Can we have more champion specific dialogue?

Swollwonder··34 votes·8,463 views

I was just looking at Yasuos specifics taunts towards riven and even though they're just one little line of dialogue they make the game feel so much more alive. The taunts give a "ok I'm playing a champion with a story" instead of a "this is just a new character with four different abilities".

Riot seems to be heading in this direction. Kindred, jihn, and tahm kench have all had around 20 MINUTES of dialogue. However, in my opinion, it's not used as smartly as it could. Its great that Yasuo and Riven have a taunt but it's almost rarely used. Why? Because taunts are used during the laning phase and riven and Yasuo rarely face each other in lane. It's a lot easier to taunt when you don't have an entire enemy team trying to kill you during late game.

So here are some of the proposals I would personally like to see happen ---Champion specific dialogue needs to get paired with champions which also inhabit that lane. This way they are much more likely to actually be used. An example would be Jinx and Caitlin. ---Champion specific dialogue should NOT be a taunt. Most people are focused on laning not saying "oh I actually have a chance to hear my special interaction with this champ". Similar to how Yasuo comments on Rivens Q, champ specific dialogue needs to be done without the input of the player. This could be solved by switching out some of the attack/move dialogue if conditions are met such as the correct champion being around and visible. ---Champion dialogue needs to reference the actual champion. Going back to Yasuo, he had several taunts referring to ninjas. The problem is this is as bland as its vague. It's not really directed at the champions but just the idea of ninjas, which isn't a whole lot better than champions normal dialogue as far as making them feel like they have a story.

These are just some of my ideas on how to make champion specific dialogue more enjoyable as its something I like in league.

30 Comments

RiotWAAARGHbobo16 votes

We are actually working on this. Both in terms of tech and artistry. So for instance. My first VO was dunk master Darius. --lots of taunts. But not as effective as he could be. We advanced the tech on Rek'sai. I then used that tech on Tahm. Then based on what we learn from that, Beefpunchbeef stayed up a bunch of late nites so I could give Illaoi a whole new style of interactions. Jhin then pushed that forward. An important gate to remember is this tech and techniques are developed on new champs and champ relaunches. We are gaining this stuff-- and slowly it will make its way through the roster. It will very very probably happen and on a champ in 2016.... then begin to spread to other champs and relaunches.

Blue Moon Wolf1 votes

That sounds great, but what are the chances of older champs not in line for a rework (Alistar Galio and Talon for example) getting new champ specific dialog? Or is that what you mean by it'll make it's way through the roster?

RiotWAAARGHbobo9 votes

That's what I mean by making our way through the roster. So ironically the older and most terrible champs (cough yorrick, taric) are the highest priorities.

BetaDude4016 votes

{quoted}

yorrick

Yorick: YOU MISSPELLED MY NAME!!! YOU GUYS REALLY DO HATE ME!!! ;_;

item 3070Yorickitem 3070

(It's a joke; I know sarcasm is hard to detect over the internet)

Blue Moon Wolf2 votes

Don't you worry whoever you are, You too will rise from your grave with a fresh coat of paint... just as soon as Riot is done getting truly Outrageous :^)

item 3069 Taric item 3069

Nikolas Uncaged1 votes

You obviously don't know the power of the gems

INoble KnightI1 votes

Taric is amazing!

TheRealBaz2 votes

{quoted}

That's what I mean by making our way through the roster. So ironically the older and most terrible champs (cough yorrick, taric) are the highest priorities.

from what i've heard yorick isnt terrible, but rather anti-fun for the enemy

Ultîma3 votes

Could there be new lines for Shen, since he's just about to get his rework? It would be a shame if he was launched, only to never be iterated on again for years because of a missed opportunity.

Blue Moon Wolf2 votes

I think he's getting a Singed level update, so it's looking a bit grim for him getting new lines (his lack of a recall animation isn't a good sign, that's for sure). On the other hand I think they Gave MasterYi 2 interactions with MonkeyKing (blukong >.>) when he got his VU, so you never know.

ModCaptainMårvelous2 votes

Can I make a small suggestion?

I know you guys love shipping but seriously, the last few champs have had lines referencing Garen and Kat's love. We don't need a constant reminder that they're star-crossed lovers. You guys can stow those interactions for some stuff that may have more weight and power to them. Maybe a line that references a plot point? Either way, I think it's pretty clear what the narrative team's OTP is.

