Kassadin's VU
Right, well, I'm going to try to make a pretty civil post about why Kassadin's VU isn't all that I had hoped it was going to be. My opinion is just one of many, so the stuff I say here might not reflect the community as a whole. If you disagree with something I say, feel free to talk about it. Let's get a good discussion going.
I have found that Riot generally doesn't like people that come off as dicks, so if you read this, try not to take it too personally. I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but rather just point out some things that they could definitely improve on. I feel like I didn't post enough when they did Xerath's rework, which ruined the champ for me, so hopefully I can actually get some thoughts out there that might help prevent the same thing.
I do know that this isn't about his R nerfs or how to balance him. I'd like to keep that away from this topic so we can just focus one aspect at a time.
So here's Riot Ququroon's thought's on the VU -
*" *The man who simply walked into the void is receiving an update to his visuals! Kassadin is a rather old champion, so it's without question that he'd be needing some polish. Though dated, Kassadin's personality and theme had some strong notes that we looked to maintain with this release, rather than recreate. As such, our goal with this update was to strengthen what was currently in game.
In this update, we wanted to bring his model, texture, animations and icons into the modern era. He had received updated particles not too long ago, but they did receive a slight update as well. His skins have also received like love, including the long requested flip on Harbinger's blade.
Some questions to keep in mind as you take a look at Kassadin!
**Does this still read as Kassadin to you?
Do you feel that anything you find core to Kassadin is missing?
How do you feel about Kassadin's skins? **
We'd really appreciate it if you'd take a look at Kassadin, and let us know of any bugs and/or feedback that come your way. Your feedback helps to guide changes we can make, as well as helps us grow as a team.* " *
First, I'd like to answer Riot's questions.
- Does this still read as Kassadin to you?
Yes and no. If I saw this new Kass on the Rift, then I could easily tell that is was him. They've kept ( mostly ) the same colors that he had before, which I feel allows you to tell who is fairly quickly, and his animations seem to flow very nicely. The colors on his abilities are good, and stick to his theme. ( That orange is a little off, but I think it just takes some getting used to. Maybe have the slash on W appear orange instead of purple? )
However, I think that they just didn't do enough with his model. It honestly only looks slightly better than his old model, with new animations. I like that there's not that grayish-white on his armor anymore, ( though I don't think people agree with me there. I never saw anything wrong with the Pentakill Morde changes, or other skins. I hate that " shine. " ) but it still seems like old Kass. Too much. There have been a lot of really cool concepts with him, but it feels like you guys just gave him a texture update and called it a day.
To go into further detail -
A. I like that you removed the belt. I like that you kept the horns on his helmet. I don't even mind the skirt ( kilt? ) The toned down spikes are nice, because they were not that good looking. But why have all that armor when he has his chest exposed? I get it with Sion - He's undead, I don't think his organs ( besides his brain, anyways ) matter that much. Why does he wear armor in non-vital areas and leave his chest exposed? Is it because he likes it?
B. I lied, I do mind the skirt. You've made it rather cool looking, I'll admit. But it would be nice if we could see his legs once in a while. Do they even exist? Is he just half a man on a teleporter with a skirt around it? Do what you did with Karthus here - Give the man some form of legs. I'm not asking for 100%, and nothing else. But open it up a little.
C. Skin tone. You've managed to keep it the same as old Kass. I like that. But maybe he's too blue? Why is he blue in the first place? Malzahar is Arabian color. Of Arabian decent? Egyptian? ( Err, no racism. I don't know how to explain that skin color. A mix of light brown and olive? I really suck at this. Sorry. :/ ) The void is purple. I just don't get where you got blue from? It's not a bad thing, it's unique and part of his identity. He also looks like a smurf. Maybe try toning it down. I also saw a cool fan made edit where he had purplish skin, which look relatively good.
D. His armor. I know I talked about it, but I'd like to see more on his character about his helmet and his tanks on his back. When he gets 6 stacks on his E, Kassadin starts breathing very hard. Is that because the Void is trying to overwhelm him? What mechanism does he have to offset the Void so he try to keep part of his humanity? I think you could do more with him other than " tubes into small tanks. " Maybe his void blade arm is more corrupted than his other arm? Think Demonblade Tryndamere.
These are just a few things I think would be interesting to see on Kass. Obviously some of them are pretty far out there, but it's a cool concept.
- Do you feel that anything you find core to Kassadin is missing?
No, I honestly don't. And I think that's a problem, really. It just seems like a rehash. ( and not a good one. ) A slightly better version of Kassadin is what I'm seeing here. Which, in my opinion, is a bad thing. I understand you want to keep Kassadin the same, but you can add some new stuff too!
Don't change him too much, but make it more. Expand on what makes Kass, well, Kassadin, and go from there. You don't have to come up with some radical new thing, but try some different stuff. Change the design on his blade. Does it look good? Does the community like it? These are the things I would like see while they're in concept. If the community is okay with it, and it's feasible, then you should go with it.
- *How do you feel about Kassadin's skins? *
Classic Kassadin - Pretty much everything I have been saying. No need to retype it all.
Festival Kassadin - Definite improvement. He looks unique rather than a recolor. The colors themselves seem a bit off, but it pretty good for what it is right now.
Deep One Kassadin - Good and bad. I like it, personally. He actually has some form of normal skin, and his armor looks nice. That skirt with the tentacles looks awesome. I do think, however, it lost a lot of it's darker coloring. The skirt color should match his armor. I think after that change, it would be a lot better for players that like his old version, and I don't think it would that big a change for players that like his new version.
Pre-Void Kassadin - I like it. I think it's a major improvement, and now he doesn't look ashen pale, like he's been dead for a couple of days. He did lose a little bit of that " traveler " feeling, ( It looks like he just got done with a long, perilous journey. ) but it's not terrible.
Harbinger Kassadin - This is the one I am the most disappointed in. He looks almost exactly the same, and he's still that hulkish green. Why? There is no good reason for him to be green. That skin is supposed to be him if he gives in, is fully consumed by the Void. But he's green. The one good think about the skin is that he actually has a chest, but even then...
He's should be more armored, or have more of whatever is in those tanks to keep him alive. It's still Kassadin. He needs even more the keep the Void from destroying his mind, for his body has completely failed him. ( If he has lost his mind, then why have the tank's still on there in the first place? ) But he just looks like he got a chest. Add more armor, and lose some spikes. Try to actually make it a little more practical. Also, why is he showing his belly? Did that chest come one size too small?
I would like to note: Thank you for flipping his blade. Seriously.
Conclusion -
I understand that you guys said you weren't going to do a Sion level update with Kass, and that's understandable. You don't have all the time in the world, and I get that. But I believe you guys could do more. I've kinda grown weary of League. ( Kalista being a thing, Rek'Sai nerfs, etc. Ever since I saw DJ Sona, I was heartbroken. I felt like 20 other champions could have used that ultimate, and I honestly don't even think it's that good. Hopefully next year we can get Dragon Master Swain or a Xerath skin that is something other than different sarcophagi and basic colors. I'm happy for the people that like it though. Not trying to be salty. Besides, this isn't really the topic. )
However, I've seen some really cool stuff out of you guys, and I honestly do that you could give Kass a better VU. The animations are amazing! It's just the skins themselves that need more work. Also, it really would not hurt to add some more lines if possible. I honestly would not mind if you guys took a couple of extra months and made Kass better.
Either way, thanks for reading this. Sorry if I misspelled somethings.
TL;DR Kass update needs work. Animations are good. Textures not so good. Maybe more lines? Also may have made a racist comment, and I suck at spelling.