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League of Legends: Karma Skins’ Review – StrategyZero
Mar 162013
 
Karma, the Enlightened One
Karma, the Enlightened One

Karma, the Enlightened One embodies elegance and balance but her skins take radically different ideas. Nevertheless, whether rising with the Sun, taking on its style or following the lotus Karma knows how to maintain a refined look. Take a look at her skins’ review and decide how you’d like to look for you next mantra.

Sun Goddess Karma
Sun Goddess Karma Splash Art Sun Goddess Karma Model
Category: Legacy
Price: 750 RP
Concept: Karma dressed in the style of Huitzilopochtli, the Aztec Sun God.
Model: Moderate model changes for Karma, new model for her Mantle of Decorum and new textures for her fans.
Particles: No new particles.
Animations: No new animations.
Sounds: No new sounds.
Splash Art: Mayan pyramids with floating icons on top stand under a dusky sky filled with shining stars. There’s a perceivable, even unexplainable, fog that blurs all the background. In the foreground, the walls are clear with elaborate carvings and the floors richly lined in gold. Sitting in the centre, a figure weaves the threads of fate.
Reflecting excellent shading Karma handles glowing yarn and turns it into a small sun that may be illuminating the whole night with a soft light. The effect of that light says as much on her clothes and skin. Metal is somewhat dim like bronze but eye-catching. Her skin is soft but the feathers on her head look dry and hard. The Mantle of Decorum, made out of stone, looks ancient like a relic handed down through generations. The incredible use of light makes the portrayal enchanting. The pose is mysterious and evocative with clear mystic angle that adds a touch of magic.
All added together, this is a fantastic portrayal of Karma. The background is unjustly pushed into a secondary role despite its relevance and how much it has to show. Fortunately, Karma’s depiction delights with her appeal. With a more supportive background this could very well be one of League of Legends’ best splash arts.
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 StrategyZero
Conclusion: Sun Goddess Karma is a very satisfying skin that perfectly embodies the iconography of Huitzilopochtli: a hummingbird. The ornamented headdress, added to the feathered dress and etched stone decorations paint a clear picture of the concept. The fans seem a bit of a legacy leftover and the textured high-heeled sandals an unnecessary way of adding to the appeal of the already revealing yet reasonable outfit. In fact, one could also wonder if the broken Mantle of Decorum is a reference to the collapsed Aztec empire. Regardless, Karma’s look is pleasing and finely incorporates Aztec elements which make for a rather believable look. It’s a pity that Mantra isn’t incorporated better into the skin as it could’ve become a fantastic supernatural addition. All in all, Sun Karma Goddess is a great skin with a fascinating style and a lot of charm that re-interprets Karma as an enlightened Aztec priest.

