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My thought on who will be the next after Galio.

Wordofmask··2 votes·2,494 views

So we all know that new Galio will come before a next new champ. I think that's the effect of Riot position of new champs early this year.

"As for future champs: There’ll be a longer-than-usual gap between Camille and the next new champion. We’ll be more focused on other stuff early this year, then will get back to our past cadence for new champion releases." ref: http://nexus.leagueoflegends.com/2017/01/dev-on-state-of-the-game-january-2017/

Maybe, This is why Reav3 can state to us as such. Still, If Galio could be released this Feb. That will surprise me alot. It means,except of Warwick Galio, we can expect more 3 reworked champs this year.

Anyway, Reav3 promises us a new champ update blog late this month or early Feb which indicates who will be the next 2 after Galio.

At this point, We can safely say that 1 slot is now given to Urgot who the team should now working on.

Only 1 slot to be declared.

Most people expect Eve to be replaced in Galio position but I still doubt it. Why? Because back in Nov last year Meddler stated about her status as this

“Yep. 2017 looks pretty plausible, got some other champs to do first though so no guarantees yet.” Ref: http://boards.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/c/gameplay-balance/7iQ9PvZO-riot-meddler-i-get-that-the-pbe-cycle-isnt-done-but-we-are-getting-vayne-and-twitch-nerfs-right?comment=000a0005000000000000000300000000

This makes no sense if they planed to rework Eve right after Galio. Even Galio released in March they still have 9 months to rework her. Except the scope of VGUs for Eve is very very huge that requires 8+ months to complete which I don't think possible.

That makes me feel Meddler's "Some other champs" are not just Galio and Urgot but the other one who we don't know yet.

To know who is the next. We have to get back to a strong candidate list confirmed by both Reav3 and Meddler Mordekaiser Irelia Nunu Swain Pantheon

As of now, The most possible winner is Irelia considering from what Reav3 just said

"Irelia is currently very high priority for us and not for a minor update. Keep in mind that we gave Fiora a pretty large update even though there were others in worse shape because we felt the "Duelist Fencer" archetype had very high potential." ref: https://www.reddit.com/r/leagueoflegends/comments/5od2ot/reav3_blog_out_soon_going_over_next_two_vgu_after/

Irelia is now not just "relatively high" but "very high" priority on the VGU list. That means the list already updated and Irelia should be placed on Tier 1 alongside with Eve.

He talked about Morde too but Morde is just high on the list which indicates that he might not get the slot.

"Hmmm I have replied to many Mordekaiser posts about him being a high priority for a full VGU in the future" ref: http://boards.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/c/story-art/dE1Qls8A-ww-rework-incoming?comment=000b001900000000000000010000000b000100030000

That left only Pantheon Nunu Swain who the team haven't clarified their status yet. I really hope the upcoming blog from Reav3 should focus on updating their status to us. Who is the next and who are on tier 1 list right now. Soon.

29 Comments

Sharjo4 votes

It's Urgot.

Already been confirmed.

Champ up Team 1's moving from Warwick to Urgot.

We dunno what Team 2's doing after Galio, but it will be announced in the coming weeks.

Wordofmask4 votes

Please read it all before comment.

Sharjo2 votes

Fair enough, though a better title would be "My thoughts on who will be the next VGU after Urgot".

I'm still dumb for not reading properlly though. Sorry.

Wordofmask1 votes

Nvm mate

Your advise sounds reasonable and I will do it better next time. thx

LunSeiSleidee1 votes

{quoted}

It's Urgot.

Already been confirmed.

Champ up Team 1's moving from Warwick to Urgot.

We dunno what Team 2's doing after Galio, but it will be announced in the coming weeks.

Who confirmed it? Where?

Sharjo1 votes

T'was confirmed on the league community livestream where they showed Warwick on the pbe, played games with him and asked the devs questions. CertainlyT, Warwick's gameplay designer, confirmed about an hour and a half through that Urgot was next.

Oleandervine3 votes

Urgot was confirmed by CertainlyT as being in production in the Warwick live stream. As for who's after that, I'm betting top dollar on Evelynn. Evelynn was heavily discussed last year, and both Reav3 and Meddler stated that they'd be surprised if she didn't get a VGU in 2017. Meddler has also gone into a lot of detail about how her fantasy, her playstyle, and her original intended playstyle have suffered a massive disconnect due to how damaging her permanent stealth is to the functionality of her kit.

