ilia-kalia
Member
Hello!
I really like the way Apollo has been designed, this creative like a main character from some anime. I believe, in 2026 it's not enough just to make 4 abilities for a hero, it's important to create a unique feeling for a hero, create his spirit and make him standout in his own way.
After this, it would be cool to see something unique and stylish as well. I know that Source engine allows slow/freeze time mechanics (and we have some pieces from it like Paradox Gun + time wall and Apollo's Ult slows down enemies), it could be really cool to see a hero, which could freeze time, but not just freeze + basic attack heroes, like Void in Dota, but something more stylish. Like, hero could unleash some fury onto frozen heroes, flex on them, beat them up with style, show off some cool moves. For example, Hero could have 3 basic abilities, but when he uses them in his ult, these abilities would look way cooler, faster, combo with each other, melee attacks or something, so player could feel his power, when he ults. And to make things balanced, hero could freeze time for EVERYBODY, his allies as well (maybe it will hurt game's pacing tho), or just make frozen enemies invulnerable for his allies, so this ult wouldn't be used as just another mass CC/dynamo's ult. We already have a Doorman ult, which prevents whole team from interacting with a trapped hero, so why not make multiple heroes being trapped with a single hero as well.
Another idea how to make this hero a lil bit more unique - all heroes PARRY melee attacks with a stun. But this hero could have a similar mechanics, but look and work a bit different. He would also parry, but his animation would be evading instead of parrying, and on successful parry, instead of a STUN, he would FREEZE TIME for a parried hero instead, for the same amount of time as a stun. And he could perform some cool melee attack on a parried opponent.
From lore perspective this character should be someone powerful (usually, freeze time abilities are possessed by the most OP characters like main heroes/villians or kings), it could be Apollo's father for example, since Apollo already has a slow time effect on his ultimate.
References with a vibe, which hero could provide:
Rock Lee vs Gaara, when Lee drops weights
View attachment video_2026-03-12_13-02-29.mp4
Neo vs Agent Smith
View attachment video_2026-03-12_13-02-25.mp4
Jojo (lot's of examples with freeze time), i like this one. Also, time freeze sound FX is really cool in Jojo, i feel like it's an important part
View attachment video_2026-03-12_13-02-31.mp4
Vergil Judgment Cut (it resembles Apollo more due to a sword, but freeze time effects style/vibe is similar)
View attachment YTDown.com_YouTube_Devil-May-Cry-5-I-AM-THE-STORM-THAT-IS-A_Media_d-ggzGbsEWE_001_1080p.mp4
Bayonetta Witch Time
View attachment YTDown.com_YouTube_Bayonetta-3-Witch-Time-Viola_Media_AHAkCGlsyTc_001_720p.mp4
Example of a possible parry animation idea of evasion instead of parrying
View attachment video_2026-03-12_13-02-19.mp4
I really like the way Apollo has been designed, this creative like a main character from some anime. I believe, in 2026 it's not enough just to make 4 abilities for a hero, it's important to create a unique feeling for a hero, create his spirit and make him standout in his own way.
After this, it would be cool to see something unique and stylish as well. I know that Source engine allows slow/freeze time mechanics (and we have some pieces from it like Paradox Gun + time wall and Apollo's Ult slows down enemies), it could be really cool to see a hero, which could freeze time, but not just freeze + basic attack heroes, like Void in Dota, but something more stylish. Like, hero could unleash some fury onto frozen heroes, flex on them, beat them up with style, show off some cool moves. For example, Hero could have 3 basic abilities, but when he uses them in his ult, these abilities would look way cooler, faster, combo with each other, melee attacks or something, so player could feel his power, when he ults. And to make things balanced, hero could freeze time for EVERYBODY, his allies as well (maybe it will hurt game's pacing tho), or just make frozen enemies invulnerable for his allies, so this ult wouldn't be used as just another mass CC/dynamo's ult. We already have a Doorman ult, which prevents whole team from interacting with a trapped hero, so why not make multiple heroes being trapped with a single hero as well.
Another idea how to make this hero a lil bit more unique - all heroes PARRY melee attacks with a stun. But this hero could have a similar mechanics, but look and work a bit different. He would also parry, but his animation would be evading instead of parrying, and on successful parry, instead of a STUN, he would FREEZE TIME for a parried hero instead, for the same amount of time as a stun. And he could perform some cool melee attack on a parried opponent.
From lore perspective this character should be someone powerful (usually, freeze time abilities are possessed by the most OP characters like main heroes/villians or kings), it could be Apollo's father for example, since Apollo already has a slow time effect on his ultimate.
References with a vibe, which hero could provide:
Rock Lee vs Gaara, when Lee drops weights
View attachment video_2026-03-12_13-02-29.mp4
Neo vs Agent Smith
View attachment video_2026-03-12_13-02-25.mp4
Jojo (lot's of examples with freeze time), i like this one. Also, time freeze sound FX is really cool in Jojo, i feel like it's an important part
View attachment video_2026-03-12_13-02-31.mp4
Vergil Judgment Cut (it resembles Apollo more due to a sword, but freeze time effects style/vibe is similar)
View attachment YTDown.com_YouTube_Devil-May-Cry-5-I-AM-THE-STORM-THAT-IS-A_Media_d-ggzGbsEWE_001_1080p.mp4
Bayonetta Witch Time
View attachment YTDown.com_YouTube_Bayonetta-3-Witch-Time-Viola_Media_AHAkCGlsyTc_001_720p.mp4
Example of a possible parry animation idea of evasion instead of parrying
View attachment video_2026-03-12_13-02-19.mp4
