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WIP Champion Concept: Concerto the Director

Barbwired Mind··3 votes·1,093 views
The voice of Thanatos

Art by moscovia on DA (Cookie to anybody who can figure out the character illustrated in the picture right off the bat.)

Name: Con·cer·to kənˈCHerdō/ noun noun: concerto; plural noun: concerti; plural noun: concertos a musical composition for a solo instrument or instruments accompanied by an orchestra, especially one conceived on a relatively large scale. Origin early 18th century: Italian, from concertare ‘harmonize.’

Or replace Director with Conductor.. Either way i'm sure it could fit. Somebody's recent thread quickly gave me the idea for this champion.. Not that i haven't sat on it.. On and off.. Multiple times.. Giving up and coming back to it over and over again. It's a conflicting emotion for me to think about since Sona very obviously exists already.

Here's the deal. What i want to see is a champion who directs and controls musical instruments with either his Violin, and/or with a Baton. Mostly Classical instruments. As in they are they are living, literal weapons. Imagine the instruments idly dancing around him like a Beauty and the Beast reference, him in his Directors uniform, the black and white ones that you typically see on people at major classical concerts, with the bow/ties, gloves, the 2 tailed coat, all nice and tidy and clean. Look like they came from Great Britain. ~~ Gotta love dem sexy butlers..~~ -cough- (No offense). He can have long hair and have a mask on or something.. His hands will be clasped behind his back for the majority or the time he stands idle. The picture above is just a reference.

I don't know anything about adding up the numbers, so ima just leave that stuff to Riot when it comes to terms of playing with stats. I imagine him being a mage/adc. So you can imagine his weak points and strengths along those lines.

His Abilities are a WIP. If you have any suggestions, pls let me know and i will repost this idea later on in the future with an update. I WILL take everything into consideration. This includes suggestions to anything else you see fit.

His demeanor is very laid back. always humming multiple, subtle tunes.. His interests is always in learning about a tragic story, so he can compose them into song full of all the strongest feelings champions must have had to live through, both good, or bad. If champion he runs into has no major backround, he will pity them.

With this in mind, his own backround is a mystery, and also a WIP Also looking for suggestions in considering this. (PLS DO NOT TRY TO COMPARE HIM TO Sona, NOR GIVE HIM A BACKROUND TRYING TO RELATE HIM TO HER.) If that is what you so desire anyway, i MAY or MAY NOT mention something that involves.. "children who have shown signs of rare, deep musical talent, and have been given artifacts of music with strong, magical properties that can only be used by these few chosen. But beware, as it has been said some of these artifacts have grown to have a mind of their own."

Sound familiar? This is a reference to several other champions.

26 Comments

Perigrin Took2 votes

Hey Barbwired Mind! I just wanted to tell you that I'm glad my thread made you want to release this post. Your concept is really interesting! That's definitly a champion I'd buy!

Btw, the moment i saw the picture I was like "Omg it's Yuri!" [slayer-jinx-catface]

Barbwired Mind2 votes

Thanks.. http://www.deviantart.com/art/Llama-Emoji-10-Shy-V1-413496180

YES -hands cookie- Beware of Lunatic >.>

1 800 MID LANE1 votes

Friends with Jhin. Enemy of Sona. I know you mentioned not giving any sort of background relating to Sona, but it just makes sense. (Jhin came to mind from the Phantom of the Opera sort of feel that he has, Sona because what classical conductor would like to hear electronica?)

Barbwired Mind1 votes

But Jhin hates everybody, and he has nothing related to music. He is an artist, but then that would make him an enemy to Concerto as well. Concerto will have an interest in Sona, but it doubt it be anything big. His instruments may not like that she has similar qualities..

1 800 MID LANE1 votes

So maybe opposite to what I purposed? I always kind of imagined Jhin as almost directly taken from The Phantom of the Opera and as such, would be listening to classical music on occasion, if not almost constantly.

EDIT: You say that we shouldn't try to compare this fellow to Sona, but to be honest, that feels almost impossible.