GreenLore2 votes

I wouldn't say that 3 more VGUs this year are to be expected. After all,the warwick rework took ~6 months,so if the next 2 projects of the warwick team also take 6 months each,then they will only deliver one other rework this year. (and Swain has multiple models,so if he gets chosen,then he'll take likely more than 6 months)

Also the

“Yep. 2017 looks pretty plausible, got some other champs to do first though so no guarantees yet.”

Was posted 2 months ago,so he might have referred to Warwick,Galio and Urgot. And at that point it might not have been clear how fast Galio comes and how fast they'll be able to do Evelynn.

Wordofmask1 votes

Would rather choose "hope" over "expect".

As Riot lead game designer, I think Meddler already know the direction of the team long before year end.

and since Urgot has being reworked if they choose Irelia she is also a light champion which fits their diversity factor perfectly.

Ravenhale2 votes

I think Regional Lore Updates are being considered in the VGU selection process. For that reason alone, I believe Evelynn is not as high priority as we were assuming in 2016.

Urgot will likely spearhead the Noxian lore after Galio is used for Demacia.

I believe Irelia will be picked over Akali to relaunch Ionia.

I also think Nunu is the strongest candidate to update the Freljord.

There might even be a case of Cho'Gath being used for a Void Lore update.

Champions like Akali, Evelynn, Pantheon and Swain will probably have to wait a little until the regional lore updates get done.

RlP K0BE1 votes

I'm really looking forward to the Irelia VGU personally. They could do so much more with her kit than what it is now

Friendly Ram1 votes

why is swain up for a rework? he doesn't seem in that bad of a spot after the mage update.

Grimm Howl6 votes

Well, they have been wanting to give Swain a visual upgrade for years now, but no real direction with where to go with it or the idea for his kit changes. The mage update was just a way to put him in a better place until he could get his VGU, similar to Eve with the assassin update.

Whyte Lyon1 votes

Riot's biggest issue with Swain is due to his sub title "The Master Tactician" and in hindsight there really isnt anything so "tactical" about turning into a bird and siphoning life force off enemies. The subtitle makes Swain a champ of contradiction, essentially his current kit doesn't fulfill the potential of his fantasy, hence Swain needs a VGU.

In my silly little opinion, if I was Riot or rather ChampUP. I would prioritize Swain a lot more then Pantheon or Nunu; Irelia however might trump Swain tho. Because Swain brings up serious questions over just how is he supposed to work and operate within the game and lore?

Story wise Swain is nothing much other then mysterious (great for theorists but shit for continuity) which is odd considering the role his character should play within League's world .

LordGeovanni1 votes

only change galio needs is stronger and more flexible magic resist items he doesnt need to be popular because he is a niche situation champion

blackfootedfox1 votes

Evelynn was a very hot topic for VGU potential last season, hitting high on the request lists around the time the Yorick rework launched. Honestly' I'd rather see her get a VGU over Irelia, Evelynn character lore feels very strong and interesting, but her gameplay pattern doesn't match it very well.

Chase Me Daddy1 votes

Evelynn is high likely, since she not only has been requested so many times but it was stated that it is high unlikely to go through 2017 or early 2018 without a Evelynn VGU. So we can just assume that she comes after our lord and savior the Urgod around harrowing time. IF we somehow end up with a fifth VGU this year (which I think is pretty unlikely) it could potentially go to any of these Akali Chogath DrMundo Irelia Kayle Morgana Mordekaiser Nunu Pantheon Skarner Swain Volibear XinZhao since they are all champions often mentioned to be problematic. And if I had to guess a lineup for next year/a fifth VGU my bet would be exactly as OP's since riot likes to give champions priority that simply don't live up to their theme (Warwick is a good example of gaining priority because of this).

Wrathof3001 votes

I hope you are right in assuming we get 4 reworks this. It just means for me that Panth's rework is closer, since it doesn't look like he would get much attention in a diver update. Maybe Irelia's rework will be on the same level as Ryze's and we get Evelynn this year too

Sukishoo1 votes

Still, If Galio could be released this Feb.

Doubt it. They had mentioned he wouldn't be out quite that fast after WW. I'd say he's more along the lines of hitting in March if anything, they still do want to put as much as they can into these updates. New champions would usually come out every 1.5 to 2 months, so for Champion updates it should be roughly the same timeframe since we won't be seeing a new Champion before Galio is released and WW will be live next week most likely.

