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League of Legends: Cassiopeia Skins’ Review – StrategyZero
Aug 232012
 
Cassiopeia, the Serpent's Embrace
Cassiopeia, the Serpent’s Embrace

Cassiopeia, the Serpent’s Embrace may have shed many skins in her snake life but the ones she keeps coming back to are really few. Not all skins reference her serpentine aspect yet none stray far from it. Moult all doubts about Cassiopeia’s skins by reading her skins’ review.

Desperada Cassiopeia
Desperada Cassiopeia Splash Art Desperada Cassiopeia Model
Category: Regular
Price: 520 RP
Concept: Country styled Cassiopeia wearing a corset, hat, gloves and resembling a rattlesnake.
Model: Major model changes for Cassiopeia.
Particles: No new particles.
Animations: No new animations.
Sounds: No new sounds.
Splash Art: A blurry and undefined background can suit the setting. Regardless, the emptiness of the arid region is not an excuse to make it dull and diffuse. We are only left with a snake propelled through the air and the one behind that idea. The snake’s motion makes it a bit blurry which doesn’t enhance its flat and imprecise appearance. Conversely, Cassiopeia’s lines are precise and clear as well as her shading. Her twisted tail seems too wide and massive for her human proportions but the contrast between monster and lady is effective. Still, things look flat and somewhat plain from the waist down and just acceptable elsewhere. This all makes the piece a mixed bag that manages as an interesting portrayal only thanks to the dynamic pose.
Rating: Star clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZero
Conclusion: Desperada Cassiopeia may not be actually ‘desesperada’ but she surely is elegant. The clothes are well designed: the corset is practically a short dress, the gloves are decorated and the neckpiece nicely adorns her back. The hat is quite good but her eyes, underneath, are neither clear nor good looking: they look dead. Her lower body effectively represents a rattlesnake but, for the most part, is nothing remarkable. The scythes hanging from her waist are a questionable choice but aren’t a big issue. Therefore, Desperada Cassiopeia is a great skin, with some flaws, but recommended nonetheless.

Siren Cassiopeia
Siren Cassiopeia Splash Art Siren Cassiopeia Model
Category: Regular
Price: 520 RP
Concept: Cassiopeia with the aspect of a sea snake and human hybrid.
Model: Major model changes for Cassiopeia.
Particles: No new particles.
Animations: No new animations.
Sounds: No new sounds.
Splash Art: Siren Cassiopeia poses before a few underwater runes while sitting on a rock. For a background it’s reasonable but it’s also very limited. On top of that, the water blurs the details that the distance fails to occlude. In the end, the setting is little more than a blue curtain and a place to sit. Fortunately, Cassiopeia is very well delineated and coloured: her complex clothing looks great and her body gently undulates between her human appeal and snake lethality. In conclusion, a very nice portrait of Siren Cassiopeia with as minimum a setting as was possible.
Rating: Star clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZero
Conclusion: For having it’s concept clearly included in its name, Siren Cassiopeia demonstrates an unusual disregard for faithful aesthetics and a good dose of muddled concepts. That is due to the fact that more than a mermaid, as seems to be the intention, Cassiopeia actually resembles a sea snake; both being different entities to a siren. This makes the skin extremely bipolar: the lower body is an absolute letdown while the upper body is quite well crafted. From the waist up Cassiopeia exhibits exuberant clothes with complex decorations. Still, the skin and clothes show little contrast so it’s difficult to discern when one starts and the other ends. From the waist down, belt aside, she has a pattern all over but the blue hues fail to stand out. Moreover, the snake tongue again separates the skin from an actual mermaid. On the whole, Siren Cassiopeia isn’t a bad skin; but it presents itself as something it really isn’t.