GreenLore1 votes

So what is your opinion about regular interactions? Most champs have special taunts/jokes,but its kinda difficult to do these,because if you are close enough to do them,then the enemy is usually close enough to hurt you,so they do come at a risk(and some of them aren't even pointed at enemies who you'll encounter in lane,so its even more difficult to do them).

I think there is a lot of unused potential for lines that trigger during automatically under certain conditions.

RiotWAAARGHbobo1 votes

We are working on. One of the things we have to careful with is not to impact gameplay. (i.e. you can't have lines automatically trigger when a character is near an enemy character-- because that could effect gameplay. (for instance a marksmen-- not seeing a Yi sneaking up behind them)

Stellafreyja2 votes

Just wondering, how do you feel about including more secondary quests into the game? Like the Fight for Freljord between Ashe, Sejuani, and Lissandra or The Hunt is On between Rengar and Kha'Zix? They always seemed really cool and exciting but there's so few. Have you ever considered adding more "events" like this?

RiotWAAARGHbobo2 votes

I love this idea! But im obviously biased.

TotalJerk2 votes

What if you do it more like Graves or Thresh when they hit certain champions (Nocturne and Nautilus, respectively) with abilities?

RiotWAAARGHbobo2 votes

This is comming, we got some new tools to make this less of a headache for our sound guys.

Stand Alone Wolf1 votes

I was just about to say that it seemed like Dunk master Darius had a ton of dialogue compared to most champs. Seemed like it was because of the hype from it actually coming to be "The dunkmaster skin for the dunkmaster" that got him so much attention.

RiotWAAARGHbobo1 votes

Arguably that was part of it. But also I write lots of lines really fast. [slayer-jinx-wink] Dunkmaster was the first champ I was primary on. Then DJsona, Rek'Sai, Tahm, Illaoi, and now Jhin.

Vier1 votes

Also can new champions/updates get lines to champions that have not received a taunt/joke to them ever? Garen/Katarina already have plenty of dialogue. What about Kennen, Lux, Irelia any many, many more? A champion has never had a unique line towards them and it feels unfair when the same group of champions always get a line/s directed to them.

LoZfan031 votes

Tangential question, but can we get some interactions with Garen/Kat that don't involve their rumored forbidden love or at least slow up on those? If they were revealing more information, that'd be one thing, but it's been the same "you've got a cruuush" idea from several recent champs. In some cases, they arguably have little or no reason to comment on it at all - Tahm makes sense in-character, but it's unclear why Illaoi would know or care about their situation. In any case, at this point I think we get the picture, y'know? I know they don't have a ton of backstory to work with, but there must be something else going on in their lives...right? If nothing else, they both have very interesting sisters!

Stand Alone Wolf1 votes

As little as I use Malphite, I truly believe he could use some better dialogue over Garen, & Katarina.

GreenLore3 votes

Yeah I agree. The whole special taunt/joke thing is cool and all,but it is rather clunky.

SpecterVonBaren2 votes

Braum is actually like this, though he has some comments to Freliordians, most of his unique comments are towards ADC's and supports.

Best KhaZix Void2 votes

TFW kha'zix has been out for almost 3 and a half years and he only has one interaction, with rengar. feelsbadman

Cremepie2 votes

Yeah I love that kind of stuff Caitlyn ults Vi and lives Vi "Nice shot cupcake!"

Swollwonder1 votes

This is a really good one actually

Baron Von Bangin1 votes

It should be like Aatrox and Trynd; automatically trigger.

They've done a bit of that when certain abilities are used on other champs (Vi and Jayce, Braum and a bunch, Jhin when he ultra certain champs). But I like the automatic dialogue that Aatrox and Primetime Draven have.

Furor Nexis1 votes

I'd say Varus badly needs some new lines. Give him some interactions with Noxian-based champions and other Ionians. His lines are literally so emo I cringe when I hear them, and he's my favorite go-to champ. I mean even yesterday I learned that Kalista of all champs has unique dialogue for him.

DeathBurst1 votes

{quoted}

 ---Champion specific dialogue needs to get paired with champions which also inhabit that lane. This way they are much more likely to actually be used. An example would be Jinx and Caitlin.
---Champion specific dialogue should NOT be a taunt. Most people are focused on laning not saying "oh I actually have a chance to hear my special interaction with this champ". Similar to how Yasuo comments on Rivens Q, champ specific dialogue needs to be done without the input of the player. This could be solved by switching out some of the attack/move dialogue if conditions  are met such as the correct champion being around and visible.

This ^ Especially the 2nd one.

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