Sakura Karma
Sakura Karma Splash Art Sakura Karma Model
Category: Regular
Price: 520 RP
Concept: Karma dressed as a geisha.
Model: Moderate model changes for Karma, new model for her Mantle of Decorum and her new textures for her fans.
Particles: No new particles.
Animations: No new animations.
Sounds: No new sounds.
Splash Art: An entrance, to a temple or fortress, lays before the cherry blossoms that fall peacefully. In the distance, simple shapes can been seen but not much is discernible. The background is diffuse but not enough to fully blur out any and all details. In the middle, it’s a different story: the blur is so intense that it’s almost impossible to notice anything specific.
Karma is clearly visible and, fortunately, escapes to the unnecessary blur of the background. Colours are soft and delicate shading allows for smooth transitions between light and shade. In fact, the silhouettes of leaves over her kimono are a fantastic touch that makes the portrayal all the more evocative. Metal looks a bit dull and the central part of her Mantle of Decorum glows with a weak light that obscures the wings of the Mantle more than illuminate them. The shimada hairstyle is nicely depicted which, along her gentle expression, give a sense of calm and introspection to Karma. Her kimono is nicely decorated with visible flowers and a branch-like pattern between them which matches the trees around. Her hands, which occlude the appealing design of her kanzashi, do look a touch sketchy, especially in comparison with the superior shading around. It’s a subtle difference but it’s noticeable.
All in all, this is an enchanting portrayal of Karma that receives support from the background. What lies around and near her is visible enough despite the condescending blur. What is far and away, in the middle, is closer to a bunch of shapes without much form than anything concrete. This negatively affects the splash art but Karma’s depiction is certainly a worthwhile presentation card.
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Conclusion: Sakura Karma seems to want to capture the mysticism of a geisha but it’s actually content with garbing Karma in some traditional Japanese clothing. Therefore, the style feels like a plain, and even untidy, adaptation. The problem is that while the general look is well done the details just don’t convince. In many aspects Karma still carries the look of a geisha despite the lack of maiko makeup; which is common of mature geishas. The hair displays the classic shimada style decorated with several kansashi; which leads to an unusually eye-catching and even overloaded hair style. Additionally, the kimono has a pleasing gradient of colours decorated with a fine cherry blossom pattern. The fans echo the kimono’s style with a richly designed frame, borrowed from Traditional Karma, and the Mantle of Decorum matches the hair’s kansashi.
So far things look good but there are a few issues to notice. The footwear is questionable at its best and unsuitable at its worse. While the absence of tabi wouldn’t have been an issue the choice of common shoes with straps instead of geta is sincerely incomprehensible. Furthermore, her obi practically lacks a musubi and instead seems to be hanging from the front; which isn’t a good touch. Add to this the open kimono and visible legs and we can only thank the presence of leggings, or censoring shadows, to keep Karma’s Mantle of Decorum from being an irony. In certain ways it gives the idea of a girl wanting to dress in traditional Japanese clothes and doing as good she can with what she has available.
After considering it all, Karma does have a distinct Japanese aesthetic and the concept is largely conveyed. However, the mix of traditional and casual clothes leaves a sour taste. To be fair, it would’ve been better if they had gone all out or simply left it as a tiny reference. Like this, it’s a little great and a little disappointing.

Traditional Karma
Traditional Karma Splash Art Traditional Karma Model
Category: Legacy
Price: 975 RP
Concept: Karma wearing an elegant dress accompanied by fans.
Model: Major model changes for Karma, new model for her Mantle of Decorum and new textures for her fans.
Particles: No new particles.
Animations: No new animations.
Sounds: Original voice-over for Karma.
Splash Art: With a background intensely diffuse only the whimsically twisted tree nearby can be noticed. There may be more vegetation and mountains on the left while some strange structures and a cascade appear on the right but nothing is really clear and much can be conjecture. The platform and cloths that surround Karma may well float in thin air as only her seat has context enough to be more than filler.
Karma appears meditating with a serene visage, a somewhat stereotypical pose and fans overtly displayed; though the open one conceals a good deal of her dress. The fans are a good touch to hark back to the days of yore. Her Mantle of Decorum glows with a mystical albeit dull light but the metal looks alright. Torso and head are sharply depicted with soft tones and a detailed approach to each strand of hair. As we move down we find that colours become more diffuse and so that hands and legs, especially the latter, look unavoidably sketchy. Metal looks dull in all places and the satin feel of the dress at the top is lost due to lack of vibrancy in the colours elsewhere. This is a letdown as the piece main focus is on showing Karma; there isn’t much else to see.
In consequence, this splash art gives a sensible even if derivative portrayal of Karma. The depiction is uneven and the setting struggles to show its contents so that context is difficult to discern; though nothing extraordinary seems to be intended. This result is a serviceable piece that works with a glaring need for polish.
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: Traditional Karma does a lot to adapt the re-envisioned Karma back to her old style but still doesn’t feel like enough. In fact, it seems mostly a tribute to the old Karma than an actual reproduction. At a minimum, the nature of her style is present in the black and white designs and complementing decorations. Unfortunately, due to the new base model the long dress becomes a robe and her appealing simple patterns become an elaborate pastiche that tries but never truly captures the former Karma’s calm elegance. In general terms, the skin accomplishes part of the essence of her old style. Ultimately, it’s not a bad parting gift but it neither is deserving of the nostalgia it inspires.

