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What are the character fantasies that each of the champions up for a VGU should offer?

Brutusness·2/23/2018, 11:28:12 PM·40 votes·12,199 views

Of these champions most considered for a VGU, it's pretty agreed upon that they can't satisfy a character role, thematically, that would make them attractive a playerbase. But what exactly is the character role that they could best be filling? Malicious Metal, well known Morde fanatic, has gone in depth on his views of the idea fantasy that Morde should be fulfilling. But beyond just that, how could each champion be worked on in this regard? For example

Should fill the role of a creature who spits on the idea of "humanity". Make the player feel like a monster, and a deliberate one. Heartless, merciless. All consuming, but not in a TK way, where it's a two way street. Cho wants to consume everything and a deal has nothing to do with it.

Should give the player the feeling of a prideful, even arrogant, but not chaotic, beast warrior. This isn't just an animal, but a demi god, and it should feel good. He should be imposing to look at and feel like.

So, what kinds of fantasies would you like these champions to bring in a VGU? If any Rioters see this, do you have any views or questions on each of the champs and their potential?

226 Comments

Rebonack2/24/2018, 1:08:50 AM38 votes

Oh boy a chance to talk about Koggers.

I'm going to come at this from a lore direction rather than a gameplay direction, since this isn't the gameplay board.

Kog's big hook is that he's the 'cute' Voidborn. He's incredibly destructive, but he isn't malevolent. At all. He's curious and he's hungry. He's like an infant scooting around on the carpet stuffing everything he encounters into his gob. Only problem is, this is very unhealthy for most anything he encounters.

He's obviously intelligent. He can speak, unlike Rek. He isn't brilliant like Vel, he's simple and childlike. If Kai'Sai is the human that grew up in the Void, Koggers should be the voidling that's growing up in the physical universe. Kog should be full of wonder, curiosity, and a rumbling belly. 'I wonder what you taste like?' in a wholly innocent, not at all threatening way to other champs would make for a pretty solid taunt.

I think these are the aspects that should be played up with Koggers. Him exploring the world around him. He has no idea what anything is or how anything works. He's absolutely overwhelmed by the colors and flavors and aromas. Of all the various Void beasties, Kog is probably the only one who has the potential for positive interactions with material folks simply because there isn't an ounce of meanness in him. That might be a fun narrative break from DESTROY ALL THE THINGS.

EDIT:

Wanted to add this-

http://st.elohell.net/public/chill/3a66eed6aac4bcd610944d210d5bf7fd.jpg

-to give an idea of what I would like out of a Kog visual update. His splash is great, but his in game model doesn't really match that well. This fixes most of the issues I have with it.

RiotBioluminescence2/24/2018, 12:04:40 AM34 votes

Nah, no opinions here (I am, after all, not on the League team directly). But if this thread turns out to be full of juicy infoz, I'll totally link it to lots of people.

No pressure, folks. :P

[slayer-pantheon-popcorn]

(PS - Someone in another thread said we should do surveys, and I believe we do, but not to everyone, so some folks slip through the cracks.)

AbiwonKenabi2/24/2018, 1:29:30 AM16 votes

I'll go over each character briefly and say what kind of theme I think they could fulfill. For all of them, I think keeping the essence of the character is number one, even if Riot decides to change a great deal.

DrMundo I want to see him be a real doctor again. One of the both funny and scary things about Dr. Mundo was that he must have been pretty smart at some point, so is he still? Is he playing dumb? Anyways, he actually has a really great visual and "mad hulked out doctor" theme going, I think it could be enhanced. He has some great quotes too, I'd love to see more.

Corki Another one that I think his core theme is actually pretty solid: daring pilot, a little old. Spruce up his appearance to be more fluffy, give him a bit more of a backstory explaining whatever airforce and why Bandle needs it, and for Void's sake give this man some more lines! Love his laugh, I think his voice is one of my favorite parts about him, hate that he only says like 2 things.

Chogath I'm sure a lot will need to be explained to put his lore in-line with the upcoming new Void stuff. He's League's premier monster, and I'd like him to remain that way. I also want him to still have his monstrous voice and have some more intelligent lines: I don't think he should be a big dumb monster, at the very least he's able to communicate and understand others and isn't just a mindless beast. I really look forward to seeing what Riot does with his design: I really like it, but his in-game model is ancient and could definitely look way more awesome.

Fiddlesticks This champ has been mired in mystery, and while Riot doesn't HAVE to reveal everything, SOME details of his origins would be appreciated. I think he would work as a demon in-line with Eve and Tahm. Crow Storm stays. He a scare crow!

