In the latest developer blog, Game Director Dustin Browder and Senior Art Director Samwise Didier revealed the newest bundle of hero skins scheduled to be released before the games official launch. In what promises to be "the most detailed and fully realized" skins yet, players will be able to purchase the aptly named "Light Bringer" and "Demon Hunter" bundles usable by all current and future heroes.
"One of the first ideas that really spawned the concept of Heroes was Valla and Uther facing off against each other, and with this massive skin release we think we are getting closer to capturing the full extent of that moment" says Dustin Browder when asked why the entire cast of Heroes of the Storm heroes will be given Valla and Uther skins.
"At some point, every Blizzard fan has asked the eternal question: What would it look like to see five Vallas and five Uthers fight each other? This isn't possible in a lore sense, but the charm of Heroes is the ability to break these rules and just create awesome content" Browder continued. "Samwise has been hard at work finding how to best re-purpose the entire cast of heroes to look like yellow Paladins and red Demon Hunters, and needless to say, it looks great.
"At some point, every Blizzard fan has asked the eternal question: What would it look like to see five Vallas and five Uthers fight each other?
The image featured above is is of Diablo's "The Light Bringer" skin and Malfurion's "Demon Hunter" skin. Players can expect this same level of detail for each their favorite Heroes, as Blizzard is sparing no expensive in converting every one of their unique heroes into their respective male paladin and female demon hunter forms.
Browder also confirmed the rumor that, once these skins are purchased, they will effectively "replace" all previously existing purchased skins, earned tints, including the default hero skin. "It is an experimental system, but one we think players will respond positively to" says Didier. "As art director, my goal from day one was realize our teams vision to create an alternate universe fit for an infinite number of Valla's and Uther's to mesh well with. As our roster of heroes grew, we realized we were getting farther from this vision and this update is a step in the right direction.
The iconic bundle will feature skins available for the following heroes:
| Falstad, The Light Bringer Illidan, The Light Bringer Jaina, The Light Bringer Kerrigan, The Light Bringer Nova, The Light Bringer Raynor, The Light Bringer Thrall, The Light Bringer Tychus, The Light Bringer Valla, The Light Bringer Zeratul, The Light Bringer Anub'arak, The Light Bringer Arthas, The Light Bringer Chen, The Light Bringer Diablo, The Light Bringer E.T.C., The Light Bringer Muradin, The Light Bringer Sonya, The Light Bringer Stitches, The Light Bringer Tyrael, The Light Bringer Brightwing, The Light Bringer Li Li, The Light Bringer Malfurion, The Light Bringer Rehgar, The Light Bringer Tassadar, The Light Bringer Tyrande, The Light Bringer Uther, The Light Bringer Abathur, The Light Bringer Azmodan, The Light Bringer Gazlowe, The Light Bringer Lost Vikings, The Light Bringers Murky, The Light Bringer Nazeebo, The Light Bringer Sgt. Hammer, The Light Bringer Sylvanas, The Light Bringer | Demon Hunter Falstad Demon Hunter Illidan Demon Hunter Jaina Demon Hunter Kerrigan Demon Hunter Nova Demon Hunter Raynor Demon Hunter Thrall Demon Hunter Tychus Demon Hunter Valla Demon Hunter Zeratul Demon Hunter Anub'arak Demon Hunter Arthas Demon Hunter Chen Demon Hunter Diablo Demon Hunter E.T.C. Demon Hunter Muradin Demon Hunter Sonya Demon Hunter Stitches Demon Hunter Tyrael Demon Hunter Brightwing Demon Hunter Li Li Demon Hunter Malfurion Demon Hunter Rehgar Demon Hunter Tassadar Demon Hunter Tyrande Demon Hunter Uther Demon Hunter Abathur Demon Hunter Azmodan Demon Hunter Gazlowe Demon Hunter Lost Vikingss Demon Hunter Murky Demon Hunter Nazeebo Demon Hunter Sgt. Hammer Demon Hunter Sylvanas |
Interestingly enough, these skins will be among the first, and last skin, to actual affect in game abilities. Similar to the visual changes featured in skins Infested Tychus and Mecha-Tassadar, both Demon Hunter and The Light Bringer skins will take it a step farther and alter every single ability, talent, spell icons, and even the voice acting of the hero wearing it.
"For example" Didier explains, "Demon Hunter Tyrande's "Light of Elune" will no longer heal allies, but instead fire a seeking arrow that homes in on the first enemy, striking it three times. If a player decides to load out with Abathur, The Light Bringer, the usual "Evolve Monstronsity" animation will be replaced with a targetable support ability that makes a friendly hero Invulnerable and increases their movement speed by 20% for 3 seconds. These are just two examples, but take that philosophy and apply it to every hero"
"It's really exciting stuff" Browder adds. "I can't wait to see what strategies players come up with with these new dynamic skins. However, Lost Vikings, The Light Bringer and Demon Hunter Lost Vikings will only have players controlling one single viking dressed up as either Uther or Valla."
"Players dont want multiple Uther's or Valla's running around, that would be absurd"
The skins are slated to be released April 13th and available for purchase for $7.99 or 4,500 gold. If you don't have the spare cash to spend, don't fret, as those who reach player level 5 between the April 13th 2015th and January 1st of 2018 will be gifted both bundles automatically.
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