Order of the Lotus Karma
Order of the Lotus Karma Splash Art Order of the Lotus Karma Model
Category: Regular
Price: 975 RP
Concept: Karma as a lotus priest.
Model: New model for Karma and her Mantle of Decorum plus new textures for her fans.
Particles: New particles for her abilities, auto-attack and recall.
Animations: New animation for her Mantle of Decorum. New recall animation.
Sounds: New recall sounds.
Splash Art: This piece is rather straightforward despite the deeper spiritual connotations suggested. The background is bucolic and unassuming yet a good setting for meditation. A cascade with a column covered in vegetation or a lake amidst a temple, there’s too little to guess anything concrete. Add the silhouette of a lotus petal on the water without reason instead of lotus flowers floating on the water to add the theme touch. In that regard, it’s an effective setting even if it feels plain and unexploited.
Karma floats over water in a position that approximates but actually isn’t a lotus asana. Her depiction is clear, with sharp colours and great use of reflections. Regardless, much like the diffuse background, she doesn’t look vivid. That may have to do with the subtle but noticeable sketchy feel of the shading; the metal mostly. Hair looks stupendous and the Mantle of Decorum with its large lotus flower isn’t far but that feel isn’t evenly displayed in Karma’s dress and skin.
In the end, the unassuming nature of the splash art can be a reflection of the deeper aspects of meditation. However, as a spotlight of a champion’s look it feels a bit underwhelming. If the setting were more focused and the portrayal less uneven in its depiction the piece could shine. Actually, there’s enough to make this splash art great but that is sadly never taken advantage of.
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Conclusion: The idea of Karma being part of the Order of the Lotus is a natural choice, knowing how spiritual she is. The model delivers the concept quite well with an attractive flair for elegance. The transparencies added to the animated Mantle of Decorum and classy jewellery convey class and mysticism. The new particles are more focused on bringing the lotus theme forward, though. They are clear in that regard but a tad forced sometimes. As if regardless of the situation a lotus should be displayed somehow. Something more subtle would’ve been more suitable. Nevertheless, the theme comes together with consistency. For Karma fans, it’s a long awaited skin that finally adds something new and fitting for the Enlightened One.

Warden Karma
Warden Karma Splash Art Warden Karma Model
Category: Regular
Price: 750 RP
Concept: Karma as a fully armoured battlemage.
Model: New model for Karma and her Mantle of Decorum.
Particles: No new particles.
Animations: No new animations.
Sounds: No new sounds.
Splash Art: The idea behind the splash art is quite good: Wardens and Marauders fight each other. The context isn’t as clear as one would like. The setting is only suggested with a flight of stairs and some columns but the blurry mess that is the background doesn’t state anything concrete. The faint apparition of Alistar and, barely, Olaf’s mace and axe, is the little reminder of the Marauders: what really makes the splash art interesting is merely hinted.
The Wardens’ depiction is moderately clear but leaves room for improvement. Of the two, Karma is the one who we can see better. Her Mantle of Decorum is largely omitted but most of her armour is visible with, from the waist up, a reasonably colourful and attractive depiction. Jax receives an even more detailed portrayal but only as long as we centre our attention on the area around his helmet. Away from it he’s shrouded in an inexplicable fog and as the pose doesn’t help reveal his look or is even particularly sensible we find too much obscured for little reason.
The result is uneven with areas that attract attention but others that are deficient in the most basic elements. When all is added up the splash art reveals flaws that could’ve been prevented as there’s wasted space. It serves its purpose but the splash art had elements to be much better.
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: A full set of armour gives the idea of a battlemage and Warden Karma conveys that idea. The raptor motif, evident in her Mantle of Decorum, gives the armour some personality as, for the most part, it’s somewhat simple. The plates look sturdy and practical and the decoration reasonable and attractive. However, it’s only in the upper part where the armour manages to be interesting. Elsewhere it feels derivative and without anything special; except for a pair of well-thought out high heeled boots, ideal for the battlefield. The open helmet is also a questionable choice though it seems to echo Marauder Ashe’s design. Besides, it does look good so for a fantasy sorceress it’s an acceptable choice.
All in all, Warden Karma is a nice re-model with some nice bird of prey designs. At large, the armour is nothing exciting but it has some appeal where it’s allowed to bloom.