Hige1 votes

I think there is a champion that tends to slip through everyone's mind... remember also that the likelihood of a rework happening comes from two factors:

  1. what's the state of a champion's visuals / archetype expresion
  2. what's the state of a champion's gameplay

if the champion has horrific gameplay but ok visuals, riot seems to hold off Kayle because gameplay requires more time and work and visually the champion is fine

if the champion has horrific gameplay and bad visuals, riot seems to hold off Mordekaiser Too much work on every aspect, though, eventually you gotta get to them

if the champion has good gameplay and ok visuals, riot seems to hold off Ezreal The champion is fine but could use some polish, no need to rush here, others need it more

if the champion has good gameplay and bad visuals, riot makes it them a priority Warwick this is because reworking a champion is quite the effort from everyone on the designer pod but reworking gameplay is probably the most taxing part they have to do, they could break the champion with a badly designed kit and eventually they'd have to go back and invest even more time on them Ryze but a champion with different visuals isn't all that bad (Karma) after all this is a GAME, not a runway show.

I think that the champion everyone forgets is: Malphite his gameplay theme is fairly straight forward but his visuals are awful, he's a great candidate for a VGU

Meta Noir1 votes

Hey, coming back to this thread, because Meddler wrote stuff turning things upside down!

http://boards.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/c/gameplay-balance/4umJm2vu-meddler-azir-mini-rework?comment=00020000000000000000 ''I think she'd be a great candidate for a 'champ in an ok spot who could be made really awesome' update. For a while at least though we'll still be focused on champs in pretty bad spots though (WW, Galio etc going forwards, Yorick, Sion, Poppy, Taric etc previously).'' – Meddler (commenting about Irelia a day ago)

The part where he on point states, that they will be focused on worse offenders as listed, with Warwick & Galio already mentioned as on the way (the first one being released to the live servers in a few hours on top of it and the second one already listed to the Champion Update schedule and being released before the new Champion), it clearly sounds like, that there will be a good amount of Champions inbetween, that have bigger identity, art & gameplay health problems.

Urgot is the only confirmed one by CertainlyT as written by several other posters, till Reav3 releases his new VGU Nexus Blogentry in the next 7 days.

''for a while'' & telling the audience, that she is in an okay spot for a little longer makes it sound, that we are not only talking about two other slots.

What really got me is your Meddler quote about Evelynn, which was just two months ago (thank you for that by the way – I keep a close eye on ChampUp related Red posts, but I missed that one). He puts no guarentees for her, even while it is clear, that there is still so much space left till the end of the year, which makes no sense at all, even after Urgot and not just Galio!

I want to note before I go a little further, that i have the theory & big hope, that we might see one more VGU slot this year compared to last one.

How I come up with this? Urgot has only 3 skins and Evelynn only 4. Additionally both will most likely not have other models like the ghouls of Yorick or further tech complications like his Black Mist cape. On top of that, they both have no legendary skin unlike Galio! These points make me guess, that Meddler also sees this chance and didn't strictly disapprove the idea of her happening in 2017.

Overall the hints we got so far really make me look forward to Mordekaiser Nunu Swain Pantheon!

Mordekaiser Biggest mess in general currently, no form of CC while being a giant menace with a mace, unthematic hybrid scaling, disgusting itemization choices, PIZZA FEET, walking joke like old Sion & Taric, maybe could fit almost perfectly to hit live around Harrowing Nunu Boy or Yordle (name implies second), ancient kit without real flow/synergy, one of the worst models by far, potential to be a great Support Jungler fitting a similar niche like Ivern Swain Warlock or Tactician (?), clever mixture of both (please?), problematic drain tank kit Pantheon Cliche theme like old Gangplank, extremely unhealthy kit, THESE FEET THOUGH

These points pretty much explain Meddler's statement. The theme of Irelia being a Ionian telekinetic blade general is viewed as already solid and locked by Riot from all the stuff I've read about her in the past. Her kit is difficult to balance, but she is currently not in a shape like others mentioned above and even while pretty much everyone hates her hair, including me, her visuals are in also a ''better'' state for a short moment, while the mentions above lack extremely for different reasons.

Don't get me wrong though! She needs to look like an actual Ionian general and her gameplay is in a similar spot to the last two listed and I personally want her gone straight after all of these.

The last things I want to get out of my fingers are, that Riot tries to avoid releasing same region Champions and dark/dark-light/light themes back to back, which almost 100% speaks for Evelynn & Mordekaiser not being after another. Nunu is the optimal gapcloser for this, being the straight opposite to such grim characters. Yorick & Warwick were both right after another, but not from the same region and tending to be neutral good & chaotic good, while being very dark themed. Pantheon is probably neutral good or lawful neutral with counting lawful good nuances, in because of Atreus struggle trying to eventually get back his consciousness while being ''possessed'' by let's call it the Avatar of War (I am not sure, but I think Jaredan has said something like this along the lines on this board, in context of future story progressions in terms of Targon). Swain is straight dark and the very manipulative type of evil, Shadow Isles characters are still on top of it, so I guess a back to back release can for sure happen like it is currently with the Shadow Isles & sinister side of Zaun.

