Will Chalid Astrakein get a new model?

[WarKirby]

Chalid is generally considered one of the most powerful heroes, (if not THE), but he's kind of lacking, visually.

Some pictures.

The Chalid model, as it stands now.

And his portrait, which sadly bears little resemblance to the model:

First and foremost, the biggest problem is his face. He doesn't have one.
I know facial detail is very limited on such low poly models, but Buboes has quite a distinctive mug, as does that awesome new arquebus model.

It would be really good to see him made to look more like the portrait, notably, the facial markings, glowing eyes, furrowed brow, aged skin. He also has much more of a blue aura, whereas on the model, his aura is yellow. Personally, I like the blue better.

Another odd issue, is his hair. It's hard to tell precisely, but as far as I can discern from the portrait, he's bald. but the model has some generic long hair.

I think making him bald, and monk-like would be more fitting to the portrait, and it would also reduce poly count

The portrait seems to have some excessively protruding pauldrons at the sides, as near as I can tell. The current model already has this, but it could do with exaggerating some more.

Aside from that, his clothing is kind of low resolution, in comparison to the texture detail of so many other models. The lower part of his robes has a texture on it that resembles a cut orange, but it's aligned oddly, and it doesn't really look like it belongs there. There's no shadowing where clothing parts meet.

Lastly, that little wand thing in his hand. Seems kind of an unfitting weapon, especially when paired with a pretty nice shield. He seems like the kind of guy who would either have a sword/club, or a two handed staff (forgoing the shield).

There are lots of units that needs work, but chalid mainly stands out because he's special, but he doesn't look special. compared to fantastic looking heroes like Sphener, Valin Phanuel, Yvain, etc, chalid seems rather bland by comparison, and as the Empyrean's only hero, makes the whole religion somewhat lacking, visually (radiant guards are awesome too though)

Are there any plans for updating this model?

As a side note, I think the ratha model could do with some updating. As far as I can gather, it's a radiant guard in a chariot. but the guy in the chariot isn't the new RG model, but the old one, I think

 

[Corlis]

Chalid used to use a more generic model that was based off of the Warrior, I think, but was wielding a sword. I'm not sure whether they custom made his current model, but I don't recall it from anywhere else so it seems likely. If it is, they probably won't want to switch it completely, though they could conceivably make changes.

Spoiler :

Fun fact: His image is from Sarevok in the Baldur's Gate II expansion, Throne of Bhaal. He's not very Chalid-like at all

 

[Monkeyfinger]

Back in the day my mental image of Chalid was of some uber-powerful evil warrior with demonic powers who repented and ended up in the Empyrean because they were the only religion who would consider letting him atone in any way other than being executed, or something like that. Gibbon's pedia entry kind of took a dump all over that, though. :/

Chalid's old model is now the Malakim Berzerker. It actually kind of looked like

Spoiler :

Sarevok.

 

[Brugarin]

I think it (the berzerker model) looks like a pre-pubescent nerd-boy from ancient egypt...

 

[seZereth]

I´ll see what I can do... at some point
be patient

 

[WarKirby]

yaay

out of curiosity, do you know any of the history about the current model, Sez? Did you make it?

It's not up to the standard of excellence I've seen in your recent works, but maybe it could have been an early work?

 

[Brugarin]

I´ll see what I can do... at some point
be patient

I didn't mean to press you, I was just thinking 'out loud'.

 

[Ur_Vile_Wedge]

I agree with the OP about the weapon. No offense to the artists (I can't draw at all, so I have little room to talk) but when he fights, it looks like he's beating people up with a giant lollipop.

 

[DioBrando]

Here you go, WarKirby.

 

[WarKirby]

Wow

I SO want Chalid to look like that. It would be incredible.

 

[Luckmann]

It's a deadly sin not to have played Baldur's Gate/Throne of Bhaal. Didn't you get the memo?

My thoughts is to remove the pauldrons that protrude outwards from the shoulderpads, give him a staff instead of the lollipop, and change his head. Maybe change the pattern of his skirt, too - but I've got no idea for what. Can we wrap it in the empyrean symbol?

 

[Monkeyfinger]

Of course, debating on how he should look is kind of hard when we consider that there's very little lore on him. Chalid being a Sarevok lookalike would fit the concept I described pretty well, but the kind priest he was hinted at being in Gibbon's entry being modeled after Sarevok would be... jarring.

 

[seZereth]

yaay

out of curiosity, do you know any of the history about the current model, Sez? Did you make it?

It's not up to the standard of excellence I've seen in your recent works, but maybe it could have been an early work?

nope.
I think Kael got it from the Dragonia II mod, I dont know who is the original artist behind that model.
But I can definitely create a new one once I have time to do so.

 

[WarKirby]

It's a deadly sin not to have played Baldur's Gate/Throne of Bhaal. Didn't you get the memo?

My thoughts is to remove the pauldrons that protrude outwards from the shoulderpads, give him a staff instead of the lollipop, and change his head. Maybe change the pattern of his skirt, too - but I've got no idea for what. Can we wrap it in the empyrean symbol?