Winter Wonder Karma
Winter Wonder Karma Splash Art Winter Wonder Karma Model
Category: Legacy
Price: 1350 RP
Concept: Karma as an ice mystic.
Model: New model for Karma and her Mantle of Decorum.
Particles: New particles for his abilities, auto-attack and recall.
Animations: New recall animation.
Sounds: New sounds for his abilities, auto-attack and recall.
Splash Art: Pine trees and some frost left behind by the Snow Queen or ice-sorceress is the joy of the unusual fauna whom witness her jolly stroll. As far as proper background not much is clearly displayed so much has to be guessed through the ridiculously thick mist that covers everything. In the distance the outlines of houses and a path of snow is visible but that’s as far as it goes. With regards to context, there’s only a thin slice.
The tree branch and horned squirrels on the foreground are a bit sketchy but that doesn’t apply to Karma. Her skin is soft and delicately shaded. Her dress, from the waist up, is nicely coloured with a satin-like texture and dim yet believable gold lining. The fur looks a bit thread-like, similar to her hair, but it’s a subtle effect. The hands have a cartoony design but the barely visible snow marks on her skin are an interesting suggestion of hidden power; perhaps reflected in her ice crowned tiara. The Mantle of Decorum receives more attention on the secondary wings than the central snowflake which appears brittle and small in comparison to the solid, sturdy feel of the wings. From the waist down things get blurry so while the same style is present as in the top half details are unnecessarily obscured.
Adding it all together, this is an unassuming piece that doesn’t aim high yet tries to be more than a simple portrayal. There’s some context given to Karma’s presence but the source is a disappointingly blurred background. The supporting cast of rotund penguins and feral squirrels are passive witnesses without joining on the action despite their, at times, privileged position. Still, the portrayal is quite appealing with nice, even if uneven, sharpness. Therefore, as a presentation card for Winter Wonder Karma it works despite evident issues.
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Conclusion: Caught between a Snow Queen and an ice-bender Winter Wonder Karma can be considered an aristocratic or royal snow sorceress. The dress surely speaks of a certain amount of elegance and class that wouldn’t be unsuitable for nobility. The Mantle of Decorum is deceptively simple in its shape: three shards of ice as a floating snowflake crown. The mix of sources is constant as her dress displays fur while alternating thick and thin cloth and even leaves the shoulders uncovered. Such ambivalence sets the skin apart from being a simple tribute without being unbelievable within its fantasy: a snow sorceress surely knows how to resist the cold.
The particles are much more direct yet still quite florid. There’re bright projectiles that precede snow trails for Inner Flame which result in evocative snowflake explosions. Focused Resolve employs a misty link of ice while Inspire relies on a snowflake decorated ice shield that leaves snow behind. Mantra looks particularly attractive because of the bright highlights which complement her look so well. It looks like ice coursing through her body which is a perfect match. Auto-attacks are comparatively simple as large ice projectiles but their beam-like feel is interesting.
Sounds are quite well done. The soft initial sounds of Inner Flame end in the low cackle of snow. Focused Resolve behaves similar but in reverse order while Inspire relies on the crystal-like nature of ice. Mantra stands out with its conjuration of solidifying ice. While visually the ability lights Karma up aurally it reveals more details about the progress of ice over her body. Auto-attacks have a brief icy sound that supports the visuals effectively.
The recall is a mysterious dance that is nothing else but the casting of a spell that turns Karma to ice and allows for her teleportation. It’s a great way of rounding the ice magic in a way that it covers all the necessary activities of the discerning League mage.
All in all, Winter Wonder Karma is a particularly convincing interpretation of the Enlightened One as an ice mystic. The model reaches a good balance between elegance and plausibility being classy yet peculiar. The ice magic is reasonably styled with recognisable yet appealing patterns. The sounds not only support but add to the visuals with a suitable array of different textures. This is all finished win a fitting recall. Still, it’s all an adaptation: from mystical energy to ice magic. Everything about Classic Karma is present in a new form but nothing new is added. The adaptation is effective yet feels conventional as if it simply ticks the necessary boxes. In spite of this, it’s an attractive ice version of the Enlightened One albeit one that could reach much higher with some extra flare.

