Margeaux, the Necessary Evil
Margeaux, the Necessary Evil https://i.imgur.com/MoNWBs1l.png (Art of Margeaux by @watery_day on Twitter)
Full Name: Margeaux MacArthur Role: Fighter/Assassin (Diver/Skirmisher hybrid) Residence: Demacia Faction: Demacia
Lore:
To those who know Margeaux on a personal level, they either hate her, fear her, or feel nothing because they are very, very dead. Margeaux's status as a cruel yet effective tactician and fighter made her a menace to the villages of Demacia, so her marriage into Demacian noble house MacArthur simply allowed her to channel that violent brilliance towards enemies of the country. Her battalion almost never loses a fight, and any enemy soldiers she captures always seem convinced to want to give up valuable information. Even while what she may do may appear monstrous, it's all for the betterment of Demacia.
Before Margeaux was a feared noblewoman of House MacArthur, she was the leader of a fierce army of bandits that roamed the Demacian hillsides. Unlike most bandit armies that dispersed when bribed or fell to advanced tactics, Margeaux's armies were significantly different, in the sense that they were organized, fearsome, and loyal to their leader. Her armies struck hard, attacking with tactics not heard of by the common soldier, and they typically ended up ransacking entire villages, leaving few valuables and even fewer survivors.
Margeaux herself was no slouch, either, typically leading the fights that she plans. Much of the time, she didn't even use a weapon, simply using her hands and feet alone to eviscerate her enemies. To those who saw her and lived, they reported her reveling in the bloodshed, acting almost casual as she bludgeoned soldiers and civilians alike in order to take their resources and supplies. In some cases, she was reported to have even taken some hostages, and further reports have shown that some of those hostages even became soldiers in her army. Within a few weeks of her first raid, Margeaux's head had one of the largest bounties on it in the world.
With a large bounty came bounty hunters, and plenty people tried to hunt Margeaux. Many were simply doing it for the money, and those people were either bribed into become bandits or cut down if they were too proud. Much of the more experienced bounty hunters were resistant to Margeaux's "coercion", and so many of them were never seen again. Margeaux even went so far as to post signs across villages, requesting better bounty hunters to come find her. This angered quite a few high-ranking Noxian officials, and so they decided to send their own men to fight.
During a revelry amongst her men, soldiers of House MacArthur stormed their base of operations on horseback, catching many bandits by surprise and slaughtering much of Margeaux's army. For once, Margeaux was genuinely caught off guard, and this delighted her. As her men were chased down and killed, she calmly stood up straight, and shouted for attention to the crowd. There was an eerie silence as people drew their attention to the source of the voice. Margeaux announced that she would retire he bandit ways if a soldier could beat her in a fight, going so far as to pledging her allegiance to the person who killed her.
At this moment, all of the soldiers began charging at once towards Margeaux, at least 300, most on horseback. Margeaux cracked her knuckles and got ready for her fight. Throwing punches left and right, sweeping the legs of charging horses, stealing weapons to use them against their owners, Margeaux fought like hell and she loved it. By the end, it was down her Margeaux, who had sustained an incredible amount of wounds from the many spears, swords and horses who had attacked her, and the MacArthur bannerman, Morris MacArthur. Panting, bleeding, and clearly not physically capable of fighting any longer, Margeaux smiled towards Morris, and beckoned him to fight.
The battle lasted longer than expected, but in the end, Margeaux was defeated. Morris did make sure to keep her alive, because Demacia could use a woman of her talents. After Margeaux's wounds were tended to and she finally came back to consciousness, Margeaux requested an audience with Morris. When Morris appeared, Margeaux looked him up and down, and asked for his hand. Margeaux knew that she just said she would pledge her allegiance to House MacArthur, but she wasn't ready to give up power. Margeaux had learned enough about Morris from a single fight, and she knew he would say yes. And he did.
Margeaux's place as the Lady of House MacArthur was a controversial piece of news, as expected, but she knew she could prove that she was a valuable asset indeed; Margeaux knew how to follow rules, but she also knew how to stretch them to just before they broke. When she was given her first opportunity to make tactics in war, she knew just what to do. She wouldn't fight dirty, she'd fight ruthlessly. Her first assault on the Noxian troops resulted in 96% casualties or prisoners, as she and her new, formally-trained army demolished the opposition.
