[VISUAL] Lord of Avernus Cosmetic Changes

[AXN]

Visual suggestion:

LORD OF AVERNUS COSMETIC CHANGES

HERO MODEL

The current hero model is the default Death Knight hero from melee maps:



It has the rune blade and all but the hero portrait seems a bit awkward having his eye sockets empty...

I propose to change it to the Arthas (Evil) model:



PROS:
+ Fits the voiceset better
+ Wields Frostmourne in the model
+ Hero Portrait is better
+ No MSI

CONS:
- Players are used to the current model. But the Arthas (Evil) model was the first model of Lord of Avernus when the hero was released in DotA.

APOTHIC SHIELD

Current Apothic Shield animation looks a bit futuristic (more like defensive matrix from Starcraft's science vessel):



I propose to change it to this model:

VERSION 1:

(notice the 3 swirling souls?)

On the hero:



Specifications of the animation:

1.) This is a bigger and modified version of Frost Armor
2.) Changed the tint to green so that its the same with Death Coil's and Borrowed Time's tint animation
3.) The swirling souls on the animation makes it look like it shields the hero and they're the ones that damage when it explodes.

Also change the skill description to:

"Summons the souls trapped in Frostmourne around an ally unit, creating a shield that absorbs a set amount of damage before expiring. When the shield is destroyed it will deal damage equal to the amount it absorbed to an area around it. Removes certain types of negative buffs on cast."

PROS:
+ Fits the color theme of the undead (green)
+ Fits the DotA theme better than the futuristic shield matrix
+ Souls swirling around the shield looks better

CONS:
- There is an issue with this model because the one shown in the test map is a dummy unit being casted to the hero. If this was an ability model it would easily adapt to the hero if it is a flying unit, a small unit, a large unit etc. I don't know if IceFrog can look for a solution to this. I don't know how to execute the trigger properly.
- A modified version of Frost Armor

VERSION 2:

We use a custom spell found at hiveworkshop, thanks to Devine for the model! See model here:



PROS:
+ Looks more undead theme
+ Not a dummy model but an ability model
+ No MSI since current and this are both imported but this is only 8.52KB and the current is 36.2KB (Current apothic shield in Hiveworkshop)

CONS:
- Needs some minor improvement to look like Apothic Shield.

Please try the test map created by Schremba, credits goes to him! Model credits goes to Devine.

HERO DETAILS AND STORY

Name: Arthas Menethil
Title: Death Knight
Story:
"Sensing the threat of the Sentinels to attack the Frozen Throne, the Lich King sends out his Death Knight, Arthas. Whether enhancing his own fortitude with a shield of souls trapt inside Frostmourne, or using his life force to aid in combat, the Arthas leads the armies of the Scourge ever onward, forever locked in combat with the forces of good, and his enemies who were once his greatest comrades."

PROS:
+ More linked to the lore
+ Introducing a known hero/villain in Warcraft to DotA
+ Take note that this is pre-Lich King of Arthas therefore he is still a Death Knight

CONS:
- Current "Lord of Avernus" title sounds cool although it is referenced to Legacy of Kain's Avernus Cathedral

TESTMAP

Please try the testmap since the screenshots really doesn't give the animation justice. The testmap was created by Schremba, thank you for always helping and giving time to forum readers here Schremba!

Let me know your feedback and comments DOTA community! Thanks!

[Ety]

T-down for both, sry

Abaddon (from wiki):

Abaddon (Hebrew: אֲבַדּוֹן‎, 'Ǎḇaddōn, Greek: Apollyon, Latin: Exterminans, Coptic: Abbaton, meaning "A place of destruction", "The Destroyer", "Depths of Hell") in the Revelation of St. John, is the king of tormenting locusts and the angel of the bottomless pit.[1] The exact nature of Abaddon is debated, but the Hebrew word is related to the triliteral root אבד (ABD), which in verb form means "to perish.

so Abaddon is more like some demonic angel, not a Death Knight and the black eyes fit him

Arthas' model looks more like a human to me

and for the Apothic Shield effect, current looks better and fits the icon

[AXN]

Originally Posted by Kuratz

T-down for both, sry

Abaddon (from wiki):



so Abaddon is more like some demonic angel, not a Death Knight and the black eyes fit him

Arthas' model looks more like a human to me

and for the Apothic Shield effect, current looks better and fits the icon

Yes, you are correct and he is also a reference from Abaddon the Despoiler from Warhammer 40K.