But look at the armor too. It's Gold
That would fit perfectly with the visual aesthetic of the Radiant Guards, too. Chalid would look perfect flanked by a platoon of Radiant Guard, if he looked like that. It has the quality of uniformity with them, but is different enough to distinguish him.

 

[DioBrando]

How about a sort of cape-robe, like the one Keele in Tales of Eternia has, but with a golden plate covering the upper body? The neck-part of the cape could still show.

A staff with some sort of gem at the top would also fit, since his strength is related to magic. The most important feature will be the face, imo. Sarevok has such a cool face, and i'll love to have Chalid looking like Sarevok even though he might not be anything like Sarevok in his actions.

 

[Luckmann]

But look at the armor too. It's Gold
That would fit perfectly with the visual aesthetic of the Radiant Guards, too. Chalid would look perfect flanked by a platoon of Radiant Guard, if he looked like that. It has the quality of uniformity with them, but is different enough to distinguish him.

Actually, that's an excellent idea (even if it's not gold, I'd call it polished brass or something ). Making Chalid more Radiant Guard-looking, but with robes, no helmet, and a staff instead of the lollipop.

I just wish Radiant Guards weren't such a 'ditch'-unit. Does anyone actually use them? I only build Radiant Guards to immediatly upgrade them to Vampires (or in everyone elses case, Champions). Which is sad, because the Radiant Guards looks absolutely superb in-game, and having an updated, Radiant Guard-like Chalid standing flanked by groups of Radiant Guards would be awesome.

 

[seZereth]

Actually, that's an excellent idea (even if it's not gold, I'd call it polished brass or something ). Making Chalid more Radiant Guard-looking, but with robes, no helmet, and a staff instead of the lollipop.

I just wish Radiant Guards weren't such a 'ditch'-unit. Does anyone actually use them? I only build Radiant Guards to immediatly upgrade them to Vampires (or in everyone elses case, Champions). Which is sad, because the Radiant Guards looks absolutely superb in-game, and having an updated, Radiant Guard-like Chalid standing flanked by groups of Radiant Guards would be awesome.

I think I´ll go for something like this as soon as I feel like

 

[Verdian]

First, I am looking forward to the new Chalid model. Uniformity in religious units sounds like a good idea.

Second, I use Radiant Guard all the time. If I am Empyrean, I have at least one in each of my cities. Blinding light is an excellent defense, and lets you defend with very few troops, giving time to let your main force arrive. I just wish Radiant Guards could learn the city defense promotion...

What I don't use are Rathas, mostly because I dislike the concept of chariots. It seems like they would be useful for fighting quick armies (like the Hippus) to keep them in check, though. If Radiant Guards could upgrade to Ratha and back for very cheap, I think it would increase the useability of both of them.

 

[WarKirby]

I modded Radiant Guard a little for me, to make them more fun.

They have Str 5, 25% city defence bonus, free Guardsman promo, and their unitcombat is changed to disciple.

 

[Luckmann]

[...]

Second, I use Radiant Guard all the time. If I am Empyrean, I have at least one in each of my cities. Blinding light is an excellent defense, and lets you defend with very few troops, giving time to let your main force arrive. I just wish Radiant Guards could learn the city defense promotion...

Why don't you upgrade them? Why keep Radiant Guards around, when you can just build them and then upgrade them to something better, like Champions. It doesn't cost (too) much, and you keep all the benefits of Radiant Guards (Blinding Light). If you happen to be Calabim, you get Vampiric soldiers with Haste, Blinding Light and Regeneration. Upgrading those Radiant Guards makes me happy and sad at the same time. /

What I don't use are Rathas, mostly because I dislike the concept of chariots. It seems like they would be useful for fighting quick armies (like the Hippus) to keep them in check, though. If Radiant Guards could upgrade to Ratha and back for very cheap, I think it would increase the useability of both of them.

What annoys me is that once you can upgrade to Champions (or any variation thereof) and Rathas, you can no longer build Radiant Guards.

The only solution I've find to this is to simply never get any horse resource, thus being unable to ever build Rathas, but still able to build both Champions and Radiant Guards. I usually have to trade my horses away, but after a while, the AI don't want any more horses ("It wouldn't benefit us" or somesuch, it just reds out the horse resource in the trade window) and I have to forego Radiant Guards entirely.

I modded Radiant Guard a little for me, to make them more fun.

They have Str 5, 25% city defence bonus, free Guardsman promo, and their unitcombat is changed to disciple.

I'm not sure on the Guardsman promo, but I agree that they should be considered disciple units and have an innate 25% city defense bonus (that doesn't carry over on promotion). The only issues with that that I can think of is that Disciple would allow them to take the Medic line of promotions, as well as getting Potency and Mobility from Philosophical leaders. Taking Medic as the first promotion available "out of the box" when built, then maybe just have them stand around until they're needed (accruing even more xp) and then upgrade them to Champions/Vampires with a bunch of free xp, mobility, medic, Blinding Light, etc - it could definately start pushing into the realm of cheese.