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Hextech in the World of Runeterra

Talos of Altmora·4/16/2016, 9:22:17 PM·3 votes·1,225 views

Hextech is, as suggested by their name, magic-powered technology. It is the main purview of Two of Runeterra's most Prolific city-states, Zaun and Piltover, heck, even Bandle City has Corki and scients like Ziggs and Hermidinger. These are also the most advanced civilizations on runeterra (although arguably Targon now, but don't even get me started on that.) and they also have had an impact on the lore. Noxus used Zaunian hextech for their invasion of Ionia, and Singed, a famous Zaunian alchemist, helped create the chemical gas used in the attacks on Yi's village and on Riven's allies. the Ionians even reversed-engineered some of it, they already have companies and industries for them (that's how Jhin's patrons get him his tools.)

Now, Noxus and Zaun are allies or at least business partners. Urgot is the result of a collaboration between them, but this brings me to question something that I haven't really thought about, mainly, why isn't Hextech utilized by ALL factions on Runeterra? (the mortal factions at least.) Demacia and Noxus are stuck in the middle ages, using swords and crossbows (and magic.) However, both factions have alliances with Piltover and Zaun, respectively, so you'd think They would be advancing technologically. I can by the armor being enchanted in some way, but still, you'd think there would be an influence. We currently

Now, I know why they don't, rule of cool. It's just awesome to see someone like J4 fighting against Rumble's Mech with his trust spear. But I want to know how this works from a lore perspective. In real life, advancement doesn't just take a break, it can be slowed down granted, but never stopped. There will always be something that people want to be done easier, quicker, or better. More over, neither faction has a concrete reason for not using Hextech, Noxus has used it and doesn't seem to care about it. Demacia literally has not interactions with hextech (besides Blitz's PERV service, but I'm not sure if it is canon) and I don't know what their option is on it.

Now they can still have their knights in shining (or black) armor, but I would like to see something come out of Hextech for all factions. I mean, it opens up potential for a lot of stories and new characters, like Jhin did for Ionia. So, what are your thoughts on Hextech? Thank you for reading.

11 Comments

Ebonmaw Dragon4/16/2016, 9:33:53 PM1 votes

Magic is hard to use and learn, Technology mixed with magic (hextech) is even harder.

Creating a single hextech weapon takes a lot of time and effort... and is not cheap.

So, almost no one in runeterra uses hextech, even in Zaun and Piltover is rare to have a hextech weapon according to Riot.

EndGamer114/17/2016, 2:36:27 AM1 votes

I'd think that in a "might makes right" society like Noxus has, some "little wimp" who has to resort to a gun because he can't hold up his grandfather's axe would get bullied/disrespected/dead. Demacia seems to have something going with their unique steel smithing techniques that make exceptionally strong steel with anti-spectral qualities. A gun would be more welcomed in Demacian society, but still prohibitively expensive. Also a gun might not bother a adrenaline-rushed Noxian too much.

GreenLore4/17/2016, 5:36:18 PM1 votes

Well keep in mind that there are some alternatives in runeterra that wouldn't exist in our world.

I mean magic exists in runeterra and people are able to do supernatural feats,like garen summoning a giant sword from the sky through sheer force of will. So the technological advantage isn't that important in battle(though it is obviously there,like we've seen in the ionia war),since strong fighters/mages can overcome it.

Meep Man4/18/2016, 1:45:24 PM1 votes

It's the differences in society. They all believe what is best, with each feeling their way is best.

Demacia uses enchanted weaponry/armor plus light magic. Noxus uses just stupidly good crafted weapons plus darker magic. Ionia uses exotic techniques with the body or a blade. Piltover uses pure hextech. Zaun uses hybrid hextech with chemicals and other dangerous poisons. Bilgewater uses non-hextech guns and naval weaponry with a couple blades here and there. (See Pirates) Shurima uses super soldiers. Freljord uses brute strength with frost magic attached to everything. Bandle City uses nearly every form of ranged attack, using magic or technology. Hates melee. Shadow Isles is undead.

There are outliers in every society, but most of this holds true.

Ralanr4/18/2016, 2:03:22 PM1 votes

Hextech is probably too expensive to produce on a massive scale for Noxus. Or it might be too unreliable and require so many tune ups that usage outside of piltover or Zuan would be rather pointless.

Plus it seems dangerous. Remember how Ekko destroyed that hextech mere in his trailer? Imagine that happening in the middle of a warzone on your side. There is a reason that Sion was locked away, he was a danger to Noxus as well as their enemies.

Hextech probably isn't stable enough to really outclass anything else on Runeterra. That's why we only see it in the advanced cities, because those cities are constantly trying to improve their creations.