I feel a bit sad for Aatrox...

HudnofskiBleh·Jun 14, 2018·43 votes·21,789 views

I imagine the Darkin before the were sealed away. They honestly had a noble purpose. Rhaast seems like he honestly just wanted to kill things, while Varus... I don't even know how he felt about fighting against the Void. But Aatrox genuinely believed that he stood for something great. He fought to protect them, and they betrayed him. It makes me sad, listening to some of his lines.

"We march to battle... Let me carve flesh, let me cloak myself in the slaughter. Hide me in their carnage... Hide me from this suffering..." "I have no goodness left, it was taken from me, stolen! I... am the nemesis of life." "The heavens, the endless skies folding into each other. Where are they now?" "How far I have fallen! A god... reduced to a prisoner!" "Once in noble battle, I screamed against the silence. I stood as light against the darkness. Now, I serve a new master... oblivion..." "I am but an unholy copy of life... A mockery of its freedom... And born in the cruel betrayal of the noble ideals I would've served."

He truly feels betrayed, and listening to these lines makes me feel for him. Aatrox is genuinely suffering from the pain of being turned on by those he trusted, and wishes everyone else to be a part of his suffering. Good job Rito. You made me feel bad about being free because this imaginary video game character got betrayed by some other imaginary video game characters.[cass-cry]

42 Comments

RiotWAAARGHboboJun 14, 201852 votes

His anger, comes from his despair.

Malicious MetalJun 14, 201836 votes

Hey WAAARGHbobo, I'd like to apologize for jumping the gun on the Aatrox VO situation.

The thread that probably fueled a lot of more spiteful reactions to the reveal we've gotten was made in the heat of the moment after we got news of Aatrox's VGU, as in Visuals and the limited VO we've gotten. I was initially very skeptical of it, as you might have already noticed, especially since I felt like this was the new direction you guys would take somber/calmer champion personalities.

~~So in a way it's me being over-protective of Morde~~

Anyways, I'm digressing. Giving the full VO another listen, after the dust had settled, made me see just how well it actually fits together. This new Aatrox is different to the old one in not being someone to inspire bloodlust in other people, but rather one who fights for himself. And that is reflected really well in his new VO. It's more personal, and in a way gives the former shadowy entity that was the influence of Aatrox more character.

He became a character of his own and his motivation and tragedy of his current situation is really endearing. I am a sucker for nobility and pride being warped by fall, and Aatrox truly reflects someone who has been betrayed and had seen his noble existence corrupted as he now abhors his unholy reincarnation in foreign flesh. His long move lines especially are some of the best Voice work we've ever gotten in league and I feel awful for being so impatient and raising my voice without seeing the whole picture.

So, this got a bit longer than I intended; Tl;DR: Sorry for overreacting, you did an amazing Job with new Aatrox's VO, it does fit his new backstory and themes a lot more than a calmer, more collected voice.

Pale MaskJun 14, 20188 votes

I disagree. So many of his lines are overly long and pretentious; his taunts are ridiculous, and he jokes far more than necessary.

For every well-written champion interaction he has, there are two more that waste space. Compared to his previous self, Aatrox is now a clichéd warmonger with very little actual subtlety.

MelledoneusJun 15, 20184 votes

He is a wordy bastard and I like it.

SpecterVonBarenJun 15, 20181 votes

Damn dude, major props.

CatffeineJun 15, 20185 votes

How can you say that name with a straight face?

Malicious MetalJun 15, 20182 votes

Good thing you can't see my face.

MarshbouyJun 15, 20181 votes

I just imagine everyone saying it going all-out and shaking their head aggressively, then calmly going back to how they normally talk.

RiotWAAARGHboboJun 15, 201813 votes

Thank you so much MM!
And It's kinda amazing to hear someone say sorry on the boards. (Watch out you'll change its branding)

I know it often seems like we do stuff without a plan (and sometimes it's true that rito's left hand doesn't know what its right hand is doing). But we are passionate about this game, this world, and making stuff that people like.

