StarCraft II Dark Templar Art Direction

[DemolitionSquid]

The armored DT is so goddamn revolting. It violates everything I believe in.

[ManjiSanji]

The armored DT is so goddamn revolting. It violates everything I believe in.

Don't get me wrong, I hate the Zerg armored Dark Templar too, but if it were for a totally different, non-stealth unit, it'd be a great idea, like a Dark Templar Zealot or something similar.

It's just...not right for an assassin/ninja. That and the stupid double-scythe. One scythe? Ok! Double is just stupid, and, not to mention, an incredibly ungainly weapon that would be more likely to hurt wielder than opponent.

But the artistic idea of using Zerg body parts as trophies worn on the character is neat.

[Dread_Reaper]

The armored DT is so goddamn revolting. It violates everything I believe in.

The inherent problem is that there is no textural or color differences between the bone armor and the skin of the face, making them blend together and give the impression of actually being a hydralisk. A simple scale texture to the face and maybe a yellowish hue to the bone (or different tint to the face) would solve that instantly.

-Dread_Reaper

[Lupino]

The armored DT is so goddamn revolting. It violates everything I believe in.

If Squiddy hates it, that must mean it's damn good.

The only stupid thing about the armored DT is that they gave it a silly weapon; bar that, it would clearly be better than the half-naked DTs we used to have.

[DemolitionSquid]

If Squiddy hates it, that must mean it's damn good.

The only stupid thing about the armored DT is that they gave it a silly weapon; bar that, it would clearly be better than the half-naked DTs we used to have.

Oh hahaha, you're so funny I forgot to psi.

Seriously though, it slaughters the DT mystique as assassins. They're not tribal barbarians flaunting around enemy body parts as trophies like Orcs or Trolls. They're a sophisticated group with a little more self respect than that. Unlike some people in this thread who I won't name cause I'm better than that.

YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

[Pick]

They're not tribal barbarians flaunting around enemy body parts as trophies like Orcs or Trolls.

The best part is having an INVISIBLE enemy wearing enemy body parts to scare you.

[DemolitionSquid]

The best part is having an INVISIBLE enemy wearing enemy body parts to scare you.

DT =/= Predator. Nor should they ever.

[Lupino]

Oh hahaha, you're so funny I forgot to psi.

Seriously though, it slaughters the DT mystique as assassins. They're not tribal barbarians flaunting around enemy body parts as trophies like Orcs or Trolls. They're a sophisticated group with a little more self respect than that. Unlike some people in this thread who I won't name cause I'm better than that.

YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

Hide behind Ms. Manners all you want, I'll keep calling stupidity when I see it.

But anyways, I highlighted the part which is most pertinent, at least towards those against armor in general. It is the lazy writer who creates an entire civilization with a simplistic stereotypical brush stroke, especially when based off an equally stereotypical view of a real life civilization. You see this is pop scifi all the time; each alien culture has a single architectural theme, a single shared religion, a single language, et cetera. It's how Klingons became Space Vikings, trading in their axes in for funny-looking kitchen utensils and their Longboats for Birds of Prey. The writer does it because it means they don't have to think too hard about the various aspects of a completely invented culture and the implications they would have on a member's daily life, never mind more broad applications such as social structure and whatnot. They also do it because it appeals to the lowest common denominator, because then the audience doesn't have to think too hard either. It is the equivalent of the reality TV show, and it's insipid and boring as shit.

(It also carries with it the hint of subtle racism; assuming you've watched Star Trek, don't tell me you haven't noticed how Ferengi, who as a species all prize wealth over everything else, are short with ugly facial features, especially their large ears and big noses...)

Not only is it boring, it also results in some truly mind-numbing stupidity being committed by the aliens. Hence we have Klingons who throw down their ray guns and pull out their knives to charge at an enemy who is still shooting at them. We also get guys running around active battlefields while naked. Much as they're wanked by nerds sitting behind computer screens, not even Ninjas ran out onto the battlefield to try and slit the enemy commander's throat while he was directing his army. "Invisibility" by itself, whether it's the kind that bends light around your body or simply staying hidden within shadows, will not protect you from a bullet or a bomb, whether it's directed by a guided hand or simply chance, especially when there are easier methods to uncover you than there are to kill you.

The closest modern equivalent we would have to a Dark Templar would be special operations personnel, who are simply loaded down with gear including body armor; or a sniper, who (unlike the Dark Templar) ideally aren't suppose to get anywhere near their intended target, and even they wear body armor.

As to your remark against Dark Templar wearing trophies, that itself belies a tone of, at the very least, arrogance and shortsightedness, never mind a hint of racialism. It can't be that the Dark Templar carry around precious items or trophies won in battle as a way of displaying their martial prowess, as many cultures did. No, that just means they're no better than brown peo...err, ignorant savages like the Nazca civilization, who never contributed anything except head-hunting to the region.

So yes, Dark Templar soldiers wearing armor and Zerg trophies is cool. It gives the artists and animators something new to work with besides "Tattered cloak, single psi-blade armband, rinse and repeat." It dissuades that silly "All Dark Templar are assassins" mystique by representing them as something other than being a race of super-ninjas. The Dark Templar are at war, they aren't going to send naked assassins onto the battlefield, they're going to send soldiers. Invisible soldiers more geared more towards covert operations, and who take pride in their accomplishments by brandishing them on their armor, but soldiers all the same.

[Triceron]

Hooollddd on there...

You're saying Dark Templar are _above_ those stereotypes? From the company that basically takes those archetypes and uses them in their games?

I don't know if you notice, but the Orcs of Warcraft are Klingons personified. The Goblins are Ferengi personified. Blizzard bases much of their IP on archetypes such as these, and doesn't stray far often, other than to add a new twist to make the archetype their own (Orcs being shamanistic, Night Elves being druidic, etc)

Starcraft is no different. When you think Protoss, you think of the classic 'Elf' archetype. The 'higher' stubborn race who look down on others and are on the brink of extinction. Zerg are the typical Hive Mind Borg archetype with very little to distinguish otherwise. Dark Templar are no different, and being garbed in Zerg carcasses does nothing to prove your point that their personalities will be a step above the archetypes. If anything, it's an aesthetic homage to Predator, which is one of the Protoss' influences.

[DemolitionSquid]

[rampant bullshit]

No one has said anything about the entire Dark Templar community being assassins. They have just as many positions in their society as we do; I'm sure there's Dark Templar working retail at their version of SportCheck. The DT I'm talking about are the game units, who's role is stealth assassin. As such, theres a few important points you ignored because you're a tool:

- Protoss have Shields. Protoss armor is usually pretty skimped (see Zealot, hollow Carrier). DT don't need to wear heavy armor.

- Heavy armor would impede their stealth abilities and agility. Even their Terran counterpart, the Ghost, wears very light armor for this reason.

- The Zerg armor looks ugly.

Is there basis for using Zerg bones as armor? Of course. They're highly durable.
Is it acceptable for DT's to wear them like Zealots? No.