[Champion Concept] Braxus, the Shuriman Brawler
Background "Braxus! Braxus!" The cry of the crowd was loud as they cheered on my name. The entire arena was in a frenzy. My fists clashed against the skull of my opponent sending him flying several feet back and knocking him out cold. The crowd cheered even louder. My arms in the air for my victory. My eyes scanned the crowd, a smile upon my face. This was what I lived for. However, my smile faded as I saw it. The venerable sun disc. The heart of Shurmia glowed and from it came great catastrophe. The very fists that I prided myself in turned to nothing but sand. Horror struck my face and the people screamed. Everything became dark as the desert took me.
In the moments of darkness my consciousness remained, somehow, floating within it. During this time my life came before me. A street urchin orphaned at a young age. It was fight to survive in the Shuriman empire for those who had nothing, and that is what I did. Fought and stole. Soon my fists became hardened as I found myself in many fights. I was a part of a small group of orphans like myself, and it was me who helped to protect them for those who wished them harm or tried to take advantage of us. However, I liked to fight too much. At each turn I tried to fight even when there was no need.
Soon, I found myself employed as a guard, and it was here things changed. In a dispute I had accidentally killed a man with my fists. Ridden with guilt I withdrew upon myself and went into exile, leaving what I had with those I considered family after growing up with them. In my exile I traveled Shurima refusing to fight, but the calling was too strong. I enjoyed the thrill of the fight, and so I began again, but refused to use my fists to hit. Instead I used my legs, feet, and head to fight. Never again would I unless such power against another for fear of taking a life. It was never about killing when I fought. It was about the thrill of it.
In my traveling exile I came upon a man who kept taunting me as we fought. Swathed in hermit garb and hiding his face he acted drunk and enticed me into a fight. He was nimble and strong. Hitting hard. Our fight brought us into the streets of the small Shuriman town we were in. It was in this fight he asked, "Why do you not use your fists? This is boring..."
"These fists..." closing my eyes and clenching them, "Shall never be used again." opening my eyes I threw kick which he deftly blocked and countered with a kick that sent me reeling back. This man was half the size of me and yet pushed me aside with such ease.
"Then this fight is not worth it if you aren't even fighting with your all," He sighed and walked on. Holding my stomach where he hit me I knelt there. Not worth it? I thought, my fists clenched. No...don't use them. His back was now to me. Something in me said to go for it.
"Very well..." My voice was but a whisper as I moved with great speed towards the man. My right fist held open loosely right before contact where I brought it to a close for more power. In an instant he had turned and caught my fist with his. A second later an aftershock of wind came and cut at his cheek, cutting through his hood and revealing his face. An old man! Ha! I remember laughing at that moment.
He whistled, "My, what power," He shook his hand as he took his stance, "Those fists have killed, haven't they? That's why you refused to use them...I can tell. The power isn't controlled. It's time you learn."
We fought then and he soundly beat me. It was then that he took me under his wing and taught me to control these fists. I spent a long time with him training in the desert cliffs until one day I overcame him. He smiled and dismissed me, "You're ready. Return now. Be free."
It was at this point in my life I returned to my home. They were still there. All of them. My family. It was a surprise for everyone. They had each found a path in life, and I had to find mine. I found it in the arena. Fighting for money and sport. Fighting made me feel alive, and with the ability to control these fists I quickly became a common name on the tongues of the people. My popularity rose. Then...this darkness. As my memories faded back to the darkness a light shone through.
The light grew brighter, and a deep breath filled my lungs as I pushed myself through the sand which surrounded my body...no, which WAS my body. It was reforming from the sand it had turned to long ago. Soon I materialized and found the arena in ruins and the town itself a ruin taken by the desert. As I went to stand the ground beneath me moved and collapsed. My feet turning to sand. It took several tries, but eventually I was able to stand firmly without turning to sand.
My mind was a blur of thoughts on how this was possible. I spent many days in the ruins learning to control this new body of mine and found I could turn things, albeit temporarily, to sand. I could move like sand. I could BE sand. I smiled. What a new way of fighting. I was thrilled, but sadness burned its way into my heart, mind, and soul. Everyone...was gone. I had to learn of what happened. Grabbing a nearby tattered cloth that survived in the desert I wrapped it around my body to protect it from the elements and traveled on.
