Development
- Main article: Aatrox (Development)
- Aatrox is voiced by Ramon Tikaram in League of Legends and Legends of Runeterra.[3][4]
- Aatrox's Japanese voice actor is Masaaki Ihara.[5]
- Aatrox's rework was initially slated to be the largest pure gameplay update but was escalated into a full Visual Gameplay Update.
- Several scrapped spells from Aatrox's rework include:[6][7][8][9][10][11]
- Creating a “war zone” that grants those who died in it reduced death timers and would respawn allies at the closest structure.
- Allowing his ultimate to force his death and revival.
- A spell that would offer his teammates an opportunity to become Darkin. Aatrox would use and leave behind his sword, his ally would have to find the sword, pay a , burn to death and would revive with bonus AD, AP and CDR.
Universe
- Main article: Aatrox (Character)
- Aatrox is between 4396 – 5996 years old, being one of the first Shurimans to become an Ascended.
- While it was never stated what manner of creature Aatrox took the form of in the past, it was known to be winged and likely something of noble character.
- It's possible Nagakabouros, could free or kill Aatrox's human soul and allow it to return to the cosmos. However, it's complicated since the celestial concept Aatrox merged with and gained his ascended power from has been trapped or deleted from existence, meaning the ideal he represented ceased to exist when he was trapped. Because of this, humans can't comprehend or remember what Aatrox was an avatar of previously.[12] god,
- Aatrox was one of the most powerful Ascended. Before his imprisonment, Aatrox had fought and killed spirit gods (avatars like 5 The Aspect of War himself.[13] ), other celestial empowered beings and possibly other Darkin. Later, he killed
- Aatrox has spent the most time imprisoned due to the fact that he was the first. Because of this, the magic used to imprison him was botched and likely damaged him in the process, causing his shattered mind and torturous existence. By the time the mages had imprisoned , they'd perfected the process a little more.
- may be representative of a "what if" scenario where Aatrox completely claims Tryndamere as his host.
League of Legends
Gameplay
- Main article: Aatrox (League of Legends)
- Out-of-universe, Aatrox is a word play on Latin atrox "fierce, savage, cruel" in turn from ater "dull black, dark", from root PIE *h₂eh₁ter- "fire";[14]
- All of these reference the Darkin weapon's physical manifestation and demonic nature (punning on dark kin), various historical fire-based weapons, the scorched earth strategy, and his 'war as an artform' philosophy. Latin atrox gives rise to Anglo-French atrocity.
- Aatrox, health as a resource for abilities. , , , and are the only champions that use their own
- Enemies hit by V5.6). will leave a blood trail between themselves and Aatrox that he will rapidly absorb (this is a remaining visual effect from PBE testing, where Aatrox would gain attack speed based on how many enemies had been hit by , that was recycled in
- Aatrox can still use emotes during revive.
- is speculated to have been Aatrox's missing left arm glove. Its passive was also coincidentally similar to Aatrox's.
- Prior to his rework, on the statement "This champion needs an update", players ranked Aatrox 5th in NA; 4th in BR; 3rd in KR and 14th in CN. He ranked 4th overall.[15]
- Aatrox is the first champion, since patch introduced champion specific login screens, to receive two login screens and themes released for his Classic skin.
- In-game, Aatrox can toggle his banner-style wings and his sword stance [default: Ctrl + 5].
- Aatrox is one of 21 champions without a single ability power ratio on any ability: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , and .
- The icon for Teamfight Tactics item . is reused for the
- Aatrox's Series 1 Eternals make the following references:
- Chains Yanked references the idiom yank one's chain as well as the pull of .
- QQ's references the QQ emoticon as well the multi-cast nature of .
Quotes
- Main article: Aatrox (League of Legends Audio)
- ▶️ "Am I the abyss? Or did I gaze into it?" references Friedrich Nietzsche's Beyond Good and Evil ("He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And if you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you.")
- ▶️ "Where is your head, alludes to the notion that Malphite's head is hard to find on his in-game model. ? Where is the neck I shall sever?"
- ▶️ "Yes, Shurima was meant to fall, Nasus, as were you!" is a response to ▶️ "Perhaps Shurima was meant to fall."
