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Vatu

Vatu ▶️ is a Flank Champion in Paladins, added on May 26th, 2021.

Lore

This is Vatu's official bio currently found in his champion page in-game.


Behind every door of the mind is the fear of the darkness in the corner of a dimly-lit room. It is the unknown — the terror without a form, but with a name: the Shadow.

Vatu's origins are shrouded in the same shadow he uses as a weapon. He is the knife in the night, ending an eternal conflict – he is the untimely death, never confirmed as accidental. He and the Thousand Hands Guild have an understanding: they provide him with work and money, and he takes care of their problems. The only thing clear in his actions are his desire to protect his Ska'drin people and his deadly capability to do so, especially now that the young Talus is under his purview.

Wielding sharp Kunai and mysterious shadow magic, Vatu takes care of business with a ruthless efficiency matched only by his strict code of ethics. His are not the eyes you want to see staring back at you from the darkness, for by that time it is already too late.

This is an unofficial version of Vatu's bio intended to more clearly present all currently known information regarding him. Sources can be found here.


A legendary figure shrouded in mystery that some don't even believe exists, while others believe he's responsible for deaths that seem accidental. Working with the Thousand Hands Guild, it is however clear, that Vatu has a strict ethical code, and a strong desire to protect his fellow Ska'drin.

At some point, he would be attacked by Vora, who was hunting down powerful individuals that may pose a threat to her and Yagorath's plans.

Following House Aico gaining leadership of the Magistrate, Vatu joined Zhin's New Resistance.

Summary

Vatu earns his legendary assassin status in the lore as a high mobility, high burst-damage flank champion. His primary weapons are kunai knives, which he throws three at a time in a small angle fan, with significant damage falloff. His secondary attack, shadow bombs, shoots out three sticky bombs that attach to any target or surface, detonating for low to moderate damage shortly after, or upon reaching their max distance. Vatu is also capable of performing ambush, an ability that teleports him to up to two enemies, causing minor damage in the immediate vicinity each time it is cast. Vatu's primary mobility is his dash, a near instantaneous movement in any direction, and can be used three times in succession, with three separate cooldowns. His ultimate, Nightfall, charges to full power after a few seconds but can be activated at any time after it begins. Upon activation, Vatu will dash forward and stun all in his path, with damage output consistent but distance travelled scaling with the charge.

While most of his attacks put out relatively low damage, chaining them together into nonstop combos quickly eliminates all but the sturdiest of champions. His teleporting and omnidirectional movement allows him to dance across the battlefield unseen, often leaving enemies clueless as to where they're being attacked from. Vatu can close the distance towards enemies distracted, fleeing, or even staring straight at him, with little fear of the defeat once he's in close combat. His ult, Nightfall, is usually the last thing his targets hear before their death. If they survive the nightfall's damage, they're unlikely to survive the onslaught of knives and bombs that follow it.

Skills

Kunai

Damage (each/per tick)280 /.9s  
Description

Launch 3 Kunai in an arc from your hands, dealing 280 damage per Kunai.

Details

Detailed Description
Launch 3 Kunai from your hands every .9s, dealing 280 damage per Kunai. Has a max Ammo count of 5 and is fully effective up to 90 units.
  • This ability deals Direct Damage.
  • Has a reload time of 1s and can be animation canceled after 0.6s.
  • Has a maximum range of 320 units.
  • Has damage falloff with a maximum reduction of 35%.
  • Kunai are fired in an arc.
  • The spread of the Kunai could be reduced by firing it up or down, or by moving your view quickly.
  • Gains 2.33% ultimate charge per Kunai per enemy hit.
Ability Video

Embedded media: //www.youtube.com/embed/iW7E6BHSr1Q?start=40&end=55&loop=1

Cooldown
8

Shadow Bombs

Damage (each/per tick)10 x (1-3)
+ Additional 200 x (1-3)  
Description

Throw out 3 explosive projectiles that stick to their target and deal a small amount of damage on hit and an additional damage when they explode.