Conqueror Karma
Conqueror Karma Splash Art Conqueror Karma Model
Category: Legacy
Price: 975 RP
Concept: Karma dressed in a gold-lined dress.
Model: New model for Karma plus new glow for her Mantle of Decorum.
Particles: New particles for her abilities, auto-attack and recall.
Animations: New animation for her Mantle of Decorum and new recall animation.
Sounds: New recall sounds.
Splash Art: Diffuse buildings, shining gems and mystical creatures coalesce to give a thin frame for Karma. The general idea fits but there’s nothing concrete being said. The fog is more than a way to occlude details as it extends with ominous presence. However, suggestions aren’t as effective as specifics; of which there are precious few.
Karma poses with hands ready to unleash her powerful magic and eyes that reveal that the power goes beyond the exterior. She doesn’t exactly look like Mantra is ready but the setup is good even if lacking in context. The interesting feel of the watercolour hair and whimsical ripples of magic are echoed by the capricious bends of her dress and svelte contour of her body. The pose doesn’t allow a full view of her look but has the tact of making her cleavage less obvious. Gold glints with a dim personality and the satin-like dress appears dull; which is anticlimactic to the rich and elegant look of the three-dimensional model. The same applies to the Mantle of Decorum: though nicely shaded it lacks strength.
All in all, this is an interesting splash art with a distinct style that steps out of the usual. The piece still feels empty and lacking a relevant context. The design has personality and does things different but without the proper support to organise the full scene the presentation card, though attractive, seems unfinished.
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: Dressed in gold-lined red and displaying a contrasting, and perhaps unmatching, light blue hair Conqueror Karma has a clear identity. Unfortunately, it’s a superficial identity because the skin never goes beyond a change of look. Instead of defining a new identity for Karma we find the good, same old Enlightened One with a change of clothes. The generous display of gold gives her a regal feel and the dress is rather elegant even if a bit revealing; of course cleavage couldn’t be missing. Added to the distinct aspect of her Mantle of Decorum the skin exhibits class and appeal.
Particles aren’t as elaborate. They consist of a suitable and interesting re-colour that changes them to red and gold tones but the classic design is untouched. In terms of sounds, nothing new is noticeable. This all comes as a disappointment given the flashy recall which hints at a deeper elaboration of the skins theme; sadly, it all ends in the summoning of a trophy.
Consequently, Conqueror Karma is a good skin if taken for what it is. As a change of style it’s quite attractive and it surely stands apart from her usual skins. Unfortunately, there’s room to better define the skin’s identity but it’s left as a superficial affair that betrays the potential of its name. Regardless, it’s an attractive change of look.

Conclusion

While it’s surprising to find that Karma has been limited to her release skins for so long that’s no longer the case. Including her traditional parting gift, it’s reassuring to know that Karma’s skins aren’t bad options at all.

Due to the fitting concept and appealing execution Order of the Lotus Karma is the recommended skin. It provides an attractive and elegant look along some nicely done particles. It does a great job at evoking Karma’s core characteristics and stands proud as her best skin.

Another skin that is also worth recommending is Sun Goddess Karma, thanks to its novel concept and florid execution. The reference to Huitzilopochtli, Sun God of the Aztecs, is quite well done and results in an original and attractive style that suits the Enlightened One. As a legacy option, it has to be awaited with patience.

The battlemage idea behind Warden Karma is rather good but despite being a stylized skin the armour can seem boring. The raptor motif is attractive but underdeveloped and so it can only do so much to save the armour from its pedestrian aspect. If you like the idea of a battlemage then Warden Karma delivers if you can accept its flaws.

