Icon Contest #11 - A Hero's Skillset

[Marcos DAB]

I know it's not necessary to create a Portrait Icon. But while I didn't have good ideas, I modified an old icon and liked the result.

Maybe looking this icon, the ideas come to me.

Chronus: The Chronomancer

 

[Chaosy]

WOW, marcos I love the useage of light and darkblue in the beard looking thingy.

reped, really awesome work

 

[Kyrbi0]

Oh well, I guess I should stop trying to convince you people that it's not a red-blue spell If you have some free time, read this - http://www.hiveworkshop.com/forums/2066311-post215.html it will help you understand this icon a little bit more :\ I guess

To be honest, I'm not really into the whole 'forced visual imagery' in regards to the 'polarity switch. When I look at the hero, it just feels real contrived (like you said, solid black line with blue & red on either side). I know the hero designed turns red (and is normally blue), but perhaps a more generic icon-set will get that idea across a lot more clearly. This guy calls thunder, supercharges things, becomes overloaded, and can really fry his enemies via electrocution. He should reflect that.


That being said, I don't think your artistry is all that bad. The biggest issue I see is clarity; Blizzard icons are always really clear and high-contrast, with defined edges & bold colors (even on Lightning spells, see below). That might help people see things in your images.

Examples

 

[Hemske]

WIP and current state of the next spell, force field.

 

[morbent]

Well, Kyrbi w_at can I say, I_m not t_at _ood

I_ll try to make it more Blizzard-like.

 

[The Panda]

WIP and current state of the next spell, force field.

Looking good!

 

[Kyrbi0]

Well, Kyrbi w_at can I say, I_m not t_at _ood

I_ll try to make it more Blizzard-like.

Hey now, I'm not saying 'you phail' or anything. Just making notes of improvement.

Heck, the fact that you can draw is already much better than what I can do. Keep it up.
(I'll admit some selfishness in wanting to see your submission do well, as I was part of jigrael/Tarrasque's planning for that particular model's animations, and would love to see some icons for my rendition of the model. )

 

[morbent]

xD Wow. Thanks Kyrby.

I'll try to not fail though, I'm not sure if I can do that. I always fail.





Btw, Marcos - nice icon, you should upload it, people might need to use it for the model

And Hemske, the shield/force field is really. Amazing.





Edit: (Updated... again.)

I made it more like the Blizzard Icons Kyrbi presented:

Large

(Which of these 2 is better?)



(But the .jpg fails the quality.. which.. isn't so far from that anyway.)

 

[Kyrbi0]

I'll try to not fail though, I'm not sure if I can do that. I always fail.

Oh come now. How can you fail with all of this to look forward to? Really, though, much better, the top one especially. It appears less blurred than the bottom one, which is the point (clear, crisp contrast).

