Morrigan
Morrigan, the False Phoenix, rises to join the Rivals Workshop cast! …But to be honest, we’re still deep in development, and this first release is more alpha than beta. Some moves may not work as intended (or at all). Please expect major updates in the coming week (and month, contest or no contest) as we make Morrigan the best she can be. We might be fashionably late, but we’re still proud to participate! –Haribo, Jan 12th, 2024
Profile
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Morrigan was once a diplomat for the Air Armada, but has long been declared MIA after her airship crashed years ago. She was thought to be dead, until a sighting in the crow’s nest of a humble salt seller’s boat.
Oakley rescued the unconscious crow, bewildered by her presence, but smitten by her charm. Amidst the chaos created by shadow creatures throughout the lands, she’d seized an opportunity to infiltrate the Archai Mountain’s defenses. Morrigan then glided her way down to the sea from the mountain base, gravely wounded in battle with Absa, but alive — and though she’d not gone undetected, her mission was a success. Under her wings lay an invaluable artifact from the Air Temples: a lantern able to contain and harness a fragment of the Abyss.
Morrigan can no longer fly, but by bending Abyssal Wisps to her will, she mimics control of the Flame — and maybe even other elements. As to why she sought this power, it’s a mystery. Nevertheless, together with Oakley, they sail the S.S. Shirley in search of new adventures. Do they search for further plunder? Or is there a deeper motive in play?
Elemental Powers
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WILLOW WISP – Morrigan’s Neutral Special charges her Willow Wisp up to three times, and a direction can be input each time. After charging, pressing Neutral Special or Down Special will release the wisp, which will travel in the path she specified, keeping opponents guessing if they’re really safe.
HALLOW SEED – Morrigan’s Forward Special releases her Hallow Seed, which strikes in a set path along its vines and can absorb a single hit for Morrigan if it overlaps her when she’s damaged.
KINDLED COURAGE – Aerial Down Special functions differently than on the ground. Both modes will release her charged wisp if it’s ready, but if placed in the air, it will also propel Morrigan forward for an aggressive aerial approach.
WILLOW WHIRL – Up Special places a firewhirl beneath Morrigan. It recognizes her, and will lift her up and out of pratfall if she makes contact with it. But it functions differently against enemies — a soul it isn’t familiar with will be pulled down into it.
Gameplay
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Morrigan is a love letter to anime fighters. She seeks to capture the essence of mixups and crossups that are the bread and butter of these games – sometimes called ‘airdashers’ for that reason. Projectile setups and tricky movement options keep opponents guessing if she’ll approach left or right, from above or below — allowing Morrigan to make risky approaches safer, or to cause opponents to question their own certainty when spacing.
With powerful combos, unique approach options, and a toolbox of projectiles, Morrigan rewards both brave and calculated playstyles.
Credits
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Haribo — Character Concept & Design, Animator, Pixel Artist, Scripter
CheckCheck — Implementer, Balancer, Playtester
PuppieChow — Portrait & Background Artist, inspired by the style of Marc Knelsen @ puppiechow.carrd.co/#
Special Thanks
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To Muno — for the cool cell phone
To everyone who helped with coding questions
And to the Rivals 2 Contest Discord, for going on this adventure together with us!