[Schremba]

I created the map for you, but that doesn't mean I like the change of the model. First of all, his name isn't Arthas, but Arthas Menethil (I added this in the testmap). But even if I like Warcraft lore, I think Arthas plays a way too big role to fight personally, if you get what I mean. Btw, he fused with the Lichking. I prefer Death Knight model and even Soundset. Sadly he doesn't have it.
To the shield change: It is nice, especially first one. I hope this problems can be fixed. The seconds shield doesn't look that good imo, because it is only some floating stuff, not really creating some protecting barrier.

[Ez_Mystery]

current model is better, the black eyes rock and the rune blade seems nicer
just change his sound set to HeroDeathKnight, it have cool horse sounds

I support for a change for Aphotic Shield's effect but not green
his icon is blue so it doesn't fit
recolor to blue

[AXN]

Originally Posted by Schremba

I created the map for you, but that doesn't mean I like the change of the model. First of all, his name isn't Arthas, but Arthas Menethil (I added this in the testmap). But even if I like Warcraft lore, I think Arthas plays a way too big role to fight personally, if you get what I mean. Btw, he fused with the Lichking. I prefer Death Knight model and even Soundset. Sadly he doesn't have it.
To the shield change: It is nice, especially first one. I hope this problems can be fixed. The seconds shield doesn't look that good imo, because it is only some floating stuff, not really creating some protecting barrier.

Thanks again for the testmap! I removed the Menethil part in the map but yeah it also looks great to have the last name. About him fusing with the Lich King... this is pre-Lich King fusion hero that I'm proposing since Furion is still around as well (currently he is trapped in the Emerald Dream lore-wise and Arthas-Lich King is already dead lore-wise).

I'll add back the Menethil last name (I was thinking being a Death Knight, he lost that attachment to humanity).

@Ez_Mystery

Thanks for the feedback, well I don't want to change the icon color since it fits the color scheme and there are a lot of heroes having different icon color and skill color (paralyzing cask, howl, etc).

About Death Knight sounds sets... it doesn't have the cool "Frostmourne hungers!" voice and the hero currently has Frostmourne and has a skill about it (I believe this was the reason why IceFrog used Arthas' sound set).

[Andyk727]

T-down. Abbadon is hero of Ice and the Apothic Shield doesnt splits with his priority.
T-up. Arthas fits with Abba more that actual model.
Total is T-null

[Ez_Mystery]

Originally Posted by AXN

Thanks for the feedback, well I don't want to change the icon color since it fits the color scheme

you got me wrong, I proposed a recolor for the effect, not the icon

[mahcookie]

Originally Posted by Andyk727

T-down. Abbadon is hero of Ice and the Apothic Shield doesnt splits with his priority.
T-up. Arthas fits with Abba more that actual model.
Total is T-null

Abbadon is hero of Ice

Abbadon is hero of Ice

Lolwut?

[ResQ]

Afaik it was changed from your proposed model to the current model.

T-up on the other changes.

[Silwerwing]

T-up to changing the model. T-up to version 2 of Aphotic Shield, but it still needs slight improvements. It looks more like an aura, but I like it's style so a few improvements might be good.

Now about changing the story. I'm not really sure if it is a good idea. It fits with Frostmourne, model etc... But I'm not sure where does the story of DotA fit in Warcraft lore. If you played The Frozen Throne campaign, then you know what I mean - Arthas becomes THE Lich King in it, but he's still frozen here, so there's a chance that it didn't take to that point yet. T-null on this.

[AXN]

Originally Posted by Silwerwing

T-up to changing the model. T-up to version 2 of Aphotic Shield, but it still needs slight improvements. It looks more like an aura, but I like it's style so a few improvements might be good.

Now about changing the story. I'm not really sure if it is a good idea. It fits with Frostmourne, model etc... But I'm not sure where does the story of DotA fit in Warcraft lore. If you played The Frozen Throne campaign, then you know what I mean - Arthas becomes THE Lich King in it, but he's still frozen here, so there's a chance that it didn't take to that point yet. T-null on this.

