Shouldn't Vi look more muscular?

DarkBlue731·3/12/2015, 4:55:57 AM·7 votes·6,352 views

I think Vi is one of the most awesome characters ever made. But since I started playing as her, it has always kind of bugged me that Vi is a person that: -can carry these massive mechanical gauntlets without any obvious machinery holding them up for her -swing them so effortlessly all day every day -smash down concrete and metal walls with them, and freaking loves it -chase down and captures criminals -beat monsters and machines to a pulp by punching them in the face, and freaking loves doing so -is a physical powerhouse

and yet despite all of that and more: she is all skin and bones. She doesn't even have noticeable biceps in her splash art for crying out loud.

with many characters, it makes sense why their bodies look the way they look, and usually it fits their roles and what weapon they use: Ahri is a mage with a magic ball and used to be a fox Ashe is an archer Braum is a giant strongman with a massive door for a shield Caitlyn is a sniper Gragas drinks way too much LeeSin a martial artist Tryndamere uses a massive sword and just won't die Fiora a fencer Irelia those blades swing themselves Cassiopeia a mage who spits on people and looks at them funny and so on

But Vi ? Uses two massive gauntlets to punch things in the face, and can take a lot of punishment, yet her body looks more like Ezreal's, who's main way of attacking is by waving his hand and going "pew pew pew".

Does anyone else see kind of a disconnect here? Shouldn't someone who swings those gloves have larger arms and larger muscles in general? I mean, I don't think she has to look like Braum. I don't want her to either. Just, you know, I think it makes more sense from a design and character standpoint that her arm, leg, core, and back muscles somewhat reflect that she uses massive hunks of metal on her fists to punch things in the face on a fairly regular schedule. So it's annoying to me that her actual body looks like a barbie doll instead of what she actually is: awesome.

Just a thought.

So what does everyone else think? Does anyone agree, or am I just crazy/dumb? Any other characters that don't look the way you think they should, given their roles or weapons? I know there are quite a few.

40 Comments

Lady Luck3/12/2015, 9:56:15 AM3 votes

If I remember correctly...

Iron Stylus answered this question when she was released. They had toyed with making her more muscular to "match" the gloves. However the end result made it so that the gloves didn't stand out as much as they'd like. By having a relatively small frame and thin arms, the gloves pop more than they would if it was more logical in appearance. They wanted her to be all about the giant gloves... not just a muscular woman that likes to punch people. So yea, the contrast is initentional.

As for the "machinery" it is her hextech back piece as somebody else said. Keep in mind that hextech is a mix of magic (hex) and technology. So it may not be as obvious as typical machinery as to the purpose.

Trash MammaI3/12/2015, 5:07:30 AM2 votes

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Levyathyn3/13/2015, 5:30:46 AM2 votes

http://theathleticbuild.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/574710_3084767159684_1006065122_n-e1362419130468.jpg

This is Camille LeBlanc-Bazinet, one of the most fit women on the planet, with a 300 pound straight deadlift. Not the hyper muscular ideal, I'd say, but for her height and weight it's impressive. And she looks like a model. Honestly, I'm good either way. Visually, I like Vi how she is, and I don't mind slimmer, more natural shapes or the more toned look bodybuilders get. But it isn't as unrealistic as it may seem.

Arkkenshield3/12/2015, 6:33:43 AM1 votes
4nth0l0gy3/12/2015, 6:54:30 AM1 votes

The short answer, OP, is that yes, she should look more muscular. The long answer involves a criticism of Riot's portrayal of female champions; namely, that they all have to look like a hetero guy's sexual fantasy.

ForPortal3/12/2015, 7:23:07 AM1 votes

So... something like Gina Carano, or a bit bigger?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/99/Gina_Carano.jpg

Zeddicus43/12/2015, 9:50:34 AM1 votes

I love this idea I always picture her like a taller ronda rousey sexy but badass!! Aka the one on the left, ignore that one on the right....

Ebonmaw Dragon3/12/2015, 5:24:50 AM1 votes

{quoted}

I think Vi is one of the most awesome characters ever made. But since I started playing as her, it has always kind of bugged me that Vi is a person that: -can carry these massive mechanical gauntlets without any obvious machinery holding them up for her

You see the hextech machine on her back? you know... the magicalsteamlike backpack?

That is the "obvious machinery holding them up for her"...

... Yeah... hextech... magic... magical infused machinery.... MAGICAL SCIENCE!

Automata933/12/2015, 11:44:21 AM1 votes

I like my main champ the way she is. Body acceptance... Vi

But in all seriousness, with all the BS in Rito's logic, THIS is what you cling to?

Sukishoo3/12/2015, 5:27:36 AM1 votes

So... MORE manly? Got it.