Boards›Story, Art, & Sound

A Heartfelt Letter to Riot on Varus

DoctMagnus·12/3/2017, 6:05:25 PM·27 votes·1,406 views

When I started playing around 2015, Varus was the very first champion I ever played. I went on to main the character for a little bit during my learning phase of league due to his fun kit and unique corrupt look. There was something very compelling about the twisted and mutilated man that pierced enemies with burning arrows. I had a great time lining up and leading up my shots with his long range Q. I can still remember asking my friends what an "Ace" was while playing him very early on (XD). After a while I lost touch with the ADC class in general, but kept tabs on Varus, playing him every once and awhile. I wasn't ever particularly interested in the original lore of Varus, viewing it as a very general description that defined some key parts of him, but ultimately left smaller details or further development in the shadows. Over the years, players have filled in these blanks through fan-art, writings, and more. With this, broader ideas and concepts (while be it possibly not shared by the entirety of the global league community) formed to bring life to the character that wasn't entirely complete. I know it's difficult when these things are established in their own way and you guys starts looking to rewrite or develop a character. Making the decision of what truly defined and built the character, whether it be from you guys or the players can be extremely difficult. I know with these processes it becomes a balancing act of what the community and what you guys conceptually share when we look at a character like Varus.

With all that said, I personally don't think you guys handled this situation to the best of your ability. Whatever your reason, whether it be a possibly fleshier replacement for the old lore, or (sadly) a shoe in for diversity, the destruction of the old Varus feels unjust. Sure, Varus wasn't the most popular champion (in my own opinion), and his lore wasn't something that was revered, but for the people that truly fell in love with "Varus" I can assume that this change was inconceivably painful. At a certain point, things like this go from an outlook from both the community and you guys, to what seems like a checklist or agenda that you want to fulfill. I understand that when things get rolling, and ideas and concepts start taking flight, it's hard to shut them down. I can assume that you guys may have been so focused on the new diversity (gay) aspect of Varus that you might of forgotten the most important part to him, the part that's truly sparking the community:

Staying true to his character

I personally don't think I have the knowledge adequate to explain the differences, but there several (and I mean several) emotional posts across the board deeply explaining how different this new Varus is. With some of them, it's painful to hear their reasoning since it's so emotionally raw.

Like this one This one This one And this one

I know I'm making assumptions here, but I can't help when things start going quiet from y'all's end. Is it too much to ask for a formal apology to the old lore lovers, and/or anyone who really cared? Is it too much to ask that we get an honest explanation for what happened here? If it's about diversity, great :D, I'm glad y'all are trying to take steps forward to broaden your champions from some of the old cookie cutter/safer choices, but choosing to implement this diversity onto Varus, in my own opinion, was not the correct approach. If it was about broadening the lore, then maybe you should've analyzed Varus and the communities’ visions of him before making such a drastic change. I'm glad you guys are taking the time to go back and rework some of the older/weaker champions in whatever department they lack, but sometimes I feel that you aim at change just to change things.

Who knows?

No one really does right now.

That's why I beg, I plead of you in some way to answer the community, and not just brush the situation under the rug. I don't think you guys are horrible money focused dickheads. Actually, I think at times we the community scare y'all or force you to take a vow of silence to protect yourselves. I love league of legends, it’s one of the few things I really get a kick out of in my life. I hate when things get real harsh here on the boards as I try to see things from a very balanced light, but this event has struck something in me.

I recently saw a comment on one of these Varus posts discussing the futility of this side’s argument due the stated larger positive reception towards the change. That we are the 1% of the 1% in moments like these, and personally I think that's OK. I'm not asking for a reversion back to the old lore, or some finagled bull crap to make everyone happy. You made this decision, good or bad, and I think it's more appropriate to run with how things are now.

I just want to say this:

Please in the future don't do this to a character.

I get it y'all are the big dogs, it’s your multi-million dollar video game, but it can't help feel like it's some damn scary "Our decisions are final and law," case. It really strikes an emotional chord in players when you begin to do stuff like this. That's all I have to say to you guys. Take my thoughts into consideration in some way, whether I exist as the 1% of the 1% of the 1%.

Now to the players, when things like these happen and everything gets fussy. To truly communicate to Riot your emotions and feelings, you need to make sure your voice is heard in some way. Whether it be on the Boards, Reddit, or Youtube. Whatever its form, be it in text, music, or something else. This comment to y'all isn't here promote the reverting of Varus, it's to make sure that your voice is heard. That's the only way Riot will ever understand/be able to communicate with us.

TL;DR

- I don't think the decisions made with Varus was appropriate, but I don't think they should go back on them -I don't believe that this approach to a champion should be taken ever again **- I wish that Riot would communicate closer to us when issues like this arise. ** **- Player need to take action and get their voice heard in situations like this, whether positive or negative, it's the only way Riot can understand things. **

Anyways that just my take, peace :)

[vlad-salute]

10 Comments

MysterQ12/3/2017, 6:38:05 PM7 votes

Great post. Varus was also one of my first characters (if not my first) since he was in the free lineup. I was super sad to see him be a 6300 champ afterwards lol (now reduced).

Cavesloth12/3/2017, 11:09:40 PM7 votes

Honestly they just need to fire their writing team.... out of a cannon... at the moon.

Retconning characters with edgier or controversial stories is the move of a rookie writer that has no talent to rely on, they want so desperately to stand out with something original they forget why story archetypes exist, BECAUSE THEY WORK. Just because something is original doesn't mean it is good. Not to mention the whole 3 guys 1 body thing was just dumb as hell, not to mention it makes Kayn, a character that isn't even a year old, less unique. Which is even more ironic because they probably changed Varus' story because it was similar to Kayns (guy chooses corrupting power for vengeance).

Not to mention how they shit on Volibear's story. He went from hero trying save his people (who WERE bear people) to a douchey war god who turns humans into were-bears for "reasons".

Talos of Altmora12/3/2017, 6:45:19 PM4 votes

We all have an attachment to the first character we played. Hell, I love shyvanna and she was my first champion ever, I remember saving up to buy her.

Varus was my favorite ADC, I feel like a lost my main. If his current lore was given to a new champ, I doubt any one would have complained, maybe they would have nitpicked it, but it would have been fine.

I hope this letter does get a red response though. You seem to have put a lot of work into it and seem to do a good job of being neutral on it.

Kaladin Davar12/3/2017, 10:00:48 PM2 votes

Downvoting you because im sick of all the annoying varus posts, riot isn't gonna change it so stop literally making the same exact post as every single other person.