Wishfully Riot revaluates their stance on ChampUp, resulting in stocked up resources, maybe even another team. There are currently somewhere around 55 Champions (I am serious and not counting the already announced ones in, neither the ones that just need some Recall Animations, VFX and VO) needing some form of huge love, may it be VGU or VU. The straight fact, almost 1/3 of the roster needing serious work, is just overwhelming.

So excited for Reav3 providing deeper news & hopefully some admitting insight on that topic really soon™!

Oleandervine1 votes

{quoted}

Hey, coming back to this thread, because Meddler wrote stuff turning things upside down! ''I think she'd be a great candidate for a 'champ in an ok spot who could be made really awesome' update. For a while at least though we'll still be focused on champs in pretty bad spots though (WW, Galio etc going forwards, Yorick, Sion, Poppy, Taric etc previously).'' – Meddler (commenting about Irelia a day ago)

The part where he on point states, that they will be focused on worse offenders as listed, with Warwick & Galio already mentioned as on the way (the first one being released to the live servers in a few hours on top of it and the second one already listed to the Champion Update schedule and being released before the new Champion), it clearly sounds like, that there will be a good amount of Champions inbetween, that have bigger identity, art & gameplay health problems.

Urgot is the only confirmed one by CertainlyT as written by several other posters, till Reav3 releases his new VGU Nexus Blogentry in the next 7 days.

''for a while'' & telling the audience, that she is in an okay spot for a little longer makes it sound, that we are not only talking about two other slots.

What really got me is your Meddler quote about Evelynn, which was just two months ago (thank you for that by the way – I keep a close eye on ChampUp related Red posts, but I missed that one). He puts no guarentees for her, even while it is clear, that there is still so much space left till the end of the year, which makes no sense at all, even after Urgot and not just Galio!

I want to note before I go a little further, that i have the theory & big hope, that we might see one more VGU slot this year compared to last one.

How I come up with this? Urgot has only 3 skins and Evelynn only 4. Additionally both will most likely not have other models like the ghouls of Yorick or further tech complications like his Black Mist cape. On top of that, they both have no legendary skin unlike Galio! These points make me guess, that Meddler also sees this chance and didn't strictly disapprove the idea of her happening in 2017.

Overall the hints we got so far really make me look forward to Mordekaiser Nunu Swain Pantheon!

Mordekaiser Biggest mess in general currently, no form of CC while being a giant menace with a mace, unthematic hybrid scaling, disgusting itemization choices, PIZZA FEET, walking joke like old Sion & Taric, maybe could fit almost perfectly to hit live around Harrowing Nunu Boy or Yordle (name implies second), ancient kit without real flow/synergy, one of the worst models by far, potential to be a great Support Jungler fitting a similar niche like Ivern Swain Warlock or Tactician (?), clever mixture of both (please?), problematic drain tank kit Pantheon Cliche theme like old Gangplank, extremely unhealthy kit, THESE FEET THOUGH

These points pretty much explain Meddler's statement. The theme of Irelia being a Ionian telekinetic blade general is viewed as already solid and locked by Riot from all the stuff I've read about her in the past. Her kit is difficult to balance, but she is currently not in a shape like others mentioned above and even while pretty much everyone hates her hair, including me, her visuals are in also a ''better'' state for a short moment, while the mentions above lack extremely for different reasons.

Don't get me wrong though! She needs to look like an actual Ionian general and her gameplay is in a similar spot to the last two listed and I personally want her gone straight after all of these.

The last things I want to get out of my fingers are, that Riot tries to avoid releasing same region Champions and dark/dark-light/light themes back to back, which almost 100% speaks for Evelynn & Mordekaiser not being after another. Nunu is the optimal gapcloser for this, being the straight opposite to such grim characters. Yorick & Warwick were both right after another, but not from the same region and tending to be neutral good & chaotic good, while being very dark themed. Pantheon is probably neutral good or lawful neutral with counting lawful good nuances, in because of Atreus struggle trying to eventually get back his consciousness while being ''possessed'' by let's call it the Avatar of War (I am not sure, but I think Jaredan has said something like this along the lines on this board, in context of future story progressions in terms of Targon). Swain is straight dark and the very manipulative type of evil, Shadow Isles characters are still on top of it, so I guess a back to back release can for sure happen like it is currently with the Shadow Isles & sinister side of Zaun.