- ▶️ "No beast so fierce, but knows some touch of pity... But I know none... and therefore am no beast." references Lady Anne and Richard quotes in William Shakespeare's Richard III ("Lady Anne: No beast so fierce but knows some touch of pity. / Richard: But I know none, and therefore am no beast.")
- ▶️ "Yes, yes. It was the end, but not for me!" is a reference to the "Call an Ambulance but Not for Me" meme.
- ▶️ "I know what lurks in the hearts of men." references The Shadow by Walter B. Gibson ("Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows... ")
- ▶️ "Peace is the greatest lie of all." might be referencing the Code of the Sith from Star Wars ("Peace is a lie, there is only passion... ")
- ▶️ "Even those who have nothing can give their lives." might be referencing Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War.
- ▶️ "Pain is temporary, victory is forever." references "Pain is temporary, pride is forever".
- ▶️ "Rage against the dying of the light." references Do not go gentle into that good night by Dylan Thomas.
- Most of his taunts reference "You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain".
- played in reverse. activation can be faintly heard anywhere on the map, with the voices speaking while active being Aatrox's voice-over lines
Skins
- Main article: Aatrox (Collection)
- He was partially inspired by the Balrog and Sauron (both from The Lord of the Rings novel by J. R. R. Tolkien).
- His appearance was inspired by Amon from the Devilman manga/anime.
- The method in which Darkin possess human bodies is similar to how Demons possess humans in Devilman. Humans in both instances can also overpower the demon/darkin and use their power as their own.
-
- His blade references the Soul Reaver from Legacy of Kain video game series and/or the Stormbringer from Elric of Melniboné novel by Michael Moorcock.
- Spirit Reaver from Legacy of Kain: Defiance video game. sound effect references the
- His blade references the Soul Reaver from Legacy of Kain video game series and/or the Stormbringer from Elric of Melniboné novel by Michael Moorcock.
- This skin shares the Justicar theme with:
- This is him depicted as a hero by the people he fought with and rescued from impending defeat. Derived from .
- This skin shares the Mecha theme with:
- He references Gipsy Danger from Pacific Rim.
- Him being designated 'Prototype 13' might be referencing Evangelion 13 from Neon Genesis Evangelion.
- can be seen in the foreground (possibly his creator).
- During his jet aircraft that references Thundercracker and/or Starscream from Transformers franchise. , he transforms into a
- This skin shares the Bilgewater: Burning Tides theme with:
- ...and others
- His head references a hammerhead shark.
- He resembles Maccus from Pirates of the Caribbean saga.
- The wooden gate in the that he and the others were surrounding was the one containing before his release.
- This skin shares the Blood Moon theme with:
- ...and others
- The mask he is wearing references the ones used in Japanese Noh theater.
- This skin shares the Blood Moon theme with:
- ...and others
- The mask he is wearing references the ones used in Japanese Noh theater.
- This skin shares the Victorious theme with:
- ...and others
- He was unlocked by players who achieved Gold+ in Season 9 (2019).
- This skin shares the Odyssey theme with:
- ...and others
- This skin shares the Blood Moon theme with:
- ...and others
- The mask he is wearing references the ones used in Japanese Noh theater.
- This skin shares the Eclipse theme with:
- This skin shares the World Champions: 2022 theme with:
- He was released in celebration of DRX winning the Season 2022 World Championship along with:
- He represents Kingen.
- This skin shares the World Champions: 2022 theme with:
- This skin shares the Primordian theme with:
- His dance is a reference to the Emo Peter Parker Dance scene from Spider-Man 3.
- A side-by-side comparison can be seen here.
References
- ↑ Erik Ireland
- ↑ Ask Riot
- ↑ Aatrox Voice Actor 1
- ↑ Aatrox VA 2
- ↑ Official Japanese Voice Actor List Released For All Champions (Up to Qiyana's Release)
- ↑ Aatrox scrapped spells 1
- ↑ Aatrox scrapped spells 2
- ↑ Aatrox scrapped spells 3
- ↑ Aatrox scrapped spells 4
- ↑ Aatrox scrapped spells 5
- ↑ Aatrox scrapped spells 6
- ↑ Can Illaoi's God and Aatrox's celestial ideal.
- ↑ Can Aatrox kill gods?
- ↑ DeVaan, M. Etymoligical Dictionary of Latin and other Italic languages, p. 60
- ↑ Riot Blaustoise Aatrox data tweet