The Failed Ascension. It had destroyed Shurima, but years later Shurima was on the rise again by Azir. While the descendants of those who survived earned a meek living in the brutal desert. It was when Azir had brought up his city and the Sun Disc shone bright did Braxus's body reformed from the sand it had been turned to. He learned of Xerath's betrayal and how Azir was bringing back his empire. With this information he knew battles would be waged, and in fact there has been war across Runeterra for many years prior to this. The Demacians and Noxians and their allies.
I pledged myself to Azir, the Emperor of the Sands with a smile upon my face. By his side I imagined that I would find many interesting fights to not only test what I already knew, but to test the new abilities I have acquired. I knew that my family would have wanted that. To follow what made me happy, and so I fought not only for myself, but for them as well. A new beginning for us all.
"These fists have seen many fights...what's one more?" - Braxus, the Shuriman Brawler
DISCLAIMER All images and icons, if used, are not my own and all credit should go to their respective creators. I am simply using them as a visual reference for my champion and their abilities. All icons used are rough examples. As close to what I imagined for the ability icon. Differences may vary, and may not be 100% accurate to the ability. Thank you.
Appearance https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/3d/88/14/3d881488b51a18386ffe3189673df390.jpg
Unfortunately the image won't appear fully so you'll have to click the link. Apologies.
This is the closest image to what I imagined for my champion. Braxus is a Brawler. He uses his fists to fight and is relatively large. Roughly Sion, Braum, and Gragas in scale. Extremely muscular and buff. This image grasped that perfectly especially with the rocky/desert like background. However, the picture is not 100% accurate to Braxus's appearance.
The differences my champion has from the picture is as follows: Braxus bears four tattoos. On both his right and left arm he bears the Shuriman Sun Disc icon around the same size as the tattoo on the arm in the picture. On his back is a large tattoo of four pyramids drawn in tribal fashion and positioned to create a diamond. Over his right eye is the same tattoo as the picture.
Braxus's hands are not encased in stone like the picture. Instead they are wrapped in cloth much like a martial arts fighter such as in muay thai except for the knots over the knuckles.
Braxus's hair is not in dreads like the picture, but is still pulled back in a ponytail. His beard is half the length as the picture.
The color of both his skin and hair are the same however. His eyes are silver blue.
So, aside from those differences the picture is how he is represented.
Quick Synopsis Braxus, like his title implies, is a Brawler. Using his physique and training to not only dish out damage, but take it. Enjoying the thrill of the fight he is able to use his newfound abilities to bring the fight to him or enter the fray himself. Those close to him feeling the power he dishes out. Excelling in Top lane or as an Engager/Damage taker for bottom lane with these abilities. Mid lane is all situational. Midlaners tend to have high CC and better range than Braxus and so if he is not careful this will overwhelm him.
I hope to convey this in his stats and abilities, but of course things may change as time passes.
Health: 600-2200 Health Regen: 6-21 Fury: 100 Armor: 26-91 Magic Resist: 32.1-53.4 Attack Damage: 60-110 Attack Speed: 0.65-1.0 Attack Range: 125 Movement Speed: 350 Primary Role: Fighter Secondary Role: Tank
Fury Braxus uses Fury to show his thrill of the fight. Originally this was going to be called "Thrill" or "Adrenaline" but decided to stick with Fury for simplicity sake. Plus, they didn't sound right to me.
Braxus gains 5 Fury per basic attack on an enemy, increased to 10 at level 18. 10 Fury for killing an enemy unit. His abilities generate Fury upon activation (see them for more details). After being out of combat for 10s his Fury begins to deplete by 5 per second.
Passive http://www.hiveworkshop.com/data/ratory-images/103/103453-b081b32184be78d9bcdee9868b0b468f.jpg Might of Shurima Braxus enjoys the thrill of the fight and was born with an imposing physique. This has lead people in his time to say he embodies "the Might of Shurima".
For every 10 fury Braxus gains he shrugs off 2% of the damage done from all sources up to a max of 20% at full Fury.
When Braxus falls below 30% of his health he is granted 300/400/500/600% Base Health Regeneration for 3s. This can happen once every 60s.