Wishfully Riot revaluates their stance on ChampUp, resulting in stocked up resources, maybe even another team. There are currently somewhere around 55 Champions (I am serious and not counting the already announced ones in, neither the ones that just need some Recall Animations, VFX and VO) needing some form of huge love, may it be VGU or VU. The straight fact, almost 1/3 of the roster needing serious work, is just overwhelming.

So excited for Reav3 providing deeper news & hopefully some admitting insight on that topic really soon™!

I want to respectfully disagree with your stance on Evelynn. Reav3 and Meddler both stated she was extremely high on the update list, and at the time of their writing last year (prior to Yorick), their list of the top 3 most requested reworks was Galio, Urgot, and Evelynn, two of those which have been started.

Another reason that Evelynn is highly likely to get a VGU is her complete lack of work in the assassin update. They even went so far as to give Akali some work, which immediately knocked her off the 2017 list because Meddler had state before the assassin rework that they wanted to avoid double work on champs who would most likely be getting VGUs. Further evidence for Evelynn is her flavor story during the Shadow Isle lore update, where they specifically commented that for now, this would have to tide people over - but didn't say until when. Evelynn also suffers from nearly complete anonymity in her lore. She's just a strange woman who's an assassin, and that's it. It wasn't fleshed out beyond that in the lore update either, which is odd unless they intended to do a larger lore pass on her with a full VGU.

Finally, they haven't VGU'd an assassin in recent years. This year, we know there will be Warwick, Urgot, and Galio. Last year was Poppy, Taric, Ryze, and Yorick, with Sion, Fiora, and a smattering of minor GUs and VUs before them in 2015. Of them all, no assassins were overhauled. This would point towards Evelynn because of both her high VGU request rate and her being an assassin with a kit Meddler finds disjointed and problematic. That, and if she is started after Galio drops in Spring, that would put her general release period around Harrowing, a Shadow Isle themed holiday.

Meta Noir1 votes

Hey, no problem we are here to discuss, haha!

I am just confused about the main part of your post overall. So you think she will be relauched this year or NOT based on quotes and logic? Or you just WANT her to be released this year based on your personal preference?

Because our own views (sometimes sadly)

Just to make it clear my PERSONAL wishlist for this year overlapping with next year is in following order:

Warwick Galio Urgot EvelynnINunuIMordekaiserISwain Pantheon Irelia

I kept Warwick & Galio in for clarities sake being the 1st and 2nd relaunch of the year and marked Nunu & Mordekaiser as potential 5th and maximum 6th VGU of the year (wishful thinking).

As you can see there is a big missunderstatement! I want Evelynn to happen this year and yeah it also fits perfectly to Harrowing, especially after Urgot in terms of production timeline, I just think Nunu &/or Mordekaiser will happen based on Meddler's newest comment relating this topic about Evelynn and I am informed about all the stuff you mentioned! What he said just seems to contradict her being released right after Urgot in case he counted him in, because he will definitly go on PBE/Live around middle of the year (the Warwick team previously led by CertainlyT who is now back on the Champion team picked Urgod up and it is now be led by either Stashu or Repertoir, these two were on the Champion Ideation tables of the next 2 Champions – Repertoir did Taric for example).

Important is, that Nunu is interchangable with either Pantheon or Swain (less preferable, because he has a very dark theme, even for a Noxian). Both have toxic gameplay and just first ones theme is being already clear as an Aspect of War similar to already updated Taric the Aspect of the Protector and being a Diver, which will with high chance keep a similar Ultimate. Second candidate as you can also read as explained in my other comment. I just picked the Yetirider, because he is the lightest theme available and as this has the worst overall state of all possiblities.

You meant the post, where Meddler/Reav3 mentioned, that it is highly unlikely, that Evelynn will NOT get a VGU in 2017.

This is why I thanked Wordofmask, the original poster of the thread for pointing out the quote beyond this text, which is much fresher, just 2 months, than the one I mentioned above and cannot find currently, because Reav3 & Meddler are very active on the boards and their profiles are flodded with posts. Would take to long for something I can quote with almost exact words anyway!

I mentioned no personal stance on her in my writing, just putting a finger under the much more fresh Meddler quote the OP pointed at!

http://boards.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/c/gameplay-balance/7iQ9PvZO-riot-meddler-i-get-that-the-pbe-cycle-isnt-done-but-we-are-getting-vayne-and-twitch-nerfs-right?comment=000a0005000000000000000300000000 “Yep. 2017 looks pretty plausible, got some other champs to do first though so no guarantees yet.” – Meddler (2 months ago)

Everything else OP & me explained in detail already and don't forget that priorities can change and nothing is promised.

