Leoric rises again in Heroes of the Storm spotlight

Leoric is the latest focus of Heroes of the Storm‘s Diablo-themed Eternal Conflict update. In a video spotlight released earlier today, community manager Kevin “Cloaken” Johnson narrates both the Diablo lore of King Leoric and an overview of his Heroes of the Storm gameplay.

Leoric is a described as a heavy-hitting Warrior and from what we’re shown of his gameplay, it’s an apt description: he’s a large, imposing character who can cleave through his opponents with his basic ability and one of his two Ultimate options: March of the Black King. Leoric can sustain himself by siphoning health from enemies with Drain Hope, and should he die, he doesn’t get sent back to his team’s home base — he takes on Wraith form. In Wraith form, Leoric can deal no damage, but can still slow opponents. While in Wraith form, a resurrection timer ticks down until he comes back to life — in the same position as his Wraith. Players who don’t like having downtime will be sure to love this; you’ll never need to leave the action.

Personally, I have never enjoyed most of the Warrior characters in Heroes of the Storm. There are exceptions, but often they’re big, slow, and lumbering, without much excitement in the gameplay. It may come down to personal tastes, but I always found Arthas boring, for example. Leoric, while still big and lumbering, looks a bit more exciting.