Barbwired Mind2 votes

When i say i don't want major comparison, i just really don't want people asking him to be her surprise brother or something along those lines. It's not a family, blood related thing. I mean, the last thing i want is for him to be mute, too. He also isn't a crazy maniac who kills people for a living. And yes, i'm aware it is hard..

This make more sense?

1 800 MID LANE1 votes

It does, but I can't seem to think of a way to fit it in. I suppose I'm just not so good at this.

[zombie-nunu-bummed]

Barbwired Mind3 votes

Trust me, it's a WIP for a reason. It's hard. xD

FloRaider421 votes

Nice Idea, but I have a major complaint: Does he add anything new to the game? Music Sona Directing and controlling magic objects Orianna Azir Artsy ♦Jhin♦

Barbwired Mind1 votes

That can be discussed with his abilities.. Hm. I've been thinking about his Ultimate.

Currently, what i thought of is way too much like Annie's and Sivir's. I want him to focus on a beat. Tempo. Tempo will be his passive. So let's say we changed his ultimate into something like a major Debuff or buff. Debuffing/buffing and solid demobilization is about the only key thing i can come up with that seems original. Key.. Yes, how about... His ultimate will be called: Major Mode Major mode's ability will be a bit like Mercury in the other Moba SMITE. Only.. The difference will be is that Concerto will create trail of piano keys that cover up a large expanse of the map, buffing his allies for a short period of 8 seconds for as long as they stay on the path you created. Enemies that cross this path will be slowed for the length they stay on it.

This is a hard question. But then riot has multiple champions with similar discerning qualities, which they are scrambling pretty hard to fix. Notice all the sudden champion updates in ability revamps and VU's?

FloRaider421 votes

Notice all the sudden champion updates in ability revamps and VU's?

Yes I do, which is why I pointed it out in the first place. Every new champion introduces something new to the game (some less so, I am looking at you Jhin summoner 14 ) and most old champions get reworked (Sion Poppy Shen Taric) or refined (ADC update and soon Mage update) so every champion fullfills a unique role.

That can be discussed with his abilities.. Hm. I've been thinking about his Ultimate.

Start with something Character defining. Tham pretty much started as "Wouldn't it be cool if a champion would swallow other champions whole, instead of biting them ?" Since he already shares his theme with Sona, he should try to stand away from her as best as possible. What kind of unique interactions and abilities could a music director have ?

Tempo. Tempo will be his passive.

Sry kinda musically illiterate... What does that mean ?

Barbwired Mind1 votes

If you don't know what a Tempo is, that's a personal problem.

FloRaider421 votes

If you don't know what a Tempo is, that's a personal problem.

Sry that I don't play a music instrument All I know is that it decides the frequencies of the metronom and the speed of the music and that's about it. I have no idea about how that is supposed to translateable into gameplay

Barbwired Mind1 votes

Let's just say, if you were to look up what Tempo means on google by putting in "Define Tempo", the ability name it's self should express the detail of what it may or may not turn into. Nothing is final. So i will just leave it at that.

Honest, i don't know much shit about music either. I'm just more interested in classical instruments when it comes to a new champion concept for a new champion. So i will focus on things, references taken from all over involving things like this.

Sorry if that wasn't clear to you, truly.

Perigrin Took1 votes

Not really good at explaining in english since im a french canadian so i'll take the definition from a dictionary

Tempo

  1. The speed at which music is or ought to be played, often indicated on written compositions by a descriptive or metronomic direction to the performer.

So basicly, in game, you just press R repetitively at the correct tempo and the more "on time" you press R, the more damage it does. I got to say that is only my opinion though.

I will tell you though, it's not your fault if you don't know what tempo is, cause even some musician don't know what it is. The main reason why I know it is because i play the drums in a rock band and the timpani in a college orchestra. Tempo (speed) and rhythm (pattern) are pretty much the most important things in percussions.

FloRaider421 votes

Thanks for clearing that up for me [slayer-jinx-wink] That sounds very interesting, kinda reminds me a bit of Crypt of the Necrodancer. I think a Mage that needs to keep a pace, by casting his abilities on time, sounds fun to play, but I also worry that it would be very overwhelming for new players to keep the pace while playing the game (especially in stressful situations).