Got ->SOME<- other champs to do first. It is clear that Warwick Galio Urgot are far from being released at the end of the year (first going live tonight, second even coming before the next Champion and third maybe around June/July, if not earlier as explained why in my last comment) and he is talking about at least two other projects, because he wrote ->SOME<- and not ONE. Only other explanation I have is that he actually meant Urgot, because he was just leaked on stream like 2 weeks ago and one other Champion that isn't her.

Which would make the actual order: Warwick GalioIUrgot (???)IEvelynn

When I think about it, this actually makes the most sense. God just give me this blogpost!

I want her gone as much as you do and explaining their ''back to back theme avoiding''-philosophy has nothing to do with my personal point of view!

By the way… Thanks for reading my bible of a post. I 'ppreciate it!

Oleandervine1 votes

{quoted}

Hey, no problem we are here to discuss, haha!

I am just confused about the main part of your post overall. So you think she will be relauched this year or NOT based on quotes and logic? Or you just WANT her to be released this year based on your personal preference?

Because our own views (sometimes sadly)

Just to make it clear my PERSONAL wishlist for this year overlapping with next year is in following order:

Warwick Galio Urgot EvelynnINunuIMordekaiserISwain Pantheon Irelia

I kept Warwick & Galio in for clarities sake being the 1st and 2nd relaunch of the year and marked Nunu & Mordekaiser as potential 5th and maximum 6th VGU of the year (wishful thinking).

As you can see there is a big missunderstatement! I want Evelynn to happen this year and yeah it also fits perfectly to Harrowing, especially after Urgot in terms of production timeline, I just think Nunu &/or Mordekaiser will happen based on Meddler's newest comment relating this topic about Evelynn and I am informed about all the stuff you mentioned! What he said just seems to contradict her being released right after Urgot in case he counted him in, because he will definitly go on PBE/Live around middle of the year (the Warwick team previously led by CertainlyT who is now back on the Champion team picked Urgod up and it is now be led by either Stashu or Repertoir, these two were on the Champion Ideation tables of the next 2 Champions – Repertoir did Taric for example).

Important is, that Nunu is interchangable with either Pantheon or Swain (less preferable, because he has a very dark theme, even for a Noxian). Both have toxic gameplay and just first ones theme is being already clear as an Aspect of War similar to already updated Taric the Aspect of the Protector and being a Diver, which will with high chance keep a similar Ultimate. Second candidate as you can also read as explained in my other comment. I just picked the Yetirider, because he is the lightest theme available and as this has the worst overall state of all possiblities.

You meant the post, where Meddler/Reav3 mentioned, that it is highly unlikely, that Evelynn will NOT get a VGU in 2017.

This is why I thanked Wordofmask, the original poster of the thread for pointing out the quote beyond this text, which is much fresher, just 2 months, than the one I mentioned above and cannot find currently, because Reav3 & Meddler are very active on the boards and their profiles are flodded with posts. Would take to long for something I can quote with almost exact words anyway!

I mentioned no personal stance on her in my writing, just putting a finger under the much more fresh Meddler quote the OP pointed at! “Yep. 2017 looks pretty plausible, got some other champs to do first though so no guarantees yet.” – Meddler (2 months ago)

Everything else OP & me explained in detail already and don't forget that priorities can change and nothing is promised.

Got ->SOME<- other champs to do first. It is clear that Warwick Galio Urgot are far from being released at the end of the year (first going live tonight, second even coming before the next Champion and third maybe around June/July, if not earlier as explained why in my last comment) and he is talking about at least two other projects, because he wrote ->SOME<- and not ONE. Only other explanation I have is that he actually meant Urgot, because he was just leaked on stream like 2 weeks ago and one other Champion that isn't her.

Which would make the actual order: Warwick GalioIUrgot (???)IEvelynn

When I think about it, this actually makes the most sense. God just give me this blogpost!

I want her gone as much as you do and explaining their ''back to back theme avoiding''-philosophy has nothing to do with my personal point of view!

By the way… Thanks for reading my bible of a post. I 'ppreciate it!

