Beguiled debuff on your character, it may mean that she’s stealthed nearby or in a bush not far from your location.
When Medeia activates her ultimate, your best course of action is to either clear out of it until it ends, or kill her quickly. Medeia lacks burst, so if you can strike her down in a few seconds she won't have any time to build up the damage on her ultimate. Remember also that Artura dies when Medeia does - even while inside Medeia's territory, and then Artura can still be cc'ed while inside the territory.
Quotes
Champion Selection -Medeia: Are you ready, Artura? Artura: Always, my lady.
Upon starting a match -Artura: I’ll never fail you again, my lady. Medeia: You never have, Artura. Artura: I do every day... -Medeia: Are you ready for your revenge? Artura: If it would make you happy. Medeia: Nothing does... -Medeia: I’ve waited a long time for this... Artura: Much too long. Medeia: The time is almost here. -Artura: When does their pain end, my lady? Medeia: When mine has. Artura: And yours?
Moving -Medeia: There's nothing for me in the past. -Medeia: Keep moving on. -Medeia: I was a blind little girl. -Medeia: There's no honor to be found in war. -Medeia: Where does my path end? -Medeia: I was just a pawn to them. -Medeia: Damn, Klaus... -Medeia: Keep to the shadows. -Medeia: See them before they see you. -Medeia: I'm through staying in one place. -Medeia: I'll never be helpless again. -Medeia: I can still hear my father's lies... -Medeia: The truth is I was betrayed. -Medeia: All I can do is keeping moving on. -Medeia: Swain will pay for what he's done. -Medeia: Keep away from prying eyes.
Moving while Artura is in spectral form -Artura: Be strong, my lady... -Artura: Someday our suffering will end. -Artura: Just keep walking, my lady. -Artura: We're needed... -Artura: Our path remains as one. -Artura: Faith before pain. -Artura: I don't blame you, Medeia. -Artura: We'll find our path, my lady. -Artura: Dawn will come. -Artura: Together, we are stronger, my lady. -Artura: We can overcome this. -Artura: Never give up, my lady. -Artura: I will always remain at your side. -Artura: Never doubt yourself. -Artura: My end was of my own choosing.
Attacking -Medeia: It won't hurt for long. -Medeia: You deserve worse. -Medeia: Turn their bodies against them. -Medeia: Bones splinter easily. -Medeia: I'm not yet ready to join Artura. -Medeia: The body is full of weaknesses. -Medeia: Get out of my way. -Medeia: I will not die here. -Medeia: I don't have time to punish you as much as you deserve. -Medeia: You won't be the one to end my path. -Medeia: No shortage of fools. -Medeia: If you think half the stories about me are true, you should flee. -Medeia: I once dreamed of this. -Medeia: Glory on the battlefield? Hardly. -Medeia: There's no honor here.
Attacking while Artura is in undead form -Artura: Stand down, knave! -Artura: I raise my sword once again! -Artura: You will not hurt Medeia. -Artura: Go peacefully. -Artura: It's not as bad as you might fear. -Artura: Purpose guides me. -Artura: I do not hate you, but this must be done. -Artura: For my lady... -Artura: I am Medeia's wall! -Artura: I will protect her forevermore.
Attacking the Dragon -Medeia: Your scales will not protect you from me, dragon! -Medeia: Your days in flight are at an end!
Attacking Baron Nashor -Medeia: A great beast, but it’ll fall like any other. -Medeia: A monster of the void, but it’ll rot just the same.
Attacking Vilemaw -Medeia: You’ve spun the web, but only you are trapped! -Medeia: Into the darkness with you, monster!
**Triggering Eternal Oath ** -Medeia: Go Artura! -Medeia: Strike them down! -Medeia: Show them our might! -Medeia: Fight on, Artura! -Medeia: The time has come! -Medeia: Your blade is needed once again! -Medeia: Shake the dust from your bones! -Medeia: Live once more, Artura! -Artura: I obey! -Artura: Have at you! -Artura: I answer the call! -Artura: For my lady! -Artura: I will not fail again! -Artura: Get away from her! -Artura: I will not let you touch her! -Artura: I will protect Medeia forevermore!
Artura dies -Artura: Forgive me, my lady! -Artura: Please be safe! -Artura: I must recover my strength... -Artura: I can protect you no more... -Artura: I’m sorry, this body is too frail for long battles! -Artura: I will return! -Artura: Please flee, my lady! -Artura: I don’t leave you for long!