Details

Detailed Description
Throw out 3 explosive projectiles that stick to their target and explode after 0.3s. Each explosive deals 10 damage on hit and an additional 200 damage in a radius of 10 units on explosion. Has a range of 150 units before auto-exploding in the air.
Ability Video

Embedded media: //www.youtube.com/embed/iW7E6BHSr1Q?start=55&end=71&loop=1

Cooldown
11

Ambush

Damage (each/per tick)200  
Description

Teleport next to your target, dealing damage in an area on arrival. Can be refired on another enemy within 4s of teleporting.

Details

Detailed Description
Teleport next to your target, dealing 200 damage. This ability can be re-fired a second time within 4s on a different target. Damage hits in a 20-unit radius and is fully effective up to 10 units. Teleport has a range of 85 units.
  • This ability deals Area Damage.
  • Your target is marked with an indicator. No indicator will be shown if your target is out of reach.
  • Ability needs line of sight with a nearby target to be activated.
  • Has wind up time of 0.3s.
Ability Video

Embedded media: //www.youtube.com/embed/iW7E6BHSr1Q?start=71&end=88&loop=1

Cooldown
5

Dash

Description

Quickly dash in the direction of your movement input.

Details

Detailed Description
Quickly dash 40 units in the direction you are moving. Has 3 charges.
  • Dashes in the direction of your movement input depending on the viewing direction.
Ability Video

Embedded media: //www.youtube.com/embed/iW7E6BHSr1Q?start=88&end=107&loop=1

Nightfall

Damage (each/per tick)800  
Description

Activate to start charging up and fire to dash forward through enemies dealing 800 damage and Stunning them for 1.25s.

Details

Detailed Description
Activate to start charging up. Reactivate to dash forward extremely quickly through enemies, dealing 800 damage and Stunning enemies hit for 1.25s. Distance increases with charge duration. You are immune to Crowd Control while charging. Minimum charge is 0.5s, maximum charge is 2s, and will automatically fire after 3s. Cannot be canceled.

▶️ “Your light flickers!” (Self/Enemy)

▶️ “Witness true mastery...” (Ally)

  • This ability deals Direct Damage.
  • Has a maximum range of 130 units.
  • Charge duration does not effect the damage dealt.
Ability Video

Embedded media: //www.youtube.com/embed/iW7E6BHSr1Q?start=107&end=121&loop=1


Talents

Omnipresence

Default Talent

Your Ambush gains an additional teleport and can now be used on allies.


Unerring

Unlocks at Mastery Level 2

Increase the explosion radius of Shadow Bombs by 5 units and they now home to enemies.


Enveloping Shadows

Unlocks at Mastery Level 8

Reduce the Cooldown of your basic abilities by 3% for each Kunai that hits an enemy.


Cards

This is a list with all cards available to Vatu:

Name Image Description Cooldown Category
Assassin's Tools Reduce the damage you take by {6|6}% for 2s after activating Shadow Bombs. Shadow Bombs
Contemplation Heal for {100|-7.5} every 0.5s for {0.5|0.5}s after activating Dash. This effect stacks. Dash
Deadly Dash Generate 7% Ultimate charge after activating Dash once every {60|-8}s. 60-28 Dash
Extraction Increase your Movement Speed by {5|5}% for 2s after Dash ends. Dash
Final Sight Reset the Cooldown of Ambush after falling to or below {10|10}% Health. 15 Armor / Weapon
Gathering Shadow Reduce the damage you take by {5|5}% for 2s after Ambush ends. This applies to each Ambush in the chain. Ambush
Infiltration Heal for {70|70} after activating Ambush. This applies to each Ambush in the chain. Ambush
Memento Vivere Increase your maximum Health by {40|40}. Armor / Weapon
Nightwatcher Reduce the Cooldown of Dash by {0.5|0.5}s after hitting at least one enemy with Shadow Bombs. Dash
Outnumbered Generate {1|1} Ammo after hitting at least one enemy with Shadow Bombs. Shadow Bombs
Retribution Increase the Radius and Effective Radius of the damage from Ambush by {15|15}%. Ambush
Shadow Garrote Generate {5|5}% Ultimate charge after hitting an enemy with your Ultimate. Armor / Weapon
Shadow's Gaze Heal for {40|40} for after activating Shadow Bombs. Shadow Bombs
Shadow's Perch Increase the range of Ambush by {10|10}%. Ambush
Shattered Worlds Reduce the Cooldown of Shadow Bombs by {8|8} after earning a Killing Blow or Elimination. Shadow Bombs
Tranquility Increase your base jump height by {30|30}%. Armor / Weapon