You are correct, Arthas is the Lich King in WOW WotLK. But before he became the Lich King he was the Death Knight champion of the Scourge (Warcraft III lore) and did the bidding of the Lich King while he was sitting in his frozen throne.

About the story of DotA in Warcraft lore... I think this was the "War of the Ancients" arc from the lore where in heroes rise up to defend the world tree (or was it the Third War: The World Tree to be defended against the Lich King's forces?).

Yes the lore is still part... but not up to date Since if we want it up to date, Arthas is now dead and there is a new Lich King, sitting / trapped again in his Frozen Throne.

@ Ez_Mystery

If I recolor the animation, it wouldn't fit the animation colors of Death Coil and Borrowed Time which is green-undead Also it would somehow look like Frost Armor hehehe!

[Black.Lotus]

T-UP for the model.
Omniknight and Abaddon fits together, so the "Evil Arthas" would fit to Abaddon much better. The portrait doesn't look better, but it fits great.

T-DOWN for the rest of your suggestion.

[コクーン]

The model was changed from evil Arthas to Death Knight at a previous version I believe. Why change it back?

Ah here it is:

6.59 changelog
* Abaddon now uses the Death Knight model instead of the Evil Arthas one (practically the same, but commonly requested)

[Realitey]

im with you for the change of the model... but Icefrog did change his model few Maps ago.. as he stated that players wanted the Deathknight model..

THe Shield Animation Looks great.. you got my T-Up on that

[AXN]

Originally Posted by Realitey

im with you for the change of the model... but Icefrog did change his model few Maps ago.. as he stated that players wanted the Deathknight model..

THe Shield Animation Looks great.. you got my T-Up on that

Hmmm I wonder why it was requested more? I mean the Frostmourne model on the sword looks way better than the current rune sword. Anyways thanks for the support here Realitey!

Thanks for the feedback as well DOTA Community!

[backspaceed]

T-up on the aphotic shield, (need new icon). But nt sure abt the model

[Schremba]

Originally Posted by AXN

You are correct, Arthas is the Lich King in WOW WotLK. But before he became the Lich King he was the Death Knight champion of the Scourge (Warcraft III lore) and did the bidding of the Lich King while he was sitting in his frozen throne.

About the story of DotA in Warcraft lore... I think this was the "War of the Ancients" arc from the lore where in heroes rise up to defend the world tree (or was it the Third War: The World Tree to be defended against the Lich King's forces?).

Yes the lore is still part... but not up to date Since if we want it up to date, Arthas is now dead and there is a new Lich King, sitting / trapped again in his Frozen Throne.

WOW-lore is horrible imo, thats why I see the DotA time ca. after the last Undead Campaign, since in Slardar's story is mentioned about serving Illidan or something like that. That means, Illidan already failed at destroying the Frozen Throne.

I think you are talking about the Third War, but the Lich King never tried to fight the World Tree in WC3-lore, Archimond (Burning Legion) tried to absorbs the World Tree's power and failed. The Lich King was created by the Burning Legion (afaik), but now plots it. Thats why Kil'jaeden ordered Illidan to destroy the Throne.

[Elements-]

His black eyes fit him.

T-up on the aphotic shield. T-down on hero model.

[AXN]

Originally Posted by Schremba

WOW-lore is horrible imo, thats why I see the DotA time ca. after the last Undead Campaign, since in Slardar's story is mentioned about serving Illidan or something like that. That means, Illidan already failed at destroying the Frozen Throne.

I think you are talking about the Third War, but the Lich King never tried to fight the World Tree in WC3-lore, Archimond (Burning Legion) tried to absorbs the World Tree's power and failed. The Lich King was created by the Burning Legion (afaik), but now plots it. Thats why Kil'jaeden ordered Illidan to destroy the Throne.

Yes you are correct the Scourge were under Archimonde's command back then during the Third War. Well DotA can be a compilation of heroes / villains / notable characters from different timelines in Warcarft (Furion, Vol'jin, Rexar, Alleria Windrunner etc...)