Perigrin Took1 votes

Well first, in my opinion, the champion would mostly attract some musicians out there, making it easy on them, and a little more difficult on people who are new to music, ill give you that. As you said, it is kind of similar to Crypt of the Necrodancer. I think most people would get used to it quickly, though i don't really know anything about that since I know how music works and I'm a musician. I will say tho that a lot of guitarists have bad rhythm and needs a drummer to stay on time while playing. Once you get used to him, keeping in time while ulting (for example) woudn't really be hard since you just know exactly when to press, and some people with no music capacities will just nail it anyway.

FloRaider422 votes

Maybe we could collect some of our thoughts for Barbwire... Here's what I gathered so far:

Secret Passive: ♦True Musician♦ While alive Concerto is surrounded floating instruments that play soft classical music, casting abilities or attacking results into more audiable short pieces. (Optionally missed notes can be heard if Concerto misses his abilities) Maybe a bit annoying...

Passive: ♦Ensemble Arcana♦ Concerto is surrounded by his magical instruments that grant his abilities unique properties. After casting an ability the current "active" instrument rotates (How is the solo instrument called ?) (The instruments remain in place unless you leave their range) Violin ♠** D**rum ♠ Trumpets

Q: ♦Concerto♦ Sends out the current instrument a short distance. Upon reaching max range or activating this ability again the instrument unleashes a wave of music. (The instrument rotates one place after returning)

Violin: Sends out a slash that deals high damage to the nearest enemy (prioriticing champions). Drum: Unleashes an AOE in a medium radius around itself that deals low damage and slows affected enemies. Trumpets: Sends out a blast of sound in a cone towards the position of your cursor dealing medium damage.

W: ♦Resonance♦ Your next AA is replaced by a blast of sound by the current instrument. (Attack range starts from the current position of the instrument)

Violin: Your AA has increased range and deals high damage to the target. Drum: Your AA has reduced damage and deals AOE damage around the target. Trumpets: Your AA deals damage to the first target hit and in a cone behind it.

Passive: AA and hitting enemies with ablities grants stacks of "Accelerando" that increase AS and CDR (Having Max stacks simply refreshes the duration. Decays after X seconds)

E: ♦Cadence♦ Returns all instruments to your current position granting you and allies near you a buff, that increases with distance travelled.

Violin: Reduces CD of your basic spells by one second for each 0.X seconds the instruments travelled Drum: Grants a shield and AR + MR increasing for each 0.X seconds the instruments travelled Trumpets: Grants a MS boost and a burst of tenacity increasing for each 0.X seconds the instruments travelled

Ultimate: ♦Grand Finale♦ After a second of pause Concerto begins his masterpiece. For the duration of this ability you are rooted and can cast Q up to three times in succesion. Each instruments can AA for the duration of the channel, but the damage they deal is halved.

Reminds me way too much of Orianna though. What do you think ?

Perigrin Took3 votes

Actual classical music is a part of the things he would bring

And Sona's abilities aren't that much related to music too, they're mostly just a random sound being played when you push down Q, W, E or R. Of course there is Dj Sona skin which has the option to have a little soundtrack, but that's not the kind of music we'd want.

If I go by what you said, I could also say

Knight? Garen and Darius. Big weapon? Garen and Darius. Characters of kinda high placement in their original kingdom? Garen and Darius.

The thing is; They are enemies, which is why it's still good to the game to have both of them.

Of course their abilities are different for the most part, the ult being pretty much the same but with a different range and way more op effect on Darius's one. That is just an example really. I just compared Garen and Darius in the exact same way you compared Barbwired Mind's concept to other champs

Just like Fiora's lore is almost identical to Darius's lore.

As much as using birds as a companion/weapon/helper? Swain and Quinn.

Or having an ability that keeps you from dying? Tryndamere and Kindred.

Similarities are everywhere in games, and that's alright. Sometimes he could even bring some really interesting stuff but people won't do it because “Omg someone already uses music with magic so that one is so useless and is gonna be so identical to other champions”

For example, if you use magic objects as a reason not to bring him in, well Jayce uses a magical weapon, Karthus too, even Annie with the magical teddy bear. Trundle too!