Something still kinda seems missing, but it'll take a better eye than mine to see what. Thoughts, all you actual artists out there?

~~~

@Hemske, I really rather like that "electro-pillar" thing. Actually looks kinda useful & Blizzard-y.

 

[The Panda]

xD Wow. Thanks Kyrby.

I'll try to not fail though, I'm not sure if I can do that. I always fail.





Btw, Marcos - nice icon, you should upload it, people might need to use it for the model

And Hemske, the shield/force field is really. Amazing.





Edit: (Updated... again.)

I made it more like the Blizzard Icons Kyrbi presented:

Large

(Which of these 2 is better?)



(But the .jpg fails the quality.. which.. isn't so far from that anyway.)

I would say the 2nd. But, on the 2nd put some highlights in the blue lightning it looks quite blurry.

 

[CloudWolf]

I'd say the problem here is too much fine detail thats been lost in the shrunk-down version

The large version looks great. However, when scaled down theres a lot of empty black space, and the lines that are visible lose artisticness as they appear really thin and blend together.

Perhaps this is a case of "less is more", e.g. I've made a few quick examples using your artwork which really show off the detail:

This is of course just a suggestion! May well be that other fellow hivers have some better ideas

 

[morbent]

So you're saying - make the white fatter to not blend? I'll try that. Well I did (with the second version) and.. hmm.. I don't get it - you people prefer this:

(This is like some sausage [The red light with the white])

to this

(And this looks more like a lightning... at least to me )



I prefer the second :\ which is the older version. Oh well, I must have some strange point of view when it comes to icons

 

[I3lackDeath]

Kyrbi0 and CloudWolf provided very reasonable feedback.

morbent, this one probably doesn't look complete, because too much of the lightning itself is shown, aswell as being presented through a pretty flat perspective - the original Blizzard examples that Kyrbi0 provided show how dynamic lightning can pe designed.
It is your choice which version you include as being part of your final entry, of course.

 

[morbent]

Oh I'll use the new one of course, it's just that I've always preferred darker images. I never liked bright paintings with "happy" bright colors in them. It looks unrealistic. Whatever.


So, you think I should change the perspective? It's kinda hard to fit a "disk" with perspective in a square. I used the Photoshop perspective to get to this result (from the first version) and worked a little on the parts where it fucked it up but... really - I had some ideas of how to make it in a "good looking" perspective but it didn't fit so well. It was unbalanced - like, the lightning got to the end of the left and right side (of the square) but had a lot of space between the up and down sides of the square...

 

[I3lackDeath]

Well, I barely use Photoshop's inbuilt distortion features - the results never really satisfy me, so I tweak stuff manually.

The usual "large in front, small in back" applies to lightning aswell.
However, I assume the shape of this one doesn't allow for much in that regard. It's a circle after all.
Blizzard often displays lightning diagonally, which strengthens the portrayal of vivid and dynamic electric urges. I am unsure how this could be implemented in the shape of a ring.

I suggest you move on to the other ability icons, so you have the complete set available and can see how they work together. It's easier to tweaks things then to make several icons look coherent.

 

[morbent]

Well, I guess I could have added the elemental itself in the circle, this would have allowed me not to show the whole circle but if I add it then how will I make the mirror image spell? Two figures for icons, this would look stupid. And yes BD, I'm making the other abilities atm.

I'll try to make them look coherent, thanks for the advise. Although, I might fail at this.



Edit: Here :\ The hammer ability. I failed at making the light things going around the hammer so I just skipped them.

Large

(I wouldn't say they match each other BD :\)


Oh and, Pharaoh, I added some purple, as you wanted xD although, it's a bit "invisible". Blends too much. Well, it's good that it blends since I don't want any purple lightning around here, it won't answer to the abilities :?

 

[Marcos DAB]

The hammer should be bigger, mainly the handle.

 

[morbent]

Hmm.. I guess. I'll try to fix it, though I fucked up the layers.

 

[Kyrbi0]

Wait, huh? I see that the original icon was an edited Stormhammer, but the ability's called "XT Vortex" (what does that even mean?...), and the ability apparently... slows & pulls enemies into the Hero (so a vortex, ok), while when it's P.Switched, it pushes enemies away & heals & boosts the MS of allies.

WHAT.

Alright, the first problem is how difficult this is to understand; the icon for an ability should be a quickly-recognizable "bite" (if you will), that gives you a taste as to what the ability does. So...

XT Vortex	Slows & sucks in Enemies. //PS: Pushes away Enemies; Heals & +MS Allies
High Voltage	Temp. +Armor Boost to Self; Deals AoE Direct.Damage around Cast.Point. //PS: Damage is inverted.
