Behind The Scenes: Crescent Monks 03/28/2023
Learn more about the traveling monks
Monks who break free from the teachings are either chaotic evil or chaotic good. Sweep and swing your way to victory with the Crescent Monks’ signature weapon.
Today’s Behind The Scenes
Today’s "Dev Q&A" will focus on the tier 4 unit of the Eternal season- the Crescent Monks.
Q: The Crescent Monks are based on the legendary hero Lu Zhishen from the Water Margin. What was it about this character that inspired you the most?
A: Lu Zhishen, a hero in the classic Chinese novel "Water Margin," is known for his courage, righteousness, and strong sense of justice. He fought in countless battles and defeated countless enemies, ultimately achieving enlightenment and becoming a Buddhist monk. His story is widely known and admired by Chinese people as a beloved heroic figure. This unit is mainly inspired by Lu Zhishen. And we aim to showcase his heroic spirit on the battlefield.
Q: The Monk’s Spade that this unit wields is a very unique weapon and takes inspiration from old China, where Buddhist monks often carried shovels with them on the road to properly bury any corpses they found, as well as defend themselves against bandits. Why did you choose to give the Crescent Monks this weapon?
A: It's quite common for traveling Buddhist monks to carry a small shovel, which can come in handy in various situations. In times of war and turmoil, it's common to come across dead animals or even human corpses along the roadside. And compassionate monks can use their shovels to provide a proper burial for them.
Additionally, these handy shovels are comparable to modern entrenching tools and can serve multiple purposes when traveling, providing convenience and also functioning as a formidable defensive weapon when needed.
Incorporating this weapon into the game not only fits the design of this unit, but also meets our requirements for his role in the battlefield.
Q: The Crescent Monks are great for crowd control with their sweeping motions with the Monk’s Spade, do you see them as a viable option to choose as a pushing force in battle?
A: Crescent Monks possess an extraordinary amount of strength, making their area-of-effect attacks and crowd control abilities extremely potent. However, due to the absence of armor protection, they are also highly susceptible to being controlled. Therefore, the optimal scenario for Crescent Monks is engaging in one-on-one combat or providing continuous output while being protected by allies in the front line. When facing multiple enemies alone or enemies with ranged abilities, they become vulnerable.
Q: Which Units would you pit the Crescent Monks against for a fearsome battle?
A: The Crescent Monks have some degree of advantage against all melee units, but they have no means of counterattack against long-range heros, skills, or high-burst skills such as the charge of the Myrmillones or the sweeps of the Silahdars.
Q: There are only nine soldiers in this Unit, what was the reason for their low numbers?
A: The Crescent Monks are designed as heroic characters with distinct personalities rather than some well-trained troops. Therefore, we opted for fewer numbers to emphasize their unique traits.
Stay tuned for upcoming Behind The Scenes looks at the Yanyuedao Cavalry!