[Ultimate Skin Concept] FULL METAL KARTHUS
Disclaimer - Sorry for the wall of text that goes longer than a max Karthus W :P
A while back, I made a concept for a MECHA type of Karthus skin that was supposed to be legendary. However, when Mecha Zero Sion came out, I felt like my hopes for a Mech-style skin for karthus wouldn't be able to make it, until recently when I came up for an idea for a Full Metal Karthus skin that could make it. However, I felt like a legendary skin wouldn't cut it with the idea that I have, so I decided to make it an Ultimate concept. Here goes:
In this futuristic setting, Full Metal Karthus was created to serve alongside FMJayce, FMPantheon, and FMRammus. However, his sentience has allowed him to perceive himself as potentially the most powerful machine in existence. To further his plans, he destroyed the other Full Metals and began hunting the other machine champions to take their power. These invasions include:
The Hextech-laden streets of Piltover The Birthplace of the MECHA creations The home of the PROJECT Line of machines and finally, Viktor's Battlecast laboratory.
Gameplay wise; what would make him an Ultimate skin is how he evolves when he puts points into his abilities. Basically, as the game goes on, every point he puts into an ability allows him to "Assimilate" other technology into his system and it goes like this:
1 Point (except ult): Full Metal (Normal) 2 Points (1 point in ult): Hextech 3 Points (2 points in ult): MECHA 4 Points: PROJECT 5 Points (3 points in ult): Battlecast
His Passive basically is him falling apart with each piece of him falling slowly until at the end where his systems go critical and he explodes. The pieces that fall off will depend on what points in certain skills that you have.
Abilitiy VFX for Q would variate between levels, sort of like how Mundo's Q is different in his Wrestling skin. When you put a point into Q, you'll unlock another VFX for it. This way I can properly call Karthus's Q "Skittles" again ;P His Q will be cast either from his Right hand, his Staff which will upgrade with each point put into Q, or maybe his Right eye.
Level 1 (Full Metal): digitally construct a mine that explodes shortly after Level 2 (Hextech): a circle of bright blue lightning appears at the Q location, followed by a small lightning explosion Level 3 (MECHA): An orange holographic Hexagon designed bubble appears, then detonates Level 4 (PROJECT): Yellow Holographic Circle Appears w/ something like Zed's Project Symbol (something like his death mark symbol) appears, then detonates Level 5 (Battlecast): Red Lightning circle (like Hextech one) appears, but the ground detonates like Battlecast Cho'gath's Q
For FMK's W VFX, it'll be something similar to his Q Animations. His W will be summoned via 2 disks he carries in his left forearm. Karthus's Left arm will change depending on the level of his W
Lvl 1: Metal poles at the ends, with a weakish looking holographic wall in between Lvl 2: The poles are replaced with Lightning ends, with Bolts of lightning in between Lvl 3: Levitating pole-like objects, with an Orange Hexagonal Wall Lvl 4: Similar to level 3, only it's Yellow and it's more PROJECT looking Lvl 5: Battlecast looking red electrified poles, with a solid dark red Holographic Wall
FMK's E will be metal chevron Blades spinning around him that are attached wirelessly to his mid-section (think about the thinnest point in his robe when comparing to his base, around there.) Karthus has a core in the center of his body that will start closed, then open and light up with a color depending on what level his E is.
Passive - when he kills a unit, some blue programming design runs down karthus's exterior, like the Program skins
Lvl 1: (Core - White) 1 set of blades are spinning clockwise, the other set counterclockwise Lvl 2: (Core - Blue) Blades are electrified, giving an electrical strobe appearance Lvl 3: (Core - Orange) Chevron blades are replaced with orange Hexagonal Holograms Lvl 4: (Core - Yellow) Again, the blades are changed to Yellow Diamonds that form Chevrons while the E is off. Lvl 5: (Core - Red) Electricity and Blades turn dark red to symbolize Battlecast Assimilation
Finally, we get to FMK's R which when cast, fires a large laser from a former surveillance satellite called the Warp Acceleration Readability Device (W.A.R.D), which has been turned into a Ion Laser called the Readied Energy Quantum Ultimate Incineration Extermination Machine (R.E.Q.U.I.E.M). When cast, instead of a column of light like his regular R, there is a bright red targeting reticule under each enemy champion, followed by a large red laser annihilating them :P
Each point in his ult changes his personality and speaking, with him starting out dark, humble, yet foreboding. At Level 1 ult, he gains some inquisitiveness personifying the Hextech technology. At Level 2, he becomes cold and calculating to represent the Mecha line of machines. Finally when he reaches lvl 3 ult he becomes unstable and all powerful to represent the assimilation of Battlecast technology into his system.
On a side note, I'd also think it'd be cool if he got special FX for the Summoner spells he uses.
Flash and Smite - PROJECT: His flash would be sort of like a mini version of Project Yi's Q animation. His Smite would be a Yellow Holographic Lightning bolt (changes color depending on the JG item bought) Teleport and Ghost - Hextech: His TP would be an electrical portal underneath Karthus. His Ghost would be him flying underneath a small electric cloud Barrier and Cleanse (and maybe the shield from AAS) - MECHA: a Hexagonal holographic barrier would surround Karthus (Orange for Barrier, Blue for AAS Shield) Cleanse would be a brighter blue, then dissipating from the top down. Ignite - Battlecast: Ignite would be red electricity surrounding the enemy. Heal and Clarity - Program - Should Karthus take either of these, when activated the same Program graphic on FMK's E passive will show, but stronger. It will be blue for Clarity, Green for heal.
Also, there could be a W.A.R.D ward that turns into a R.E.Q.U.I.E.M Ward only if FMK puts his first point in his ult :P
This is just something that I've been conceptualizing today. I plan on reuploading this with some pictures to represent the changes to him when he upgrades a skill, but I just wanted to get this all out in word form to get a grip on how I want it go come out, and to share what I'd like to see in an Ultimate skin for my favorite lich. Feedback is appreciated and I'd like to know what any of the Reds think! :)