When it comes to Sakura Karma we find a skin with a distinct Japanese aesthetic. However, it feels like a mixed bag of traditional and casual clothes that are appealing and peculiar, respectively. As far as looks go Karma has a nice aspect but it’s a bit of a letdown that it doesn’t embody traditional Japanese looks well.

Legacy but distinct Winter Wonder Karma is a skin that captures ice magic very well. With an interesting costume that evokes elegance and mysticism alike only the Mantle of Decoum looks simple. The particles communicate the ice magic effectively with the notable contribution of the sounds and the great touch of a fine recall. However, it’s a skin that follows the usual pattern that adaptations take. There’s nothing novel, everything is simply adapted, which can prevent the great potential of this appealing skin from flourishing.

Also legacy, Conqueror Karma is a skin that offers elegance with a distinct red dress lined with gold. The richness of the model is shyly followed by the re-coloured particles and a fanciful recall that fails to further define the skin’s identity. Nevertheless, as a change of style Conqueror Karma is quite a good option; provided you accept its superficiality.

  38 Responses to “League of Legends: Karma Skins’ Review”

  1. I’ve been waiting for Karma’s skins review but you guys surprised me. I thought you’ll wait for the VU because when she gets reworked you’ll have to update or even redo this review ;/

    • We’ll happily re-write the review when the time comes but we thought this was a special occasion that called for an unscheduled review. In addition to this, it also shows that Karma’s visuals aren’t as bad as it’s popularly thought; though they still need some extra polish.

  2. Hey, could you review Malzahar?
    I like the concept of Djinn, but I think Overlord might be better.
    Thanks!

    • The concept of Overlord is better but the execution is very similar to his classic skin; much like Djinn.

      Malzahar bumped in the order; the void shall consume us all, the Void Walker can’t prevent it.

  3. Are you almost done reviewing Karma’s VU?

    • Unfortunately that’s not the case as we are prioritizing covering the whole roster, only a few champions left, and considering how we’ll approach the new price changes. Still, the idea is to get Karma’s VU reviewed as soon as possible.

  4. Finally a new Karma skin is coming.Are you going to review the Order of the Lotus Karma?, Karma has been one of my favourite champions, I want to know whether if it is worth getting since I already have Sun Goddess.

    • Sorry for the delay.

      We’ll definitely review it once it’s released. From the look of things it’s a suitable idea to make Karma, a spiritual mage, be part of an order. There are new particles and a nice new model so things look good.

  5. Order of the lotus karma is realeased

  6. Hello, I would just like to leave a notice that Order of the Lotus Karma has new sounds for the recall animation. 🙂 Hope I helped.

  7. Gotta say im really impressed with the lotus karma skin. Its truly a beautiful skin at the top of my list. I especially think it should be noted that this skin could have easily been put out for the 1350 rp price and i would have gladly paid it

    • For 1350 RP we think that the skin should offer a little more in either the animations or sounds department. Regardless, it’s visually a very appealing skin and it wouldn’t need too much work to fit at a higher price so, we do agree to an extent.

  8. Can you change in Traditional Karma sounds that this skin changes her voice into old one from new voice, please?

  9. Oh lordy, How do you feel about the new Warden Karma? I personally don’t know, I like the model, but I’m unsure if the theme really suits her, haha, your thoughts?

    • It sort of works as a battle-priestess that supports the vanguard; Jax in this case. It’s not the most natural choice as Karma relies entirely on magic instead of armour. Her theme is that of mysticism instead of equipment. Regardless, she can adapt to being an armoured Warden it’s just not her style and may fit better other champions.

  10. Hi Zero, love your review, it’s always my place to go when i want to buy skins
    There is a sale in my country server and i can’t decide which to buy, the Traditional Karma or the Warden Karma because they just both good, can you help me decide it?

    • Glad that you like the review.

      Traditional Karma is a legacy skin in the NA server and probably other Western servers. That may not be the case in your server but it’s something to consider if that is the case. Sales of legacy skins are rare. That said, Traditional Karma is more of a nostalgic memento that fails at capturing her old style as is relies so much on the new visuals. It’s still a nice skin with a different voice-over to the classic one: it uses the old one.