Sometimes that means favoring what the majority wants over what the minority wants-- and sometimes we make mistakes. But we are always trying to understand and we are just people trying-trying-trying our best.

ThanX*[slayer-pantheon-thumbs]*

ElectroScalarJun 15, 20183 votes

The new character is all fine and dandy, melodramatic and full of rage, but this is not the main problem people have been screaming about on Boards and reddit, in Discord servers and other places.

New character is not some people's cup of tea, yes, but this is not the problem.

The problem is that old Aatrox was deleted.

I will again refer to this comment as it shows exactly the core of this situation: https://boards.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/c/story-art/8ipQEKvE-aatrox-the-darkin-blade-champion-trailer-league-of-legends?comment=000900020007

rtbf225618241Jun 15, 20189 votes

Regardless, this new Disney VO is atrocious. Imagine if you had the previous VO and these lines to go with that. It would have been something with far more depth. Not to mention how you utterly ruined his lore. He's now just another asshole on a revenge quest and blames the entire world for it for some reason. Lucian doesn't go around screaming how strong and skilled he is. He doesn't make everyone forcefully feel pathetic. He just does what he does best - kill things and be badass while doing it. He has style. Aatrox had style and was seriously intimidating. Now he's not.

The previous Aatrox inspired war. He inspired men to reveal truth to themselves - that we're all monsters inside. It was his purpose to have the whole world see what we really are. That kind of power was far more terrifying than someone who is just Rambo with a sword.

PerchancetoGameJun 15, 20181 votes

[{quoted}](name=Malicious Metal,realm=EUW,application-id=6kFXY1kR,discussion-id=Ve2dlI4N,comment-id=00000000,timestamp=2018-06-14T19:59:54.429+0000)

Hey WAAARGHbobo, I'd like to apologize for jumping the gun on the Aatrox VO situation.

The thread that probably fueled a lot of more spiteful reactions to the reveal we've gotten was made in the heat of the moment after we got news of Aatrox's VGU, as in Visuals and the limited VO we've gotten. I was initially very skeptical of it, as you might have already noticed, especially since I felt like this was the new direction you guys would take somber/calmer champion personalities.

~~So in a way it's me being over-protective of Morde~~

Anyways, I'm digressing. Giving the full VO another listen, after the dust had settled, made me see just how well it actually fits together. This new Aatrox is different to the old one in not being someone to inspire bloodlust in other people, but rather one who fights for himself. And that is reflected really well in his new VO. It's more personal, and in a way gives the former shadowy entity that was the influence of Aatrox more character.

He became a character of his own and his motivation and tragedy of his current situation is really endearing. I am a sucker for nobility and pride being warped by fall, and Aatrox truly reflects someone who has been betrayed and had seen his noble existence corrupted as he now abhors his unholy reincarnation in foreign flesh. His long move lines especially are some of the best Voice work we've ever gotten in league and I feel awful for being so impatient and raising my voice without seeing the whole picture.

So, this got a bit longer than I intended; Tl;DR: Sorry for overreacting, you did an amazing Job with new Aatrox's VO, it does fit his new backstory and themes a lot more than a calmer, more collected voice.

Just want to say this was cool of you to say. You didn't have to write this (from what I can see, no one called you out) but you did anyways. Even if this is a video game story discussion board, it's still nice to see someone being civil and admitting a change in opinion.

Anyways, back to the topic - I feel bad for him now too, as the kind of person who also wants people to feel my pain when I'm down. I've always had a weakness for fallen, bitter characters.

FlameHalbrdOkidoJun 19, 20181 votes

[{quoted}](name=Malicious Metal,realm=EUW,application-id=6kFXY1kR,discussion-id=Ve2dlI4N,comment-id=00000000,timestamp=2018-06-14T19:59:54.429+0000)

Hey WAAARGHbobo, I'd like to apologize for jumping the gun on the Aatrox VO situation.

k where can i read the back story and listen to full VO?