Those who were captured, Margeaux specifically requested for interrogation, but she had something a little more extreme in mind. Margeaux, still holding true to her bandit heritage, was able to master to art of torture using more refined devices, blades crafted to slice finely and chains designed to withstand the force of being stretched. Margeaux's methods proved useful, and her actions gave the Demacian armies knowledge to help in further battles.
Even with her successes, those who knew what she did knew she was a cruel person, but if anyone attempted to defy her, she'd simply bring up all the good she's done for Demacia and its people since her allegiance, and what a shame it would be to lose an ally such as her. For now, Margeaux remains the Lady of House MacArthur, and every drop of blood she draws and bones she snaps in half is an extra day of peace and tranquility for her country.
A Terrible Child
Bannek spat out more blood as Margeaux pulled the seventh tooth. At this point, Margeaux knew teeth-pulling wasn't going to get any more information out of him, she was just doing this to make the pain she was about to inflict seem so much worse.
"You really are a difficult one, aren't you?" Margeaux mused, wiping her hands clean of blood, "This doesn't need to escalate if you just talk."
Bannek just stared at his torturer. He tried to look intimidating, but he was tired, and as much as he wouldn't want to admit it, he was scared.
"Fine, tooth number eight, then," Margeaux said, preparing to reach her hands into his mouth once more.
"Why..." Bannek mumbled.
"Excuse me?" Margeaux asked.
"Why do... you do this?" Bannek asked in return.
"Because you're a filthy Noxian, and you and for fellow soldiers were trying to invade Demacian land. Now hold still this time," Margeaux said moving her hands towards the victim's mouth.
"No... That's not why..." Bannek said.
"What is that supposed to mean? You think you know me better than I do?" Margeaux said accusatory, "I might just start cutting fingers if you keep talking like that."
"I've heard... of you..." Bannek breathed, "You were... 'Margeaux the... Merciless'... a bandit queen. You tortured before... why?"
Margeaux sighed, clearly looking impatient, "Will you tell me what you know if I tell you?"
Bannek was silent for a few moments, before nodding. Margeaux lifted her hands away from Bannek's mouth, grabbed a chair, and sat down in front of him.
"When I was a little girl, I lived in a village run by a very powerful man. A man who was very strict, who was very focused on making sure rules were followed. People who didn't follow those rules had an example made out of them. This man also loved his daughter very, VERY much, and believed every word that she said. I was his daughter, and I realized the position of power that I was in, even at a very young age.
"If people didn't do what I wanted, I would run to my father and say that they had broken a rule. Usually, I'd say they struck me or tried to touch me, because that got his attention the fastest. It was funny seeing shopkeepers try to do work with stumps for hands. I laughed to myself almost every time I saw the woman at the fruit stand try to sort her produce without having everything tumble over. I lead a good life, I think.
"Of course, to the peasants of this village, they felt it was incredibly unfair. Unknown to us, they were trying to start a rebellion, and one day, they went through with it. Peasants crept into my father's home at night and killed him, slit his throat in his sleep. They did the same to my mother, to my sisters, and they would have done the same to me had I not heard them and crawled out the window. I ran from there, and I ran until I could not run anymore.
"I spent four weeks on my own. That's when I found the bandit camp. They were initially going to kill me, though some had worse in mind, but I had given them an offer that they couldn't refuse. I happened to know about a village that recently had their leader killed in a revolt, and it was without a new leader. The bandit king considered this offer, and I said I could lead them to it. So I did. And with a bandit army at my back, we killed every peasant in that village.
"I personally took my time with the peasants who killed my family, I sought each of them individually, and I took their lives as slowly as I could. I found that cutting in certain ways could make a person say or do the strangest things. Cutting in a specific location behind the eye makes a man lose their memories. Cutting on the temple makes a man turn into a vegetable, alive but unmoving. And in one, very special place, it makes them very, VERY compliant. I found that special place, and I made them tell me everything. I made a husband admit that he was sleeping with another woman in front of his wife of five years. I made a child admit to killing the family dog because he thought it was funny. I made the woman at the fruit stand admit to so... so many things.
"Once I had that power, I knew I had to use it. And so that's why I torture people. Simply because I know that I can do it and do it very well," Margeaux concluded promptly.
Bannek looked paralyzed in both fear and amazement. He tried to say something, but he simply stammered, not letting any words come out. As Bannek was dumbstruck, Margeaux stood up out of her chair, and grabbed a knife.
"Now... let's see what you want to admit."
