Taran Zhu is the leader of the Shado-Pan, a skilled order of pandaren monks and warriors dedicated to protect Pandaria from all threats coming from within or without the continent.
He held a great mistrust of any race outside the pandaren and looked at the Alliance-Horde War as a pointless "race war" that did not need to involve his homeland. His hatred would ironically draw the Sha of Hatred to him, eventually being freed by the very adventurers he believed were the corrupt ones.
"Emotion - it is a dangerous thing. Even the most pure intentions may be driven by folly. Discipline is the only way. Remain centered, stay focused, and keep your passions in check.
There are many who do not understand this, and some who fail even after they do. Then there are some who cleanse ignorant and master alike. For this reason, my Warmace will always be prepared to come to your aid." - Taran Zhu
Combat Trait
1
Centered [Passive]
While this is Zhu's passive, he will only receive 75% of incoming damage. Centered will last for 6 seconds once in combat. Once Centered wears out, this passive will be replaced with "Battle-Weary".
For visual representation so your opponents know which Passive you have active, Zhu will glow with a faint Mist-Green hue when in-combat and Centered is running.
"There are two forms of concentration - focusing on the battle, or focusing on yourself. You would be surprised how effective the latter is."
2
Battle-Weary [Passive]
During Battle-Weary, Zhu will receive 15% more damage than normal on top of losing his 25% damage mitigation, but will also deal 25% more damage.
Battle-Weary will persist until Zhu is out of combat for 3 seconds, at which point it will be replaced with the Centered buff again.
For visual representation, while in combat and this passive is on, Zhu will glow with a deep red hue.
"But even so, let's not forget the more conventional one."
Primary Abilities
1
Palm of Xuen [Q1]
Cooldown: 6 Seconds Mana Cost: 50 Range: 1.5
An advanced form of Tiger Palm, Palm of Xuen features its own potential as either a Basic Attack reset or a combination attack.
Palm of Xuen inflicts 160 (+4%/level) damage to its primary target, and resets your Basic Attack. Using Palm of Xuen will allow Q to be activated again within a very short window as a combination attack, Tiger's Force.
"A true warrior must make use of all his physical attributes..."
2
Tiger's Force [Q2]
Mana Cost: 40
Tiger's Force will cause an intense explosion of wind at the point of Palm of Xuen's impact, knocking all nearby opponents a short distance away (Think Sgt Hammer's Concussive Blast) and dealing 52 (+4%/level) damage.
"...and then fuse them with his spiritual attributes."
3
Yu'lon's Descent [W]
Cooldown: 12 Seconds Mana Cost: 65 Range: 1 - 6
As seen in his combat with Garrosh, Zhu is able to manipulate wind to travel from place to place. Ordinarily, this is used as a quick means of travel, but it has potential in combat as well. This ability cannot traverse Enemy Structures, and does not grant Unstoppable
Zhu surrounds himself with wind and tunnels toward the target location, ignoring any collision of enemy Heroes or Terrain. While travelling, Zhu deals 34 (+4%/level) damage per second to any enemies he comes in contact with, and gains 25% movement speed. May be reactivated to instantly leave the wind tunnel instead.
Upon exiting his wind tunnel by reaching his target or reactivation, a powerful turbulence is exerted from him, dealing 115 (+4%/level) damage in an area.
"Do you not see the wind? Close your eyes, and look again." "Do you not see the wind? Close your eyes, and look again."
4
Disarm [E]
Cooldown: 15 Seconds Mana Cost: 75 Range: 2.0 (Just larger than normal Melee Range)
Zhu latches onto his opponent's weapon and launches it away, disarming them.
Reduces target enemy's Basic Attack damage by 50% for 3 seconds.
"A weapon and its wielder are two pieces of a whole - sever the weapon from the wielder, and you have won half the battle."
Heroic Abilities
1
Crackling Lightning
Cooldown: 70 Seconds Cost: 100 Mana Cast Range: 6
Strikes the primary target for 200 (+4%/level) damage and stuns them for 1 second, then chains to other nearby targets for 69 (+4%/level) damage and stuns them for 0.5 seconds.
If there are no targets to chain to, the primary target will be stunned for 2 seconds.
While the initial cast range is 6, the Chain range is 3, and can chain to up to 3 unique targets, preferring Heroes.
"Just because I practice discipline doesn't mean that you're grounded, hmhm."
2
Shado-Pan's Temperance / Shado-Pan's Resolve
Cooldown: 15 Seconds Cost: 50 Mana Cast Range: Self
If Centered is Active, this ability activates Shado-Pan's Temperance. If Battle-Weary is Active, this ability activates Shado-Pan's Resolve.
Shado-Pan's Temperance -
Zhu calls on the spirit of the serpent, shutting his eyes and using the flow of battle to effortlessly feel his way through combat. For the duration of this ability, a small Jade Serpent will circle around him.
In addition to Centered's bonuses, Zhu will gain a 50% Reduction in CC, and a 20% Movement Speed increase. As long as Temperance is active, Centered will remain active. Temperance lasts 10 seconds.
Shado-Pan's Resolve -
Zhu calls on the spirit of the ox, headstrong to finish the fight. For the duration of this ability, a dark grey shield will surround Zhu.
In addition to Battle-Weary's bonuses, every foe Zhu takes down further pushes his resolve, increasing his damage by 10% each time at a maximum of 45% bonus damage. As long as Resolve is active, Battle-Weary will remain active. Resolve lasts 10 seconds.