Mythic Cassiopeia
Mythic Cassiopeia Splash Art Mythic Cassiopeia Model
Category: Regular
Price: 975 RP
Concept: Cassiopeia wearing a peplos in Helenic style.
Model: New model for Cassiopeia.
Particles: New face projection for Petrifying Gaze.
Animations: No new animations.
Sounds: No new sounds.
Splash Art: Mythic Cassiopeia’s splash art is well done with a suitable and interesting setting to complement her. The background shows the petrified bodies of warriors, probably sent to slay her, among the posts and lintels. Cassiopeia dramatically poses while wearing a luxurious peplos; also the laurel wreath and tiara that crown her head are a good touch. Her serpentine features are alright but not prominently shown. While the colours and lighting of this portrayal are good the stance looks unnatural; just as her lifeless eyes. All things considered, this is a nice piece with all the necessary elements to be great. However, the execution seems to have fallen short of the desired greatness.
Rating: Star clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZero
Conclusion: Mythic Cassiopeia gives the Serpent’s Embrace a sizeable amount of Hellenic grace. Cassiopeia humanity is heavily reinforced not only by her body but also by her clothes. The peplos she wears is luxuriously adorned and the laurel wreath is a great addition; yet it has to share the spotlight with the unusual tiara. Her snake lower body is very good and even decorated. The ventral scales look a bit narrow still the vertebral scale make up for it with their irregular design. Indeed, Mythic Cassiopeia isn’t a perfect skin but it’s a very good one. No skin shows her as humanly beautiful and few are able to heighten the grace of a champion. If only the price better reflected its technical merits it would be a skin not to skip for fans of the Serpent’s Embrace.

Jade Fang Cassiopeia
Jade Fang Cassiopeia Splash Art Jade Fang Cassiopeia Model
Category: Regular
Price: 975 RP
Concept: Cassiopeia lavishly dressed and adorned with jade.
Model: New model for Cassiopeia and new textures for her death.
Particles: New particles for her abilities and new headpiece’s snakes glow for Petrifying Gaze.
Animations: New animations for the headpiece’s snakes and recall.
Sounds: New recall sounds.
Splash Art: The background seems like some kind of dome with an inexplicable chunk of wood burning in the middle; considering the quality of the depiction it’s just a guess. The setting is reasonable but it feels dead, underdeveloped and the wood whimsical. Cassiopeia is nicely depicted with great shading and an imposing yet appealing pose. As she raises in front of the viewer her scaly skin and elegant, though minimal, clothes reveal their elegance. Her lower body seems a little too dark but in general is a rather good portrayal of Cassiopeia. Overall, it’s a splash art that gives a very good impression but that fails to absorb the viewer with a deep setting.
Rating: Star clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZero
Conclusion: Jade Fang Cassiopeia is a skin that finally goes an extra step to deliver a new feel for Cassiopeia; the year of the snake didn’t disappoint her. The concept is nothing groundbreaking but the implementation certainly makes up for it. Firstly, the new model gives her a more human look and reinforces her snake qualities with finely designed adornments. The result is a pleasing mix that merges and exposes both her alluring and ophidian sides. On top of that, she receives new particles for her abilities that match her jade colour scheme and look less vicious but really intense. The snakes on her headpiece also glow when using Petrifying Gaze which is a great touch. They did glow when using Noxious Blast and Miasma as well but after the mage update that’s no longer the case. Additionally, the jade tone used for her stone body, in her death animation, and that of her enemies, when petrified, is a very nice touch that adds depth to the theme; though it’s rather faint after the mage update. In the end, Jade Fang Cassiopeia is a skin that takes a humble concept and extensively develops it. The result is definitely attractive and enhances Cassiopeia’s charms in every way; recommended.

