Sett is trite and uninspired

Jaguar Påw·Dec 12, 2019·10 votes·5,034 views

Sett is unoriginal, yet another Vastayah that looks nothing like an animal. Sett looks like a male version of Xayah (or Ahri), just another champion with chibe - furry anime ears popping out of his bright, dye colored boy band hair. Many praise the art and champion creation in this game (I used to as well), but recently I am unimpressed. Champions used to be iconic and original representations of archetypes I wanted to see in a fighting game.

On a similar note, what in god's name is he wearing? why would someone focused around brawling be wearing skin tight fashionista pants and a weird open vest showing off their rippling chest, not to mention his pink hair hangs down over his eye, talk about a stretch. Are we playing a game where you fight the enemy or is Summoner's Rifts just an 80's dance party full of hipsters trying to follow the recent fashion fad?

The state of gameplay in League has recently been pushing me away from the game. But now that even the art and champion design is, in my opinion, becoming monotonous and repetitive there is not much drawing me to this game. This game, its' champions, and lore is losing its' identity rapidly.

29 Comments

Umbral RegentDec 12, 201910 votes

Sett is unoriginal...

Define "unoriginal"? Because as far as I see, there's plenty original about him.

Rather than using hugeass weapons as a Juggernaut, he uses his fists.
He's an underground pit-fighter, which is an interesting thematic. Sure, we've had gladiatorial fighters in the past (Xin Zhao, Alistar), but none like Sett.
Character-wise, he's a momma's boy with a chip on his shoulder and an eagerness to make his place in the world through fighting.
Additionally, lore-wise he gives us a look into the darker side of post-Noxus Ionia that we haven't seen yet. Where Zed, Akali, Karma, Irelia, and Jhin give a look into how the people, the orders, and the government are handling the fallout of the Noxian invasion, Sett shows us a side of Ionia that's craving violence after the war.

Are there some things that are unoriginal about him? Sure. He's another big, imposing dude with a square chin and plenty of muscle. He's another self-confident, "I can do anything" guy with badditude. But it ain't like he's totally unoriginal.

...yet another Vastayah that looks nothing like an animal.

Well, first of all, there's no rule that says that Vastaya can't be largely human in appearance with some basic animal semblances. Look at Ahri, Xayah, & Rakan. The Lhotlan are largely humanoid, with their silhouettes punctuated by raptor-like legs, feather tufts on the arms, and tall, furred ears - not to mention the possibility that their feather cloaks are natural. And then you have Ahri, who's literally just a woman with fox ears and fox tails.

And second of all; Sett is half-Vastaya. He's even more diluted than the descendants of Vastayashai'rei, and it's only natural that he loses some of that animal semblance due to his mixed parentage. He still has tufts of fur around his wrists and short, furry ears, but he's not going to look as much like an animal as a Lhotlan or a Marai - and definitely nothing like Rengar or Wukong.

AbiwonKenabiDec 12, 20194 votes

Great post, said a lot of what I was going to say. I have a few things to add:

I believe his "furred collar" is actually feathers attached to his body. Along with some color choices and ears, he looks similar to Xayah. This is pure speculation, but I wouldn't be surprised if Sett's mother was from the Lhotlan tribe, which we know are a more humanoid variety of Vastaya, along with Sett being only half-Vastayan.
For his outfit, I think it suits him just fine. Sett isn't just a pit fighter, he's the BOSS of the pit now. He's got these fancy looking pants because he's rich, and hated being poor. He likes to show it off. I'm guessing his pants are probably made of Ionian silk, evidenced by his line: "Things I love...My Momma, breakin' necks, and fine Ionian silk." And he's a showy pit fighter, of course he isn't going to be wearing a proper shirt. Do WWE wrestlers wear shirts in the ring? Typically no.

ZackTheWaffleManDec 12, 20192 votes

I'm now going to call him Mr. Fancy Pants and nothing else from now on

AbiwonKenabiDec 14, 20191 votes

I totally support your decision.

CloudedLogicDec 12, 20193 votes

Just going to throw all my random thoughts into this, but specifically wanted to reply I thought he looked like a half fox (especially with the fox emblems).

That being said, he looks like a drug lord who just so happens to also fight. Which I actually really like. The 'prettyboi bad' statement is kind of pointless to me, there are "good looking people" and "bad looking people." The vastaya generally are good looking like they have some kind of glamour to them from what I understand. Regardless, releasing a hideous champion because you typically release pertty lookin' ones is just pointless pandering. If they are going to be ugly (like most void champs, and such) I would rather there be a reason for it. Now they could have made him more gruff like new Urgot or Darius but literally not a concern to me.