IfnethJun 14, 20182 votes

{quoted}

His anger, comes from his despair.

So, Aatrox or Kayn? Who’s edgier?

HonestJohnTheConJun 14, 20181 votes

Depends on whether you mean legitimately edgy or "Reaper from Overwatch" edgy.

I think we can all decide who wins which.

MohavonJun 15, 20183 votes

{quoted}

His anger, comes from his despair.

#NotmyAatrox.

Most of us don't appreciate this theme shift. But your game. :)

TheDeviceJun 15, 20187 votes

I really like how many levels Aatrox has.

He's not so linear as he once was. He almost has a sense of confusion, like he's at war with himself. He and the other Darkin are definitely on a crusade to wipe out the world but he still remembers what he was before. Like at some lines you can hear him sound doubtful, like he wishes he wasn't what he is now, or he'll sound like he's trying to convince himself of his convictions, but most the time he's completely set on oblivion.

Then you can also get a kick out of some of the jokes he says :P

VoidzillaJun 14, 20186 votes

When we only saw his interaction-lines, it made him seem like just a mindless, rage-induced meathead. Now, hearing his other lines, it really contextualizes his rage and gives it more meaning.

He has several great lines. One of my favorite interactions now is with Zoe , and it's such a simple one: "Aspect of Change! Now you die!" Considering the context behind that in relation to his other quotes, it really conveys the pain and anger Zoe (or at least the Aspect) has caused him, and is actually just as heart-wrenching as it is terrifying.

Great work from Riot's art/sound team, both to the writers and voice actors.

Ebonmaw DragonJun 14, 20184 votes

I feel very sad for him, but not in a good way... he is rather pathetic. Driven not only by anger, but envy, like a spoiled child who cant get want he wants and tries to take away what the others have in order to feel better about himself... He has no reasons for living anymore and decided to take the lives of others due that.

Im being harsh with him? Maybe

Renekton has basically the same conflict, he was a noble warrior trapped in a bad place for long time, convinced that he was betrayed by the person that he trusted more and driven to the point of Insanity... But the diference between them is that Renekton focus his anger on the one that betrayed him, not life itself like Aatrox. Even if Renekton is supposed to be the one who is insane, it is Aatrox the one with an insane goal, a goal that he will never reach.

FasmodeyJun 14, 20188 votes

I mean, Renekton also feels pretty brutal.

"As I live, all will die!"

Even though he doesn't directly aim life, he is a huge threat for the livings. He probably kills everyone on his path.

Still, he is a noble warrior that is very broken. He can have heal and have redemption, so he has hope. Compare to Aatrox, which seems completely lost, Renekton is in the edge.

Ebonmaw DragonJun 14, 20181 votes

{quoted}

I mean, Renekton also feels pretty brutal.

"As I live, all will die!"

Even though he doesn't directly aim life, he is a huge threat for the livings. He probably kills everyone on his path.

Still, he is a noble warrior that is very broken. He can have heal and have redemption, so he has hope. Compare to Aatrox, which seems completely lost, Renekton is in the edge.

Yeah, i know... In Fact Aatrox himself mentions that he understands Renekton, but the thing about Aatrox its that the darkin acts like he was superior to the everyone else when he actually knows that its not true.

MelledoneusJun 15, 20183 votes

{quoted} Still, he is a noble warrior that is very broken. He can have heal and have redemption, so he has hope.

Aatrox summoner 7 item 3107

Confirmed this is the hope build. :P

In all seriousness, I agree. Renekton is mad with bloodlust and hatred, while Aatrox knows what he is angry at and doesn't care much for collateral damage at this point.

ChunLiiJun 15, 20181 votes

Sorry but maybe I am misremembering Renekton didn’t really get betrayed did he? He just think he did because Xerath convinced and poisoned his mind. He agreed to get trapped in the tomb with Xerath and believe Nasus was even originally against it.

