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Has the Noxian aesthetic changed or become obsolete?

Clockwork88·9/29/2014, 9:06:30 PM·6 votes·4,869 views

Hey Rioters, I'd love an answer from a lore person OR and Art person, simply because I'm curious from either angle!

We've seen some interesting changes in the lore (not commenting here) and a bit of juggling about what champions are where etc. What I'd like to ask, is why is there so little consistency between new Noxian champions vs old, or has the visual associated with Noxians changed? Previously, we had associated them with the Green/gold/black etc. Recently We've seen the re--reveal of Sion, but he doesn't display any visual connection to Noxus other than a dark/bloody pallet. Swain and Urgot (oldies) Still have that green/gold/black consistency that helps separate them from the likes of the shadow isles champions (although recently they've got ghostly particles to help) or void champions and their black purple (Talon, Leblanc).

In essence, in the wake of the Sion reveal, can you comment on a perceived lack of visual cohesion between Noxian champions, compared to say Demacia, Shadow Isles, etc.?

also, Swain is the best!

12 Comments

RiotWhren10/1/2014, 6:15:23 PM10 votes

Hi guys, I'm one of the art persons you've summoned! I help out a lot on setting Noxian design language, in addition to the many other great writers and artists who pitch in as well. In short, Sharjo hit the nail on the head -- a lot of our older champions had no cohesive design aesthetic and that's why they're all over the place. With that said, even though reds and blacks are a big (BIG) part of the current Noxus design, that's not to say it's the end all be-all of all Noxian colors. We tried to introduce some of the new Noxian shape language and materials in the architecture, or what you can see of it, in the Reborn teaser art. For example, you can sort of make out some of the wall design in the background of Day 2, and the Sion memorial statue is crafted in a Noxian aesthetic. Even the runic magic on Day 4.

Sharjo9/29/2014, 10:25:31 PM5 votes

Your mention of Demacia kinda reminds me that Demacia has a weird patch to its visual consistency. Around the time Jarvan came out, further Demacian champions didn't look very Demacian at all, at least to me. Shyvana, Vayne, Fiora, and Jarvan himself, do their designs scream Demacia to you as profusely as the designs of Garen, Lux, Xin Zhao and Galio? It wasn't until Quinn and Garen's VU that they seemed to be re-embracing that old Demacian aesthetic, but even then we have Lucian, who also looks kinda removed from Demacia.

Something to consider is that League's visual style really became solidly grounded around 2012 for a lot things. The likes of Hecarim, Ziggs, Syndra, Jayce and Darius set the bar by which the standard for their nations are held visually. You look at these champions and you can instantly say: That's the Shadow Isles or, They're a Yordle! These visuals were later embraced and adapted on by further champions later down the road:

From Jayce we got Vi
From Hecarim we got Thresh and Karthus
From Ziggs and Lulu we got Heimerdinger and Gnar
From Syndra and Zed we got Karma and Yasuo
From Darius and Katarina we now have Sion

This is something we also saw for Freljord and Shurima as the design principles set by the Howling Abyss, Sejuani, Trundle and Lissandra helped to conceive Braum, and the design principles set by Sivir and Nasus helped bring about Azir, Renekton and Cassiopeia, plus all the Shurima related content that came with it.

With Sion looking as he does now, I think it seems safe to say that the visual style of Noxus has been set. It was set by Darius before, met by Katarina with her VU, and now Sion meets the bar with them. Reds and blacks, cold dark steel, spikes, skulls, power and brutality. That's Noxus, at least as far as I can see from this. If anything, the lack of visual cohesion with the older champions is because the older champions of League were not made with that cohesion included as a paramount principle of their design. Going forward we'll see champions (provided they come from established areas with established identities) abide to the aesthetic and style set by other more recent champions, going back no further than early 2012.

At least that's how I see it. Hope I explained that well!

LordHippoman9/30/2014, 12:00:30 AM2 votes

Anybody remember "Crimson Elite"? The skin series that was supposed to be a counterpart to the Demacian Commando line, but only got a Talon and Riven version (And the Riven version is pretty much universally considered her worst skin)?

What happened to that? Lack of sales?

MrSc0tty9/30/2014, 11:43:15 AM1 votes

Buuuut both Talon and Leblanc are from Noxus. And what about Dravius? They follow a pretty clear red/black.

Dan Squared10/1/2014, 7:09:37 AM1 votes

I think they are leaning Noxus more towards black/red...and keeping Demacia more white/blue (exceptions for some such as Jarvan's golden armor)

Note Tyrant Swain, which is basically him as Grand General, is more along the new Noxus lines of reds with blacks...there is still some green mixed in though. Note that a lot of Noxian champs are actually not directly part of the military. Draven left the service to become a performer Cassiopeia was a spy basically, and is now a snake Urgot's been removed from service and is used as an executioner (and is probably going to be up for a VU eventually) Talon serves General Du Conteau, not the High Command and Leblanc is head of the Black Rose, not affiliated with the military (at least officially)

Honestly, the only military Noxian champs are Swain/Kat/Darius/ and now Sion again.