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Sliding Scale of Champion Lore Update Necessity

HonestJohnTheCon·10/22/2017, 10:25:50 PM·40 votes·2,136 views

This is essentially a tier list of how much certain champions need a lore or VO update. Please note that everything below is in my opinion, and if there is some lore that I didn't notice about a champion, be sure to let me know in the comments. Also, you may notice a "^" after a champion's icon. This means that I have a comment for those particular champions. Note: Champions must have an updated lore post-retcon in order to qualify for Tiers 1-3. Most champions that have no updated lore post-retcon are Tier 4. #Tier 1: Modern These champions have been updated or were already at modern standards for lore, and their VO reflects it extremely well. There are some things that we don't know about these characters, but it's often a way to help preserve their identity through mystery. The list includes mostly new and recently VGU'd champions, but there are a few that Riot has updated completely. The Tier 1 champions are: AurelionSol Azir Bard Camille Ekko Evelynn Galio Gangplank Illaoi Ivern Jhin Jinx Kalista Kayn Kindred Kled Lux Maokai Ornn Poppy Rakan RekSai Ryze Sion TahmKench Taliyah Taric Urgot Vi Warwick Xerath Xayah Yorick #Tier 2: Fleshed Out These champions are generally three-dimensional and have a solid theme, but something is lacking. It's usually that the VO has too few lines explaining the champion. Typically champions from regions with updated lore but an old VO fall in this category. The VO also has to make sense; for champions whose VO does not align with their lore at all, see Tier 3. The Tier 2 champions are: Caitlyn Cassiopeia Darius^DrMundo Draven^Elise Ezreal Fiora Garen Graves Hecarim Heimerdinger^JarvanIV Karthus Leona Lucian Mordekaiser Nami Nasus Pantheon Quinn Renekton Rengar Shen Shyvana Sivir Skarner Thresh TwistedFate Vayne MonkeyKing Yasuo Zac Zed Ziggs^ Comments (^): These champions' lore in themselves haven't been updated and are still old; however, new comics (Blood of Noxus and Paint the Town) show lore about them, so they can be considered Tier 2 rather than Tier 4. #Tier 3: Contradictory VO These champions have received a decent amount of love from the lore, but their old VO's make absolutely no sense at all. They might be completely contradictory to the character of the champion. Champions in Tier 2 and Tier 3 generally don't need updated lores, just updated VOs. The Tier 3 champions are: Ahri Amumu Blitzcrank Diana Janna Jayce MissFortune Orianna Rammus^Viktor Comment (^): Rammus's VO is iconic and kind of part of his identity, so one could argue that he belongs in Tier 2. However, I still want to hear different inflections of the word "ok".

#Tier 4: Outdated These champions haven't had lore updates since the retcon, but it's still not improbable for them to exist given what we currently know about lore and setting. The bulk of champions from outdated regions (Noxus, the Freljord, Bandle City, parts of Ionia, etc.) are here, as well as few others that weren't included in the regional updates. The Tier 4 champions are: Aatrox^Akali Anivia Annie Ashe Brand Braum Chogath Corki Fiddlesticks Fizz Gnar Gragas Jax Karma Kassadin Katarina Kennen Khazix^KogMaw Leblanc^LeeSin Lissandra Lulu Malzahar MasterYi^Nautilus Nidalee Nunu Olaf^Riven Rumble Sejuani Shaco Singed^Sona Swain^Syndra Talon Teemo Tristana Trundle Tryndamere Twitch Udyr Varus^Veigar Velkoz Vladimir XinZhao Zyra Comments (^): The champions that are marked with ^ have no post-retcon lore directly, but are mentioned by more recent/updated champions' quotes or lores. For example, Rhaast points out Aatrox and Varus, Kha'Zix has a run-in with Rengar, Olaf was in Shadow and Fortune, LeBlanc and Swain were involved in Sion's resurrection, etc. #Tier 5: Incomplete These champions have are involved with some part of other champions' lore that invalidates their current lore completely. All of these champions are commented on. Some need a lore update as soon as possible to avoid conflicting evidence, and some just don't fit in at all. Many of these champions are in line to get a VGU soon. The Tier 5 champions are: Alistar: We know the Great Barrier still exists. But what are the Minotaurs? Why did they have a run-in with the Noxians? Did they ever have a run-in with the Noxians? Irelia: The Noxian invasion of Ionia is still canon, so her entire lore isn't invalid, but her bond with Soraka (see below) is what makes her lore awkward. Kayle and Morgana: They're angels that fell from the sky. Seems a bit random, hopefully their VGU will remedy their past. Malphite: His entire lore is very similar to the start of Ornn's, only with less explanation and reason for existence. Nocturne: He's the Demon of Fossbarrow from For Demacia who seems to prey on mages, insecurity, or both. OK, fine, but his current lore needs to be updated to reflect that. Soraka: Her old lore was that she was tricked by Warwick and fell from the stars, and now Warwick wants to eat her heart. Fair enough, but now Warwick is VGU'd, leaving her in perhaps the most urgent place for a lore update on this list. Volibear: Ornn's lore invalidates his current lore completely, and I shouldn't have to explain why. Zilean: Why does he even exist? What did he ever do? Why does he have no relation to anyone (other than that troll interaction with Volibear, who (see above) also needs a lore update)?