Taunt (Medeia and Artura’s specter stand side by side, posing menacingly) -Medeia: Where’s your friends? Mine’s right here. -Medeia: As long as you’ve still got your tongue you haven’t suffered enough to ask for my mercy. -Artura: You should stand down, I’ve seen what my lady does to her enemies. -Artura: As long as I exist, I’ll strike down the enemies of my lady. -Medeia: They tremble in fear, Artura. -Artura: A wise reaction. -Artura: You think you’re afraid now... -Medeia: I’ve yet to give you a reason to fear.
Taunting an enemy Ahri -Medeia: To be human is to understand loss.
Taunting an enemy Aurelion Sol -Medeia: Do you never shut up?
Taunting an enemy Darius(Also triggers automatically if Artura remains summoned and in combat with Darius for at least 8 seconds) -Artura: My cursed state is a blessing in disguise if I can keep fighting until I strike you down! -Artura: To the last, I grapple with you, Darius! -Medeia: Swain stole Artura’s life, so it’s only fair I steal his right hand in return.
Taunting an enemy Demacian (Also triggers automatically upon killing a Demacian champion) -Medeia: Honor makes corpses of proud soldiers. -Medeia: Tradition is what’s left when wisdom has moved on. -Medeia: Justice leaves all blind. -Medeia: Duty takes a person and creates a drone. -Medeia: Patriotism makes slaves out of free men and women.
Taunting an enemy Fiora -Medeia: You’ve already cast your honor aside, you just haven’t accepted it.
Taunting an enemy Garen -Artura: My duty was left unfulfilled, that is why I remain. -Artura: Call me a monster if you like, I’ll use my monstrous abilities to protect my lady. -Artura: You never could see, Garen.
Taunting an enemy Karthus -Artura: I have obligations yet unfulfilled, it’s not my time to be at peace.
Taunting an enemy Kindred -Artura: It’s not yet my time to go, hunters.
Taunting an enemy Leblanc(Also triggers automatically upon activating Leblanc’s passive) -Medeia: This time, you’ll be the one chasing shadows, trickster. -Artura: You cannot deceiver the eyes of the dead, Leblanc!
Taunting an enemy Lux -Medeia: How long until your mask breaks, Lux?
Taunting an enemy Noxian(Also triggers automatically upon killing a Noxian champion) -Medeia: The fittest need not be strongest. -Medeia: You were unfit, that’s why you writhe at my feet. -Medeia: Your people taught me a valuable lesson about this world. -Medeia: I learned much the day Noxians stole Artura’s future. -Medeia: This is how Medeia shows her strength.
Taunting an enemy Riven -Medeia: Everything you ever believed in turned out to be a lie, I know how that feels.
Taunting an enemy Ryze -Medeia: Let’s exchange knowledge once again, Ryze. -Medeia: How much can we learn from one another?
Taunting an enemy Sion or Urgot -Artura: A proud warrior should be allowed to rest... -Artura: It’s time you were set free.
Taunting an enemy Shadow Isles Champion -Medeia: This is dark magic beyond my ken... -Medeia: And I thought my curses were bad. -Medeia: Who could have brought these monsters back? -Artura: I’m not like you, monster. -Artura: Do not call me “sister”!
Taunting an enemy Swain (Also triggers automatically if Swain’s ultimate ends due to insufficient mana) -Medeia: And now your schemes will come undone! -Medeia: For hate’s sake, I’d spit my last breath at you! -Artura: I’ve lingered in this world for this one moment!
Taunting an enemy Taric -Artura: You’ve changed since we last met, have your skills also improved?
Taunting an enemy Taliyah -Medeia: Control, control? You’ll learn faster if you just let it go.
Taunting an enemy Tahm Kench -Medeia: My revenge will be all the sweeter for having won it on my own. -Medeia: Begone, demon, you won’t have me for a fool.
Taunting an enemy Yasuo -Artura: Honor can still be won, even if nobody is there to love you for it.
Joke (Medeia pulls a skull from out of her robes and holds it up, Artura’s specter appears and begins meekly trying to grab for it but Medeia keeps it out of her reach.) -Medeia: Alas, poor Artura, I knew her well. Artura: Give it back! -Medeia: Your teeth are awful, Artura. Artura: They are not! -Medeia: This isn’t the time to lose your head, Artura. Artura: That’s not funny! -Medeia: C’mon, reach for it! You almost got it! Artura: That’s mine! -Medeia: I just wanna borrow it to decorate my worktable. Artura: You’ll lose it!
