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I have a concern regarding Camille's title, the Steel Shadow

Ironclad Dragon··11 votes·2,221 views

Riot really seems to love the word "shadow".

Akali: The Fist of Shadow Hecarim: The Shadow of War Talon: The Blade's Shadow Zed: The Master of Shadows

And now we have Camille, the Steel Shadow. I don't think any other word is shared across so many champions. Granted, these are only five titles out of a +100 champions, but as soon as I read Camille's title, I was a bit... IDK, disappointed? Because those titles immediately came to mind and made me realize how often the word is used. Shadow just seems too easy to reach for, especially when you've already used it four times before. If you use the same imagery too many times, it loses its impact.

This probably seems like a minor complaint, but I do like Camille and care for champion identity; that's why I'm bringing this up. If you recall back to Mordekaiser's Juggernaut rework, it was fan complaint that changed the dry "Lord of Death" to the striking "Iron Revenant". By using such a banal word for the fifth time, Camille's title doesn't feel unique among League of Legends. Like Camille herself says in her VO, "The right word cuts more deeply than a knife." Not to mention, it's a bit too close for comfort with Talon's title...

Maybe to reflect Camille's upper-class background, we can use a less-banal substitute for shadow. Something more refined and precise, like Camille herself, something that calls a distinct image to one's mind. Something that a nobleman or woman might know in order to display their education and class, but would make a lowborn scratch their head and ask to simplify. I don't have a particular word in mind, but I know there are words out there that'd certainly fit better.

30 Comments

FloRaider422 votes

All of the mentioned Shadow Characters are Assassins, which also fits Camilles occupation (although ingame she is more of a brawler). Whereas the Steel part should be pretty obvious. Using a complicated word would just alienate players (and wouldn't make much sense), so we need something simple, yet stylish and noble that pays homage to her work as an assassin and precise fighter.

Clockwork assassin/blade would have been a good title, if Orianna wouldn't be so similiar.

Btw Void is the most used word in titles, but nobody is bothered ?

Ironclad Dragon3 votes

Your points are valid, and I do agree that simpler is better usually. Most champion titles use simpler words; the most obscure one that comes to mind is in Sona's (the Maven of Strings). Shadow works and makes sense, but it feels lazy. I acknowledge that using a complicated and obscure word would alienate players, so it's probably best if we just use an uncommon word, something you can get the meaning of but don't hear too often.

Btw isn't Void the most used word in titles ?

Touche, friend.

The Last Ballad3 votes

It's kind of the calling card of void people, though people were disappointed in Req'Sai's title...

FloRaider421 votes

Well Shadow is the calling card of Assassins (apart from Heca) so there is nothing wrong there IMHO.

LordGeovanni2 votes

but thats the voids lore they are creatures from beyond comming from the void to consume your world. only kassidin really doesnt have void in his name while being associated with the void. its because he is fighting against it. (something i just learned when universe went up. I must have misunderstood his lore way back when) he is instead the rift walker

FloRaider421 votes

Kass is still called the Void Walker... The funny thing is that Kog is named "the Mouth of the Abyss" so Void could have been replaced by other things.

LordGeovanni1 votes

kog maw's title isnt referring to the void at all but his own stomach

Ask the Herald2 votes

Hecarim, The Shadow of War?

Ironclad Dragon1 votes

Ah, thank you. I forgot all about the old boy. Thank you for reminding me.

bad arcade kitty2 votes

shadows are cool and rito isn't very inventive

i recall they originally named ahri's passive literally with the name of one of nasus' abilities

LordGeovanni2 votes

Shadows are awesome and mysterious

Ironclad Dragon1 votes

That they are. I just want to preserve that.

LordGeovanni1 votes

pretty mysterious how shadows touching every other significant guy

Hryna2 votes

I really like your post and the way you've broke it down. I wonder if Riot's design team thinks more deeply about the feel and the design of champion - like you mentioned, the internal logic of her character combined with her background. (everything about them tells me that they do, or so I like to believe), but if it's the case that they're just using catchy words then I'm kind of disappointed. I mean they do have younger audience but even so creating quality content should be a priority.

FloRaider421 votes

Well titles are supossed to be catchy so there is nothing wrong with picking catchy words. That said a lot more goes into a title as they give a small glimpse of the champion (you usually know most of the Theme and maybe even playstyle from title alone).

turkeyBACON2 votes

How about Camille, the Bleeding Edge. it's a bit puny but it also describes her literally as both being lethal and hextech-ly advanced.

Ironclad Dragon1 votes

I like that.

1011001110002 votes

I was personally expecting something cheesy like "The Cutting Edge"

Ralanr1 votes

After a while its starts to get hard to make titles not sound similar.

Ironclad Dragon2 votes

It's to be expected. But constraints should encourage creativity.

Ralanr2 votes

Steel Umbra?

Ironclad Dragon1 votes

Umbra did come to mind, but with the steel part, some rearranging might need to happen.

Ralanr1 votes

The Umbra of Piltover?

Valor Bot1 votes

Camille, the Steel Justicar?

Or perhaps Camille, the Steel Operative?

Sherogarth1 votes

And then there is "blade"

Talon : The Blade's Shadow Katarina : The Sinister Blade MasterYi : The Wuju Bladesman Irelia : The Will of the Blades Aatrox : The Darkin Blade Garen : The Beyblade... oh wait.

FloRaider421 votes

Could have switched it up with Sword... But for the most part it makes sense, especially since the "Blade" part is the less descriptive part of their titles.

the weeaboo1 votes

I would've liked something along the lines of the "The Poised Vandetta"

Ironclad Dragon1 votes

I like the poised bit, but do you mean Vendetta?

the weeaboo1 votes

{quoted}

I like the poised bit, but do you mean Vendetta?

I don't know its kind of a cool word plus it means someone who has a bloodfeud with another. So it kinda fits. If I had her full lore I could probably come up with a better word.

Final Spark Lux1 votes

I would have liked it if you ordered them as

Hecarim Akali Talon Zed

cause then you spelled hatz shrugs I like hats

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