The “Lunar New Year 2017 Call to Arms” contest came to an end yesterday. After two full months in which workshoppers have outdone themselves, 110 new sets were submitted under the "Spring 2017” mark and another 23 were returning from previous contests. Obviously, making a top 10 best sets was very, very difficult. I tried to pick only the ones that were strictly related to the "Year of the Rooster” theme even though there were a couple of sets that won my heart entirely. So I have to mention the Feathers of the queen of the deep here.
Recently added to the Workshop last month, Viper, Monkey King, and Enigma received one set each. You have the links to them on their names. On the other side, we can find Lina and Phoenix with 5 sets each, the highest number in this event.
Don't forget to vote and leave feedback for each set you like! You are the ones who can decide if a set is worth or not to be added to the Lunar New Year chest. Your vote means a lot so don`t be indifferent and let others decide for you!
This being said I present to you the very best ten sets in no particular order. Trust me, you can`t say if one is better than another.
A cute idea of a little fat Chinese Pudge will win a few hearts for sure. Is it the fan that you love the most or the mustache? Because I can`t decide! Perfectly adapted to the theme, with all the dragon heads and costume, Demon Queller is one of the top Pudge sets so far. With this one, you just can`t be angry when a dragon tongue will hook you up and then beat you with a fan. You just simply can`t!
Workshopper`s description about her set: „A set for Pudge based on my favorite Chinese legendary figure, Zhong Kui, vanquisher of demons. I wanted to make a New Bloom set that wasn't simply a Chinese-inspired outfit for a random hero, but something that fits his personality and appearance.”
I love it from the very beginning. What should I start with? The mask? The staff? Everything draws me in! The eagle claw staff looks scary and it fits perfectly with the rest of the set. It definitely makes it stands out! The horns are amazingly polished and designed and the broken one gives the set an incredible look!
I totally love the splash of color used on the feathers around the neck. These are the ones that cheer all the set.
I have to admit that I didn`t recognize Juggernaut under this cool new look! Graff, the artist who designed the set came up with a new approach for this hero`s items. The dark colors combined with the phosphorescent sword creates a very pleasant visual effect.
Most likely inspired by the Yoshimitsu character of the Tekken series, The Year Beast Slayer comes as an alternative to what we already find on the Steam Market. So, until Juggernaut`s arcana will be added, give this awesome set a shot and go vote for it!
As usual, Toasty surprises us with a new look and feel of the sets he creates. For the Spring 2017 event, he chose to design a set for Phantom Assassin that would make the hero more beautiful and pleasant to play. I think the mask makes the entire set: big, with the feathers reaching far out, it gives PA a very charming aura. The hood brings to mind the one from Assassin’s Creed and makes her look like an outstanding assassin. The beautifully worked armor made from expensive materials, with colors that combine perfectly, makes us think of a high ranked fighter who will be assigned the most critical mission of the day.
Oh, and not to mention the diary that accompanies this set, letting us peer into PA's daily thoughts as she hunts down her target. Amazing!
With two available colors, this set is one of the most beautiful set so far! From the imposing crown to the magical bow, the artist had great inspiration in creating this masterpiece.
Creator`s description: „Thousands of years ago, the heavens Nuwa, who used the yellow soil to make clay children and gave out the life to them. From then on, Nuwa had created human beings. The Monkey King was born from the colorful stone which the goddess patching the sky.”
Incredibly beautiful, that’s all I can say. Achy7 proves once again that he has tremendous experience in 2D and 3D design. The mask made according to the Chinese New Year theme, but also the warm pleasant colors, make the set stand out.
You really have to check this set on Steam Workshop to see the awesome Fissure animation!
I'm a big fan of SOLMIR's work and he has managed to surprise me every time so far. For the Spring 2017 event, he came up with a brilliant new idea of an unusual Invoker look. Full of feathers and with a huge cape, the set can certainly be placed among the best ones created for this hero.
Don't forget to vote for it if you would like to see it in the new chest!
A lot of arguments were generated around this controversial set. Since the Troll Warlord was introduced in the Workshop almost two months ago, I've seen at least 10 sets for the hero. Among all of them, I consider this one to be much better than the rest. The number of details and the rigor with which it was made is incredible.
The chest belt and the shoulder give the set the edge that it needs. It would be a shame for this work of art not be included in the chest.
Master of Jiang Shi
Based on China's famous ghost Jiang Shi, the new Lich set looks truly special. As the legend says, that a dead person came back to life or a dead body didn't rot, the artist chose for the back of the hero a coffin that he must carry with him.
I really like the model and the colors of the costume!
For this one, I asked Mihalceanu, the Workshopper that designed this set, to tell us a few words about it.
"I tried to make a Chinese new year themed set, but at the same time take into consideration Huskar’s visual style. I knew he has a more aggressive idle pose and that inspired me to design the set to make him look like an attacking rooster. At the same time, I tried not to make it cartoony or goofy.
I envisioned Huskar being a tribal warrior from a culture like Maya, but with a Chinese background instead. Used references from old Chinese armors (the armor plates) and New Year celebration (red ribbon/gold, Chinese pattern, lucky coins, rooster mask, jade blades). Finally, I tried to make his silhouette and colors easily distinguishable."
You can find all the submitted sets for this event here.
Featured image made by OrganisedChaos, for his Elder Elder Titan setTitan set.