Eternum Cassiopeia
Eternum Cassiopeia Splash Art Eternum Cassiopeia Model
Category: Regular
Price: 1350 RP
Concept: Cassiopeia as queen of an advanced alien race.
Model: New model and animated glow for Cassiopeia.
Particles: New particles for her abilities, auto-attack, death and recall.
Animations: New recall animation.
Sounds: New sounds for her abilities, auto-attack and recall plus processed voice-over.
Splash Art: Chaos and confusion, hide, they are here. A ship pinpoints their inhuman bodies with strong lights. Buildings are demolished like made of sand, people thrown away like toys, hope vanishes as there are only two options: die or be assimilated; the former can be guessed from the creature running up a cable on the left. While the idea of the setting is spot on the chaos and confusion may be too much. Elements are difficult to notice, what isn’t insinuated is merely hinted in small parts. The feel of the setting is great but the actual depiction ends up disappointing as too little is really visible.
Cassiopeia stands on one side of the foreground while her tail slithers from the left. The effect seems convoluted because while the sharpness of the metal is admirable the shading is unrealistically elaborate which added to the blurry complexity of the energy over the tail end up making a mess. Cassiopeia is leaner but there’s the intense light behind her which conceals too many details. It’s understandable but the effect is, again, too pronounced. The perspective from below and her body leaning to her left also prevent a good view of her aspect. The intention of showing the arrogance expected from the Queen of a superior alien race is good but there’s a price to be paid. That aside, metal is unevenly depicted yet attractive for the most part; except the cuirass which looks rather dim. Tee alien skin is simple and there isn’t much energy over it to spice it up.
In consequence, this is an uneven splash art with great ideas behind it but not always executed in the best of ways perhaps due to too much stylistic melodrama. The setting is very well chosen but the chaos is so intense that it prevents enjoying its very own qualities. Cassiopeia enjoys an elaborate portrayal but that also gets in the way of getting a useful view of her aspect. As far as feel and impact this is a splash art that delivers but as a presentation card it could be better focused on being useful.
Rating: Star clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZero
Conclusion: Displaying a rather simple alien physiognomy, with clear demonic tendencies, and elaborately ornamented armour Eternum Cassiopeia is a skin that seems to have a lot going on yet it all remains in the surface. The alien body is apt for the job but if it were called Red Snake Cassiopeia it wouldn’t really be unfair; just add some scales. The armour is more interesting and also could be too complex for its own good. The headgear is majestic, fitting for a Queen, the cleavage-generous cuirass is stylish following the golden decorations of the headgear. The multiple plates that protect the tail have a symmetric design that reminds of other Eternum skins, Nocturne and Rek’Sai. They appear to have a convoluted design that is better looking than practical. While that makes sense for a Queen the result may be too pronounced. The animated glow is rather interesting. As an electric energy of red and blue tones it adds to the complex visuals of the model. However, elaborate armour with animated glow on top may make the model overloaded with features to look at. Surely, it’s a model that ends up catching the eye but also all of the complexity stays in the surface.
Particles follow the glow so present and appealing in the model. With similar electric energy of red and blue abilities conform to the classic template rather strictly. Actually, saying that poison is changed for red electricity isn’t too far-fetched. Auto-attacks are a multi-colour blast of energy; nothing novel. Noxious Blast is a fine ball of energy exploding on the ground with timid re-coloured lines for the bonus movement speed. Miasma is similar with several red energy balls that explode on the ground and leave a field of electricity with eye-catching electric limits; so more of the same, in a way. Twin Fang essentially re-colours the fangs in dark blue and red which suits the aspect of the skin. Perhaps if the alien nature of the Queen were more overt and not so plain the fangs would make a better fit. Petrifying Gaze looks like an electric shockwave that turns the enemy into stone; a clear classic concession. It looks good but doesn’t display the theme well enough. Her death animation is also changed with more fitting electric energy that helps with the consistency of the skin.
Sounds are subtle. Auto-attacks have a simple sound as if she were throwing a solid object at someone instead of projecting energy; which doesn’t fit. Noxious Blast has a weak energy sound that intensifies in power until a puff of smoke marks the explosion; a rather nice change. Miasma starts with a distorted version of the classic release of poison with humming toxic clouds on the ground; not bad but nothing novel either. Twin Fang sounds like a rough slash with a little alien tint; so that it feels derivative. Petrifying Gaze has an energy-based in crescendo that ends in a blast. For an ultimate it’s good but not impressive enough. In most cases the classic base can be felt; energy excepted. The energy is what communicates the theme but the base is nonetheless present.
Her new recall shows her transforming earthly life into an Eternum which can explain how this alien race spreads its dominion. It’s interesting as exposition but the actual teleportation is a simple pose. Having different animals to convert and a more relevant method of transport would make the recall more relevant and less monotonous with repetition.
All in all, Eternum Cassiopeia is an interesting skin with potential to be quite interesting. There’s a mysterious alien race whose queen appears with all the pomp and circumstance befitting of royalty. However, such pomp may end up being too centred on an overloaded model while leaving particles and sounds with little personality. Besides the energy touch to some of the abilities there’s a clearly noticeable classic base. Perhaps if the simple alien form were better defined the base could’ve been changed for more appealing alien characteristics. As it is, Eternum Cassiopeia is an uneven skin with an impressive surface but without real depth.

Conclusion

For someone so adept at changing skins Cassiopeia hasn’t that many to choose from. The recommended skin is, unsurprisingly, Jade Fang Cassiopeia due to its elaborate and attractive execution. With its assortment of attractive particles and interesting animations it’s a skin with much to offer.

Eternum Cassiopeia is a skin with a lot to offer in terms of model. Particles and sounds are interesting in their energy leanings though the classic remnants are noticeable. The result is a skin that feels uneven and in need of more development of its alien features. Still, as a shallow pond it’s a rather eye-catching one.

Fortunately, there are more that stand out: Desperada Cassiopeia is also a great skin worth considering. It has an elegant country style that suits both her human and snake nature in a clever way. For its low price, there is much to appreciate in this skin.

