Red Post Collection: Caitlyn Champion Theme & Composition /dev Blog, TFT: Items Regadgetized, & More

Continue reading for more information!

• Red Post Collection: Preseason 2022: Intro to First Strike, TFT: Gizmos & Gadgets Pass, And More!
• 10/26 PBE Update: Continued TFT Testing & Tentative Balance Changes
• 10/26 PBE Update Part 2: More Tentative Balance Changes
• 10/27 PBE Update: TFT Testing & Even More Tentative Balance Changes

With the Caitlyn ASU coming to the PBE soon for testing, here's a look at Caitlyn's new champion theme, with new art showing off updated splashes and more:

Here's a piano arrangement:

Here's a new /dev blog from Scherzo and Riot Gunlap on creating the Caitlyn theme - "Bringing harmony to the Sheriff of Piltover."

"Hey everyone! We’re the audio folks who worked on Caitlyn’s new theme as part of her Art & Sustainability Update. We want to share what went into composing her theme and a little something extra we made for all of you. So sit back, remember that Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge, and prepare to get musical.

A Little Piltover, A Lotta Sheriff 

Senior Composer Alexander “Scherzo” Temple: 

When working on any champion’s theme, we need to start by looking at where in Runeterra they come from. Piltover’s musical palette has historically been defined by orchestral pieces that emphasize patterns and precision. You can hear it in things like Camille’s or Seraphine’s themes and LoR boards, for example. 

Piltover’s the home of inventors, scientists, and dreamers. It’s a really harmonious place, but underneath the harmony there’s a certain degree of neutrality—uncertainty, even. But it almost feels as if no one’s quite sure all this advancement will always be a good thing. This led us to try introducing a few unexpected dissonances throughout the music.

We wanted Caitlyn’s musical language to feel consistent with the Piltovan music that already exists, but not so restrictive that we couldn’t differentiate between her and Piltover overall.

We found that a combination of “found” percussion like clocks and gears mixed with various types of rhythmic zithers, keys, and strings felt uniquely Piltovan. From there, we included a more expanded take on the traditional orchestra to give us a bigger range for the stories we want to tell, while still feeling like an extension of existing Piltovan music. 

But I still felt we needed something that didn’t just represent Piltover. Something that just represented Caitlyn. So when I looked at who she is, the thing that stuck out was her wealthy, aristocratic background.

I used small ornaments and flourishes throughout her theme that sound like they might come from established musical traditions of Piltover’s high society, but in ways that felt more like vestigial trappings than core elements. They represent a part of who she is, but a part that doesn’t wholly define her.

Melodically, what I settled on was actually giving Caitlyn a pair of themes combined into one. The A theme has elements of intricacy and precision that’s meant to reflect the inquisitive, fiercely intelligent side of her. The B theme is more lyrical, steady, and purposeful, with an unhurried confidence that I felt captured her righteous side. It also happens to be a variation of one that I wrote as a shared theme for her and her family, but I re-framed it to have a bit of “against the grain” individuality for Caitlyn alone. Without getting too technical, I found a harmonic progression that had one spicy chord that shook things up just enough to add that individuality, without tipping the needle so far that it felt like we were no longer in Piltover.

EZREAL’S GEARS BREAK DOWN FIRST” - A PILTOVAN MUSIC THEORIST... PROBABLY 

Sound Designer Emmanuel “Riot Gunlap” Lagumbay: 

In addition to Caitlyn’s full orchestral theme, we wanted to try something new... A piano arrangement! And we wanted to release the sheet music for all you piano players out there! 

We’ve seen (and heard) plenty of covers of the music from League over the last decade, and it’s always a pleasure to listen to what you all come up with. This time, we wanted to help out by giving you access to an official piano version that can be played on a solo instrument. Because—let’s be real—not everyone has a band or orchestra at home!

Download the Piano Arrangement 

The piano version is arranged and performed by Harlan Hodges, who you may have heard performing piano on Viego’s theme. Harlan worked to capture the full orchestration from Scherzo’s original score, and while we originally thought this piece would be a little easier to perform, we ended up with a Challenger-level piano piece. That being said, with a couple of listens, and a few adjustments, it can still be simplified and made easier to play while retaining the core musical material that represents Caitlyn. 

We’ve also got some of his thoughts on the process, and some tips for you as you get to learning the piece! 

A Change in Tempo 

Arranger and Pianist Harlan Hodges: 

It was crucial for me to identify all the character-driven musical elements that were spread out across the orchestral composition to figure out what would work for a solo piano version. The tricky part in an arrangement like this is not only finding those elements, but also not reducing them down so much that it loses the composer’s original character and intent. 

It can be very hard to take an orchestral score and make it “feel” like a piano piece. I felt like the best way for me to find the important material was to learn the entire piece by ear and play some basic things along with the recording before looking at any of the actual scores. Whatever stood out to my ear that I could easily learn is what I gravitated towards as stuff we couldn’t lose.

In terms of practicing and performing the piece, you have to allow your body to memorize all the large leaps between your hands toward the end. Practice this at slower tempos and sink into the keys. This will help you get a feel for how far the jumps are without having to look at both of your hands, and try to relax as much as possible on the ostinatos and repeated figures so they don’t feel rushed. There’s some tricky detail in the triplets on the right hand and dynamics as well, so don’t be afraid to slow down or go down one dynamic marking! Although difficult, I think anyone tackling it will really enjoy the reward of having learned it because it is a challenge. It’s very fun to have under your hands.