Polarity Switch (PS)	Switch Modes (see abilities for effects); Gives momentary Phase-Thru; Passive +Damage //PS: Passive -MS for Enemies
NV1.8 Force Field	Channels, creating an AoE with: Constant DPS to Enemies inside; Leaving/Entering Enemies get Purged & -Mana. //PS: ...AoE with: Constant -Mana.per.second to Enemies inside; Leaving/Entering Enemies get Direct.Damage, Slow & Silenced

... Whew. Alright. I'm gonna put aside any disparaging comments (Like the fact that it took me nearly 10 minutes to read & decipher the effect of those tooltips alone means this hero is unwieldy even for a hero-based 'DotA'-style game, let alone for regular Warcraft!!), and just say:
This is what you're making icons for. Don't worry about the icons the user presented; those are stand-ins since he couldn't use anything else. Create your icons to symbolize those^ abilities, on that Hero.

~

Also, I realize your personal preferences may not include bright & shiny colors with high contrast. And that's OK. That's just Blizzard's style. Personally, I prefer seeing entrants mimicking Blizzard's style so I can use it in my maps (which are all Blizzard-compatible), so I'll admit a bias, but...

That being said, I think your two icons so far fit OK with each other. Rather drab, though, with lots of empty space. :< The more you contrast the lightning with whites, and showing less of the lightning (focus in more), the better, IMO.

One way to make (or rather "imply") a circle or force field might be this perspective: *insert poorly-drawn MSPaint*


Thoughts, anyone?

 

[best_player_88]

xD Wow. Thanks Kyrby.

I'll try to not fail though, I'm not sure if I can do that. I always fail.





Btw, Marcos - nice icon, you should upload it, people might need to use it for the model

And Hemske, the shield/force field is really. Amazing.





Edit: (Updated... again.)

I made it more like the Blizzard Icons Kyrbi presented:

Large

(Which of these 2 is better?)



(But the .jpg fails the quality.. which.. isn't so far from that anyway.)

The second one, and its awesome that you put black in the middle. Is the competition still on? I got disconected for 3 days for a major electricity fail.

Well, I guess I could have added the elemental itself in the circle, this would have allowed me not to show the whole circle but if I add it then how will I make the mirror image spell? Two figures for icons, this would look stupid. And yes BD, I'm making the other abilities atm.

I'll try to make them look coherent, thanks for the advise. Although, I might fail at this.



Edit: Here :\ The hammer ability. I failed at making the light things going around the hammer so I just skipped them.

Large

(I wouldn't say they match each other BD :\)


Oh and, Pharaoh, I added some purple, as you wanted xD although, it's a bit "invisible". Blends too much. Well, it's good that it blends since I don't want any purple lightning around here, it won't answer to the abilities :?

The new hammer picture looks overall great, BUT, the right side of it looks more like blue spikes from some flower, you should do as you did with the red side to define it as lightning and that is - disconect some parts so it shows "fly inside air".
Its only a suggestion though and I could be dead wrong, I trust you to choose what to do.

Please remove the marked white. I think it will improve the total picture.

 

[JollyD]

My first preview of Satyr Trickster

 

[Hemske]

@Morbent and Kyrbio, thanks for the kind words

Here is the next icon in its current state, as well as a WIP for it and another version of my forcefield icon. Going for the last one now to see how they all work together. Will probably remake the force field though, as it differs quite much in style from the other two ones.

 

[morbent]

Sorry for not responding, I had some work today. Ok SO! It's kinda difficult to decide which version of the Ult to use since some people prefer the first version and others the second. Also, best player - I will see what I can do about that. I didn't like it as well but it kinda added something to the icon. I'll give you the icon with and without this thing you circled tomorrow (unless I get too lazy to work on it) cuz today I can't. Actually, best player I prefer the blue lightning of the hammer than the one in the Ultimate. It's not so blue and more defined (just my opinion), but I will try to make it like the other one and get your opinions here, see which one you like more.

Kyrbi0, I did btw. I really did. I mean, the Hammer ability (when cast) has some light-blue-teal things going around and lightning on the down part. I tried to make these light-blue-teal things - you can see them in the back of the icon (although one is red). But aa, as you can also see - it didn't turn out that well. When I re-make the handle (as Marcos suggested) it might look cooler.

 

[Hemske]

@morbent, I think you should try playing around a bit with the angle of the hammer icon, it is quite possible that it will look better with a more dynamic angle. I haven't understand what the spell the icon is made for is supposed to do though, maybe you have to have it in that angle you currently have.

 

[morbent]