Mythic Cassiopeia is a skin that revels on her lingering humanity and does a great job at it. It exposes and enhances her grace in an appealing way. The only problem is the price which is too high for being, in practical terms, a re-model. That aside, it’s a skin that fans shouldn’t ignore.

The remaining skin, Siren Cassiopeia, is an utter disappointment as it’s more akin to a sea snake than any sort of mermaid or siren. It is, without doubt, a complete failure at implementing its concept yet it isn’t bad looking so as to avoid. However, as all details mesh together in similar tones of blue much of its craftsmanship gets lost.

  26 Responses to “League of Legends: Cassiopeia Skins’ Review”

  1. The “real” art for Siren Cassiopeia shows her as a ‘sea snake’, http://lolwp.com/cassiopeia/siren-cassiopeia/ . The Chinese client art somehow turned this into a mermaid.

    P.S.: Nami looks *very* similar to this 2010 skin.

    • Chinese splash art tends to take more liberties with champions’ look than western ones. Regardless, the conflict between sea snake, mermaid and siren is present all over the skin; which makes it a bit confusing though still appealing.

  2. This is perfect cassiopeia strategy article will rate 5/5 but what I really need to know is there a way to see total team-earned gold count while playing lol game? Currently I am playing with Cassiopeia champion. I know she is really good stun who can touch all near enemies. But sometimes it is hard to play.

    • As far as we know it’s not possible to know the amount of gold per team. Maybe an spectator can but a player has no means.

      Indeed, Cassiopeia is quite demanding in terms of execution but when she gets going she’s unstoppable. Consider getting some practice with her abilities and their timing. Bots can help with that and also remember that she has no escapes except her ultimate so play safe.

  3. Just bought the Jade fang skin and I noticed that those jade snakes on her head ornament move on their own a little as if alive…pretty neat little detail.

  4. I recently noticed something on the Jade Fang skin, when you use Noxious Blast or Miasma, the snakes on her headpiece momentarily glow a light green. I am not if she has this on her ultimate, but it isn’t present when using Twin Fang.

  5. They updated her model and skins, please them!

    • There will be a texture update that will probably not change things much though the visuals will be enhanced. If there are significant changes we’ll reassess the skins but, usually, the status quo is maintained as the textures are improved on all skins and no other changes are introduced.

  6. Umm, I thought I submitted a comment a moment ago but it seems to not appear?
    It was about the Jade Fang skin (again). The ultimate in that skin turns enemies into pale jade colored stone instead of normal boring grey stone. I think it should be mentioned. Here is a link for comparison:
    http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6QYu90oEq2o/UP44GyYNDAI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/aeMhf2HYvdI/s640/stoned.png

    • We didn’t notice any other comment only this one, sorry.

      The new stone tone would be included in the ever useful phrase ‘new particles for her abilities’. Maybe we should be more precise about it though usually that implies a long explanation.

      Suggestions and ideas are appreciated.

  7. Are you going to update the Cassiopeia skin reviews, taking into account the model texture update? While they are the same, they actually look quite different, Desperada and Siren in particular xD

    • To be fair, aside from some very specific changes, like the classic headgear, the texture only increase the clarity of what is displayed but don’t change the message. The new textures are more polished and refine the look but as all skins receive the same treatment they stand on the same ground relative to each other and the classic one, specifically.

      We gave the skins a look and while the appearance changed we think that what we stated still applies. If we notice that something requires a changes we will amend the review but, from the look of things, a full reassessment doesn’t seem necessary.

  8. Jade Fang Cassiopeia clearly has new sounds for her recall, featuring pleasing fan sounds followed by hissing.

  9. How would you rate Cass’s new base splash? It actually seems really well done.

    • Indeed it’s well done. Her depiction is attractive and dynamic and the background provides context to her lethal nature even if the poison aspect is mostly ignored. Still, it effectively portrays her as a mythical creature with inhuman capabilities. All in all, the whole piece works quite well in capturing part of the essence of Cassiopeia.

  10. Zero, I want to ask for your opinion on the Mythic Cassiopeia when it came out. I am not talking about the model itself since the visual upgrade did little for that skin in particular. If I don’t remember wrong, that skin initially has “new effects” for her basic abilities as well. They seemed thicker without any further change but I found that to be the perfect addition to the skin when combined with the ult’s face projection. I don’t really see any other way to change the effects of that skin and therefore I am really annoyed they removed that thickness added to her poisons at some point. I assume it was just for visual clarity, but I think if she still had those the skin would deserve 5 stars. I really wish to buy it on sale this month, but I will have to skip it yet again even though I had been wanting it for two years or so. I already have Jade Fang, my first for her, which I got bored of after two years, and got Desperada from a mystery gift not long ago, which is appealing but it doesn’t bring forth the beauty of Cassiopeia like Mythic does. I find it funny how I have the two highest rated skins for her yet I am still unsatisfied. Mythic’s model is just so much better than any of the others in my opinion.
    PS: Both her skins were gifts from people.

