What splash arts tell the best stories?

Tattersall··10 votes·8,961 views

A lot of skin lines have whole backstories to them, but the only things we know about them come from voice lines and the splash art. For example, the Arclight skin line was originally just Varus mixed with Kid Icarus, but then a story was created out of that skin. Now the story is that Varus and Vayne are "holy avengers uplifted by a gigantic golden-tentacled god (so in his splash Vel'koz is testing the faithful and Varus and Vayne are supernatural zealots that passed that test and ascended)."

  • RIOT Kindlejack

So I think that splash arts are meant to give you that first look into a skin or champion, and it really is a great splash art that tells a tale. For example: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C4QHRGvVcAADjYq.jpg This is a great splash art. Most people agree with me on that. But I feel that it's so much more than just a picture of Diana as a demon priestess. I see a person who has made a pact with a demon mask, one that gives her the power to accompish her righteous goals, but a demon nonetheless. The sigil that seems burned on to her forehead is proof of this contract, but the expression on her face seems subdued, like she knows she has to put on the mask, but also knows that she loses herself in the process. When I thought up my question, this was really the only splash that immediately came to mind, but feel free to discuss more than one splash.

So that's that. Now, what splash art (including base splashes) do you find that you can overanalyze? What splashes do you think tell a deeper story?

31 Comments

Xilixer1 votes

need to upvote this to 50

Papa Andrei9 votes

http://www.leaguesplash.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Creator-Viktor.jpg

Probably this one. It shows how Viktor went from a guy who just wants to help humanity, be rejected far to much, and found these creatures, by stories or firsthand experience, and made an army out of them. It shows how he was bent and turned evil to show the world that his ideas were right.

PhoenixOfHeaven6 votes

http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/leagueoflegends/images/d/df/Yorick_UndertakerSkin.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20160823190229

Undertake Yorick, Easy. It perfectly depicts his theme of rebellion, with going against the Shadow Isles, but it also has an eerie storybook feel. His model and the background perfectly depict his character. Looking at the background, you see how grim the world is. The fact he's emerging out of it speaks wonders for who he is. And all this, Just for a skin. That's not even his default!

dukevonart5 votes

I don't remember the exact timing of when they came out, but the skins in this splash have some of the same design aspects as Undertaker Yorick. They could also be related in terms of skin lore.

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/umwm67K9iLg/hqdefault.jpg

Larger Image

PhoenixOfHeaven2 votes

Same design, but nothing more, Granted, I LOVE the art style on those, but Yorick's here has ulterior meanings. Those are nothing more then images on a story book.

The only ulterior motive of that picture is that behind each character depicts and element of who they are. Note Kayle has wings, in the background. Singed is giving off Gas at the lower-left, and ...Well. I don't see anything for Noc. Either way though, Yorick's tells a story. Those just look really nice.

RiotKindlejack5 votes

It was a really interesting way to push group splash art at the time, then with the Yorick update Undertaker was redesigned to fit into the same world. I hope we can do more in the future... I really want to know who holds this book and hunts these monsters.

PhoenixOfHeaven3 votes

Dev post on a thread with less then 10 upvotes? :p don't see that everyday. And I could see what ya mean with them being the same. The difference though is that Yorick looks like he's trying to change that, with how tattered it has become, an awesome design choice.

Along with that, Yeah the design on both are absolutely awesome. Eager to see something with Jhin on a background like that. Along with Jhin, a whimsical, Storybook-esque character would be amazing. Like a combination between Lulu, Ryze, and Taric.

Valaran Nara2 votes

{quoted}

Dev post on a thread with less then 10 upvotes? :p don't see that everyday. And I could see what ya mean with them being the same. The difference though is that Yorick looks like he's trying to change that, with how tattered it has become, an awesome design choice.

Along with that, Yeah the design on both are absolutely awesome. Eager to see something with Jhin on a background like that. Along with Jhin, a whimsical, Storybook-esque character would be amazing. Like a combination between Lulu, Ryze, and Taric.

I wouldn't say Yorick is trying to change it. I mean, since Yorick is solo, it's easy to assume he's everything different or whatnot. Anyways, while I wouldn't say he's "trying to change" anything because he's only standing still and looking; however, I'm assuming he became "real."

I really want to know who holds this book and hunts these monsters. - Kindlejack

What I think happened is that Yorick actually was taken out of said book which is why the page is burning away. Unfortunately, if it wasn't for the group splash for comparison, you can't really tell what he's doing specifically other than looming their.