Q http://www.hiveworkshop.com/data/ratory-images/88/88726-7df8111836d16339cc6bec48ede9b022.jpg Sandblast Passive Braxus's basic attacks burst with sand upon contact dealing 20/40/60/80/100% AD to enemies within 200 units of his target.
Active For the next 5s Sandblast's passive radius is increased by 200. During this time Enemies hit by Sandblast gain stacks of "Sand" every basic attack. Stacking up to 3 times. On the 3rd stack enemies gain "Sandblasted" debuff and become nearsighted and blind for 0.5/1/1.5/2/2.5s.
After the debuff wears off Enemies cannot be Sandblasted again for 1.5s.
Cooldown: 20/18/16/14/12s. Goes on cooldown after ability ends. Fury Generated: 5 for each "Sandblasted" debuff applied.
W http://www.hiveworkshop.com/data/ratory-images/92/92259-c52c2cc5482cee9182c533fa75f02826.jpg Shuriman Slam Braxus raises his arms up then slams them back down creating a shockwave of sand around him in a 400 unit radius. Enemies caught in this shockwave are knocked up for 0.5s and take 50/75/100/125/150 (+75% AD) damage. Enemies who were facing him upon being knocked up gain the debuff "Sandblasted" becoming blind and nearsighted for 1.5s.
Can be cast during Sand Passage to queue it. This causes him to instantly cast it upon arrival for a fancy combo.
Cooldown: 10s Fury Generated: 10
NOTES While this ability has an animation of raising his arms and slamming them down the ability is almost instant much like Malph's slam.
E http://www.hiveworkshop.com/data/ratory-images/90/90853-14821c5ff295bdea63377ef5ef0b3f8a.jpg Sand Passage Braxus targets an area within 600/700/800/900/1000 units of him and disappears into sand beneath his feet and reappears at target location through a circle of sand. Can be used to bypass terrain.
Cooldown: 20/17/14/11/8s Fury Generated: None.
***NOTES It takes him 0.5s to disappear and 0.5s to reappear. Together this ability takes 1s to complete, but is instantly cast. During the 0.5s it takes for him to disappear, issuing a move command or being hit by hard cc will stop this ability and put it on half cooldown.
During his passage he cannot be targeted and is invulnerable. He can also not cancel the move once he has entered the passage and is on his way to the target location.
R http://www.hiveworkshop.com/data/ratory-images/100/100929-27d9ad7d0b4536bb7c88e1ea15727ab6.jpg Grasp of Shurima Target an enemy champion within 3000 units of himself. Sand appears underneath the target and begins following them. Braxus punches the ground turning it and his arm to sand. After 0.5s Braxus grabs the target and pulls them through the sand to him. Lifting them up and slamming them down upon arrival dealing 200/300/400 (+100% AD).
Can be reactivated during the channel to send Braxus to his target, stunning enemies within 300 units of emergence at location for 1/1.5/2s.
Cooldown: 100s Fury Generated: 50 if target is grabbed otherwise none.
Sight: Braxus must know where an enemy is to be able to target them initially, and so must have vision on them. Enemies in the fog of war or bushes cannot be targeted if he cannot see them. If an enemy is targeted by his ult they are revealed even if they enter the fog of war, a bush, or going invisible. Thus granting vision on them.
NOTES The description was the best I could do to keep it short and concise. This is to explain it a bit more at length.
Braxus targets an enemy champion with the radius stated and punches the ground. When he punches the ground his arm and the ground where he punches turns to sand. At the same time sand appears underneath the targeted champion. This sand follows them for 0.5s before erupting in a giant fist of sand which grabs them and pulls them down into the sand to Braxus. Upon arrival, and since Braxus has a hold of them, he lifts them up as they arrive through the sand and slams them down onto the ground dealing damage to them.
I wanted to keep the description relatively short and concise, and so I hope that this explanation helps better explain the ability and how it works.
This ability can be dodged, but is very precise to the timing as it has to be dodged at literally the last second. Right before the hand appears the sand will stop following to grab the target, but if they flash, dash, or use something to get out of its radius then they will dodge it.
Quotes and Such "May my fists meet your enemies face." Upon selection.
