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Flash Diary #14 | The Wind Master from The East (Hero Designs)

1K View2022-08-31

Another Hero makes his appearance! Lan has descended on the stage. He’s an old friend of Tong and the youngest Wind Elemental Master from Emerald Vale. We now have one more character from the world beyond Metropolis with Lan's arrival. Let’s take a glimpse into the creation of this young genius.

The Hero design for Lan embraces two elements: Oriental and the wind, and develops upon them. Lan’s design starts from him being the [Wind Elemental Master]. Speaking of wind, it gives us the impression of “Agile” and “Swift.” Still, we also want Lan, this 18-year-old Wind Elemental Master, to be cool and composed to set him apart from the existing Speed-oriented characters, and to increase the diversity.

(Earlier attempts at Lan’s hero design)

To connect Lan with the wind intuitively, we have given him a floating design and superior ability to float in the air (resulting in a slower falling, on the other hand). Lan is also one of the few characters in FP who can still perform other moves after an Up Special. To make him an inscrutable grandmaster, we have also attempted designs such as eye-patch or bangs covering his eyes. We have finally decided on a cape. Adding a cape for Lan not only conceals his visage, but he can also control it with wind for attacking.

However, after some practice tests, we realized that the cape alone could not thoroughly demonstrate the sense of power. So, we are still looking for more elements to solidify the concept of wind. That’s when we added the bell as Lan’s feature.

(Lan with Cape design)

Like Tong’s dagger, Lan’s bell is a token to be passed down. When the bell chimes in the wind, it harmoniously blends in with the concept of wind. After attaching the bell to the end of Lan’s cape, the hero becomes more distinctive, and his attack also looks more powerful. Although Tong never uses her dagger, Lan’s bell becomes a vital part of his Skill. In his Down Special, Lan tosses the bell to form a Wind Array. Increase the movement speed of all characters entering the array. When Lan strikes the bell at the Wind Array’s center, it enables his Side Special derivation.

As a hero that controls the wind, Lan’s specialty is neither his initial movement speed nor his weight. The designer decided to showcase his unique mobility with multi-directional Side Special derivations.

The followers of Azure Dragon from the Emerald Vale value preservation and inheritance. After inheriting Azure Dragon’s power, Lan has also accepted the guidance, becoming aware of the Inheritor’s location. Therefore, the 18-year-old grandmaster has taken it upon himself to cross the continent, to look for and nurture the next Wind Elemental Master.

The power of Azure Dragon is demonstrated in both the Hero’s design and his Skills. Lan’s cape is embroidered with classic Azure Dragon patterns; when he activates Skills for an attack, the impending Azure Dragon looms in the wind. The overall effect of Lan’s initial design has an oriental touch, with the elegance and subtleness of ink drawings.

You will find Lan in the new Party Pass on August 23rd. What will happen when he arrives in the Metropolis? Who will this young oriental grandmaster encounter? And will he find his Inheritor on the battle stage?

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