PhoenixOfHeaven2 votes

No he's trying to change it, because unlike the other picture, he's tearing apart the picture. The background showcases a bleak world, which he is currently stepping outside of. Maybe I am overthinking it, but when you put it in the perspective I have it, it's absolutely awesome.

Valaran Nara2 votes

{quoted}

No he's trying to change it, because unlike the other picture, he's tearing apart the picture. The background showcases a bleak world, which he is currently stepping outside of. Maybe I am overthinking it, but when you put it in the perspective I have it, it's absolutely awesome.

I get what you're saying, but I don't see him physically doing anything but possibly walking out of the book. That or coming to life as the book burns away. Kindle said that someone is hunting the monsters in the book. I say the burning of the page is what happens when one of said fiends escape. Not necessarily that Yorick IS the main one trying to change things, but rather he just happened to walk out. Hell, the book itself could be cursed! Whosoever opens the book and read will inadvertently release terrible demons that have been binded and imprisoned upon the pages!

But yeah. I don't see Yorick doing anything but having come to life and manifest from said pages. You know, unless he didn't manifest and the hunter just happened to have gotten "sucked" into said story world. In which case, he's going through some crazy trip where the pages burn away as the pictures and descriptions become a reality.

PhoenixOfHeaven2 votes

Yeah it's true, the way his cloak is he isn't quite moving, so it's hard to tell if he's entering it, leaving it, or just standing there. As you've figured out though, what matters is he's currently outside of the story. The story looks grim and he isn't inside it. I'm taking that as a contrast to his lore, since this splash WAS updated with his update, wasn't it? He's outside of the grim-looking area, which could easily be compared to the Shadow Isles. What matters is he has the same storybook feel as the other three skins, but only his is damaged. What the damage of it could mean could go anyway, but knowing Yorick's innate lore, I like to think he's escaped the area, and will likely return to fix it. He's either leaveing for the first time, or returning to fix it.

Maybe you are right with his 'Comeing to life' thing, but either way the result is the same. He is no longer apart of this world. It's just a matter of what he does now.

reaperteaser1 votes

is this whats inside the nomicon?

RiotKindlejack2 votes

Oh man it could be :O

Neamean6 votes

My personal head canon for these skin is that they represent the four horsemen

Yorick Death Kayle Conquest/War Nocturne Famine Singed Pestilence

RiotKindlejack5 votes

woah that's awesome...

Sexy Jack Rabbit1 votes

I quite liked the Kayle/Noc/Singed group splash, it really shows that group splash arts CAN be good and even become amongst the best Splashes in the game.

Why is that we get really good one like these, but then get the horrible ones like the Monster Hunter and the Bard Bard/Dawnchaser Sej splashes?

Is it just bad compositioning from the Artist's side? Or is it a choice by the overall team? There were MUCH better ways to compose and position those Artworks, so I don't know why we got such terrible results.

RiotKindlejack3 votes

A lot of it is experimentation. Group splashes are a way to resolve bandwidth issues (if you know any illustrators that can hit our splash quality please send them our way, I think we've hired them all) and the splash discipline have tried tackling the challenge in different ways:

Beast Hunter tried a dynamic composition that focused on the fantasy more than the individual skins, while Gothic Horror used a creative break with tradition to focus on the skins. Similarly the Chef group splash tried to create a composition that put equal focus on all the characters and have them interacting, while the RPG (part 2) splash was a large 'master' piece that had each individual's splash cropped and blurred from.

Something we talk about a lot is balancing product goals with artistic principles. The Beast Hunter splash actually has fantastic composition - for a painting, but doesn't work as well for showcasing the skins. The Gothic Horror splash focuses heavily on the purpose of a splash but at the cost of a more singular work of art.

Also try to remember when it comes to opinions on the art there are players who love a splash and players who don't, not everyone feels the same way! Your final paragraph could dissuade people from respecting your comments.

Sexy Jack Rabbit1 votes

I appreciate the reply as usual.

I'll start by saying that I will NEVER censor myself in that way. Everyone knows my comments are my own opinion as they are my comment.
Whether someone respects my opinion or not, is their own prerogative. People don't go into things with an empty mind, they will have decided on whether they respect my opinion regardless of how I word it. You do you and I'll do me, is what I always say.

I'll have to agree that yes, the Splash work well as Art pieces, but they don't an absolute atrocious job as splash-arts. I can 100% understand why Riot might want to try the whole Artsy dynamic style, but I think more thought needs to be put into them when you really decide to do them.

You don't only do a terrible job of showcasing the skins, but do a great job of alienating players who might want to see their champion represented well.