      Warden Karma is a good re-model that shows her as an armoured battlemage ready for a fight. It’s nothing original but is certainly appealing. The armour is uneven with the bird of prey style of the upper half much more interesting than the conventional lower half. Still, it’s a fine re-model.

      It depends on what you are looking for in a skin for Karma. For a battle-ready look Warden is better. For something elegant and sober with a touch of her old style Traditional is the best choice.

      • OMG i’m so excited when you reply my comment, i have always be your big fan
        Thanks for your advice, i think i will go with the Traditional Karma. And i’m from VietNam, my in server they make Traditional Karma always in the store with a very acceptable price. Maybe sometimes, just only the voice over is good enough.

        • Not at all, glad to help. Now that you mention we aren’t sure if there’ll be a different voice-over in another server. Nowadays voices are localised so there’s the possibility that Traditional Karma doesn’t have an old voice-over if the server appeared after the visual upgrade. It should have one but we can’t check. Hope you enjoy the skin nonetheless.

  11. Thoughts on Winter Wonder Karma?

    • It’s an effective though straightforward adaptation of Karma to an ice mystic. It isn’t bad but it seems like the skin simply went by the motions to adapt everything to ice instead of trying to give an identity to the skin. We’d say that it’s a good skin but with deeper changes it could’ve managed to move beyond the surface and be remarkable.

  12. Are you going to re-review new Karma skins splash arts if they come out from PBE?

    • We’ll try, we have over a hundred splash art to update because of the many updates. Regardless, we’ll see what we can do.

  13. Hey Zero! Love your reviews! Also, what are your first impressions on the new Karma skin? Do you think the Conqueror theme better represents MSI than challenger did?

    • Glad that you like them.

      Conqueror Karma seems somewhat superficial. That is, it’s a change of clothes with re-coloured particles. It’s nice but there isn’t any depth to it. The former Challenger skins were good in their own way. Especially as they approached the Challenger way in a cartoony way that was appealing. Conqueror seems to be more about elegance, which is fine, but without trying to define a new identity for the champion as Challenger skins did. All in all, Conqueror Karma doesn’t seem bad at all but there’s room to better develop the theme of a regal or aristocratic sorceress.

  14. Are you going to update Karma’s splasharts?

    • Yes, we are prioritising new content but we realise that splash arts needs to be updated. We’ll try to get to those hundreds of splash arts little by little.

  15. I have both Warden and Sun Goddess Karma so I’m not worried about price. Which skin would you recommend?

    • Order of the Lotus Karma is a good skin. It has a nice model and particles with a fitting concept. It’s not a perfect skin but it is well done.

      • I’m sorry, I was not clear with my question. Between Sun Goddess and Warden, which skin would you recommend?

        • Firstly, Sun Goddess Karma is cheaper than Warden. That said, it could be a matter of whether you prefer an Aztec-based version or an armoured, warrior version of Karma. We think that Sun Goddess is more interesting in concept and attractive in execution: the model is rich in detail. Still, Warden does have its appeal. It’s more conventional, though.

  16. Hello! I love your skin reviews, and I was wondering if you have any on the new Dark Star Karma skin?

    • We’ve seen only a bit but Dark Star Karma looks like it has some nice effects. We wonder if the skin is consistent as a whole or if it’s just some highlights which make the skin tick. We’ll have to seen it whole to have a good idea of what’s it all about.

  17. How does the new Dark Star Karma stack against Order of the Lotus (which from this list seems like it might be the best one so far) I would like to purchase a skin for Karma but of course dont wanna spend more RP than necessary for a really good skin. Thoughts?

    • Order of the Lotus still has the advantage in price but it’s also simpler than Dark Star. We’ve given Dark Star a quick look and the skin really nice particles. However, Mantra, being her ultimate, is disappointing. It’s merely an additional glow on Karma’s body which, in battle, is barely noticeable. Abilities are quite nice, though. For the price, we’d like more consistency and a more impactful ultimate. The empowered abilities are also rather uneven, some clearly more appealing than others. There are things to like in Dark Star Karma but we also see some flaws that aren’t exactly small.

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