"Watch how your opponents move, predict their next, and be there before them. Never be idle in combat."
STATISTICS
[HP]
TALENTS
Tier 1 - Level 1:
1. Block: Periodically reduces the damage received from Hero Basic Attacks by 75%. Stores up to 2 Charges.
2. Seasoned Marksman:
Post-Script
While many people thought Taran Zhu was a broken record who refused to help one side or the other, I always thought he was respectable and knew what repercussions the Alliance and Horde arriving would have.
He also is an ironic case, since he was possessed with the Sha of Hatred. As a Master of Discipline, he was ashamed of this.
But rather than making him a failure, I think it makes him much less one-dimensional, and a more interesting character in the end.
Later in the questline, particularly on the Shado-Pan front, being part of Taran Zhu's 'elite squad' gave an awesome feeling of achievement. Being one of the few trusted foreigners by Lord Zhu at that point and becoming an honorary Shado-Pan.
This questline made Zhu a much more 'real' character with plenty of time for development, rather than the Zhu that was always trying to kick you out before. Not long after this he became one of my favorite NPCs of the Mists Expansion, and it'd be awesome to have him in Heroes of the Storm.
Design Thoughts
What is Taran Zhu's design supposed to do, and why does it make sense?
HUZZAH! Longest-overdue-update-ever complete! Not as many changes as my Malthael concept, as much as I looked at his numbers to find anything that needed revision, I couldn't find much. I did realize that I never gave him a Lv 20 talent, and it said "Level 20 Talent Coming Soon" for what...6+ months? More like Soon™!
As I'm also the creator of the Malthael concept, which AFAIK has the most all-time views of any character concept (It was created the very first day this feature was added to the website), this section of the site doesn't see nearly as much traffic as other sections.
My Illidan guide that has been there since Day 1 has 1.7 million views in comparison to 30,000. It's pretty clear where most the traffic goes to - this is just a fun section.
I'm pleased you like it! I put quite a lot of thought into it, I absolutely love designing anti-assassins, stealth characters, ability-oriented assassins, etc. Basically anything flashy, I love to work on.
I could perhaps come up with the master skin for taran zhu would be where he would adopt the power of the august celestials ON A NEW LEVEL. Meaning that he gets a different aura for every ability he cast and and this applies to his trait as well and that he's overall appearance would be him doning a more armored yet still light gear.
That sounds like an epic idea.
Reminds me of SGU (Spirit Guard Udyr) from League of Legends - all his spells get super cool FX reflecting the source of his power.
I could perhaps come up with the master skin for taran zhu would be where he would adopt the power of the august celestials ON A NEW LEVEL. Meaning that he gets a different aura for every ability he cast and and this applies to his trait as well and that he's overall appearance would be him doning a more armored yet still light gear.
Love the concept. Well thought out and very clever. He's like an anti assassin assassin.
I also agree, a lot of people thought he was a broken record, fighting for neither side, but he was doing what he deemed right and we can appreciate him for it. I also like the little quotes as well
Thank you!
Yea, he's like a backline access bruisery-assassin. I thought that'd work pretty well since most people complain Ranged Assassins dominate the scene right now.
I loved doing the little quotes. I saw them on kid-karma's Gallywix concept, and thought they were awesome and brought a little life into the concept, so I had to do my own.
I also agree, a lot of people thought he was a broken record, fighting for neither side, but he was doing what he deemed right and we can appreciate him for it. I also like the little quotes as well
Heads up: link is broken for his E, wonderful concept though. Big fan of the comboing mechanics. Just as good as your Malth concept! Keep up the good work!
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As I'm also the creator of the Malthael concept, which AFAIK has the most all-time views of any character concept (It was created the very first day this feature was added to the website), this section of the site doesn't see nearly as much traffic as other sections.
My Illidan guide that has been there since Day 1 has 1.7 million views in comparison to 30,000. It's pretty clear where most the traffic goes to - this is just a fun section.
Thanks for the kind words!
I could perhaps come up with the master skin for taran zhu would be where he would adopt the power of the august celestials ON A NEW LEVEL. Meaning that he gets a different aura for every ability he cast and and this applies to his trait as well and that he's overall appearance would be him doning a more armored yet still light gear.
That sounds like an epic idea.
Reminds me of SGU (Spirit Guard Udyr) from League of Legends - all his spells get super cool FX reflecting the source of his power.
Do you have any ideas for skins for taran or malthael?
That's a good question - I haven't even thought about it.
I guess some obvious ones would be Light/Dark side for each.
Archangel Malthael (Aspect of Wisdom) and Sha-Infested Taran Zhu (Similar to Zerg-Infested) seem like the most obvious.
Hmm, can't think of any really creative ones off the top of my head though.
Love the concept. Well thought out and very clever. He's like an anti assassin assassin.
I also agree, a lot of people thought he was a broken record, fighting for neither side, but he was doing what he deemed right and we can appreciate him for it. I also like the little quotes as well
Thank you!
Yea, he's like a backline access bruisery-assassin. I thought that'd work pretty well since most people complain Ranged Assassins dominate the scene right now.
I loved doing the little quotes. I saw them on kid-karma's Gallywix concept, and thought they were awesome and brought a little life into the concept, so I had to do my own.
Thank you for the kind words! Appreciated.