Casting Defiled Soul -Medeia: You're about to lose your soul. -Medeia: There's no defense against an attack on your soul. -Medeia: I can curse more than just your body. -Medeia: The weight of your sins drags your soul back.
An enemy champion is damaged by Defiled Soul -Artura: I can see your spirit. -Artura: You diseased soul calls to me. -Artura: You cannot protect your soul! -Artura: I can see her curse on your soul.
Casting Withering Hex -Medeia: Do your muscles ache when deprived of oxygen? -Medeia: Sinews are made stiff and unyielding so easily. -Medeia: How does the lactic acid feel? -Medeia: Are your limbs burning yet?
Casting Fae Light -Medeia: Into the dark I go... -Medeia: They won’t see me coming. -Medeia: The eyes are so easily deceived. -Medeia: Blend in with the shadows. -Medeia: The wil-o-the-wisp dances.
Placing a stack of Beguile on an enemy champion -Medeia: Come to me... -Medeia: Follow the light... -Medeia: The wisp beckons... -Medeia: Isn’t the light beautiful? -Medeia: Walk to your doom.
Casting Witch’s Territory -Medeia: Artura, carry my will with you! -Medeia: I will not be trifled with here! -Medeia: Here is where I make my stand! -Medeia: This is my land! -Artura: In this land my lady holds sway! -Artura: Here, my lady makes the rules! -Artura: You have no power here! -Artura: You cannot run from me here!
Purchasing an item -Medeia: I shouldn’t have run off without my money. -Medeia: You charge me this for this junk? -Medeia: I always could spot a bargain. -Artura: Don’t threaten them for free things again, my lady... -Artura: My lady is a VERY aggressive shopper, believe it or not. -Artura: I was never very good at managing my money.
Purchasing Doran’s Ring -Artura: This time we stand under the sun. -Medeia: Fair fights aren’t my thing.
Purchasing Hunter’s Talisman or Hunter’s Machete -Medeia: I do my best work in the shadows. -Artura: Skulking in the woods again...
Purchasing Runic Echoes or Luden’s Echo -Medeia: Something to greet them with. -Artura: This will give us a more dynamic opening.
Purchasing Lost Chapter, Amplifying Tome, or Fiendish Codex -Medeia: A witch’s best friend. -Artura: A wizard’s most fundamental tool.
Purchasing Morellonomicon -Medeia: A basic tool for an up-and-coming mage. -Medeia: I can go a little wilder now.
Purchasing Rabadon’s Deathcap or Wooglet’s Witchcap -Medeia: I needed a good hat. -Medeia: It’ll earn its name.
Purchasing Void Staff -Medeia: Their resistances mean nothing to me. -Medeia: Nothing will protect them from my wrath.
Purchasing Abyssal Scepter -Medeia: Keep them close, keep them wailing. -Medeia: Run or die.
Purchasing Zhonya’s Hourglass -Artura: Even time answers to us, it’s good to have as many cards to play as you can. -Medeia: By all means, throwing your most deadly spells my way.
Purchasing Rylai’s Crystal Scepter -Medeia: We’re not done with them yet. -Artura: There’s no use running away.
Purchasing Liandry’s Torment -Medeia: Torment? I like the sound of that. -Artura: Sounds perfect for you, my lady.
Purchasing Boots of Speed -Artura: Can’t go without them. -Artura: An absolute must.
Purchasing tier-2 boots -Medeia: Never stay in one place. -Medeia: Gotta keep moving.
Purchasing an Elixir -Artura: Why don’t you just brew one? Medeia: You know I’m awful at potion-making... Artura: Yes, but we must always be reminded of our shortcomings. -Medeia: How DO you put “trouble” into a potion, anyways? Artura: I don’t think that’s meant literally. Medeia: Wait, what? -Artura: You should practice brewing potions, my lady. Medeia: I’d have to go digging in the dirt for ingredients! Animals and bugs crawl in the dirt! Artura: You can’t be serious...
Purchasing a Vision Ward, Tracker’s Knife, or Trinket -Medeia: A handy thing to have around. -Medeia: Control the eyes, control the battle. -Artura: Vision is the key to victory. -Artura: Knowing where the enemy stands is essential to plans.
Recalling -Medeia: I’m done with them for now. -Medeia: They can savor a few moments. -Artura: We must gather our strength. -Artura: We will return before this is over.
Entering the enemy base -Medeia: Ah, here at last. -Medeia: All that’s left is to finish the job.