Stats
Health: 580 (+ 83) Health Regen: 7.75 (+ 0.6) Mana: 460 (+ 60) Mana Regen: 7 (+ 0.7) Range: 125 Attack Damage: 57 (+ 3.5) Attack Speed: 0.69 (+ 3.2%) Armor: 26 (+ 4.2) Magic Resistance: 32.1 (+ 1.25) Movement Speed: 340
Damage: 3/3 Toughness: 1/3 Control: 2/3 Mobility: 1/3 Utility: 2/3 Difficulty: 2/3
Abilities
Passive: Learn From Experience Margeaux continues training herself, even in the middle of battle. For every 100 Mana she spends, she gains a stack of Discipline. Upon reaching 50 stacks, Margeaux is able to upgrade one of her basic abilities permanently and expending all of the stacks. Once all three basic abilities are upgraded, Margeaux can upgrade her Ultimate Ability after reaching 100 stacks of discipline.
Q: Momentous Punches Margeaux prepares a forceful strike for her next basic attack. If Margeaux attacks an enemy unit with this attack, it deals 3/3.5/4/4.5/5% of their Maximum Health as bonus Physical damage. If this attack hits an enemy champion, Margeaux's next basic attack will also apply the bonus damage. Margeaux can continually strike with this attack until the buff expires, she attacks a non-champion, or until she strikes 4 times.
Upgrade: Margeaux focuses her strikes and aims for tactically weak areas, severely lowering her target's damage. In addition to dealing bonus damage, each strike will also reduce the enemy's Attack Damage by 10/20/30/40/50 or Ability Power by 15/30/45/60/75 (Adaptive) for 4 seconds. This debuff does not stack, but does refresh with consecutive punches.
Mana Cost: 35/40/45/50/55 Cooldown: 9/8.5/8/7.5/6
W: Punt/Chase First Cast: Margeaux targets an enemy champion and gives them a firm kick, dealing 65/100/135/170/205 (+100% Bonus AD) Physical damage and knocking them back 400 units. If Margeaux has less than 30/35/40/45/50% health, the distance of the knock back is doubled.
Mana Cost: 50 Range of Target: 250
Second Cast: Margeaux runs in pursuit of her target, gaining 30/40/50/60/70% bonus Movement Speed for 3 seconds towards the target of Punt. If Margeaux has more than 70/65/60/55/50% health, she gains 15/20/25/30/35% bonus Attack Speed when attacking the target as well.
Mana Cost: 40/45/50/55/60 Range to Proc: 1500
Upgrade: Margeaux spikes her boot, allowing her to hinder her target's movement after attacking. In addition to the knock back, Margeaux slows her target by 30% (+5% per 75 AD) for 3 seconds.
Cooldown: 22/20/18/16/14
E: It's For The Best Passive: Margeaux's knack for torture causes her enemies to bleed after every punch, dealing an additional 2/2.5/3/3.5/4% of their current health as Magic damage over the course of 3 seconds every attack.
Active: Margeaux sweeps the ground around her, attempting to trip her enemies and dealing 55/80/105/130/155 (+60% Total AD) Physical damage to surrounding enemies. If Margeaux hits a bleeding target, their weakness get the best of them and they trip, briefly becoming slowed by 99% for 1 second.
Upgrade: Margeaux tries to put bleeding enemies out of their misery with this attack. If this attack hits a bleeding enemy, it deals an additional 10% of their missing health as bonus Physical damage.
Mana Cost: 60 Cooldown: 10/9/8/7/6 Range: 400
Ultimate: Break Them All Margeaux builds up strength over time, during which she can move and use basic attacks, but not use basic abilities. After 4 seconds, Margeaux unleashes a series of strikes to all enemies in front of her, breaking their bodies and dealing 200/350/500 (+125% Bonus AD) Physical damage. Enemies hit by this attack cannot use basic attacks or abilities for 2 seconds as their bodies become unable to function properly.
Upgrade: Margeaux builds more power in less time, allowing her to truly break her enemies. Margeaux unleashes her strength after 2 seconds rather than 4, and half of the damage dealt is True damage.
Mana Cost: 100/125/150 Cooldown: 120/100/80 Range: 600 Degree of Cone: 50
Gameplay:
Playing as Margeaux Margeaux's not the tackiest character in the game, but she sure as hell knows how to stay relevant in a fight. In lane, she doesn't have a lot of range, so harassing is going to be a problem for her. However, if given the opportunity to get close, Margeaux will take full advantage. The ideal trade in lane involves getting off a few strikes with Momentous Punches, following it up with the slow and damage from It's For The Best, and disengaging with Punt. Typically, this combo works well against low-mobility champions, and if she just so happens to lower her enemy's health to a point worth chasing, Margeaux can also activate Chase to finish them off.