Thanks for reading this wall of text, I hope a lore Rioter sees this and takes note on which champs I think need to be updated on the Universe page. If there's anything I missed or you have a problem with my rankings, let me know. Also, tell me if I should do more Sliding Scales in the future on various lore-related things!

  • Helixarrow

TL;DR Tier 1 - Is in a great place with lore, no update required. Tier 2 - VO needs lines in addition to the current ones that already exist. Tier 3 - VO partially or completely invalidates champion lore, although the lore itself is fine. Tier 4 - Needs a lore update, but overall thematic and story is fine. Tier 5 - In dire need of a lore update for them or other champions to make sense in-universe.

48 Comments

Valor Bot10/23/2017, 1:06:56 AM9 votes

I wouldn't consider Quinn modern in terms of VO. For one, she doesn't have any champion-specific interactions in game, which is a standard for every new or VGU'd champion (aside from those who don't speak like Rek'Sai or Bard). Likewise her VO lacks reference to the most important character in her backstory: her twin brother Caleb. Compared to modern champions, her VO is just too short and not very in-depth, in spite of her updated lore.

Good list though, everything else seems pretty damn spot on and I'd love to see updated voices for older champions like Janna and Miss Fortune.

SzGamer22710/23/2017, 3:52:57 PM4 votes

Soraka: Her old lore was that she was tricked by Warwick and fell from the stars, and now Warwick wants to eat her heart. Fair enough, but now Warwick is VGU'd, leaving her in perhaps the most urgent place for a lore update on this list.

Thank god this has been bothering someone besides me.

Warlord Dienekes10/22/2017, 10:46:07 PM3 votes

Petition to move Diana down to tier 3. In game she comes across as an angry revolutionary psychopath. In lore she’s pretty subdued and kind of wants peace or at least to be left alone to do whatever it is she thinks she’s doing.

Sancre10/23/2017, 2:14:23 AM3 votes

Trundle did get lore update when he got updated himself, now instead of a troll with great regen that holds the rotting curse of his whole troll clan, he is an ice troll that made a pact with the Ice Witch Lissandra to be able to get the true ice club called "Boneshiver", managing to become a troll king and also being part of Lissandra's faction

While it was pre retcon I think, he is perfectly fine related to current Freljord Lore. Its not like he can be much more with how unresolved that Lore was left

Beyond Legends10/23/2017, 12:36:39 AM2 votes

Both Shen and Fiora are tier 2 in my opinion, both of them still uses haven't gotten the a VO and still uses their old one.

Peridition10/23/2017, 8:30:03 AM2 votes

I think Hecarim is borderline level 3. His quotes don’t contradict his character, but this is only because his lines are so generic. Given all the lore updates he’s received, his VO doesn’t really convey his treachery, arrogance or lust for glory. He’s also missing very key interactions with characters like Kalista who are central to each other’s lore

Epicurus10/23/2017, 12:56:24 AM2 votes

I'd put Corki all the way down at Tier 5. Aircraft do not exist in Runeterra, so that's Corki's whole theme invalidated.

Also I think Nami could be moved up to Tier 1. Her voiceover is short, but still captures her personality and story quite well.

Rek'sai _has _ received the short story Sai Kahleek since the retcon. She doesn't have an expanded bio, but given her unique character (being a true monster rather than just a talking non-human) I think that is acceptable. She should be at least Tier 2.

Blue Moon Wolf10/23/2017, 3:20:36 PM1 votes

I personally think that MonkeyKing needs more then a VO update. while that would good enough on its own, his new lore is still lacking in some areas. It did a great job for what it was made to do (Get him to fit in the world and give an idea of what his goals are), but it left way too many questions. The first issue is how he doesn't really have a real plans and its just him and Master Yi traveling round trying to find something to fight for (which feels a bit like Riot didn't really know what they wanted to do with him yet but needed new lore for him, so they ended with that to stall for time). The other issue and the one that really bothered me was how it not only didn't give a solid idea of how strong Wukong is, but made it feel like doesn't have actual clones anymore as he is using straw dummies.

Sure, a full on new addition to his lore is asking much considering there are a lot of champs/regions/ champs in regions that were updated but were passed up who haven't been updated (and the problems I mentioned are more nitpicks as it's still a very solid foundation for Wukong) , but at least a short comic or something to that degree. He's supposed to be part of a magical human/animal faction who have abilities ranging from stealing essence to having magical feather daggers, yet he feels like one of the weakest characters in the lore right now.

mkyner10/23/2017, 3:42:36 PM1 votes

Isn't Malphite the big creature that Lux is fighting in the Elementist video? I don't think that would change what tier you placed him in, but he does have at least a cameo in more recent media.

