I wish standalone Visual Updates could be a thing again.

Hextech OwI·Jan 30, 2018·7 votes·806 views

And I'm not talking about a simple texture update, I mean new/improved models, animations and visual effects, ALL together (not only a VFX update like Cho'gath's right now, even though it's really good).

There are so much champions that could get some.

Now the only way for a champion to have updated visuals is by having a gameplay update with it.

The last "full visual only" update was Alistar's back in 2015. MF got updated shortly after but had a new passive and some minor tweaks to her kit.

Amumu, Anivia, Cho'gath, Blitzcrank, Corki, Mundo, Ezreal, Fiddle, Gragas, Jax(...), most of the champions released in 2009/2010 and that haven't been updated yet (Not counting the large scale texture update of 2015) nor have any planned updates.

I also wish that Champion that already have been updated (Alistar, Fiora, MF...) could get a voice over update aswell.

26 Comments

GreenLoreJan 30, 20185 votes

The thing is that pretty much every champ that could use a visual update could also use a gameplay update and if they do them seperatedly then the result is gonna be worse because of it(as they can't design the visual update with the new gameplay mechanics in mind) or they'll have to do extra work(as they'd need to udpate all the skill particles,only to scrap them when they get the gameplay update).

I mean pretty much every champion that you listed does need a gameplay update. For example Amumus W and E both essentially do the same thing(damage to everyone around him) and he is kind of a one trick pony anyway(just Q into the enemy team and ult),so he lacks important decision making.

And even the ones that have gameplaykits that are for the most part ok,could need a small touch up(think of a Tristana level gameplay update).For example Cho'gaths Q makes little sense lorewise and feels rather clunky to use.

Chembaron YamadaJan 30, 20182 votes

I think there are alot of examples which would qualify for a VU, but their kit is stable enough that they won't receive a VGU for some years. Blitzcrank Caitlyn Anivia Orianna Teemo Lulu

GreenLoreJan 30, 20184 votes

While the kits of these champs aren't terrible,they could definetly need some improvement though.

For example Blitzcrank has a bit too much power in his Q or Teemos shrooms could use a small rework(seriously they are one of the few abilities in the game that need an item to counter it).

Again not everyone needs a complete overhaul for their abilities,but pretty much everyone could use at least a small gameplay rework.

Chembaron YamadaJan 30, 20181 votes

I agree, but the point is that they are not as outdated as all the champions in the tier 1 VGU list, it will probably take some years until Riot reached the point of reworking them.

Which means they could get a visual update for the waiting time.

OleandervineJan 30, 20182 votes

Teemo is getting to be Tier 1. He's old, and hasn't had an update since his launch. He's just so small and often distant visually that he's not as noticeable as others, like Mundo, Nunu, or Mordekaiser.

GreenLoreJan 30, 20181 votes

But if they'd make these updates again,then it'd cause the rate of VGUs to slow down(and honestly I doubt that we'd get that much more VUs anyway,after all its not like the champion design and kit are developed by the same persons). Meaning that the champs that need these VGUs will suffer because of this.

And like I said,the idea of making regular VUs again is rather detrimental in the long run.

Chembaron YamadaJan 30, 20183 votes

Cho'Gath, Amumu, Dr. Mundo, and Fiddlesticks are all on the tier 1 list for a VGU, their kits are heavily outdated and it wouldn't make much sense to update their visuals now, if they have to rework them completely soon again.

However, you are right that there are many candidates which have stable kits, but are lacking visually. Blitzcrank Caitlyn Orianna Zilean Lulu

But hey, there is some hope. Riot is going to announce something soon and there are rumours that they are maybe going to give Annie a visual update. If that turns out to be true, maybe they want to continue doing visual updates now.

AbiwonKenabiJan 30, 20181 votes

I keep seeing people talk about Annie getting a VU, but does she really need one? She has already received one and although it's been awhile she still looks pretty good. And I doubt they would change her personality much so her VO is still solid, too.

Honestly, I'd like them to start tweaking VOs more often. As it stands now, they have this Voice Actor in ONE time to record the Champion, and then I guess they disappear from existence because Riot acts like it's impossible to ever add voice lines, even after a major lore event or Champion addition. Overwatch gives some of their heroes new interactive lines every time a new hero or map comes out, and obviously they occasionally add lines for purchase/loot boxes too. League doesn't have to be that extreme, but something along those lines would be nice.

Chembaron YamadaJan 30, 20184 votes

The problem with Annie is that her look is contradicting the world Riot created.

Back then when they designed her, they just went with "modern little schoolgirl with fire powers and teddie". However, the lore changed quite alot.

She has a backpack and cat ears. These features are (if at all) imaginable for people coming from Zaun or Piltover, since these are the cultures being the closest to our modern society. But Annie isn't from there, in fact, her lore suggests that she lives in the wilds.

She should wear a simple dress, can have a teddiebear, but backpack and cat ears should go.... You wouldn't imagine a girl living in a medieval world in the woods to have these.

I agree that we could use VO updates alot, tho. Worst offenders in my opinion are these: Blitzcrank Orianna Singed

verdítureJan 30, 20181 votes

look at udyr he just needs a VGU its like they are trying to force people to buy his ultimate skin for a VGU that VGU should have been his update

Hextech OwIJan 30, 20182 votes

I think a simple VU would be enough for him.

verdítureJan 30, 20181 votes

{quoted}

I think a simple VU would be enough for him.

eh you dont see many good udyrs

WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOJan 30, 20183 votes

Yeah he definitely needs something substantial, he’s horrible in competitive, and his performance in soloque is heavily dependent on the skill discrepancy betweeen the players.