Pre-Built Loadouts

All of the following cards are in Vatu's pre-built loadouts:

Omnipresence


Shadow's Perch
Rare


Increase the range of Ambush by 30%.
3




Retribution
Rare


Increase the Radius and Effective Radius of the damage from Ambush by 45%.
3




Final Sight
Rare


Reset the Cooldown of Ambush after falling to or below 30% Health.
3
15



Gathering Shadow
Legendary


Reduce the damage you take by 25% for 2s after Ambush ends. This applies to each Ambush in the chain.
5




Memento Vivere
Common


Increase your maximum Health by 40.
1


Unerring


Shattered Worlds
Legendary


Reduce the Cooldown of Shadow Bombs by 40 after earning a Killing Blow or Elimination.
5




Shadow's Perch
Uncommon


Increase the range of Ambush by 20%.
2




Memento Vivere
Rare


Increase your maximum Health by 120.
3




Shadow's Gaze
Epic


Heal for 160 for after activating Shadow Bombs.
4




Outnumbered
Common


Generate 1 Ammo after hitting at least one enemy with Shadow Bombs.
1


Enveloping Shadows


Infiltration
Rare


Heal for 210 after activating Ambush. This applies to each Ambush in the chain.
3




Shattered Worlds
Epic


Reduce the Cooldown of Shadow Bombs by 32 after earning a Killing Blow or Elimination.
4




Nightwatcher
Epic


Reduce the Cooldown of Dash by 2s after hitting at least one enemy with Shadow Bombs.
4




Shadow's Perch
Uncommon


Increase the range of Ambush by 20%.
2




Contemplation
Uncommon


Heal for 92.5 every 0.5s for 1s after activating Dash. This effect stacks.
2


Cosmetic Items

These are the Cosmetic Items currently available for Vatu:

Champion Skin Collections

Default
Icons Character Model
Weapon Default Kunai
Rarity Common
Availability Standard
Release May 26, 2021
Cost Free
Voicelines Vatu voice lines
Voice Pack Preview ▶️  •  ▶️  •  ▶️
Cost Free
Voicelines Vatu voice lines
Voice Pack Preview ▶️  •  ▶️  •  ▶️
Character Model

Sorrow
Icons Character Model
Weapon Sorrowful Kunai
Rarity Uncommon
Availability Exclusive
Release May 26, 2021
Cost 60,000  •  300  •   •  Item can no longer be obtained by this. Bounty Store  •  Item can no longer be obtained by this. Season Pass 2021
(Sorrow Vatu Collection)
Voicelines Vatu voice lines
Voice Pack Preview ▶️  •  ▶️  •  ▶️
Cost 60,000  •  300  •   •  Item can no longer be obtained by this. Bounty Store  •  Item can no longer be obtained by this. Season Pass 2021
(Sorrow Vatu Collection)
Voicelines Vatu voice lines
Voice Pack Preview ▶️  •  ▶️  •  ▶️
Character Model

Duty
Icons Character Model
Weapon Dutiful Kunai
Rarity Rare
Availability Limited
Release May 26, 2021
Cost Item can no longer be obtained by this. Season Pass 2021
(Duty Vatu Collection)
Voicelines Vatu voice lines
Voice Pack Preview ▶️  •  ▶️  •  ▶️
Cost Item can no longer be obtained by this. Season Pass 2021
(Duty Vatu Collection)
Voicelines Vatu voice lines
Voice Pack Preview ▶️  •  ▶️  •  ▶️
Character Model