We hope you enjoy Caitlyn’s new theme as much as we enjoyed bringing it to you, and we can’t wait for you all to experience Caitlyn’s journey in Arcane. And of course, we want to hear your performances of Caitlyn’s theme! Please tag us on social media so we can find you!"

TFT: Items Regadgetized

Here's MinionsRPeople2 with a rundown on new and updated items in TFT: Gizmos & Gadgets - "Gizmos & Gadgets has allowed us to modernize our items. Learn all about the remastered items here!"

"With Gizmos & Gadgets we have an opportunity to update our existing items with our learnings from the item-heavy mechanics of TFT: Reckoning. Some items are getting a new look, while one we think so FONdly of is getting a new look and name. Finally, some items have been given new functionality to meet the modern setting of Gizmos & Gadgets! 

Check out all the items with our updated Item Cheat Sheet below, and continue reading to learn the why behind the changes!

Items with a New Feel 

Radiant items taught us about what makes items more enjoyable and feel impactful. The unique stats, additional balance levers, and cool new archetypes players enjoyed with Dawn of Heroes’ Radiant Items leave their mark as inspirations to the item updates below. Whether it’s adding more stats to an item, or completely reworking it, we’ll be keeping a close eye on these items throughout PBE and live, so expect the exact stats to change. Check out the updated items below!

Archangel’s Staff 

Reworked: During combat, the holder gains 25 Ability Power every 4 seconds. 

Why: Archangel's Staff has received a full rework leaning into the late-game fight-ending mage fantasy! 

Banshee’s Claw 

Reworked: When combat begins, the holder and all allies within 1 hex in the same row gain a shield that blocks the damage and effects of the first enemy Ability, up to 600 damage. Stacking Banshee’s Claw will increase the damage it can block but won’t increase the number of shields. 

Why: Lacking balance levers, Banshee’s Claw landed in a spot where it could completely deny enemy spells regardless of how much power the spell had. This was especially the case for stacking Banshee's Claws, which could shut down single-target casters completely. Now, stacking Banshee's Claw will still be useful in preventing damage but won’t shutdown single target casters anymore. 

Bramble Vest 

New: Now grants an 80 Armor (including components) 

Area of Effect Damage upon being hit by an attack: 80/100/150 >>> 60/80/120 

Why: We’re sharpening Bramble Vest’s identity as the anti-physical damage item by dulling its ambient damage.

Deathblade 

Reworked: Now grants 50/75/100 bonus Attack Damage (including components) 

Why: The old Deathblade was difficult to balance around champion kits that stacked it efficiently, or champions that could easily pair it with a Runaan’s Hurricane. Now the blade is deadlier *and* bladier, giving you more AD based on your expected AD.

Dragon’s Claw 

Adjusted Cooldown: 1 >>> 0.5 seconds
Adjusted maximum Health percentage Damage: 30% >>> 18% 

Why: Dragon’s Claw was too good against spam casters (like Ziggs) because the fireballs balled too hard, and the cooldown made it so repeat casters often got hit multiple times in a row. With this change, Dragon’s Claw will have a higher chance of hitting different units by proccing more often, but will do significantly less damage. Also, fireballs are cool, so why not have more?

Hextech Gunblade 

Removed: No longer grants a shield for overhealing 

New: Now additionally heals the lowest Health ally 

Why: Radiant Hextech Gunblade was super fun, creating unique builds such as Brandbulance and Heal’Koz. So we’re bringing the Radiant upgrade to Gizmos & Gadgets, but taking away the overheal shield to keep it balanced.

Jeweled Gauntlet 

New: Now additionally grants 10 AP 

Why: Jeweled Gauntlet’s power is dependent on having AP to amplify it, so we’re giving the item AP as an additional balance lever while also strengthening the struggling item.

Quicksilver 

New: Now additionally grants 20% Attack Speed 

Why: Quicksilver was incredibly powerful in TFT: Fates due to the amount of crowd control and the strength of melee carries, however it never had its time to shine in Reckoning, due to the lack of CC in the set. With the addition of bonus attack speed, Quicksilver’s power is less reliant upon the amount of crowd control in the set and can be adjusted easily if it becomes too powerful or weak.

Runaan’s Hurricane 

New: Now additionally grants +10 AD 

Removed: No longer procs on-hit effects 

Why: On-hit effects can be difficult to balance from set to set, as they’re dependent on the individual champion’s kit. Runaan’s Hurricane was often in a place where it was incredibly powerful on a select few champions and so-so on everyone else. While it’ll still be an item for AD carries, our adjustments here will allow for finer balance controls and more use cases for the item.

Statikk Shiv

New: Now additionally grants 15% Attack Speed 

Why: Like Runaan’s Hurricane, but worse, Statikk Shiv has struggled apart from a few niche comps. Giving it more useful stats should allow for this item to find a footing as the Attack Speed item for magic damage comps. 

Items with a New Look 

Finally, some items have been adjusted visually to be more readable and authentic to Teamfight Tactics. The big one here is our conversion of Force of Nature to Tactician’s Crown. Tactician’s Crown has the same functionality of Force of Nature, but now we have separated it from its League of Legends counterpart, a Magic Resistance tank item that bears no context on the Convergence. Other items such as Titan’s Resolve, Hextech Gunblade, and Statikk Shiv have received slight icon updates to make them more readable in fights. Finally, items like Zeke’s Herald, Ionic Spark, and Dragon’s Claw have had their visuals updated to stand out more amongst other items as well as represent their power! 

As with all changes, there’ll be a slight learning curve with the new icons, but we see the readability of the updated art (as well as the rad-ness of the Tactician’s Crown) as a long term win for TFT players."