Heroes of the Storm (HotS) borrows its lore from other Blizzard games, but has its own world full of stories. With the comic “Rise of the Raven Lord” and the update “Dark Nexus”, they aim to set the stage for a straightforward narrative and expand the lore of HotS.
Even a game that seems focused on gameplay, like a MOBA, can shine through a deep and strong story. League of Legends has been expanding its in-game lore for years through new heroes and skins. Heroes of the Storm is now following suit and wants to satisfy the “lore hunger” of fans throughout the year.
“Don’t think too much about it”
Already in the tutorial of Heroes of the Storm, players are told not to take everything too seriously and not to think too much about the world and the reason why famous characters from Blizzard games are fighting against each other on battlefields. The focus should be on fun.
However, there are always players who do not get discouraged by such a statement and ask questions. Why are these villains and heroes fighting against each other? Who rules these battlefields? Who is the Raven Lord?
“Nerds are just nerds,” says Kevin M. Johnson, the Creative Content Lead at Heroes of the Storm. “They ask themselves such questions.” Players know Johnson mainly from the Hero Spotlight videos, in which he introduces new heroes. In the coming months, HotS wants to focus on these untold stories and further expand the Nexus universe through comics and cinematics.
The comic “Rise of the Raven Lord” kicks off this narrative.
The lore is expanded in the Overwatch style
What is the comic about? The Raven Lord faces a danger coming from the outer edges of the Nexus. To confront it, he breaks an old vow and summons powers from the dark Nexus.
Who is this Raven Lord anyway? The Raven Lord is the lord of a realm that he rules. Realm lords have access to singularity, which grants them almost divine powers. Players know him from the battlegrounds of Towers of Doom and the Cursed Hollow. He leads heroes into battle against the Gravekeeper in the “Towers of Doom” battleground to reclaim his territory. Furthermore, the Raven Lord assists teams in the Cursed Hollow in destroying their opposing team when they pay him tribute three times.
But: Much is still not known about this character.
A universe full of potential
At PAX East 2018, the developers shared more details about their planned lore content. According to the HotS team, the Nexus is a place at the center of a cosmic storm. This storm releases so much energy that it can tear worlds from their context. This is why places from other Blizzard titles serve as battlegrounds.
The individual worlds within the Nexus have power (the singularity) that is fought over. That’s why Blizzard’s heroes and villains are in an eternal battle with each other. Whoever controls a realm becomes the realm lord. The heroes and villains of Blizzard represent, in this context, “free forces” (wildcards). They can side with one realm lord or act against him.
New skins from the depths of the Nexus
The Raven Lord calls for help from the depths of the Nexus. Alarak and Gul’dan will receive new thematic skins in the “Shard Style”. In addition, Heroes of the Storm will be expanded with new mount skins. These new skins are thematically linked to the comic “Rise of the Raven Lord”.
The expansion of the Heroes of the Storm universe occurs not only outside of the game but also within it. For example, the user interface will change to portray the corruption that the Raven Lord has brought upon the Nexus.
Blizzard will undoubtedly expand the story of the Nexus through the new skins.
Does Heroes of the Storm even need a lore?
This year, players are set to receive even more information about the Nexus and its inhabitants. But does a MOBA like HotS even need a lore, or is it just something that gets in the way of gameplay?
More about HotS:
Heroes of the Storm: Deckard Cain talks his enemies into ruin