    • Initially, Cassiopeia’s abilities had a more solid aesthetic that even displayed snakes for her auto-attack and Noxious Blast. What happened is that Mythic brought new particles effects that were softer and, according to the developers, better suited for her poison. Therefore, like they did in other cases, they used the new effects as her base and so Mythic mostly lost the new particles; the face projection for Petrifying Gaze came afterwards if we aren’t mistaken.

      In out humble opinion the original particles were quite nice as they showed her link with snakes much better than the puffs of coloured smoke and transparent fangs she currently uses. Besides, the softer particles did match Mythic’s more delicate, human personality; which is the main attraction of the skin.

      As things are, we are constantly seeing flimsy particles merely because they may seem more polished and refined; especially in visual and gameplay upgrades. The fact is that sometimes a burst of magic has to look pretty solid and blunt to demonstrate the amount of raw power condensed. However, League of Legends is going in a different visual direction that, when particles are lifted from a skin to be reused on the base, leaves a paid product being inferior.

      Back to Mythic, her main characteristic is the human aesthetic and it’s a rather appealing one. Perhaps the skin should have a lower price as it’s essentially a re-model but it shouldn’t visually disappoint. After all, you get what you see: there’s really nothing extra beyond the model.

      As comparison, Jade Fang is a skin that revels in her snake side with a very thin Eastern flavour. Desperada it’s an elegant change of clothes that keeps her core and changes her style. Siren, well, it tries to be something that is well beyond its reach.

      • On the last day of the sale on Mythic Cassiopeia, a friend of mine was nice enough to gift it to me, and I have been playing so much Cassiopeia since then. I find her really fun and I love her general concept, but it can be very punishing for her when mistakes are made, specifically missing your poisons on a target (Q and W), though they are somewhat forgiving due to the low cooldowns, but missing the ultimate can be devastating.
        I think a nice addition to the review for Mythic Cassiopeia would be the removal of her constantly showing snake tongue. Such a subtle change really cements the human beauty the skin presents. An appropriate section to mention it would be the Conclusion I think.

        • Hope you enjoy the skin, Mythic Cassiopeia has a very nice style thanks to the human angle. As you mention if she didn’t have her snake tongue around it would help but we shouldn’t forget that half her body is that of a snake. It seems like asking for a pebble when the problem is half a mountain.

          The point is that both sides of her self should be integrated; even if priority is given to ther human side. If not he skin can feel polarized with an upper human body over half a snake. It’s a valid concern but we understand why they would leave the tongue from a conceptual point of view.

  11. I can not understand how I did not discover your site earlier 🙁 Your reviews are perfectly, flawlessly detailed and cover pretty much every aspect a player and lore/skin aficionado would want! They are an amazing read, turn attention towards many aspects one would overlook by oneself and provide documented advice. I want to thank you for everything you guys do!

    I see you guys already reviewed the newest skins (Program line), so although I am not familiar with how long it takes for you to post an article since I only found your site today I wanted to ask, will you replace all the splash art reviews with the ones from the global unification in the last and upcoming patch soon? Also, have you guys thought on reviewing the champions base skin and splash art also? I think it would be interesting, in terms of how plausible an entity or its model is to the game. If this is already done somewhere on your site or there is a reason hy you would not, I apologize.

    Anyway, I will continue reading everything! Please do not stop posting. You are an amazing asset to the community!

    • Also, can I point out a typo? In Cassi’s champ description it says: “…the ones she keeps coming back too are really few.”

      Love you guys!

    • Thanks for the kind words. We are glad you find the reviews useful.

      We are slowly updating the splash arts but we give priority to reviews of new skins. We have been asked about classic skins but as we use them as our frame of reference to compare skins with we’ll have to find a different method to assess them. It’s not discarded but we have to find a way to saying something useful about the classic skins.

      Perhaps how well they adapt their fantasy and if they are clear about what they represent. Still, usually, newer and visually upgraded skins have the advantage as it tends to be a matter of technical prowess. We’ll think about it. With regards to classic splash arts, we could review them eventually. There’re just so many champions and skins that it’s difficult to keep up with everything.

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