The next VGU: Do you feel the tremors?

Zoe got released and her team is moving to the next project. This one is going to be a VGU and CertainlyT is going to lead it, as it seems. I want to discuss what I think would be the perfect candidate for this VGU slot, many people probably already know which champion my decision fell on.

I am talking about the glorious armordillo, Rammus! https://lolstatic-a.akamaihd.net/frontpage/apps/prod/shurima-2016/de_DE/c9086fcc7c767c891424c11682e31d1a7635f569/assets/img/champions/rammus/rammus-splash-keyart.png

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But why exactly Rammus? There are alot of possible champions for this rework, aren't there? Well, I actually have tons of reason to chose him and I will start to present them to you immediately.

Lore Development Not long time ago, a new champion got added to the roster. Ornn, the forge demigod from Freljord, is delivering a great opportunity to work with Rammus as well. What are the traits of the demigods shown to us in the lore?

• animal traits (Ornn - Ram, Anivia - Bird, Volibear - Bear)

• related to a natural element or phenomenon (Ornn - Vulcanoes, Anivia - Blizzards, Volibear - Lightning/Storms)

Rammus fits the criteria! He has obvious traits of an armadillo and seems to be connected to the element earth and earthquakes. Making Rammus the first Shuriman demigod seems like a logical choice here.

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Gameplay Development Riot was experimenting with gameplay quite alot in the last time and they implemented alot of stuff that would work perfectly with core identities in his kit.

Camille introduced the new mechanic of AD shields into the game. However, outside of Camille's passive, it isn't represented in any part of the game. Rammus is supposed to be the anti-AD-tank by design, just like Galio was seen as the anti-AP-tank. And what did Galio get with his rework? MR scalings on his skills and a passive AP shield. I expect them to build the AD shield into Rammus' kit in the future.

Additionally, Riot introduced some movementspeed scalings. Warwick's R range, Janna's passive, even runes are scaling with movementspeed now. Is there a part in Rammus' kit, which is iconic and would make sense with some kind of movementspeed scaling? There is: Powerball!

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Outdated model and poor skin choices Well, the argument that his in game model is outdated applies to most champions on the tier 1 VGU list, doesn't it? But there is another problem, that is related to it.

Rammus lacks quality skins. Look through his skin choices in the client, he doesn't have a single skin bove the 975 RP threshold! That is poor and unfortunately, I don't see this to change anytime soon as long as he didn't receive his VGU.

Another great candidate for the next VGU slot would be Nunu (HI KILLABURN!), but in this term, Rammus just beats him. Nunu at least has a legendary skin (Robo-Nunu) and another 1350 RP skin, which is pretty high quality in my opinion (Zombie Nunu). Rammus has nothing like that and the only way to tackle that problem in the future is by giving him his rework.

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Rammus' Minirework Rammus already received (like many other champs) a minirework. However, did it really hit the mark or is he still a problematic champion? I think it's the latter, I read quite alot that his kit is frustrating for players, his winrate since his minirework skyrocketed and he benefitted hugely from the rune changes.

They definitely have to do about his kit again. May as well give him the full treatment instead of another bandaid.

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CertainlyT as the Designer As far as I know, CertainlyT has shown interest in reworking Rammus in the past. Could be that it was his own wish to investigate Rammus another time trying to give him an update.

Another time? Why did I say that? Well, I found this character study page made by a Rioter, who worked on Warwick's VGU as well. It seems that Rammus was already considered for a rework in the next time (why else that study page?). https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/001/236/322/large/david-ko-4-2-1000.jpg?1442759349 Looking at this study page, the designs seem to fit the demigod direction I discussed as well. He looks much more like a strong earth related deity. My favourite design is that on bottom side far left, btw.

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Time of Release It seems likely that the next VGU is going to get released in the summer next year. You know, when it's hot. Talking about hot, are there hot places in Runeterra? Oh, right, Shurima!

Just like it was a great coincidence that Evelynn got released close to Halloween, it would fit thematically pretty well to give us the Rammus rework in the summer time as well as a update for Shurima. This may not be a relevant factor for VGU timing right now, but it still would be a nice thematic touch in my opinion.

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Checkboxes for the next VGU Riot has some aspects they look at, which have an influence on who gets the next VGU. Let's discuss some of them.

They try to avoid doubling on roles for the VGUs after each other. The last VGU we know of is Irelia, a top laner. Therefore the next VGU after her shouldn't have top lane as its main position. Since most champions on the tier 1 VGU list are either top or jungle, jungle seems like the most likely position.

• Rammus? Check!

No doubling on regions after each other. Irelia is from Ionia. So the next VGU shouldn't be from there.

• Rammus? Check!

Not always reworking dark or edgy champions. They want to put some lighthearted and friendly characters into the mix. The last friendly one was Galio, after him were Urgot, Evelynn, Swain and Irelia. All of them are different levels of dark or edgy, so I think it's time for another friendly champ.

• Rammus? Check!

For me it seems that he just perfectly fits the bill here.

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Maybe this all is just wishful thinking, but in my opinion I was able to list quite alot of good reasons to give Rammus a VGU as soon as possible. Rammus has so much potential, in lore as well as in gameplay, that it would be a shame to postpone him even further.

Do you agree? Can you feel the tremors in the far, announcing the rise of the glorious Shuriman earthquake demigod of OK-ness? Or is all this not relevant and I am just crazy?

Tell me in the comments!