Taowu is a guy disguised in YuJing clothes to look as an old Chinese sorcerer, who waves his hands in the empty air in front of him. Thanks to XXII century visual technology of Augmented Reality and VFX -all guided by Aleph, of course-, what Vissiorama viewers in Maya watch is an awesome Yu Jing-ish mental wizard sorrounded by thrilling smoke with howling faces. Because Aristeia! is a show: Smoke and Mirrors. The miniature is to caption this last version, not the real one.
I applaud you CB designers! Especially with Smoke and Mirrors you are boldly going where no other design group has ventured with entertaining and imaginative play.
Soldiers of Fortune has a more Infinity look in its designs because of Massacre and his Mercs world. So, Smoke and Mirrors comes to remember all of us that this is a show. Deadly, indeed, but a fantasy show with spectacular characters played by warrior-actors.
I know it's been answered, but combat Holoprojectors exist. "Magic" effects would be a lot easier in my mind.
Thanks for the answer. While I figured that was it the BoW video really played up the wizard aspect so I'd figure I'd ask as someone was bound too.
Is it bad that I want a version of Tao Wu with clear resin for those parts for his "magic" to make it look more like a hologram?!
This looks very cool. I like that they are going different directions with each pack too. Pointed out to me (by @Madness I believe? ) the art style would totally fit SNK games of the 90s. While I am shocked Tao Wu is not Lo Pan, I am.actually happy about that. Gives him his own design space to play in. And also: that full poster is gonna be awesome!
Well, Hexxer is called 'the nomad witch' and there's the whole Clarke's law thing. I'm pretty sure it's not magic, but it's made to look like magic.
I really hope Taowu's background indicates he that is is actually a kindly old man, but plays up the evil Yu-Jing wizard aspects of the persona he dons for the hexadome because it plays well with the crowd. Like a classic heel. This makes me wonder how many of the other minis are reflecting the Augmented Reality version of the character. For example, maybe Maximus has a big beergut, but it is edited out.