Frank McDougall
Aurora is a champion that has captured the hearts of League of Legends players worldwide. Known as the Vastayan bunny-witch who travels to the Freljord, she has garnered attention not only for her lore and appearance, but also for her one-of-a-kind abilities. However, there is much more to Aurora than meets the eye.
The Story Behind Aurora
Surprisingly, Aurora’s development spanned over six years. She began as a summoner who had the ability to bring companions into battle, and then transformed into a mage with the power to understand and replicate spells. She was a spirit witch with a vibrant personality, roaming the Spirit Realm. However, her concept was dismantled and distributed among other champions like Sylas, Lillia, Yone, and Fiddlesticks.
It seemed like all hope was lost for Aurora, but Riot Games was not ready to give up on her. Riot Lexical, the Champions Team Lead, spearheaded the effort to resurrect Aurora. Starting from scratch, they reimagined her as a Vastayan witch from Vastayashai’rei, who grew up in the harsh climate of the Freljord, forging an unlikely friendship with the powerful Ornn.
Introducing the New Aurora
Unlike other Vastayan characters, Aurora possesses a prey-like nature, leading the development team to create a fast-paced and agile playstyle for her. Her kit incorporates elements inspired by various sources, such as The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time’s Lost Woods influencing her ultimate ability. Additionally, her connection to the Spirit Realm sets her apart from other Vastayans.
Aurora’s unique characteristics extend beyond her gameplay and lore. She is the first champion in Runeterra to be explicitly revealed as autistic, with Riot Games drawing from the experiences of individuals on the spectrum to create an authentic representation.
Unveiling Aurora’s Abilities
Aurora shines as a mid lane mage-assassin with unparalleled movement options. Her kit emphasizes mobility and assassination, granting her the ability to outmaneuver opponents. With high damage and medium crowd control, Aurora’s playstyle is well-suited for high-tempo players seeking to dominate the Summoner’s Rift.
Her passive ability, Spirit Abjuration, allows her to exorcise spirits from enemies, providing a small heal and increased movement speed upon hitting three attacks. This incentivizes strategic trading and rewards players who can successfully activate the passive.
Twofold Hex, her signature ability, enables her to throw missiles at enemies, stacking her Spirit Abjuration. This ability can be recast to damage enemies again, granting her additional healing and movement speed.
Across the Veil, Aurora’s W ability, allows her to leap and become temporarily invisible in the Spirit Realm. This grants her the advantage of repositioning and maneuvering around tough opponents and tight spaces.
The Weirding, another skill shot ability, channels the frosty essence of the Freljord to blast spirit magic at enemies. This ability adds another layer of versatility to Aurora’s kit, enabling her to engage and disengage effectively.
Aurora’s journey from conception to reality showcases the dedication and creativity of the champion design team at Riot Games. With her unique playstyle, lore, and abilities, Aurora is a force to be reckoned with in the world of League of Legends.
Additional Facts about Aurora:
1. Aurora is voiced by Erica Mendez, a popular voice actress known for her roles in various anime series, video games, and animated films. Her portrayal adds depth and personality to the character.
2. Aurora’s visual design was inspired by European folklore, incorporating elements of witchcraft, bunnies, and nature. Her vibrant color palette and intricate details make her visually striking and stand out among other champions.
3. Aurora’s release was met with overwhelming positive feedback from the League of Legends community. Players were excited to see a champion with a unique playstyle and diverse representation, particularly as an autistic character.
4. Aurora’s introduction also brought attention to the importance of representation and inclusivity in gaming. Many players praised Riot Games for taking steps towards creating more diverse and relatable characters in their game.
5. Her abilities and playstyle require players to have good positioning, reflexes, and decision-making skills. Mastering her kit can be challenging but rewarding for skilled players.
Key Questions:
1. How did Aurora’s background as an autistic character become a significant part of her lore and abilities?
Answer: Riot Games drew inspiration from the experiences of individuals on the spectrum to create an authentic representation of Aurora as an autistic character.
2. What challenges did the development team face in resurrecting and reimagining Aurora as a champion?
Answer: The development team had to start from scratch and reimagine Aurora’s concept, taking inspiration from different sources and ensuring her abilities and lore cohesively fit together.
Advantages:
– Aurora offers a unique and fast-paced playstyle, appealing to players who enjoy mobile and agile champions.
– Her representation as an autistic character adds diversity, relatability, and inclusivity to the game.
– Her visually striking design and intricate abilities make her a visually appealing and interesting champion.
Disadvantages:
– Some players might find her abilities and playstyle difficult to master, requiring a learning curve to fully utilize her potential.
– As a recently released champion, there might be balancing or tuning issues that need to be addressed by Riot Games to ensure fair and competitive gameplay.
Suggested related link:
League of Legends Official Website