I don't think it should be such a binary choice. I would think that you at least TRY to represent ALL of the champions in the splash-art before doing anything else, but it's unfortunately not the case. In the end they are SPLASH ARTS, and I can't see the argument where that takes a back seat to representing the white generic male characters in the foreground all the time (Not being political, just pointing out a trend).

Sejuani was messed over twice, Tryndamere was in the monster hunter and Bard in the RPG splash, and the same thing is done again and again in 90% of group splashes. If you could explain the process a little bit more that'd be appreciated, because it really makes no sense why these kind of things happen.

It really doesn't help or make anyone feel better when blatant bias comes into it either, or that Riot feels the need to cling to generics. It's a massive bummer when you see stuff like this happen, especially when it all could have been avoided so easily.

Lùmen2 votes

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gzQmtBJMxG0/WDNV6IOdrnI/AAAAAAAA__c/jFovm-rimZkOOvwhYznpFUXpzxIeLuueACLcB/s1600/Camille_Splash_1.jpg

Program Camille is on a secret mission, this event probably takes place on a quiet street in the middle of a post-apocalyptic Piltover where Creator Viktor conquered the town and his void-machine hybrid abominations are scouting the area for survivors. Camille's mission is to put them down, one by one until she reaches Viktor... I assumed this from the presence of a surveillance machine that is near Camille in the splash art. Kind of reminds me of Creator Viktor's machines, but this is just a theory

Duke of Sloths2 votes

http://www.mobafire.com/images/champion/skins/landscape/poppy-ragdoll.jpg

https://static.lolwallpapers.net/2017/02/589b335b3ccee.jpg

I like the idea that there are some toys that are appreciated but the ones that are ignored or trashed get possessed. Really great quality from these splashes, love the little details in them.

Sexy Jack Rabbit3 votes

Taking into account the new April Fools skins coming up it seems like they are building this really cool Universe around toy based skins.

You have Annie, the child who owns them all. Renektoy, Super kennen and Moo Cow Alistar as regular play toys. Sewn Chaos Amumu and Blitzcrank as old toys that were abandoned by Annie as she grew older. And Ragdoll Poppy as a bedroom comfort doll.

The current Moo Cow Alistar/Renektoy etc. Splash even sets up a cool idea of Ragdoll Poppy saving them all from Pug'maw.

Xilixer2 votes

http://na.leagueoflegends.com/sites/default/files/styles/scale_xlarge/public/upload/arcligh_velkoz_splash_1920.jpg?itok=ctostKLA

there is quite a bit of interesting detail in this splash art. the person being disentigrated almost looks as if he did it willingly. the guards are just standing there watching it happen in awe/fear. they aren't even in combat stance pointing their spears towards vel'koz. i'm not too familiar with the building structures in the background so i hope someone can tell me where this takes place at.

Variks the Loyal2 votes

http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/leagueoflegends/images/9/98/Pantheon_DragonslayerSkin.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20160518195035

We may now stand a chance, but to wage a war, we will need more scales. And those with the courage to wear them.

Arcus Diabolus2 votes

http://pre11.deviantart.net/ff6d/th/pre/f/2011/277/3/2/lol___redeemed_exile_by_knockwurst-d4buedo.jpg

For me it's easily Redeemed Riven.

The name says it all. In the context of Riven's actual lore, this is loaded with story elements.

Everything from the new armor to the look of future hope on her face speaks volumes to me and I hope that this skin will be the direction Riot takes in terms of a lore update for Riven if she ever gets one.

xelaker1 votes

devil teemo...

Pale Pirate1 votes

I can't overanalyze right now, but I think these two have potential, so I'll hope someone else does it for me.

http://i.imgur.com/gLrMnl8.jpg http://img3.leaguecraft.com/skins/asset/skin_1372589555_760px_26363_1.jpg%22

Ebonmaw Dragon1 votes

[{quoted}](name=0 oxros piratis,realm=EUNE,application-id=6kFXY1kR,discussion-id=1Bl9s1bE,comment-id=0004,timestamp=2017-03-11T12:20:08.640+0000)

I can't overanalyze right now, but I think these two have potential, so I'll hope someone else does it for me.

http://i.imgur.com/gLrMnl8.jpg http://img3.leaguecraft.com/skins/asset/skin_1372589555_760px_26363_1.jpg%22

http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110404223744/leagueoflegends/images/d/d2/Lee_Sin_OriginalSkin_old.jpg

GULAG 4 U1 votes

Project master yi splash shows some degree of backstory.

zlumpy1 votes

Surprise party amumu says a lot with just a picture.

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