Nearing top, mid, or bottom lane when allied and enemy champions are both present -Medeia: Here it comes. -Medeia: This is my moment. -Artura: Another life is about to conclude. -Artura: Be swift, my lady.
Destroying an enemy tower -Artura: Their fortifications fall. -Artura: Bring down every wall in our way!
Scoring First Blood -Medeia: With enemies so clueless, this’ll take no time at all.
Enemy scoring First Blood -Medeia: I wonder if it’s not too late to change sides...
Scoring a Pentakill -Medeia: Thanks for standing so close together, fools. -Medeia: Do you see my power yet? Do you need further proof?
Enemy scoring a Pentakill -Medeia: We have our work cut out for us... -Medeia: Aim for nothing but that one's head, Artura.
Scoring an Ace -Medeia: Our time together is nearing its end. -Medeia: The final act concludes.
Enemy scoring an Ace -Medeia: I’d like to set the record straight: that was not my fault. -Medeia: Only so much I can do when my “allies” refuse to cooperate.
Death -Medeia: It’s so... quiet... Artura: It’s peaceful, I know. -Medeia: I had so much... left to do... Artura: It’s finally over. -Medeia: It’s all... going dark... Artura: But only for a short time. -Medeia: Is this... what it’s like? Artura: We can be together now. -Medeia: I can’t... see... you... Artura: But you won’t be alone, my lady.
Respawning -Medeia: They thought they were rid of us. -Medeia: Who was it that did me in? -Medeia: I’m not finished yet. -Artura: Ah, this again? -Artura: This wasn’t my first time coming back from the dead. -Artura: I pity whoever it was that slew us.
Killing an enemy champion who previous killed Medeia -Medeia: You brought this on yourself. -Medeia: I’m a vengeful woman, hadn’t you heard? -Medeia: Come find me again, I’m not satisfied yet.
Placing a ward -Medeia: Keep watch, little ward. -Medeia: It would not do if an enemy caught us off guard. -Medeia: We are the ones who do the sneaking here. -Artura: The bane of assassins. -Artura: I won’t be caught off guard again. -Artura: Protect our backs, ward.
Destroying an enemy ward -Medeia: Keep them blind and trembling. -Medeia: Don’t leave a single ward standing. -Medeia: Wretched things. -Artura: We cannot let them keep watch on us. -Artura: Our attacks are meaningless if they know we’re coming. -Artura: Leave the enemy in doubt.
Revision History
5/28
Mini rework:
Artura stats changed.
Withering Hex changed to Medeia's W and given new effects.
New Q added, Defiled Soul
Ultimate changed to Witch's Territory with changed effects
Minor changes made to Fae Light
5/20
Created
Old Skills
W – Witch’s Territory
Cost: 80/85/90/95/100 mana Cooldown: 18/17/16/15/14 seconds Range: 650
Active: Medeia converts the ground around Artura’s location to cursed territory for 8 seconds, causing enemies inside of it to be dealt (10/12.5/15/17.5/20)% of any ability damage dealt by herself or Artura as magic damage again. Additionally, Medeia steals (1/2/3/4/5) armor and magic resistance from enemies for 6 seconds whenever she deals damage to them through Witch’s Territory, stacking up to 5 times. Medeia cannot increase her own armor and magic resistance above a bonus of (10/20/30/40/50) in this way, but enemies will continue to lose resistances even if Medeia’s upper limit has been reached.
R – The Fallen Knight’s Wrath
Cost: 100 mana Cooldown: 120/100/80 Range: 650 (cast range)/250 (aura radius)/750 (extended leash range)
Active: Medeia restores Artura to full health and summons her at a target location with a powerful curse laid on her for up to 15 seconds or until destroyed. In her cursed state, Artura’s maximum leash range is greatly extended, her maximum health is increased by (500/750/1000), and she exudes an aura of plague that deals magic damage to nearby enemies equal to (2/4/6 + (1.5 per 100 AP))% of their maximum health each second, capping at 400 damage against monsters, and heals herself for (1/2/3 + (1 per 200 AP))% of her missing health for each enemy champion damaged.
CCOS Good Neighbor
Reviewed Zone - the Opportunist
Reviewed Umbra - the Dark Servant
Reviewed Erion - Convictions' Arcane Edge
Reviewed Mada - the Crystal Queen
Reviewed Pazuzu Anzu - the Final Boss
Reviewed Skyla - a Soul Divided