Ebonmaw DragonJun 15, 20181 votes

[{quoted}](name=Victoria Venn,realm=NA,application-id=6kFXY1kR,discussion-id=Ve2dlI4N,comment-id=00010001,timestamp=2018-06-15T02:44:07.564+0000)

Sorry but maybe I am misremembering Renekton didn’t really get betrayed did he? He just think he did because Xerath convinced and poisoned his mind.

You are right, that is why i said "convinced that he was betrayed by the person that he trusted more and driven to the point of Insanity"

He thinks that he was betrayed, even if it was his idea in first place... he is insane and cant remember correctly.

Meep ManJun 14, 20184 votes

Cool backstory, still murder.

JCPANDITJun 14, 20184 votes

His lines inspire pity from me - to others, he rubs his immortality in their face. To himself, he actually seems to resent his immortality, at times.

But I’m confused by his goal. Once he kills everything off... then what? He’s bored. He’s assumedly stuck on Runeterra. He’s created a new kind of prison for himself.

CetriJun 14, 20181 votes

I'm pretty sure when he says he wants to end all things, that includes himself. Remember that he says to Illaoi that he wants to destroy Nagakabouros, which seems to be the driving force of life, death, and reincarnation, and he says to Yorick he will bring oblivion, not death. He's not stopping at Runeterra - he wants total universal nonexistance.

JCPANDITJun 14, 20182 votes

{quoted}

I'm pretty sure when he says he wants to end all things, that includes himself. Remember that he says to Illaoi that he wants to destroy Nagakabouros, which seems to be the driving force of life, death, and reincarnation, and he says to Yorick he will bring oblivion, not death. He's not stopping at Runeterra - he wants total universal nonexistance.

Ahh, good point. When he mentioned wanting oblivion, I half-assumed that was due to some form of corruption from the Void. I didn’t think about it in relation to his own despair.

The more I think about him, the more I really feel sorry for him. He used to see himself as a noble protector, but something triggered his fall from grace. I’m sure he’s got some level of personal accountability, but I suspect there were external forces that didn’t help, either.

HudnofskiBlehJun 14, 20183 votes

{quoted}

His lines inspire pity from me - to others, he rubs his immortality in their face. To himself, he actually seems to resent his immortality, at times.

But I’m confused by his goal. Once he kills everything off... then what? He’s bored. He’s assumedly stuck on Runeterra. He’s created a new kind of prison for himself.

"I will have silence." "I march towards death... Though I wish it were my own."

When all is said and done, he just wants everything dead. This includes even himself. He's already resigned himself to being stuck in this form. He's never going to be free, until everything has ended. He cares not for what happens after his goal is complete, he's only concerned about bringing about silence.

He's completely mad.

AviSolusJun 14, 20184 votes

To be honest, the only part I don't like about the VO is the accent and how he sounds when he is screaming. I feel like it should just be deeper overall, but hey, personal preference.

Frontline FuryJun 14, 20184 votes

I feel like Aatrox is an extremely relatable character now. One thing is for sure - when it comes to writing, you did us Aatrox mains justice.

Also, there’s no need for me to flame people when my champion does it for me so that’s a bonus

DerMangoJoghurtJun 15, 20183 votes

Don't forget his interactions towards voidborn:

Do I resemble you, abomination? Your form isn't my destiny... is it?

He seems so genuinely concerned about what will become of him.

SpecterVonBarenJun 15, 20182 votes

Something fun that I feel like I'm the only one seeing in his lines are that it kinda sounds like he's trying to teach the various warriors he taunts. I don't know why but the way he puts them down sounds more like he's trying to rile them up to fight rather than truly seeing them as beneath him.

rtbf225618241Jun 15, 20182 votes

Now imagine if that kind of emotion was used in conjunction with the previous Aatrox VO. It would be far more impactful.

