Zelos, the Asura of Ionia
Disclaimer: LONG POST. This will just be some ideas/concepts sans actual numbers
I've always wanted Zelos to join the league ever since I first discovered his existence. I've seen many proposed suggestions for possible kits and such, and so I've decided to make my own. Constructive feedback is appreciated and remember these are just concepts that would need to be subjected to numerous amounts of number balancing to not blatantly be OP based on kit alone so please keep that in mind!
Alright let's go!
Zelos will be a hybrid-damage based champion that deals physical damage on his own but mixed damage when using a synchronized ability or his ultimate. I picture him primarily going either mid or top lane. He uses his own sword that is sheathed to his back for his basic attacks and abilites and summons Aster's blade form when performing synchronized moves.
Passive: Sync- Every time Zelos lands an ability he gains a sync stack. When he has full stacks he syncs with Aster to perform a synchronized version of one of his next basic ability, consuming all stacks (probably going to be around 10-20 stacks so to distinguish its from Rengar's passive since Zelos' synchronized abilites will be significantly stronger than Rengar's empowered ones but won't be able to double-cast) **Asura Blade-**At 0 stacks he only has his own sword, but when he starts accumulating stacks, Aster's blade form starts to slowly solidify in his other hand causing his basic attacks to deal additional reduced magic damage based on stack amount.
Q: Slash Apparition- Zelos draws his blade in and after a brief delay releases a slash that stays suspended in the air for a moment before launching forward at a fast speed , damaging all enemies in its path but dealing reduced physical damage after the first target hit who is also slowed. **Synchronized Q: **Zelos becomes stationary while he charges his blade and Aster's weapon blade form. When released, two larger slashes in the shape of an "X" materialize in front of him before launching forward at a fast speed, dealing reduced mixed damage to all enemies hit after the initial one target who is also knocked back a small distance.
W: Trinity Strike- A 3-part physical ability where Zelos slashes his blade with slightly increased range on first cast and must hit an enemy to activate the second and third part of the ability, which is another strike for the second part and finally a 180 degree slash that slightly knocks back opponents to finish off the combo Synchronized W: Zelos also wields Aster, dealing mixed magic and physical damage during the technique and instead performing a 360 degree slash at the end.
E: Ricochet Step- Zelos takes a step and leaps a certain distance, if he collides with terrain he ricochets forwards at an angle. Synchronized E: Aster gives Zelos a boost, increasing the initial distance he can leap and leaving an energy trail that damages enemies in his path.
R: Grinding Slash- Once activated, Zelos begins to drag both his blades on the ground, building up power. During the charging period, he is initially slowed but gains movement speed back the farther he travels up to a cap. Reactivate manually once charged enough or automatically when duration ends causing Zelos slash his blades releasing the stored power and causing an eruption of energy that travels a certain distance, dealing mixed damage to all units in its wake. The blades must be charged a certain amount of time before they can be reactivated to launch.
Due to the nature of the kit, he would probably be subject to long base cooldowns and whatnot. Since he is more AD Caster oriented he won't be needing much attack speed and probably be built more like Riven in a way. His magic damage could possibly be based off of half his AD or maybe even less for the sake of balance.
(Zelos is Irelia's brother and also a high ranking sergeant in the Ionian military. He was sent to request aid from Demacia prior to the Noxian Invasion of Ionia.These are the facts and the rest that follows are entirely of my imagination)
Appearance and Personality: Zelos is a fairly average height adult male with a slim but muscular build due to years of training under his father, Master Lito. His defining feature is his fohawked styled red hair and signature sheathed sword strapped onto his back. He is a lighthearted soul and seems dense at times, but knows when to get serious when the going gets tough. His floating mantle piece behind his back is that of the one granted to the current Asura of Ionia granted by the Avatar of Ionia (Aster).
Aster, although the avatar of Ionia, is child-like in appearance and dons simple Ionian garb. He resides within Zelos often talking to him mentally, but has a levitating ethereal form that he uses in the outside world (and most likely be seen in Zelos' splash art). He is constantly annoyed and indignant towards Zelos' carefree and dense nature, often berating him for his lack of professionalism to most official matters. His combat form is a saber, akin to Zelos' own original sword, that is tinted a blueish color that radiates and glows.
I would imagine that much of the VO would be that of Zelos and Aster (since Aster is inside Zelos' head) seemingly comical due to their bickering but also some nuances of seriousness when dying/using skills/etc. Of course there will be special taunts for Irelia where he teases her like a good older brother (;
Background: Zelos' fleet had just received word that the Ionian army had successfully managed to best Noxians forces in a surprise invasion of Ionia. Wanting to seek out the rumor's validity, he ordered the rest of his men to continue onto Demacia in case the rumor proved false, while he alone returned to Ionia.
The rumor was true. Upon his return, he noticed the first signs of recovery to an otherwise disarrayed setting. Trepidation growing, he quickly made his way to the Placidium in order to meet with the Elders and find out exactly what happened in his short absence. As he rushed into the Sacred Chamber, the Elders, already anticipating his arrival, immediately briefed Zelos of the transpired events and the current state of Ionia. He was shocked and proud to hear his sister's role in pushing back the Noxian forces, but was told that he must complete a certain task before seeing his beloved little sister.
He was told that Ionia's mystical Lamia crystal, the source keeping the Ionian isles afloat and responsible for the channeling of spiritual energy throughout the land, may have been damaged by the events that took place and needed to be check on immediately. This is how he met Aster. Zelos had never seen the actual crystal in person since it was strictly off limits to anyone except the elders, so when he approached the glowing structure, he was surprised to hear what seemed like a child's voice asking him what his purpose was. Sensing Zelos' confusion, the voice introduced itself as Aster, Ionia's avatar since its humble beginnings. Unbeknownst to him, Aster was already reading his innermost thoughts only to discover a plethora of guilt for failing his home in its time of need. Taking pity on Zelos, Aster offered him a way to redeem himself for his inadequacy, which was to become the peoples' hope by taking on the title of Asura, the fabled hero of Ionia who only appeared in desperate times of need and recovery.
"I have failed my people once, I do not intend to do so again." -Zelos Lito upon being granted the title of Asura.