Kayle Kayle's theme is definitely "righteous angel who brings justice". But I would love to see some gray area when it comes to opposing Morg: don't just do "good vs evil". Do "good of the group" vs "good of the individual" or something like that. Don't make Morg the bad guy exclusively.

Kennen Yordles I feel are all suffering and badly need a lore update, so hopefully Kennen will benefit from that either when he is updated, or before. I think he should keep his hyperactivity, his lighting ninja aesthetic/powers and his connection with the Kinkou. This is optional, but I'd love to see more relationships with the other members of the Kinkou, Akali and Shen.

KogMaw I love that Kog'Maw is both repulsive and kind of cute, I think Kog mainly needs gameplay and visuals, though his background definitely needs some love. I want to hear some foreshadowing about his Daddy too!

Nocturne Freddy Kruger here is, first and foremost, an entity that invades and probably kills people in their dreams. I'd love more lines about this, maybe some interactions on what kind of nightmares certain other Champs have. His general visual design is cool, I think he should look mostly like a ghost-like entity.

Mordekaiser Players more knowledgeable and passionate than I have provided some great details for good ole Morde. His core theme is really strong, and I really enjoyed his current back story of unstoppable lich that could only be felled by his closest advisers. He MUST be an awesome suit of armor, I am anxious to see an updated visual of him

Nunu I did a whole thread on Nunu a little while back, I think his theme's focus should be a boy and his best friend Willump the Yeti. I want a lot more emphasis on their cooperation and how they are better than the sum of their parts.

Whoever wrote that wonderful bio for this guy, bravo, but I hate that the character we follow throughout--Atreus--has basically nothing to do with Pantheon. I want to feel more connection to him. While I understand he can't look exactly like a Spartan like he does now, I think Sparta is key to his visuals, so elements of it would go a long way towards making him feel like Pantheon.

Rammus One of League's biggest blank slates, I think almost anything is fair game to change for Rammus. As long as he's "derpy armored armadillo of few words" I think it can work.

Skarner I don't LOVE Skarner's newer lore, but I chalk this up to personal preference rather than the lore having any true problems. I think his design is already great, he just needs some polish. I want the lines "the Crystal Scar is Weeping" and "I miss my kind..." to remain, great lines.

Shaco I hate Shaco, I'm not even gonna trust myself to comment unbiasedly on this.

Udyr Its a shame that Spirit Guard Udyr wasn't just Udyr's VGU because I like a lot about this. Maybe he needs to be more "rustic" than his ult skin, more "Freljord" if you will, but visually its a great direction.

While I miss Volibear's old role as a Shaman of his people, I think some elements from his old lore could actually benefit his new status as demigod. Let him have a vision on top of the stormy mountain, let him see war as a necessary tool to protect his people. And please don't make the Ursine completely mindless: they can be war-faring, fine, but make them spiritual. We already have Sejuani and the Winter's Claw for true war tribe, the Ursine can be more religious or something. Set them apart.

Took longer than I wanted, but hopefully I sort of summarized the primary themes of each Champion. Obviously its mostly in my opinion, but I'd like to think this is, generally speaking, what is appealing about each Champion's fantasy. Feel free to dispute with me, I don't play all these guys super regularly.

Chromatic Eagle2/24/2018, 12:18:35 AM5 votes

Mordekaiser is a death knight. Probably the best way to describe him.

Shaco is an evil toy. The toy boxes is already a cool thematic.

Mundo is a sadomasochist. I should enjoy hurting people and myself.

Warlord Dienekes2/24/2018, 12:31:52 AM4 votes

: Soldier/Hoplite. He’s a soldier, he has two purposes: kill the enemy and use teamwork with his fellow grunts to survive. To quote the guys over at the Pantheon Mains Subreddit: Pantheon should be the guy in the dirt. If this was WWI he'd be stuck in a trench somewhere. If they want to make him look unique, don't make his armor golden and glowy. His cape should not have twinkling stars inside of it. Make his equipment old and chipped and scratched. Make his cloak torn, bloodstained, and muddy. Make him look like he fights for a living, that he has survived more battles than you could name. The battlefield is his home, that's what Pantheon is.

As of now he’s just got the “kill enemy” part down, but little in the way of teamwork.

And honestly, what does wildly flailing have to do with using a spear? And how does that constitute a “heart-seeking strike”? He’s not aiming toward a heart he’s swinging like a madman.