As for being "muscly" He looks rather "normal" to me. Sure he has a bulky body but he doesn't look like he eats steroids with every meal either.

Jaguar PåwDec 15, 20191 votes

You have never met a "drug lord" I guarantee that. You really think the people that rule the underworld, dress flashy? Holywood and pop culture media has really gotten to your head.

KazekibaDec 12, 20191 votes

Im glad Lee-- I mean, We finally got a Vist-using Juggernaut and not Anudyr-- Another, I mean - heavy weapon guy.

That would be boring.

Umbral RegentDec 12, 20191 votes

Out of the three of those, Udyr is the only one listed as a Juggernaut - and even then, I don't really think he counts due to his older kit.

Beyond that, VI - while definitely being a brawler - has heavy mining-golem gauntlets. So I'd argue she has heavy weapons as well. Lee Sin is a monk, so not really much to be called a brawler, so...Yeah. Sett's pretty one-of-a-kind in that regard.

Jaguar PåwDec 15, 20191 votes

Using your fists is not unique amongst fighters at all especially not in League. Pit fighter who is also a momma's boy may be unique, but that's because it is a stretch and seems forced. Kayn and Zed are Ionian as well and inherently crave violence, being master assassins and a part of an order of killers.

Umbral RegentDec 15, 20191 votes

Using your fists is not unique amongst fighters at all especially not in League.

I went ahead and looked through the Champions who use their fists in fighting, including those who use a weapon besides. I probably missed one or two, but my count comes up to around 15. 15 Champions out of nearly 150~ now.

Alistar (no weapon)
Blitzcrank (no weapon)
Braum (door)
Galio (no weapon)
Gnar (boomerang)
Lee Sin (no weapon)
Maokai (no weapon)
Rakan (no weapon, can't count a mirror)
Shyvana - (claw-gauntlets)
Sylas (chains)
Udyr (no weapons, can't count primal magics)
VI (gauntlets)
Volibear (no weapon)
Warwick (no weapon)
ZAC (no weapon)

But what makes Sett unique is that he's a Juggernaut whose kit is dedicated to his bare-knuckle brawling. He's not a crowd-controlling minotaur, not a magically-powered golem, not a folk hero, nor a giant, magic-absorbing statue...Etc.

He's a guy who fights with his fists. No real magic to him.

Pit fighter who is also a momma's boy may be unique, but that's because it is a stretch and seems forced.

What? Okay, so what about other Champions, then?

Kayn being able to resist - and even potentially overpower a millenia-old ascended god-warrior through sheer audacity is a stretch, and it seems forced.

VI having a change of heart mid-heist and joining the Piltover police because of newfound morals is a stretch, and it seems forced.

Viktor entering a depressive state at how human beings favor emotion over efficiency and shun moving towards mechanically-assisted perfection is a stretch, and it seems forced.

You could say literally all of League is a stretch and it seems forced.

So if that's going to be your catch-all counterargument to something genuinely unique, then frankly, there ain't much left to discuss here.

Kayn and Zed are Ionian as well and inherently crave violence, being master assassins and a part of an order of killers.

Zed don't crave violence, though. Zed despised the Kinkou's inaction in regards to Noxus invading and ruining Ionia, and consequently set out to fight the invaders his way, since the passive nature of the Kinkou would only lead to Ionia's destruction.

Kayn has his own motives - personal perfection and superceding his master. And more than that, he's not some sloppy butcher, he's an assassin, and a ruthlessly efficient and calculating one, as shown by his color story.

And besides, Zed and Kayn don't paint a picture of all of Ionia - they paint a picture for themselves. Just because one small group wants to take the fight to Noxus doesn't mean all of Ionia condones the shift from peace to war - though through Sett's bio, it's clear that there's a latent hunger for violence and bloodshed across the land.

Assassin != craves violence. Zed doesn't crave violence, but he knows that it's a necessity to drive back Noxus. Kayn similarly understands the necessity, and uses death (and the fear of it) as a weapon. Both of them use violence as a way to protect and empower Ionia.

Jaguar PåwDec 16, 20191 votes

You seem very into the League Lore, good on you have fun with it. What I am saying is, in my opinion, the new champ designs are not inspiring me and feel even more forced. Maybe it is just a side effect of too many champions. But retconning Senna into being alive (another power couple bottom cringe), Aphelios is like knock off Varus (the whole two people in one), then Sett who is yet another normal human with furry ears. These champs seem recycled and rushed to me.

GelsominoKillerDec 12, 20197 votes

I agree and disagree.