The comment about other champs doesn't necessarily mean that he wasn't referring to someone other than Urgot and Galio, given that he doesn't even mention Galio. Additionally, that also doesn't take into account the planned Diver update that's coming sometime later this year - that would also consume a lot of resources, and if there's a few champs like Aatrox who need more kit work, that could also be who he's referencing. So the order of projects this year could still be Galio Urgot Evelynn, with room for a possible 5th after Urgot drops mid year.

Wordofmask2 votes

Such comprehensive analysis I love it! Let's discuss this further.

Firstly, Evelynn

Before we delve into analysis. The last statement about Eve just came from Meddler today (The same thread you found the quote about Irelia).

"Evelynn's gradually creeping up the priority list as we address the worst offenders (Yorick, WW, Galio etc)." ref: http://boards.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/c/gameplay-balance/4umJm2vu-meddler-azir-mini-rework?comment=00020014000000050000

What I learn from this quote is that I think I have been misunderstood about their priority concept.

At first I thought Eve is now no. 1 on priority list (Urgot is now out of the scene) but the quote above indicates otherwise. Why Eve still has to "gradually creeping up" if she is already on top of the list? This indicates 2 possibilities to me.

  1. She isn't the highest on the list as we thought. There are some champs who are "worst offenders" before her
  2. This Meddler's statement just refers to the past. Maybe 4-6 months ago. Now Eve is ready to be placed in Galio position.

Anyway, I want to clarify my thought. By saying Eve might not get her VGUs this year I mean we might not see her new version released this year. I'm still 80 percent sure of that her rework could be announced this year.

As for Irelia. Meddler's statement raises many question about her.

Even labeled as "Very High" on the list. She has to wait for a while before her VGUs. really? I really wonder and can't wait to see who could be before her? You are right about Irelia. She is ok champ with untapped archetype potential but she still in good spot compare to the others.

Actually, I think the Archetype Potential factor is some kind of want-to-do factor for ChampUp team not need-to-do. The prime example of this case is Fiora. Reav3 told us before reworking she was fine but the decide to rework her for this factor sake. I really disagree with this philosophy. For me, they should put more resource on champs who really need it first. From Meddler's statement. I will be glad if they proritize more that way.

Who is the next then? The candidates in my mind still be Nunu Pantheon Swain

If we include Diversity factor in this analysis. Nunu and Panth could be the winner. Anyway, Even Diversity is a factor they always consider but still it's just a minor factor which can avoid. Look back at early 2016 They released light champs Poppy Shen Taric consecutively. However, There is dim hope for Swain since Urgot who are both dark and Noxian champ stands on his way. Except the team want to revise Urgot's identity as hybrid champ.

What you said about skin factor is interesting. I think this factor plays a lesser to moderate role when the team making decision. Could you elaborate it more?

Lastly, What we should keep in mind is that. Except of the strong candidates there could be dark horses in tier 2 who can make their way to the next VGUs like Rammus Shaco

Meta Noir1 votes

Hey, Wordofmask!

Sure they should put more resources on the Champions, that need it first – as you see, they are doing it right now! We lately only see the overall mess club focused, but what if they can't come up with the right changes in timely manner, or they came across a great idea to fix a less priority Champion by accident or on a passion project?

It is probably for the best of all, when they go with what they feel the most confident in and now as they managed to bring great infrastructure into the two VGU development teams, we shouldn't really bother about quality & individual priorities and maybe more about the big picture of having so much Champions, actually needing visual & gameplay treatment!

You brought up a great point with the first releases of last year being all light focused, which I didn't even think about. That is definitly a good argument – I still found a flaw in it after a short while thinking about it! All these you named, were worked on in a timeframe, in that the ChampUp team was formed as we know it now, so this rule probably wasn't formulated than, as Shen is not a Relaunch, but a VGU, which is still a difference as I realized lately! I even read statements about this a long while back on the forums, that things were going upside down and looking back the Rioter said (probably Reav3 or Meddler), it would probably have been better to give Shen the full treatment in the more organized new ambient.

About the skin factor and you wanting me to elaborate on it:

There is not much to add actually, but I try to go in detail for you! Evelynn was confirmed to most likely see the light of day in 2017, if nothing goes totally wrong in early exploration and Urgot was (probably accidently) confirmed on stream by CertainlyT. A few weeks ago, I realized that both have a very small amount of skins while being very high priority and that this is probably a big argument for them to go all out on these two as additional factor, because it will take less time. No legendary skins, almost definitly no additional models, because they are no minion mancers like Yorick and if they keep it simple – no difficult working areas as they had on Yorick's Black Mist Cape VFX. Urgot & Evelynn TOGETHER have less skins (7) than Warwick (8)! 4 & 3 skins take much less time to create a concept for and remodel them and all the other stuff it needs, than 8 at once (as long as the process is fluent and there isn't any special bling bling needed as mentioned abouve) – simple math.