You mean make it look from above or from even more from below? And, I'm kinda lazy to re-work it xD But if I have some free time I'll see what I can do. Hmm... the icon doesn't have to be in that angle, the spell is a hammer which has lightning around it. It's an AOE spell. When it's with red fire it pushes enemies around it, when it's with blue lightning it closes them.

 

[Hemske]

Yeah well, if we take a look at blizzard's icon for example, they tend to use dynamic diagonal angles, or very close-up zoomed objects. Especially for spells like hammer throws, or weapon enchants etc.

And when I myself have issues with an icon of mine I usually try out a dozen different angles and zooms, and it often help; or adds that little extra.
And I believe in your case with this icon, either make it throw downwards, or zoom in more and make the lightning affect the hammer's head rather than its handle.

I'm kinda lazy to re-work it

Oh, you've merged all layers, or don't you work in layers? I usually save a layer with the object and one for the effects when I'm done. Makes it easy to change stuff like this

 

[morbent]

I do but mine are a bit.. messy. Too messy actually. Well, I can fix it, if zoom in is all you people want. I thought you wanted me to change the angle which means ---> rework the icon. At least the hammer.

 

[Hemske]

Well, angle, zooming, whatever makes your icon the very best possible, and what you yourself would feel comfortable and content with. Even if we tell you what we think it is still your choice to do. Don't zoom or change anything unless you think it will make the icon better looking.

 

[Marcos DAB]

Rift:
Created a vortex on a target area. When land units (both enemy and friendly) are
above the vortex, they will take damage per second and will have their movement
speed cut in half. Last 10 seconds.

A WIP based on referrals, but it shows what I'm trying to do.

 

[best_player_88]

Rift:
Created a vortex on a target area. When land units (both enemy and friendly) are
above the vortex, they will take damage per second and will have their movement
speed cut in half. Last 10 seconds.

A WIP based on referrals, but it shows what I'm trying to do.

That looks AWASOME!!! Makes me wanna download it right away!!! Really like the combinition of ice + sand clock. "the sand is freezing and cannot move" wow that is a good icon!.
Staying to watch the competition was a good idea

 

[Kyrbi0]

Rift:

A WIP based on referrals, but it shows what I'm trying to do.

Hum. I really like that, actually... all except for the hourglass. Somehow it just looks like a different style than the (very Blizzard-ish) swirly sand-stuff. (Reminds me strongly of the Windows "waiting" icon, although I'm sure you free-handed; not an accusation. ). Meh?
I'm excited for this hero, though. Good style.

 

[Luorax]

Hum. I really like that, actually... all except for the hourglass.

My thoughts exactly But the swirl is badass, no doubts.

 

[chr2]

Balls to it. I think I'ma join this one. Been looking through the various hero submissions for some time now, and I think I finally found one I like:
http://www.hiveworkshop.com/forums/1191732-post24.html

 

[The Panda]

Balls to it. I think I'ma join this one. Been looking through the various hero submissions for some time now, and I think I finally found one I like:
http://www.hiveworkshop.com/forums/1191732-post24.html

Seems like a fun one.

 

[kola]

I'm joining. I choosed this hero

Shocker :
Lightning Vortex :
Thunderous Apocalypse (Ultimate) :

Didnt make lightning curse yet.

 

[Pharaoh_]

Great job and they appear to be in perfect harmony, color-wise. The one I liked the most is Lightning Vortex. The Shocker is a bit too sharp though and I believe it could be fixed if the purple contour lost its intensity and looked liked a glowing trail instead. Thunderous Apocalypse needs to be remade, in my opinion. The background is too random and again, the purple enhancement is paralyzing the whole effect, unlike your trial to set it in simulated motion.

 

[Hemske]

@Kola, the vortex icon is really stunning. Marvelous work.

 

[kola]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll fixe them as soon as I have time !

 

[The Panda]

I'm joining. I choosed this hero

Shocker : View attachment 122242
Lightning Vortex : View attachment 122244
Thunderous Apocalypse (Ultimate) : View attachment 122243

Didnt make lightning curse yet.

Shocker, is a Shocker. great job.

 

[best_player_88]

Since a small part of the judgement is going for the viewers, I decided to
Note out the icons I prefered and liked the most:
So far only 2 xD

I'm joining. I choosed this hero

Shocker : View attachment 122242
Lightning Vortex : View attachment 122244
Thunderous Apocalypse (Ultimate) : View attachment 122243

Didnt make lightning curse yet.

Thunderous Apocalypse 5/5

Rift:
Created a vortex on a target area. When land units (both enemy and friendly) are
above the vortex, they will take damage per second and will have their movement
speed cut in half. Last 10 seconds.

A WIP based on referrals, but it shows what I'm trying to do.

Rift 5/5

And also that AVATAR

 

[Hemske]

Here is my entry as of final. I don't think I will be able to pass more time into this contest. So this is how they will be.

Screenshot