Sett identity is that of a pit fighter, and you'd expect him to be a lot more rugged and blunt, like a Darius or a Braum. Instead he looks pretty and juvenile. Also, him being a grown up momma boi is quite unique!

That said, his attitude is trite, and his animalistic traits are minimal (this is justifiable because he's only half vastaya) but I don't mind.

What you have me on board about is that his clothing and hairstyle are at odds with his brawling and fighting spirit. You could argue that he runs the business and doesn't fight anymore, but it would like having an armorless garen pretending to be a knight anyway.

Jaguar PåwDec 12, 20193 votes

Very sensible points, I see where you are coming from and agree for the most part.

Jet SettDec 16, 20191 votes

From my understanding pit fighting is basically gladiatorial. Makes sense that he doesn't wear armor if he's a showman that's supposed to be exciting to see.

GelsominoKillerDec 17, 20191 votes

Pit fighting here is more like MMA. Really nobody here is asking for him to wear armor, but as a general rule of any fighting discipline (save for judo I guess) you don't want to wear anything that can be grabbed, hair included.

Also, hair obstructing your sight has no justifications.

Jet SettDec 18, 20191 votes

Well the hair doesn't actually obscure his face in game, and Sett's lore basically says outright he didn't follow any rules or disciplines. He just punched his way to the top and decided he wanted to own the pits. It seems only natural he'd wear flashy clothes once he became "the Boss."

kaijukittenDec 12, 20196 votes

Shhhh you can't hate his design cuz he's hot. That gives him a free pass from any and all criticism. /s

Sir SaltarinDec 12, 20196 votes

Funny how all I see on the Boards is hate towards Sett visual design because he's not a monster champ and he's a pretty boy.

Jaguar PåwDec 12, 20194 votes

It is not "hate," I definitely do not care enough about anything to feel "hate." It has nothing to do with being a pretty boy and more to do with his overall identity or lack thereof; furry ears, bright red hair, hair covering the eye, skin-tight apparel, not to mention pretty boy has been used for plenty of other champs already anyway. The way I see it he is literally a male Xayah, that boxes.

kaijukittenDec 12, 20191 votes

[{quoted}](name=Sir Saltarin,realm=EUW,application-id=6kFXY1kR,discussion-id=FWeWAbdp,comment-id=00000000,timestamp=2019-12-12T16:56:47.122+0000)

Funny how all I see on the Boards is hate towards Sett visual design because he's not a monster champ and he's a pretty boy.

I mean it coulda been downvote bots but when I started a thread stating that I got downvoted. And it looks like OP's post is going to go the same way.

Sir SaltarinDec 12, 20191 votes

Then it means that the complain about Sett looks exist but isn't that popular

JackMcCarryDec 12, 20196 votes

He's only half vastayah

KazekibaDec 12, 20192 votes

He's supposed to be a Vastaya?

But how? And if he is, why does he not have a bat face like his calling card?

INoble KnightIDec 12, 20191 votes

He looks like the Crystal Exarch from FFXIV: Shadowbringers.

VänilläTrëësDec 14, 20191 votes

Settts a thuggggggggggggggggggggg*[draven-pose]*

Jaguar PåwDec 15, 20191 votes

I mean depends on what you call a "thug." He looks about as "thug" as Tekashi69, or some of the other entertainers now a days. Kids these days thinking a face tat and pink hair makes you an OG. Then those same kids get picked up by the pigs and snitch on their whole crew right away. Sett does not look like an underboss at all he looks like the posers of the modern age.

LunSeiSleideeDec 14, 20191 votes

You are absolutely, 100% right. However, look at your downvotes. Riot is now aiming to edgy preteens who love generic "cool" anime stuff. They LOVE crap like the incredibly boring Sett. This game has regressed to the level of some boring, cheap, uninspired mobile title. And its players are LOVING IT. I know sunken cost fallacy is a b**ch, but I strongly suggest you gather the will to uninstall this game, because, spoilers: things are not going to get any better for this title.

Jaguar PåwDec 15, 20191 votes

Yea you can tell its these kids that don't know whether they are even male or female xD

VänilläTrëësDec 16, 20191 votes

{quoted}

You are absolutely, 100% right. However, look at your downvotes. Riot is now aiming to edgy preteens who love generic "cool" anime stuff. They LOVE crap like the incredibly boring Sett. This game has regressed to the level of some boring, cheap, uninspired mobile title. And its players are LOVING IT. I know sunken cost fallacy is a b**ch, but I strongly suggest you gather the will to uninstall this game, because, spoilers: things are not going to get any better for this title.

Doubt