See it as a nice coincidence, that they could take as great opportunity! Important to mention, that this will be nothing occuring regulary after, in case they go for it. All the worst offenders, which are currently top of the list after these have a shit ton of skins, sometimes even in need of additional candy (counting Zombie Nunu & Nunu Bot alone – jeez!).

There is one single exeption though, Swain, who also only sits on 3 skins only.

Do I smell an even bigger opportunity for them? Oh yes. In the end, it just would make a lot sense to put focus on Urgot Evelynn Swain first.

It would potentially speed up the whole affair for a short amount with these 3 releases in a row and we maybe even would get a chance to see more relaunches this year or at least in the beginning of the next one, if you think about it. Not to forget, that a huge part of the community would probably be very pleased to see this major content roll out much faster than usual, as long as there aren't any big balance issues or something else and it would probably also be highly rewarding for the ChampUp team and raise moral.

Swain as raven warlock commander is pretty much the only path they can take. He is in this high position as just pointed out recently by the Sion relaunch lore and the community would go apeshit, if he wouldn't keep a similar version of his DoT playstyle or if his ravens got removed. I don't see why his archetypes automatically contradict each other. Characters in such an gritty environment usually have some individual power, that makes them menacing. How should you otherwise be able to rule in a place like NOXUS?

There are only two logical variants, where I can see something from him removed. One is to get rid of his title, like they did with pretty much every relaunch so far and just focusing on the already existing gameplay. This would be the easiest way when it comes to backlash risk. On the other hand it would be an missed opportunity. So the second option would be to remove his battlemage drain tank ultimate, which is an unhealthy & difficult to balance design space anyway. His ravens scouting areas just fits so nice, but being a tactical genius takes a lot more than just giving vision to allies or running mindlessly into 5 enemies as strategist, I would say. Teamwide statcheck boosts without any organic interaction like old Sona aren't an option for either Swain, nor Aatrox. So what is the spice, that rounds it all up and gives him the needed flow to his already existing patterns so, that he wouldn't end up as a clustered mess, clunky, too gimmicky or being unhealthy?

All I can come up is unique vision & traps, how to make it work with a similar pattern to his current one is another thing. Swain has a very manipulative character, so verbatim setting up outplay scenarios makes a lot of sense for him. Diving deeper and deeper into this, it just comes to mind how actually well all this stuff harmonizes in an abstract. Different areas in his kit could be touched heavily, but removing his damage over time focus is a no-go. I still see potential in a morph – further even a transformation kit like the different variants of Gnar, Shyvana & Jayce – resulting in a clever & logical splitup between setup utility & execution, just minus full frontal contact!

If they can come up with a great compromise or prefered direction in terms of theme & gameplay regarding the tyrannic bird ruler and that soon – PLEASE let them go for it!

Xodiathe4bdn11 votes

Another thing that must be considered is the effect Regional Updates play on updating lore for regions but also champions. Regional updates take up a fair amount of work and even afterwards, some champions are left behind. Since Urgot is likely to spearhead noxus into the new lore there is a chance of Swain not being included. this will likely be the case of all champions most champions that are on the VGU list. If we somehow are able to fit four regions this year( being zaun demacia and noxus included ) that will be a new feet all on its own. so i think we'll have at least four VGUs this year being:Warwick Galio Urgot and the 4th or 5th slot can go to champions who's regions have been updated so as to put less pressure on releasing decent regional updates while also properly reintroducing incomplete or left behind champions of updated regions. exibit A,B,C and D Singed Rammus Nautilus Skarner

GodJormungandr1 votes

I am looking forward for any of the ones you listed, But ok let's be a bit honest about "Fairness" Swain, Morde and urgot need reworks before the others because their overall Gameplay and visual just don't match them at all and they are so old. I don't mind seeing Pantheon, Nunu or irelia next because they were listed already on Next reworked Champion, But personally i would say it's more fair that Urgot, morde and Swain get their reworks this year.

GodJormungandr1 votes

I have a good point, You do realize that Riot Finishes next Scheduled update after 2 months of the current one, the year has 12 months, Warwick been done in Middle Of January, Galio most likely will be Ending of march, However we will have many other months listed, if Riot won't List Tank Roster Update, Juggernaut Roster Update or Fighter Roster Update, then we will most likely get 5-6 Visual Reworks this year, very possible that we get 3 others after Galio, its very possible or Maybe 4 after him.

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