Blackstone0110/23/2017, 6:50:24 PM1 votes

I don't particularly see Zilean as a Tier 5. Sure he could use an update, but his current lore doesn't contradict anything. The Rune Wars are still canon, and Vel'Koz is hunting him down for his magic. And some of Zileans old lord (like how he made the time bubble for Kalamada) is removed.

Jerry SeinfeId10/23/2017, 8:18:37 PM1 votes

Singed got his lore updated, And shares a story with the new Warwick. While i'd love some singed lore i think knowing so little allows us to imagine it however we want and i fear riot would turn him into a lunatic.

I'm all for extra voice lines for him though. I has to be the original actor though, the voice is just toooo good.

FlameHalbrdOkido10/24/2017, 3:54:41 AM1 votes

yasuo? Thresh? Lucian? Ashe? Braum? Gnar? They all feel like they should be in higher tiers

Ok I NEED someone to explain to me WHY Minotaurs are not part of the vastaya. 1st that fact doesnt make much sense, and 2nd it makes things REALLY unnecessarily complicated: Like vastaya are a wide ranging class of fauna that have humanoid and animalistic characteristics and additional have the capacity to have a wide range of magical abilities...ok can someone tell me how a Minotaur that can heal allies at range doesnt somehow fit the bill for that definition is some way. And then explain to me what the reasoning for removing the Minotaur from the vastaya list, might as well remove Rengar too.

An idea that I like for Volibear is one that incorporates both past and "current" versions: Volibear is the name/title given to the leader of the Ursine that most closely resembles the being that they revear. the Current "Volibear" being a seer could be channeling the power of the REAL Volibear (demigod or what ever), this way both can still exist, tho i'd like to see his abilities reflect the more "mystic" avatar part of him and not soley focus on the animal part, he is after all an intelligent being.

MaidensKnight10/25/2017, 4:50:54 PM1 votes

ZileanZilean is mentioned in Vel'kozVelkoz short story. Vel'koz had found the destroyed city of Urtisan , Zilean's home and found his workshop of sorts. He now wants to disintegrate Zilean to gain his knowledge . He still needs an update since the story states he left recently. That leaves the question of where Zilean had gone?

LUXANNA HOSHIDO10/30/2017, 8:09:22 PM1 votes

I lol'd at the Zilean one

GreenLore10/22/2017, 11:15:49 PM1 votes

Lucian & Yasuo both have lores that are pretty much confirmed to be still canon,so I dunno if they shouldn't be in Tier2(as Tier2 also includes champs who still don't have a full bio and color story)

Also Amumu & Rammus do have updated lores. Sure they don't explain who they are,but they still explain their place in the world,so I'd say they should be at least Tier3.

And last but not least I think that Annie should be Tier5.Her current lore still mentions the voodoo lands and it was said that the voodoo lands would either be renamed or completely retconned.

iLBGAMing10/22/2017, 11:47:56 PM1 votes

Riot forgot about my favourite Darkin Varus item 3070

Whyte Lyon10/22/2017, 11:53:58 PM1 votes

Since the primary cause/ motivation for any older champ to receive lore updating is dictated predominately by another champ's relaunch or less likely but still possible is if a new champ is released.

So here is my own slightly separate Tier (think of it like between 4 & 5) for champs whose lore is still horribly dated and have no predictable chance at receiving lore any time soon:

Alistar Annie Brand Fizz Gragas Nautilus Nidalee Zyra [Kassadin Malzahar]

Obviously the only chance those above could have is relying on the tiny spark of hope that a possible new champ has a connection to one or more of them. Other than that, the Narrative team would need to do a spontaneous LU for them, unfortunately that has yet to be practiced.

Wrathof30010/23/2017, 12:27:20 AM1 votes

Irelia and Rumble imo, should be moved to tier 4. Irelia was saved by Soraka, unless Soraka gets new lore that contradicts this,the state of Soraka's lore shouldn't have any effect on Irelia's lore, because as far as we know Soraka is in Ionia helping people (the circumstances may be different but until otherwise stated a certain bit could taken as canon). Heimerdinger and Ziggs ran a shop in Piltover so how is Rumble 's lore contradictory to that?

Skarner has updated lore, so he should be in either tier 2 or 3.

Question: Alistar, I'm not aware of him of him making an appearance elsewhere to contradict his lore and how is Amumu's VO contradictory.

Fairyfleur10/23/2017, 2:52:55 PM1 votes

Orianna's voice lines simply make no sense and, while some are okay, most need to go.

Zyra's VO is good but not modern compared to the likes of Taliyah, Camille, Ornn, etc. Her lore is also awfully outdated and she has no real interactions with any other champions.

Friendly Ram10/23/2017, 3:06:09 PM1 votes

this is a really nice list.