In a team fight, Margeaux needs to know the perfect time to use her Ultimate, because it doesn't activate immediately. She needs to prepare for a period of time where she can't use abilities, so either setting up with her allies or using her own slows from It's For The Best or an upgraded Punt before casting Break Them All will allow for devastating effects for the enemy, effectively canceling out their ability to fight back.
Tips and Tricks
-
Each of Margeaux's basic ability upgrades controls how she can fight early on, and they can effect what she contributes in a fight. Upgrading Momentous Punches allows her to prioritize high damage dealers, preventing them from dishing out as much damage. Upgrading Punt allows her to disengage and re-engage easier, hindering her enemy's movements. Upgrading It's For The Best allows her to finish off bulkier, slower champions, which is good if she's fighting against one.
-
Keep in mind that while Break Them All does require a brief waiting period before activation, that this ability cannot be cancelled. Once Margeaux wants to punch something, she's going to punch it.
-
Punt can be used as an easy disengage as well as a re-engage, especially with its upgrade. If Margeaux is losing a fight, Punt can allow her to make a quick escape. If Margeaux is winning a fight, Punt followed by Chase will allow her to mercilessly break her enemies and she runs towards them as fast as she can.
Quotes:
Selection Quote: "It's not murder if it's justified."
Ban Quote: "Coward."
Upon Starting a Match: "Hm... I've fought in worse locations." "This will be good practice. Need to stretch the old bones." "I'm not taking any prisoners this time." "If only they knew what was about to happen to them..." "I'd say that this battle would be legendary, but any battle I'm in is legendary."
Movement: "Just stretching." "Let's keep moving." "Keep the plan in mind." "I wonder if anyone will recognize me." "Morris is a good man... a bit dull for my liking, though." "Demacia is merely a stepping stone." "I sometimes miss it... the bandit life..." "Hopefully, nobody screws up my plan." "Discipline and loyalty are the only good qualities in a soldier." "There is no room for mercy in a war." "Why age and let the days go by when you could be out fighting?" "I do fantasize about what limbs would be most amusing to break." "I do hope someone actually surprises me for once." "Is anyone there or did they all run?" "So much walking, not enough action." "I don't go looking for a fight, I am the fight." "People who think they know who I am just think I'm in it for the pleasure. They're not wrong." "Sometimes, torture is necessary." "People who think torture is abhorrent don't know what they're gaining from it." "Is it strange that I fantasize about my victims? Replay their screams in my head?" "What I do is for myself more than anyone." "The best laid plans are made by me." "I will never tolerate a coward." "Never run from a fight, even if you'll die from it." "A good drink, numbs the pain." "Never hold back a punch." "If you're faced with an impossible enemy, fight dirty." "All my life I've had things handed to me. Now I take them myself." "Being a noblewoman's fine and all, but I still enjoy getting my hands dirty." "There's no such thing as an honorable fight." "People are like twigs. They break under pressure." "Noxians are right to fear Demacia, especially with me at the frontline." "Ah, Demacia... what would you do without me?"
Attacking: "If I want to punch something, I will." "If I want to punch something, it's getting punched." "Try to stop me. Really, try." "I am the weapon." "Precision and force, two things required in a good punch." "Any blow you throw and I'll counter it." "I've killed people like you. And by people like you, I mean weak people." "Why break bread when you could break bones?" "Dedication to the art is what makes me so good at it." "Try me." "Your body says 'fight', but your eyes say 'run'." "I'm going to leave a fist-sized hole in your body." "There's no tapping out here." "You're lucky I don't have a knife or you'd be killing yourself." "I'm not your average Demacian." "Honor has no place in an all-out war." "I'll get this done quickly." "Nice face. Allow me to re-arrange it." "You know, there were rumors that I used to eat the bodies of my victims. Want to find out if that's true?" "Just... stop. You're embarrassing yourself." "I'd say you should run, but I actually want to fight someone right now." "Running won't help. Just lie down so your death is easier." "You think you can beat me? Are you feeling ill?" "Can't run, can't hide, you might as well just die." "You're making this harder for both of us by struggling."
