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Karma, not the enlightened one anymore

Zeanix·4/3/2018, 2:08:48 AM·45 votes·2,002 views

All the New Ionian lore was all spot on until I read Karma’s new lore. It just felt, too off for me.

I know you guys wanted friction inside Ionia and having a rivalry between Karma and Irelia sounded nice. But I just feel like it isn’t Karma’s character at all.

I don’t like how you used the “i am a reincarnation/spirit from past selves” for karma. Yes I know different places have similar beliefs and spirits, but making Karma a reincarnated spirit just doesn’t seem right.

Her belief that she must not attack to reach enlightenment is also quite contradictionary and is a step in the wrong direction. Her overall arch/backstory for me was making a third path for herself and doing what it is necessary for Ionia. Making her a sort of pacifist just feels so wrong for her and I’m not sure how I feel about it. (Her gameplay also doesn’t do this justice one bit and I’m also scared for her gameplay update since if she is pacifist in story, will she become the next Janna in game?)

She also rose to leadership due to her willpower and fighting back, not because of a reincarnated spirit as well.

Idk, this is my thought on Karma. I know that the idea is having Ionia at war with it self, like Karma’s pacifist ideals vs Irelia’s stand and fight but it hasn’t been expanded YET other than in game with taunts so maybe I’ll have a change of mind when maybe new story comes out. Though I don’t think it will be changed due to future story arcs and we’ll have to live with the new Karma, but I sure will miss the old one.

(But overall I loved the rest of the lore so good job all!)

15 Comments

Hupsis4/3/2018, 8:59:20 AM12 votes

Being a pacifist doesn't mean someone is weak. If the lore intervened with her gameplay I doubt she would lose her ability to deal massive damage. After all in her lore she obliterates enemies with her power.

If her gameplay was changed by her lore, I'd assume she gathers enlightenment by protecting allies and then releasing enlightenment through empowered spells. This kind of enlightenment mechanic could act as a cooldown for mantra (a bit similar how Shyvana's ult cooldown works).

Valor Bot4/3/2018, 4:30:23 PM7 votes

Her belief that she must not attack to reach enlightenment is also quite contradictionary and is a step in the wrong direction.

What I understood from the direction of the story is that Darha, through her strong will, is actually forcing change upon the pacifistic nature of Karma’s spirit to accommodate for what’s necessary and right. You can punish enemies who threaten the balance and integrity of your home while still upholding the virtue of “do no evil.” This leads me to believe Karma’s spirit will eventually metamorphosize and adapt alongside Darha’s actions, becoming the perfect balance of peace and aggression we see in game today. That’s just speculation of course, but I think Riot understands Karma can’t remain purely pacifistic forever because it goes against her gameplay and character.

Trias0004/3/2018, 9:52:29 AM4 votes

{quoted}

if she is pacifist in story, will she become the next Janna in game?

She will have only heals and shields, and -500 base AD ;)

jocomotion4/4/2018, 5:33:17 AM1 votes

Huh, reincarnated spirit that houses thousands of voices from past gods/spirits all telling of wisdom gained through last lives. Where have I heard that before? Ah! That’s rightPantheon. I won’t lie, this feels kinda like a lazy rehash, but I’ll hold out hope that the story at least expands.