HudnofskiBlehJun 15, 20181 votes

{quoted}

Now imagine if that kind of emotion was used in conjunction with the previous Aatrox VO. It would be far more impactful.

This new Aatrox, in terms of VO has higher highs, and lower lows. I feel his best lines are way above anything that old Aatrox said, in terms of lines, while his worst lines are just... some of the worst writing I've ever heard. Old Aatrox's VO felt very monotone in voice, and it just fell flat on me. I feel that if they replaced the worst lines, it'd be a phenomenal VO. Not likely to happen, but still.

FlashesJun 15, 20181 votes

Imagine if Aatrox had a "ur mum gay too" line towards Varus

rtbf225618241Jun 15, 20182 votes

He sounds pathetic and obnoxious to me. The same way you feel for a "Nice guy villain". He's not supposted to be nice. His motivation used to be to reveal the monsters in men. For them to witness truth by their own hands - the atrocities they are capable of.

And it's not about the lines really. This comic relief, goofy Disney Dracula is not intimidating, not relatable and will never be anyone i will take seriously. He just looks like some random moron to me thinking he's the greatest. Even Syndra sounds more intimidating because her voice reeks of misplaced confidence. A power that she cannot control. Always talking about how in balance she is, when she is only talking to herself.

HudnofskiBlehJun 15, 20183 votes

{quoted}

He sounds pathetic and obnoxious to me. The same way you feel for a "Nice guy villain". He's not supposted to be nice. His motivation used to be to reveal the monsters in men. For them to witness truth by their own hands - the atrocities they are capable of.

And it's not about the lines really. This comic relief, goofy Disney Dracula is not intimidating, not relatable and will never be anyone i will take seriously. He just looks like some random moron to me thinking he's the greatest. Even Syndra sounds more intimidating because her voice reeks of misplaced confidence. A power that she cannot control. Always talking about how in balance she is, when she is only talking to herself.

You also have to keep in mind that most of his goofy lines are attached to taunts, so you're not going to hear those the most, unless you're the kind of player to spam taunts and jokes. His best lines imo, are the movement and long movement ones, and those are the ones you'll hear the most. The worst ones to me are some of the ones attached to the first encounters, but even then, they ARE first encounters, so you'd only hear them once. The way they are said come off as poorly articulated, and the voice actor doesn't really sound all that great when he says them. One example: "A troll king?! Come! Defend you throne, king of trolls." Sounds really redundant and dumb. But, like I said, the dumb ones are attached to First Encounters, Taunts, and Jokes.

As for old Aatrox, he wasn't really all that interesting, imo. Even some of his best lines that people bring up like, "Rage against the dying light" doesn't sound all that special when compared to New Aatrox's lines. He also felt really one note. Very similar to Syndra in a way. Syndra is constantly spouting about her ULTIMATE POWER, while Old Aatrox just talked about how men should fight, because that's what men do. There were no other facets to him. Just war. New Aatrox other facets to his character. Despair, a need for purpose, confidence in battle, and of course, a need for vengeance. I agree, neither of them are supposed to be nice guys. What you get when you see new Aatrox is a sense of sadness akin to pity. And I think that's really cool.

Also, where'd you get the idea that he thinks he's the greatest? He has a bunch of lines talking about how he hates his current state and form. This "cursed flesh" as he puts it.

TrivictormanJun 14, 20181 votes

Me too

NA DarklarikJun 14, 20181 votes

Marked, because i just listened to his VO and its heartbreaking

Vlada CutJun 15, 20181 votes

Indeed. As if Aatrox IRL would resemble paet of the humamity who had given up hope.

NotaRobot1006Jun 16, 20181 votes

To add some fuel to the fire, we don't know what Varus and Rhaast were like before they were sealed. It's possible that they were all at least reasonably decent people. The problem is that getting trapped in solitary confinement as inanimate objects for hundreds of years generally isn't a great way to guarantee someone's continued altruism or stability.