Mayhem
Icons Character Model
Weapon Mayhem's Gifts
Rarity Epic
Availability Exclusive
Release July 21, 2021
Cost 800  •   •   • 
(Mayhem Vatu Collection)
Voicelines Mayhem Vatu voice lines
Voice Pack Preview ▶️  •  ▶️  •  ▶️
Cost 800  •   •   • 
(Mayhem Vatu Collection)
Voicelines Mayhem Vatu voice lines
Voice Pack Preview ▶️  •  ▶️  •  ▶️
Character Model

Abyss Cultist
Icons Character Model
Weapon Tainted Kunai
Rarity Rare
Availability Exclusive
Release October 12, 2022
Cost 400  • 
(Abyss Cultist Vatu Collection)
Voicelines Vatu voice lines
Voice Pack Preview ▶️  •  ▶️  •  ▶️
Cost 400  • 
(Abyss Cultist Vatu Collection)
Voicelines Vatu voice lines
Voice Pack Preview ▶️  •  ▶️  •  ▶️
Character Model

Golden
Icons Character Model
Weapon Golden Kunai
Rarity Legendary
Availability Mastery
Release May 26, 2021
Cost Rewarded at Mastery Level 50
(Golden Vatu Collection)
Voicelines Vatu voice lines
Voice Pack Preview ▶️  •  ▶️  •  ▶️
Cost Rewarded at Mastery Level 50
(Golden Vatu Collection)
Voicelines Vatu voice lines
Voice Pack Preview ▶️  •  ▶️  •  ▶️
Character Model

Emotes

Default
Icon Character Model
Weapon {{{weapon}}}
Rarity Common
Availability Standard
Release May 26th, 2021
Cost Free
Cost Free
Character Model

Meditation
Icon Character Model
Weapon {{{weapon}}}
Rarity Epic
Availability Exclusive
Release May 26th, 2021
Cost Item can no longer be obtained by this. Season Pass 2021
(Endless Emote)
Cost Item can no longer be obtained by this. Season Pass 2021
(Endless Emote)
Character Model

MVP Poses

Default
Icon Character Model
Weapon {{{weapon}}}
Rarity Common
Availability Standard
Release May 26th, 2021
Cost Free
Cost Free
Character Model

Poised
Icon Character Model
Weapon {{{weapon}}}
Rarity Rare
Availability Exclusive
Release May 26th, 2021
Cost Item can no longer be obtained by this. Season Pass 2021
Cost Item can no longer be obtained by this. Season Pass 2021
Character Model

Trivia


Lore

  • While Vatu works with the Thousand Hands Guild, he's not an actual member of the group, but rather has a mutual personal understanding with Zhin. Zhin won't command Vatu to do anything, but if Vatu has goals that can help the guild and ultimately result in him being paid, which he can use to help the Ska'drin, Vatu will take up the job for Zhin.[2]
  • It's been implied Vatu had something to do with how Zhin (and possibly others of the Thousand Hands) learned some of his abilities, though he wasn't explicitly the teacher.[3]
  • Vatu and his deeds are legendary, with many not even knowing that Vatu is real.[4][5][6][7]
  • Vatu is either a title passed down between different individuals, or an ancient being who has lived for a long time, though it hasn't been confirmed one way or the other.[8]
  • While not explicitly stated originally, Vatu is indeed a ninja.[9]
  • The mark that appears when Vatu uses his Ambush ability appears to be a combination of the marks that appear when Talus uses Rune of Travel, as well as his ultimate True Power.
  • A unique mark appears when Vatu uses his Dash ability, and as part of his ultimate that somewhat resembles the mark that appears when Talus uses Rune of Travel.
    • This mark also used to appear when Vatu used his default emote, but this was seemingly removed.
  • Based on a dev statement revealing Viktor to be around 5'9 or 175cm tall and comparing it to model sizes in-game and out of game, it was discovered that Vatu would be around 6'1 or 185cm tall.