So really, If you decide whether or not he should be in the game by looking at similarities, they are everywhere anyway.

But don't get me wrong I'm not hating on what you said, and you may have some great arguments against what I'm saying. All I'm saying is, he doesn't necessarily have to bring completely new things to the game, just some tiny things that are nice, and some good music too. By the way, They make Jhin look like it's gonna be artsy, but really if you look at the actual thing, The only artsy thing we see about him in game is the little music when you ult and the fact that killing blows spawn a blooming flower on the corpse.

P.S : Sorry for my probably atrocious english.

[slayer-jinx-wink]

Barbwired Mind2 votes

Good point.. Very good point. I agree with both of you regardless.

All artists get their inspiration from something or someone, intentional or not. Has to start somewhere.

FloRaider421 votes

I have to disagree a bit, but I understand where you come from. So prepare for my wall of text

So the bloody black knight that delights on decimating his opponents by chopping them apart one by one is the same as the courageous white knight that endures all pain to push towards the villain and land the deciding blow ?

Altough they have similiar lore, one decides to practice the regal art of fencing and polish her skill, while the other relies on power and brute strength to chop enemies apart, showcasing the difference between the nations and those characters.

One uses her bird as a companion and scout and the other uses magic to empower his bird and cast magic that is inspired by birds. So a dog owner is the same as a werewolf ?

One protects everyone (friend and foe) from dying, while the other pumps himself up with rage to continue attacking untill he or his opponent dies (Sion has a similiar idea, but unlike Tryda who can survive if he kills the opponent, Sion will always die in his passive)

A self designed hextech hammer, a found ancient club made out of true ice, a shadowbear polymorped into a toy and a staff used to channel your necromantic powers are the same thing ?

Regardless of what I already said All of these champions play differently, fulfill different power fantasies and bring a new role to the game. Riot is also currently working hard (Mage update) to increase the differences between those characters even more.

By the way, They make Jhin look like it's gonna be artsy, but really if you look at the actual thing, The only artsy thing we see about him in game is the little music when you ult and the fact that killing blows spawn a blooming flower on the corpse.

Jhin just thinks he is artsy, he is like Viktor Zaas or the Joker in that he sees his violence as neccessary and beautiful. Kitwise he is currently contesting with Caitlyn over "trap using sniper", but I think that will get resolved soon.

All I'm saying is, he doesn't necessarily have to bring completely new things to the game, just some tiny things that are nice, and some good music too.

I understand where you are coming from, but for me it's not about abilities, Lore or visual design on their own, but the resulting chracter. If you look at a character, you should get a feeling about him and his abilities. If you read his lore, you should think "that makes sense" or "that's why he uses X ability" If you experiment with his kit, you should feel like it flows together nicely to create an own brand of playstyle And that resulting character should be as unique as possible.

P.S : Sorry for my probably atrocious english.

Don't worry it isn't that bad...

Sry for the wall of text :(

TL;DR: Maybe it's because I am not that informed about music or musical instruments, but I feel like there isn't much potential to create a unique character that doesn't step into somebody elses role. I would like to get proven wrong, but I am not too optimistic about it.

Barbwired Mind1 votes

Truly, i don't think it's ever a good thing to be proven wrong. We should just build on it as we go and turn it into somethin' new, y'know? I always love to hear what you think.

Appreciate this response a lot, lot's of thought put into it. This made so much more sense.

even if this wasn't meant for me, but it's been quite a few hours.

FloRaider421 votes

Always happy to help, if you ever have a question just reply to my comments and I will try to get to it ASAP. Have been thinking about how to create a kit around floating instruments without stepping into other roles, but so far the results have been... neglectable. I might drop by if I have an epiphany.

Barbwired Mind1 votes

I did mention mage/ADC.. The ADC part is intriguing to me. He can be what TwistedFate use to be before they made it too hard to scale Attack speed without losing a majority of his overall power.

FloRaider421 votes

Sounds intreguing, but I think it's weird for a director to rely on AA, unless the instruments would be somehow involved, which in turn reminds me too much of Azir.

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