There is a bit of difference in sharpness/crispness in the in-game screenshot compared to the attached image, so make sure to check them both.

The entry is for this hero.

 

[best_player_88]

Here is my entry as of final. I don't think I will be able to pass more time into this contest. So this is how they will be.

Screenshot

There is a bit of difference in sharpness/crispness in the in-game screenshot compared to the attached image, so make sure to check them both.

The entry is for this hero.

Overload is a passive ability hence the icon can't have active looking, as for the pictures themselves, his ultimate icon fits perfectly 5/5, his ForceField fits well -> espcially considering how it should counter magical damage and not just be a lightning with no magical ability, being a more megical looking image than a solid lightning one. 5/5
So all there is left now is the passive and his Electric Charge ability
Electric Charge works the same as chain lightning, in other words since
the spell itself is not original, the only thing to check is if the icon fits the
other icons made for the hero, in terms of colors harmony.
Also, the Electric charge effect is a bit different from chain lightning, its
a beam looking bolt that cause a falling downward lightning on effected units.

The icon fits other icons, the falling downward beam of lightning fits the effect. But I just can't shake the feeling that the downward lightning won't fit the targeted beam of lightning, I mean, it shows the final effect which is awesome but it would look much better if it was a side to down beam rather than only downward beam.
-> . // .<-
I give that 4/5

About the passive nonepassive Icon, Im not sure if this even a part of the
things I should check so I ignore that fact:
The overload abilty grant thunder clap orb effect (by triggers so the hero
can still carry an orb) after a few attacks was hitting.
Its an ability involved slow, lightning, terrain modification and "earthquake" effect on ground, and attacks using fists.
The icon contains a cannon which fits the other colors, I assume that the
cannon attempts to resamble the huge nuke on the suit, so it will fit the
model if I assumed right.
I am not sure why there are wooden sticks indside the cannon.
Even if it mean "electric won't effect wood so its ok to put it there"
Its just looks silly.
How come the cannon won't destroy the wood? high electric can do it.
Overall the icon fits the model and fits the ability but have tree branches
inside of electric cannon.
for that I give 4/5

Score:
4+4+5+5=18
18/4
= 4.5

* Feel free to comment about why there is tree inside electric cannon
maybe it will change the score

 

[I3lackDeath]

This.... is the contest thread.
Would you kindly wait for actual ratings until the poll is up?
Thanks...

 

[best_player_88]

This.... is the contest thread.
Would you kindly wait for actual ratings until the poll is up?
Thanks...

OHHH you mean they don't get rating seperatly?
XD my bad!
Didn't know they compete in "who is better than the other"
So... yes, I would wait untill all of the competitionairs will put in their tries
And then rate them by who is better than the other.
First time in such a competition, just how long untill it over?

 

[I3lackDeath]

The contest shall begin on 17th of January and conclude on 17th of February, 11:59 PM [UTC].

This contest thread will hold all the WiPs and final entries - it is the workspace for every contestant.

If you want to be helpful, provide feedback (what to improve).

You can not evaluate unfinished material.

 

[Hemske]

@Best_player, thanks though And I will most likely not be able to change anything so It won't matter for me at least. But wait with your rating until the contest is finalized for the rest of the contestants

But I should explain the thing about the overload/overcharge icon, good you pointed it out. The reason it looks like it does is that his arms actually look weird like that. He has "cannons" as arms.

And the electric charge icon (chain lightning) does actually not work like a chain lightning in game, it works more like a burst of lightning, but deals less damage the more targets in range. Therefore I decided to make the blast like that.

Any judge who needs clarification can read this as well, when the contest is to be judged.

 

[Marcos DAB]

Maybe I'll leave this contest due to lack of good ideas.
I also don't want to post icons much look like the references, without creativity.

 

[kola]

Thunderous Apocalypse :
New version ---- Old Version

Shocker :
New version : ---- Old Version

didnt change Shocker too much. I think the purple looks nice but I blurred it a bit.

better?

 

[Chaosy]

:O nice, much better in my opinion

 

[I3lackDeath]

Thunderous Apocalypse :
New version View attachment 122256 ---- Old Version

Shocker :
New version : View attachment 122257 ---- Old Version

didnt change Shocker too much. I think the purple looks nice but I blurred it a bit.

better?

About Shocker:
Purple is the transition between warm and cold colour schemes.
It battles the bright, cold effect of the lightning you display at the moment, which is the main problem here.
Change its colour to pure blue or something similar, to emphasize the lightning.