Chembaron YamadaJan 30, 20182 votes

And in general it would be great if his stances would do more different things instead of each just modifying his auto attacks....

ChompyWulfJan 30, 20181 votes

Udyr is pretty much in a nearly identical state as Fiora was before her rework. If Udyr has a lead, you need a miracle or help to escape alive. He can't to the insane dives Fiora used to, but thanks to Stun he can often keep people from even reaching tower safety. If he's behind, there is almost nothing he can do. Unlike Fiora, he has a single stun so he's marginally better off than her. He has no kit interaction, much like she did.

Funny thing is this also describes Yi pretty well, and Tryndamere to boot.

WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOJan 30, 20182 votes

I would say that all three could use major updates, but out of those three, Yi needs it the least.

ChompyWulfJan 30, 20181 votes

That depends on perspective and by what criteria you rank need of update. If you rank by lack of effectiveness when behind, Udyr probably wins because all he can offer is a stun and poor damage. If you rank by lack of counter play, the champ who can grant himself slow immunity and become untargetable wins imo, and that would be Yi.

Lady FacelessJan 30, 20181 votes

As much as I miss simple VUs as well, they are almost as time-consuming as a VGU. I do understand why Riot stopped doing these, you gain nothing from it expect that you waste your resource you could have used otherwise. However, as far I'm aware the are gonna get more VGUs than new champion release this year.

Also, as far I'm aware MF, Varus, Shen and Fiora are pretty high on their list for an updated Voiceover.

ChompyWulfJan 30, 20181 votes

Riot seems hellbent on altering champs from what they were to whatever they want, fans be damned, so I sadly doubt we'll ever again see simple texture updates without a total image overhaul.

WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOJan 30, 20184 votes

The majority of changes Riot has made have been beneficial for the game, especially lore-wise.

ChompyWulfJan 30, 20181 votes

I think you have drunk the kool aid.

The state of the game is a mess thanks to the imbalance team. Fans have been begging for months to have lethality items tagged melee only. Nobody can hit power spikes faster and scale up damage as much as adcs. Tanks and mages have high costs to key items compared to attack damage builders. On top of that, mages have very confined options and unappealing alternatives. Runes reforged went over like a cut tree falling on a house. The foundation is there, half the building is OK and the rest can be rebuilt....but it's painful and the result of clumsy work.

Skins have been a mixed bag. On one hand, the quality has been great for skins over the past year. The shame is many are at 1300 rp and up. Then there's the matter of who gets skins, and that the majority of skins have been expanding skin lines, not creating new content.

Lore? There have been some decent lore changes....but lately it's been a huge helping of crap. Champs changed from good to evil, other evil ones being painted as becoming evil because they were victims and warped, and the allegedly most evil of all now being demoted to Grinch status. Throw in the butcher job they did to Varus....lore has gone downhill fast.

I don't see how you see positive change still when so much since late summer has been trash.

WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOJan 30, 20182 votes

Or, I’ve been following the lore and playing the game, and have thereby concluded that I still enjoy it just as much, if not moreso than before.

Just because I don’t subscribe to the idiotic circle jerks on the board doesn’t mean I “drank the coolaid”

ChompyWulfJan 31, 20181 votes

When you can't admit faults, you have.

GreenLoreJan 31, 20181 votes

He never said that everything is perfect,just that he agrees with "most" of their changes.

That doesn't mean he doesn't see any flaws in the new things.

SukishooJan 30, 20181 votes

Amumu, Anivia, Cho'gath, Blitzcrank, Corki, Mundo, Ezreal, Fiddle, Gragas, Jax(...), most of the champions released in 2009/2010

Unfortunately, VUs wouldn't help most of them. They need actual gameplay work as well.

OleandervineJan 30, 20181 votes

Alistar DID NOT receive a full visual update AT ALL. He got his model updated, and that is it. His animations didn't change, his VO didn't change, his kit didn't even change (at the time he was updated.) Alistar is one of the 6 half assed visual updates that are incomplete: MissFortune Singed Maokai Alistar Shen Fiora Alistar and the champions above got model updates only. They didn't receive animation updates or anything else that is supposed to come with an actual visual update. All of these champions have had their kits updated since their model update (some at the same time), and even Maokai has received a new VO. However, most all need functional, complete VOs, and they all need fully updated animations, as NONE of them have recalls or homeguard animations, which are the most basic animations on champions now.

The last true visual update only was Karthus . He got the entire treatment, from new models, animations, voice lines, the whole nine yards. It's insulting that the six above are technically qualified in the same category as Visual Update as Karthus, or in MF's, Shen's, and Fiora's case, "full VGUs" - as if they're anything remotely similar to real VGUs like Tristana or Ryze, some of the most simple ones released beyond them. These champions need to have the work that was begun on them completed, so they don't feel old and out of place in a game where we're getting voice lines for using abilities on champions (Swain VGU) and special animations such as duo dances (Xayah, Rakan), and even the most simple and basic recalls, like literally every new champion and VGU has received.