Cameos

Vatu appears in the following content:

Notable Characters that appear in Vatu's own content includes:


References


Promotion


Concepts

  • One early concept design for Vatu featured some notable differences, such as Vatu originally wearing an oni mask that covered his entire face and blended in with his horns.[10]
  • Vatu originally had a slash ability that would knock enemies towards him. It was meant to be used in combination with other abilities at close range, but was ultimately dropped due to difficulty finding an identity for the ability. This ability can be seen in datamined versions of Vatu prior to his release.[11]
    • According to AoC member SterileTick, this ability originally existed in place of Shadow Bombs, and Vatu originally wielded a katana for this ability.
    • This was later mostly officially confirmed by a developer, though it was mentioned that the ability was difficult for the art team to conceptualize.[12]


Other

  • A mark similar to the one that appears when Vatu uses his ultimate ability also appears when Ska'drin and Scorned Ash have Kinetic Burst active.
  • Alternate art for the card Contemplation was used for one of Vatu's teasers, featuring Vatu edited out.
  • Alternate art for the card Shadow Garrote was used for one of Vatu's teasers, featuring Vatu covered in shadows.
  • Unique artwork of Vatu was used during his release on the Steam and Epic launchers.
  • A face reminiscent of Vatu appears in the Bue Asssassin and Red Assassin sprays. It is unknown if these were early versions of Vatu, if he took inspiration from the faces, or is merely a coincidence.


Champion Skins

  • Sorrow
    • Sorrow. A feeling of deep sadness. Come on, you already knew that, I don't know what you were expecting.


  • Duty
    • And Duty. It's a responsibility or task, but you already knew that too. I've got nothing for you this time.



Videos

Champion Teaser

Embedded media: //www.youtube.com/embed/Q9vl-xjtIDE?

Ability Breakdown

Embedded media: //www.youtube.com/embed/iW7E6BHSr1Q?

Changelog


  • Talents
    • Enveloping Shadows
      • Now has an internal cooldown of 3s
  • Abilities
    • Dash
      • Reduced damage reduction during Dash from 50% ➞ 25%
  • Abilities
    • Shadow Bombs
      • Cooldown sped up from 10s ➞ 8s
  • Abilities
    • Dash
      • Reduced effectiveness of the Damage Reduction during dash 60% ➞ 50%
  • Abilities
    • Kunai
      • Increased effective range 75 ➞ 90
      • Increased the minimum damage done at maximum range 50% ➞ 65%
  • Bug Fixes
    • Fixed an issue where Vatu’s Ambush ability could allow him to teleport into enemy Spawn Rooms.
    • Fixed an issue where Vatu’s Sorrow skin was not purchasable for Gold or Crystals.
  • Talents
    • Enveloping Shadows
      • Reduced scaling 12% ➞ 10%
  • Abilities
    • Kunai
      • Reduced damage 300 per Kunai ➞ 280 per Kunai
  • Talents
    • Enveloping Shadows
      • Reduced effectiveness 15% ➞ 12%
  • Abilities
    • Ambush
      • Current: Teleport next to your target, dealing damage in an area on arrival. Can be refired on another enemy within 4s of teleporting.
        • Decreased the amount of time before Teleporting 0.4s ➞ 0.3s
  • Bug Fixes
    • Fixed an issue where Vatu’s Shadow Gaze card activated twice when he used his Shadow Bombs ability.
  • Vatu was added to the game.


Removed Content


v · d · e
Champions
Front Line
Damage
Support
Flank
  1. ↑ https://twitter.com/YongYea/status/1387460067495014407
  2. ↑ Shadows Update Show, YouTube
  3. ↑ File:Vatu and Zhin.png
  4. ↑ PaladinsGame on Twitter
  5. ↑ PaladinsGame on Twitter
  6. ↑ Evil Mojo Podcast: Exploring the Lore (Hi-Rez Showcase 2022), YouTube
  7. ↑ Evil Mojo Podcast: Exploring the Lore (Hi-Rez Showcase 2022), YouTube
  8. ↑ File:Vatu Title or Ancient.png
  9. ↑ Evil Mojo Podcast: Exploring the Lore (Hi-Rez Showcase 2022), YouTube
  10. ↑ ThunderBrush on Twitter
  11. ↑ File:Vatu Replaced Ability.png
  12. ↑ File:Vatu Cut Ability.png
  13. ↑ Casey Edwards on Twitter
  14. ↑ Arif Restu on ArtStation