"It is an honor to fight by your side, Sire." To Azir on the same team. "My fists are yours," To Azir on the same team. "I...never knew your kin was so...entrancing." About Sivir if Azir and her are in the same match with him. "Woah little lady, I'd hate to hurt the descendant of my emperor." To enemy Sivir. "So be it. Forgive me Azir," When fighting an enemy Sivir or Azir.
There are other interactions between him, Azir, and Sivir, but these are the basics. He admires Azir and does not blame him for he was betrayed. He also admires Sivir for her strength, resilience, and beauty as well as being a Descendant of his emperor. He hates fighting them, but will if necessary, and so his speech alludes to this.
"So, you are Renekton. I was expecting something...bigger." Towards an enemy or ally Renekton. "Oh, ok. Yep, that is definitely bigger." Whenever Renekton ults. "It is an honor to fight you, Renekton. How unfortunate you are lost. I would have loved to fight you in your right mind," Towards an enemy Renekton. "It is an honor to fight by your side, however lost you might be," Towards an ally Renekton.
"It is an honor to fight by your side this day, Nasus." Towards an ally Nasus. "It's you! In the flesh! Well, I mean..." Towards Nasus. "You grow bigger too!?" When Nasus ults.
His interactions with these two are held with high respect as he always looked up to them for their prowess, and to be standing next to them is something he thought impossible before. He always talks with respect, even with Renekton. When it comes with Renekton he has a tinge of sadness in his voice to see that one of his idles has fallen.
"Your magic will not save you traitor!" Rage towards Xerath. "The sands take you betrayer!" Upon grabbing an enemy Xerath with his Ult. "I will never forgive what you have done, but we fight this day together." Towards ally Xerath.
His interactions with Xerath are ones of hate and resentment as he blames Xerath for what happened. Xerath betrayed the emperor who swore him in as a brother and brought about utter destruction. This is something he cannot forgive so whenever he speaks to Xerath it is with resentment and hate.
"Sands take you!" Upon grabbing an enemy with his ult. "The sand moves for me." Using Sand Passage. "Something in your eye?" Upon debuffing an enemy with Sandblasted. "Feel the might of Shurima!" Using Shuriman Slam.
Among various other quotes he has for his abilities he says them with a rather confident/cocky tone as he knows how strong he is, but he is not self absorbed.
Overall his interactions with the champions in league are built upon respect and admiration. Especially towards those he likes. These include people like Yi, Garen, Karma, Wukong, Xin Zhao, etc.. For those he despises he shows resentment and coldness to them. These usually include "evil" champions such as Leblanc, Katarina (though he admires the way she works with her passion as well as her beauty), Swain, Sion, Cassiopeia, Hecarim, etc.
Allies/Friends
Enemies
Personality While I'm sure a lot of this can be found through his lore and other things I have written down, I shall still say more here.
Braxus is loyal and kind. He helped raise a group of orphans like himself and still holds that kindness and protective nature inside of him despite the fact that he loves to fight.
He is not insensitive and in fact loves all things that has to do with beauty and sees the good in everyone, save for a few. Though he resents those who refuse to help others less fortunate he does not hate them. He has hate for only one person, and that is Xerath. Xerath took everything from him. His entire family and way of life. Although he was given a second chance he does not intend to waste.
Item Builds For the most part Braxus is a fighter, and should build like one, but he is also has potential tanky possibilities. He kit makes him a primary diver, but with a little juggernaut going on for him. Thus, his items should reflect this.
Possible Builds
Many of these items focus on the aspects he should focus on. Health, Damage, armor pen, and defenses.
And there you have Braxus, the Shuriman Brawler! I appreciate any feedback as long as it isn't just outright hate as outright hate has never helped anyone. Constructive criticism and those who are willing to talk things out with me and hear in what direction I was trying to go is more than welcome however.
Braxus is far from complete even though I've worked on him for a little over two weeks now since I got the idea of a brawler type champion with engage abilities. I wanted to make him unique when compared to other hand to hand fighters like Lee, Vi, and Malph. I hope I pulled that off. With all that being said, some things may be rough and I may have missed some typos from deleting and redoing things so please forgive those mistakes. Thank you.
I appreciate your time that you took to go over my champion. If you like him and wish to upvote that'd be much appreciated, but you don't have to. Simply thank you again for your time. ^_^
