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Since both users and Rioters have been claiming that Varus old lore was "complete" or a "dead end"..

Tendrian·12/5/2017, 5:18:33 AM·10 votes·1,149 views

Since so many people have been claiming that Varus "needed" such a drastic rewrite to open his lore for future stories and such I thought I'd offer my 2 cent on why this is a pretty disingenuous argument. First of all: Yes, it is true that old Varus' arc was fairly complete and there wasn't that much room to explore with him (allthough far from none). However, in no way does this imply a need or justification for rewriting his lore from the ground up, like Riot opted to do. In fact I would argue that it would have been exceptionally easy to achieve pretty much the same thing the new story did by changing just a select few things about his original lore.

An example:

  • The bow turns out to be a Darkin, same as new lore. This isn't even really a retcon, more of an elaboration, since the nature of the corruption was never really explored.

  • Instead of inevitably succumbing to corruption, he is in principle able to fight it - with uncertain outcome- A fairly minimal change that would require not more than a line or two to be replaced from his old lore.

With these little changes his story is fairly open ended all of a sudden, with a plethora of stories that could be explored. Will this vengeful, despaired man find something to live for again? Maybe with the help of other champions, through companionship, or even a new love? Even when the Darkin tries to steer him towards vengeance and bloodshed - possibly with the aid of his siblings? And what about the Noxian champions? Does he blame them for what happened to him? Were some of them possibly even involved in it, and are a target for his vengeance?

All possible stories to be told while leaving pretty much 90% of his old lore intact. And this was just an example to show that it's possible. Riot doesn't even need to keep that much. If they have bigger plans for him, they should go ahead - I'm sure their paid writers could come up with something miles better than me if they actually put their mind to expanding rather than replacing. But the core character should still be present and recognizable after the fact. Like it was with GP and MF for example.

All this just goes to show that removing the actual character Varus from the lore was not necessary to achieve the stated goals of the new lore. Heck, I don't even hate the new lore on it's own. But when I think about how a perfectly intact and interesting character I somewhat cared about was straight up deleted from the lore for it? Yes, that makes me hate it.

19 Comments

AbiwonKenabi12/5/2017, 3:34:20 PM8 votes

These are simple but effective ideas. I like them.

Another idea I've seen kicked around is that Varus somehow sympathizes and works with the Darkin. We have a Darkin that won (Aatrox), we have a Darkin battling someone strong-willed (Kayn and Rhaast) but we don't have someone who tries to meet the Darkin half-way. Maybe keep the new backstory they gave to the Darkin. Maybe have them get to know one another and start to sympathize with their feelings of vengeance. Maybe Varus goes full-blown Darkin guy, completely agreeing that people need to account for their sins. Or maybe he has an internal struggle that he considers the Darkin an ally, but has issue with his goals to destroy humanity and has to strive to find some compromise. Have the Darkin put a mirror to Varus' revenge-fueled self-destruction: he wants vengeance on Noxians, but is losing his humanity in the process, does that make him any better than the rage-filled monster that wants to kill all humans for a similar reason?

Basically, there are options. Interesting options even. Riot went with the one option that rid the lore of every detail except the story beat of "Pit of Corruption". Which is sad for people who wanted to see the old lore grow and develop.

MysterQ12/5/2017, 7:11:28 AM7 votes

!no.

/sarcasm Don't you realize this new lore looks nicer, has a music video, and is actually longer (is it?). It is better. The old lore was only two paragaphs it was so short. You can't lengthen it, it is so short.

ElectroScalar12/5/2017, 3:23:47 PM5 votes

I like this a lot! Even though old lore of Varus was based on a "trope" where he goes on vengeance for his family, oh look! Batman is fighting crime because the death of his parents! Tropes aren't bad by default. They can be expanded upon and created into a very compelling story. Old lore of Varus resonated with us, and it should be kept, Riot!

Arakadia12/6/2017, 2:36:59 PM3 votes

His lore would pretty much be him fighting the Darkin just like Kayn does with one or the other overcoming the loser.

Chembaron Yamada12/6/2017, 4:47:41 PM3 votes

Problem with that: this change does not separate him from the other Darkin which are already in the game.

The case you describe with Varus not completely succumbing to the Darkin... sounds familiar? This is exactly the same like Kayn, a guy and a Dark in fighting over control.

The current version gives Varus another Darkin/Host-dynamic than Aatrox and Kayn. In this version, 2 persons, which would be unable to resist the Darkinn themselves, are able to withstand together since they give each other stability.

I prefer that version. Both, the aspect of having 3 people in the situation involved, as well as showing that these psychological tests can get passed by fairly "normal" persons supporting each other.

Tesla Effect12/5/2017, 4:39:53 PM2 votes

Why would old Varus fight against the corruption, everyone who he knew died. The point of his plot was to enact revenge than may as well kill himself after that. Not really much to live for if you are a blighted person with noone to live for.