[Hero Concept] Mason, the Miner

[aiarys]

Mason, the Miner​

Lore​

Many still hold scars from the Battle of Mount Gordan, but for Bill Mason those scars run deeper than most.

When they set out that day to defend their right to unionize, Mason and his 10,000 brothers in arms were expecting, at worst, a fair fight between themselves and the local lawmen if tensions boiled over. What they weren’t expecting was the presence of Eldritch Tactical Solutions, nor their brand new suite of spirit weaponry — ready and willing to kill as many of Appalachia’s finest to quell any thought of labor organization.

Mason was one of only 2,000 survivors that day, and forever changed because of it. Even as he returned to work, meagre as it was following the decimation of his coworkers in the already struggling mines, strange happenings would occur around him.

Holes appearing and disappearing on the edges of his vision, items going missing only to turn up somewhere else. And the nightmares — falling, always falling for hours and hours and hours and hours.

Now, many years on, Mason finds himself in the Cursed Apple in the hopes of fixing whatever is wrong with him so he may finally enjoy his retirement in peace.

Appearance​

Weapon​

Struggle of the Masses: Spread Shot, Long Range

Abilities​

Ability 1: Dig Coal​

Mason digs into the ground with his shovel and flings a shovelful of coal in a cone in front of him. Coal deals bullet damage per individual coal hit (acting as a shotgun) as well as coating all enemies in the area of effect with coal dust. Coal dust can be ignited with spirit damage to deal additional spirit burn damage.

Ability 2: Light One Up​

Mason first ignites a stick of dynamite with a 5 second timer, then throws it. It always explodes after 5 seconds from the first cast, stunning in an area of effect and dealsingspirit damage. If Mason is still in range when it explodes, it will also cause self-stun and damage.

Ability 3: Union Man​

Mason is more powerful when around other heroes, gaining damage and health per nearby hero.

Ultimate: Bottomless Pit​

Mason strikes the ground with his pickaxe, causing a bottomless pit to be formed. Any units who fall too far down the pit are teleported high in the sky to the opposite side of the map. Enemies will then fall uncontrollably and become stunned on impact with the ground.



Opposite Side of Map Examples

Design Notes​

Name​

Name inspired by Bill Blizzard, a key union organizer at the Battle of Blair Mountain, who held the nickname “Ma’s Son” after his mother, who was also a union organizer. Avoided Blizzard to not lead to misunderstandings about his kit, and just Bill would be confusing with Billy.

Character Niche​

Teamfighter with anti-split push capabilities, in part inspired by the Dota hero Underlord. The ult serves a dual purpose both as a teamfight area denial ult as well as a group teleport, an ability that doesn’t yet exist in Deadlock. Some overlap in the 1 with infernus, although would have more teamfight utility as it doesn’t have to be self-ignited with the 2.

Appearance​

Appearance lifted directly from period appropriate (if not a little early) miners, with an additional red scarf for socialist leanings as well as various tools necessary for fighting.

Lore Links​

Has strong anti-Fairfax leanings, could have very negative interactions with McGinnis. Whilst not actively a criminal, could have positive interactions with Mo & Krill. Lore leans heavily on Fairfax industries and anything surrounding that. Sympathetic to Pocket even if not fully aware of their history.

 

[Aush0J]

Yep, knew it that you took inspiration from Underlord for the ultimate. Great idea of using a miner as your hero design to represent the abilities especially the ultimate. What I like even more of the ultimate is the way the portals work where you need to mind the positioning since we can't pan the camera like how we do in Dota and Underlord can just pinpoint exactly where his portal can connect in the map.

Hope it gets added!

 

[aiarys]

Yep, knew it that you took inspiration from Underlord for the ultimate. Great idea of using a miner as your hero design to represent the abilities especially the ultimate. What I like even more of the ultimate is the way the portals work where you need to mind the positioning since we can't pan the camera like how we do in Dota and Underlord can just pinpoint exactly where his portal can connect in the map.

Hope it gets added!

Thanks for the kind words. The whole hero was built from the ult really, and I really liked the idea of an ult which gets "stronger" on the edges of the map whilst still having some utility for mid boss - either as a quick escape or a way to complicate punching the rejuvinator without portalling people too far away.