Almost two years ago GosuGamers went to BlizzCon and covered the Heroes of the storm "Deep Dive" developer presentation. During the event, developers talked all about Hero creation, things to come, and how the team uses 3 principles to create heroes.

The three principles are as follows:

1. The Fantasy: What role does the hero play in their respective universe?

2. The Look: What does the hero look and sound like?

3. The Design: How does the hero function in their respective universe?

These 3 design principles were explained as the core ideas that influence how a Hero is made to fit into the Nexus. A year ago, we looked at some of the most iconic heroes in the game to try and see how the implementation of those core ideas translates into fully created heroes.

Now, we are at it again with three recent heroes-- Dehaka, Lunara, and Artanis.

Dehaka, primal zerg pack leader

The Fantasy: Ruthless pragmatist that will do whatever it takes to survive. Cunning and remorseless, he strategically maneuvers around intergalactic warzones, ensuring his own survival and essence collection above all else. His allegiance to Kerrigan formed only after her display of strength and adaptability

The Look:  Guttural and vicious. Nothing on Dehaka exists for aesthetics and his body is the result of countless evolutionary decisions towards survival. When Dehaka moves, he lurches with intent.

The Design: Dehaka is an alpha predator who has survived countless battles. He is a persistent foe who's survival is tied to his ability to adapt and stay on the move. Obsession with essence translated into his trait and defining mechanic is his ability to survive.

The result:  Dehaka is one of the most satisfying heroes to play. You feel cunning after an effective Brushstalk and there is something sadistically ruthless after you Drag an enemy into their death. Dehaka's guttural grunts and iconic way of obsessing over essence reinforces his lore, trait and even his talents tell the story of a hero that starts off weak and grows stronger as he adapts and hunts for prey. 

Dehaka represents the cunning elitism of the Zerg and is quick to remind fallen foes that their essence is delicious. Dehaka fits perfectly into Heroes of the Storm.

Lunara, the First Daughter of Cenarius,

The Fantasy: As a Dryad, Lunara is a fierce protector of Nature. Her playful and impish disposition quickly fades when the wilds are threatened and, similar to Brightwing, within her lives a surprising potential for violence and cruelty. Lunara enjoys revealing just how deadly her toxins can be to the unsuspecting foe.

The Look:  Wild and untamed. From her hair to her toxic spears, Lunara is overgrown with thorns and thistles. Graceful antlers and the lower half of a deer complete the classical dryad look.

The Design:  Lunara is in the Nexus for two reasons: to protect those opposed to the spread of nature and to have a really good time. She literally laughs at her opponents with manic glee, taunting them like a proper dryad should. Her hit and run, constant harass play style further emphasis her lore and look.

The result: Playing Lunara feels a certain way and that is totally by design. You have all the tools you need to stay frustratingly out of range of any hero, and seeing an entire team poisoned for nearly half of their health is a smugly satisfying experience. Lunara skips and hops around the battlefield as if it were a field of flowers and her playful design reaches intoxicating levels once Leaping Strike is chosen as her heroic.

Is their a more flavorful and well executed heroic that embodies an entire hero than Leaping Strike? Something about the laugh while Lunara literally runs circles around her enemies-- it's too good.

Artanis, the Hierarch of the Daelaam

The Fantasy: Artanis is like the Captain America of Protoss warriors. Tactically brilliant and physically superior, he is a Templar on a mission: unify his scattered people and bring the noble Protoss back to a position of undeniable power within the galaxy. The glory and honor of battle is the most important thing for a warrior such as Artanis, and any enemy that forgets that will be swiftly reminded.

The Look: Regal and armored. The khaydarin crystals that adorn his armor are a sign of authority, power, and Protoss culture. Artanis is the ultimate Protoss warrior-- what every Templar strives to be.  His psi-blades pulse with energy.

The Design: Artanis loves battle. He lives and breaths in the middle of the fray; effortlessly outmaneuvering and courageously charging towards his enemies. Artanis has the entire Protoss army at his command, so his shield technology and tactical Spear of Adun control give him an edge over his enemies.

The result: Artanis literally needs to be attacking enemies to survive and playing as him feels like you are leading an army. Blade Dash, Zealot Charge, Twin Blades-- all of these abilities lend themselves to favoring hand to hand combat and surviving deep in the heart of battle. Artanis may have the most iconic auto attack sounds in the game, and for good reason. Twin psi-blades are one of the most memorable features of the Protoss army and their representation in Heroes of the Storm had to be epic.

Artanis in Heroes of the Storm feels like the leader of an entire race. Anything less important would have been a design failure.

What do you think?

The Heroes of the Storm design team is in a near constant state of producing new heroes and content, but these core principles when creating a new hero remain the same. Do you think these three heroes were executed well? What other heroes successful embody these principals? Are there heroes they you think fail these standards?

Let us know in the comments section!

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