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What is holding Karma back?

TheySeeMeWardin·11/15/2016, 4:49:21 PM·6 votes·1,025 views

From a game-play perspective, Karma is in the best spot she's ever been. The issue many people have with Karma, myself included, is that her character is extremely lackluster. She was the first VGU in League and it was trial and error (as well as unfinished), which comes with being the first of anything. Just like Pulse-Fire Ezreal and The Magnificent TF, they are obsolete to what is currently being produced. However, this isn't a just skin, we're talking about a champion and it's frustrating having put so much time and having create a connection to just half a character. Now I have made many a post about what is "wrong" with Karma, but to keep it short the two things I'm focusing on will be Karma's story and theme.

Story: When I hear Kalista I think of a vengeful spirit who looks to seek retribution for others, since it's already too late for her. When I hear Poppy I think of a Yordle who's on a never ending quest to find the "hero" who can wield the hammer she carries, oblivious that is her who's the hero. These two are just examples of champions with clear motives that are revolved around an interesting story, Karma doesn't have this clarity to her character. We only see her during the Ionian and Noxian war and it feels as though her story is Irelia's minus the family background. Karma's purpose is not unique to her and her connection with Ionia is not explored in the slightest, leaving a shroud of uncertainty around her and her purpose.

Theme: Brand - Fire, Anivia - Ice, Ryze - Runes, Lux - Light, Karma - ? Revisiting the fact that Karma was incomplete when she was released, pre-rework a lot of her identity was in her fans and post-rework a lot of her identity was intended to be a twin-dragon concept that wasn't released along with her. We know her power comes from her goddess Ionia but, just like her story, another champion has the same concept but delivers on it better, Illaoi. Both have a both have a goddess (Ionia/Bearded Lady) and both use spirit energy given by their god, however Illaoi really brings this to life when she rips out and makes you fight for your soul. What does Karma get, Soul Flair? Which is really just the name of the ability but doesn't translate visually.

Both her story and theme are just incomplete and it needs to be address. Unfortunately because she's in a good spot game play wise we will not see a change in store for Karma in a long time which is sad because she has so much potential to stand out rather than having a worse version of other champs.

13 Comments

Ralanr11/15/2016, 5:23:02 PM10 votes

I once made a long ass post about what I believed were the thematics of Karma that I felt should be addressed, but I can't find it so I'll just summarize.

Karma is the closest person we have to the leadership of post war Ionia. She was also one of the first Ionians to take an art that was meant for protective purposes and used it offensively to drive off a Noxian invasion after her elders were killed in an attempt for peace.

However, this does not mean she believes violence is the solution to everything. She just understands that some resolutions cannot be solved through pacifism, so she will fight when necessary.

This is shown in what her kit tries to represent. Mantra can be used offensively or defensively, showcasing the choice between action and defense.

A conflict in her lore IMO would be that she has trouble convincing others against more warfare. She stresses that such actions should only be a last resort, that their old teachings still hold meaning and should be respected. But as we can see with Jhin, not everyone agrees. Ionia can never go back to the way it once was. The scars of Noxus run too deep.

Karma understands this but knows that Ionia doesn't have to become like Noxus. She's trying to find a balance, leading me to believe she interacts with the Twilight Ninja clan on the physical world.

TLDR: basically a world leader that is trying to do good but is dealing with extremists on both sides.

GreenLore11/15/2016, 6:58:01 PM4 votes

Story I feel like Karma would benefit the most from an Ionia Lore-update. Because overall it looks like Ionia is at a turning point,with some champs keeping to their traditions like MasterYi or Irelia and others abandoning these traditions in favor for power,like Varus or the guys who thought it was a good idea to hire Jhin . And Karma is supposed to form the middleground,merging both paths into one. The problem however is that the rift between the 2 factions is barely noticeable for us,we are only told about this being a thing,but never shown.

Theme Uhm I'm not sure where you are getting this stuff with the goddess Ionia,but it is certainly not in her lore,if you are referring to her quotes then you should know that she talks about the country,not a mystical being...... Karmas theme is now about her being the "enlightened one",she is basically LoLs equivalent to Buddha. Though I have to say that she doesn't really convey that theme through her gameplay.

Vanjie11/15/2016, 5:49:45 PM3 votes

Couldn't agree more. I still feel like they could do a lot better with her kit . . . or change some interactions with some of her abilities that give her a purpose or niche. I do not get anything from Karma. Her VGU did not accomplish anything . . . . and did more damage than good. If she is going to have this Twin Dragon concept . . . play it up. If she is going to have a fan theme play it up . . . . if she is going to have any theme . . . . . play it up. Karma doesn't have anything.

I feel bad for them but at this moment I am just done with their excuses. It's been three years and they practically took this champion and threw her into a dumpster. This idea that Riot has to make specific champions like Karma . . . . . wait years and years to get the work they need, when they do it for Ryze every year . . . . Ekko every single patch . . . . Zed every so patch and preseason . . . . . and other champions . . . . . Karma, Morde, Shen, Azir, and Kalista get put to the wayside because "we don't have time to work on them because of everyone else".

No Riot games. It is because you don't care. You love to come on the forums and say you care about Karma, Morde, Shen, Azir and Kalista . . . but then you go ahead and work on Ekko, who receives an update almost every patch now, in the preseaon update. Congrats . . . . you are bias against specific champions in terms of balance, updates, work, and skins. You do a great job, Riot Games. Imbeciles.

MaskedHeroman11/15/2016, 4:54:06 PM1 votes

Their lore team holds her back.

Moonboy6511/15/2016, 5:03:49 PM1 votes

an old Karma main who hates the new one for her visuals, that's sad really....

Karma's theme involves the use of Mantra and Spiritual Energy bro

Hupsis11/15/2016, 7:19:49 PM1 votes

From lore side we only know her history, the way she discovered her power. Her motives are unclear and the only thing we really know is her position in Ionia.

She doesn't really have a theme. A spirit energy user? Soul energy user? She's just using green/purple tinted mysterious powers to deal damage or shield allies.

Her gameplay is very generic. Deal damage and shield damage. The only thing unique is that her spells reduce mantra cooldown so she can be relevant more often based on combat success. I quite like that as a gameplay pattern but she still lacks a theme and a niche.

I think a roster update on her would be enough. Slight visual adjustments to her model would of course be welcomed.

IxtaliKing11/15/2016, 11:30:52 PM1 votes

Karma needs a Ryze level VGU, and she deserves one sooner than later. Meddler said they'd work on Karma if they do an Ionian event, so let's hope they do one at some point next year. I definitely feel as if Karma should look a bit more like she does in her concept (for those who haven't seen), her concept looks more complete than what we have now tbh.