Killer Concept: The Arsonist
This is my first killer concept and I'd love to hear what you think. Unfortunately I'm not well versed in photoshop or anything to make a cool visual, so this is just one long text post. Killer backstory, power, and perks included
Killer Concept: The Arsonist
Oliver Strait had always felt alone. Since his childhood, Oliver was isolated and ostracized not only by his peers, but by his family as well. Oliver was a sickly child, and so, was kept indoors and away from other children as often as possible. His father, being an accomplished outdoorsman, hated this fact. And though his father never said so out loud, Oliver knew he was a disappointment. Desperate for his father's approval, Oliver attempted to show him that he wasn't weak and worthless like everyone thought, that he could be just as strong and woodsy as his dad. So he collected what sticks and scrap wood he could find, took his father's lighter, and started a fire in their backyard.
The fire quickly spread, burning through the grass and approaching the yard fence. Oliver's father came outside shouting, and when he saw Oliver holding the lighter, he hit him. Oliver fell to the ground. His father sprinted away to get a hose and to shout for help from the neighbors. As Oliver lay there, the sting of his father's fist began to fade away, replaced with the warmth of the flames. It was friendly and welcoming, a warmth he had never felt before. Once the fire was dealt with, Oliver received furious punishment from his father and was locked away in his room. He found himself with an anger building inside him. But he wasn't angry that his father beat him. He wasn't angry that he was once again locked inside like a rat in a cage. No, he was angry that his little flames were put out.
Oliver would set many fires in the ensuing years, all of them small and controlled. While he enjoyed watching the flame, feeling its heat tickle the skin of his palm as he held it over the fire, it was never enough. It had been kept in a cage, not allowed to grow, just as he had been. He promised his flames that that would one day change. That day came in his senior year of high school. He had been relentlessly bullied throughout his school years, as many children like him have been. On the last day of school, he would have his revenge. Oliver's main tormentor owned a beautiful car, it was his prized possession, and every weekend, he took it in to the hills to fool around with his girlfriend. For the past month Oliver had followed them, taking notes of what they did, when they did it, and where. Forming a schedule in which he could plan his moment. The two lovebirds always brought a tent with them, and would set it up to have their fun. While they were in the tent, Oliver would set the car alight, leaving them stranded in the hills to watch their beloved vehicle burn to nothing.
But not everything went to plan, because that night they were too eager to celebrate their graduation, and they stayed in the car. Infuriated, Oliver paced back and forth. All this careful planning, these calculations, this past month of work for nothing! No, it wouldn't be for nothing. It couldn't be for nothing. His plan would have to change. Being too occupied with each other, the two didn't notice Oliver approach the car and ever so carefully jam the locks on the doors. They did notice, however, when Oliver began pouring out the fuel. A special concoction he had been working on for this specific occasion. They shouted, called him names, threatened him. He heard none of it. He lit the match, and let go.
His two tormentors writhed and screamed and banged against the doors, trying to shatter the windows. But his special little flames were too strong, too fast, too overwhelming. Oliver wasn't sure if the noises he was hearing were their screams, or his own laughter. When the deed was done, and the only sound left was the roaring of the flames, Oliver felt something. Something he had never felt before. He felt strong. He felt in control. He felt his purpose.
Just as he recognized these feelings, something from within the flames called to him. Invading his mind, this thing, this Entity, offered him an invitation. A place where he could fill out his purpose. A place where he could feel strong, forever. Oliver eagerly accepted, and stepped in to the flames.
Attributes:
4.6m/s
32m
Average
Power: Ollie's Little Flames
Survivors succesfully struck by The Arsonist's special ability Carry the Torch will suffer from the Burn status affect. While affected by Burn, survivors must move slowly and carefully to avoid harming their scorched flesh any further. Any survivor affected by Burn will have their movement and vaulting speed reduced. Burn is a persistent effect, and can only be cleansed by using Healing Salves found throughout the map
SPECIAL ABILITY: Carry the Torch
Press and hold the Power button to set your weapon aflame for a duration. While this duration is active, survivors struck by your weapon are afflicted with the Burn status affect.
SPECIAL ABILITY: Smoke Ring
Press and hold the Active Ability button to send out a ring of heavy smoke in a radius around The Arsonist. Survivors caught within the ring when it is activated will sporadically cough for a period of time
Perks
Hex: Deceit
Those who may seek to snuff out your flame will be punished
This perk turns one dull totem on the map in to a hex totem. When any hex totem is cleansed, the survivor who cleansed the totem's aura is revealed to you for 5/10/15 seconds. When one hex totem is cleansed, the Entity blocks all other totems on the map for 30/40/50 seconds
Ashes to Ashes
There is no obstacle in your way that can stop you when flames are your ally.
Pallets will start to burn away and will break automatically 35/25/15 seconds after being dropped
Billowing Smoke
Take their sight, and they will never see you coming
Every time a generator is completed, the Fog thickens. The Fog's affects on you are reduced by 50/75/100%
(I refrained from adding numbers for the radius and duration to his power as that is something I thought should be discussed. As well as various add-on possibilities that adjust those numbers)
Comments
The power just seems like a Plague reskin though.
Power is basically a mix of Clown and Plague, it's a slow that needs to be healed. Which means it's terribly unbalanced unless the duration is short, or the activation causes a large slow for him. If he hits you while it's up, he'll have an easy time downing his target, and depending on spawns he can tunnel easily off the hook, as it doesn't clear on the hook, like exhaust or deep wound.
Anyway, there's a different forum for ideas, so this will probably wind up there.