Boards›Story, Art, & Sound

Possible issues with Visually Updating Udyr

TheTyeGuy·10/9/2014, 4:43:30 PM·14 votes·3,372 views

I have been musing over this for a bit, and I have come to a conclusion regarding Udyr.

His base model and texture is (honestly) pretty bad looking.

http://www.lolking.net/models/?champion=77&skin=0

Now, the obvious decision would be to give him a Texture update, and that may end up as what happens. But in terms of how his model and animations look, I personally think he needs more than that.

If Udyr were to get a full visual upgrade, how would Riot do this without it being too similar to his Spirit Guard skin? When he transforms now, a 2d cartoon image appears above him to show that he transformed, and if he were to be updated, Riot would never do something like that. The spirit guard skin does it fantastically, but to be honest, that skin is basically what Udyr would be if he got visually updated.

I think Riot should push for more of a feral man tortured by his spirits, rather than being one with them. Riot could possibly give him some motifs of Freljord clothes, since that is now where he lives. I kind of like how the Primal Udyr skin changes his costume into dressing like the animal, but Riot is also going to need to find a way to make a potential VU of Udyr not as impressive as the ultimate skin, or else it would be a waste of money to buy.

I would love to hear other people's opinions on the matter, and am very open to criticisms on my opinions.

15 Comments

GreenLore2/9/2016, 9:40:59 AM2 votes

They could create sort of an emblem for every animal whenever he uses a skill. It would still look different from the spirit guard thing,but wouldn't look bad.

What I'm more interested in is how it will change his model. I mean currently it looks a bit weird for his fur to change into a turtle shell,so I'd say they need to change that a bit around as well.

Rew71110/9/2014, 11:55:44 PM2 votes

As an Udyr main, I find this as a must. He should just get a texture update for the best results. Make his hands, feet, and head more visible. Is this only for skins to allow his mouth to move when doing a taunt, joke, or laugh? Updated splash art, maybe. If we go towards a Frejord Udyr, should his clothing have more white? Should he wear boots? Arm bands need a touch up? His belt may need to be sized. Can his eyes only glow when a ability is activated? It would make him more animalistic I think. All of these don't have to be put into effect.

ColinFly10/9/2014, 7:00:35 PM1 votes

While I 100% agree that his base model needs a total VU, if they make this upgrade too similar in quality (not theme, but quality) to SGU it will still piss off all of the Udyr mains, or Trick2g fanboys lol, that have spent the $30 to get the skin.

It will be kind of like the outcry that some Renekton mains have put out saying that the nee VU for his base model is of better quality than most of his skins (which is absolutely true). And, i think that's one of the only things holding Riot back from going for the wholr shebang of a VU for Udyr.

Asdeft10/9/2014, 7:28:51 PM1 votes

That wouldn't quite make sense still because just saying he is tormented by these spirits doesn't actually do anything as you are still in control of his forms, so the idea that the spirits tell him what to do would just ring hollow if not backed by gameplay. They could easily just give him a good VU and keep the icons that appear for his forms, just make them updated. I don't feel like Udyr will be getting a full VU soon because of his Spirit Guard skin basically serving as that.

dialMARK4acti0n10/9/2014, 9:48:10 PM1 votes

I think the sigils VS the animal spirits from SGU are a difference they should keep and emphasize with an Udyr VU

HigeR10/9/2014, 9:59:37 PM1 votes

when talking about udyr it's all about the model, he supposedly has 4 models in total while SGU has a crazy amount of them, probably around 12... 3 stages in each form ._.

I think that if they give Udyr a VU they should take care of his multimodel issue, not just for simplicity sake but in order to make more easy to make skins for the champ itself.

They should also add some Freljord motifs on him in order to resonate with his lore

Kaipop10/10/2014, 12:45:08 AM1 votes

Base model is the reason I don't play Udyr.

Tal992210/10/2014, 3:54:12 PM1 votes

This problem is not exclusive to Udyr- notice how no champion with a Legendary/Ultimate skin has yet to receive a visual update (Trynd, Nunu, Vlad, Cho'gath, Ezreal). Riot can only avoid this elephant for so long, so I am interested in how they handle it (hopefully by updating the old Legendary skins along with the champ)

RoninDave2/9/2016, 9:16:24 AM1 votes

The proble is that the skin is the visual update. Rito seriously messed this up.

MrRado10/9/2014, 5:52:04 PM1 votes

The frame/base/rigging of Spirit Guard Udyr would likely be used to build upon and create the primal/crazed version of Udyr's default skin. Additional effects, textures, and shapes would then allow for a more unique look compared to Spirit Guard and likely lean towards what you mean.

I recall a red at one time talking about how SG Udyr is an opposing fantasy of Udyr. What I mean is that SG Udyr is at peace with the spirits, whereas normal Udyr is more primal, savage, and at war with them.

driow1233/8/2016, 6:38:01 PM1 votes

The best answer is to update his current preseason 1 model to the spirit guard model but keep the classic skin clothing.

PhoenixSlayer1310/9/2014, 6:47:14 PM1 votes

Yep, that's exactly how I would deliver it. SGU should be the complete opposite in terms of feel. SGU is one with his spirits, imparts wisdom, and moves with flowing form.

Base Udyr should be feral, tormented by the spirits that live inside of him. He doesn't control them, they control him. He should embody all of the fury and blood of nature.