Using Punt: "Taste my boot!" "Not now, maybe later." "Stay there." "No touch." "You can't hit me." "A swift kick solves any problem." "Remember the center of mass." "Good try, but no." "So long!"
Using It's For The Best: "Sweep the legs!" "Take advantage!" "They all fall down!" "You're too weak!" "It'll stop hurting soon." "It'll be over in a minute."
Casting Break Them All: "They're not ready for me..." "They're not ready for this..." "Power rising..." "Gotta build up..." "I'm going to give it all I've got..." "There will be nothing left..." "This will be fun..." "It won't be long now..." "Wait for it..." "Time for the finisher..." "Gotta stand right for this..."
Upgrading Momentous Punches: "Aiming for the weak spot..." "Time to break some bones." "Better punches make a better fight."
Upgrading Punt: "Is this cheating? Probably." "Always keep an extra trick up your boot." "More damage is always better."
Upgrading It's For The Best: "They won't suffer anymore." "Time to finish them off for good." "They'll die if they know what's good for them."
Upgrading Break Them All: "Time to shatter them." "I am at my peak." "My enemies are as good as dead."
First Blood: "As expected, I made the first blow." "It was that easy?" "I didn't expect a challenge, but I was hoping." "You really did... something there." "You will be remembered as the first corpse to fall." "You were already dead."
Killing Spree: "Is nobody going to challenge me?" "This is easier than I thought." "This is the work of a well-made plan." "The bodies pile up." "Did anyone really expect anything different?" "Is anyone here surprised? No? Just as I thought."
Pentakill: "I've fought a hundred men and won, why is killing five so monumental to some people?" "Five more people I don't have to worry about." "And that's the end of that." "Well, at least I survived."
Joke: "Men who say 'You fight like a girl' have never fought a woman." "People who try to fight me are so confident until I punch them." "I do more than just punch people, you know. I sometimes kick, too."
Taunt: "You're not even worth torturing." "I'll put you out of your misery." "If you want to fight, reconsider your life choices." "You're worth nothing. I'll reduce you to nothing."
Taunt Annie: "You have a long way to go, child, but I see a spark in you." "Magic that powerful and still so young? Maybe one day you will surpass me." "I expect a challenge from you."
Taunt Aurelion Sol: "I've never killed a star dragon before. Care to help me?" "I would never let myself get trapped like you did, Sol."
Taunt Camille: "Your loyalty to your city is commendable, but you still had your power fed to you." "I expect a challenge from you."
Taunt Cho'Gath: "I've fought worse. And bigger. And scarier."
Taunt Darius: "Hiding behind an axe and armor doesn't make you a better general." "I'll break your axe, and then I'll break your bones."
Taunt any Demacian: "What would you do without me?" "Demacia would be nothing without my wit and my strength." "One day, you'll see that I should be the one you bow to."
Taunt Draven: "Shut up."
Taunt Evelynn: "How would you like to be stepped on? Oh, who am I kidding, you'd probably love it."
Taunt Fiora: "A great fighter and a Demacian... let's see if there's room for two in this world." "Your sword versus my fists." "I expect a challenge from you."
Taunt Galio: "It'll be hard to find the vitals on a marble golem, but I'm still going to try." "You'll break just as easily as any man."
Taunt Garen: "Yes... Demacia..." "A little too patriotic, I think." "I know, I know, you love Demacia. I do too, and you don't see me shouting about it."
Taunt Illaoi: "I can pass your test, Illaoi." "I expect a challenge from you."
Taunt Ivern: "You disgust me."
Taunt Jarvan IV: "You're not fit to rule, Jarvan." "So much pride and so little to back it up."
Taunt Jax: "Cocky... but do you have to skill to prove yourself?" "I expect a challenge from you."
Taunt Kled: "A Noxian and a Yordle? I'll punch you twice a hard."
Taunt Nocturne: "Spooky."
Taunt any Noxian: "I'll obliterate you if I have to." "Noxians don't deserve to live." "You have a right to fear me." "You're smart by wanting to run, but it won't help."
Taunt Olaf: "Want a legendary death? Die by my hand." "I expect a challenge from you."
Taunt Swain: "Your tactics have gotten you trampled by Demacia for years." "Master tactician my ass..."
Taunt Thresh: "I could learn a few things from you. Then again, you could also learn from me." "Winner gets to torture the other one."
Taunt Urgot: "Existence may be pain, but death is painful too." "Stop whining, you're acting like a spoiled child."
