Armstrong (Ranger)

—Armstrong

Armstrong is a powerful ranged carry who uses his mastery of zero gravity to control the battlefield, suspending enemies in the air and slowing their movement, attack, and cast speed. His unique kit allows him to deal consistent damage while disrupting enemy heroes, making him a formidable force in team fights and skirmishes.

## Abilities

**Weightless Precision (Passive)** Armstrong's attacks and abilities have a chance to apply stacks of Weightlessness to enemy heroes, up to a cap. Upon reaching maximum stacks, enemies become briefly suspended in the air, during which they are disarmed and silenced.

* **Zero-G Leap (Self Active)** Armstrong activates his lunar propulsion system, briefly defying gravity, avoiding any ground-based obstacles or melee attacks. After landing, his next basic attack within a short window will deal bonus damage.
* **Gravity Surge (Area Target)** Armstrong targets an area, creating a gravitational anomaly that slows enemy movement, attack, and cast speed within its radius. Enemies who remain in the area for the full duration receive additional stacks of Weightlessness.
* **Lunar Barrage (Target Unit)** Armstrong locks onto an enemy hero, launching a series of rapid-fire projectiles that deal damage and apply stacks of Weightlessness. Armstrong can move and use other abilities during Lunar Barrage but cannot change his target.
* **Astral Suspension (Ultimate, Target Unit)** Armstrong selects an enemy hero, instantly applying maximum stacks of Weightlessness and suspending them in the air for an extended duration. While suspended, the target is disarmed, silenced, and takes increased damage from Armstrong's attacks and abilities.

## Backstory

Neil Alden Armstrong was born on August 5, 1930, in Wapakoneta, Ohio. From a young age, Neil displayed a passion for aviation, earning his pilot's license even before his driver's license. This led him to a career as a test pilot, astronaut, and ultimately, the first human being to set foot on the moon. Little did he know, his lunar journey would unearth a secret that would change the course of humanity forever.

Throughout his life, Armstrong was known for his calm and collected demeanor. This stoic personality would serve him well during his time in the U.S. Navy and as a test pilot, where he was exposed to numerous high-pressure situations. In 1962, Armstrong was accepted into the NASA Astronaut Corps and underwent intensive training alongside the brightest minds of his generation.

On July 20, 1969, Armstrong, alongside Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins, embarked on the historic Apollo 11 mission. As the lunar module pilot, Armstrong was tasked with landing on the moon's surface and stepping out into the unknown.

Upon taking his first steps on the moon, Armstrong uttered the famous words, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." However, unbeknownst to Armstrong and the rest of humanity, this giant leap would lead to a terrifying discovery.

While exploring the lunar landscape, Armstrong stumbled upon a hidden cavern. Driven by curiosity, he ventured inside, discovering a peculiar, pulsating object nestled within the cave. Armstrong, not realizing the significance of his find, collected a sample and returned to the lunar module.

As they journeyed back to Earth, Armstrong began to feel an inexplicable change within him. The pulsating object he had found was, in fact, an alien parasite, dormant for millennia but now awakened by his presence. It infected Armstrong, infiltrating his body and mind, and granting him newfound powers and knowledge beyond human comprehension.

Upon returning to Earth, Armstrong did his best to live a normal life, but the alien parasite's influence grew stronger with each passing day. He became increasingly withdrawn and secretive, consumed by a desire to understand the entity that now resided within him.

As he delved deeper into the secrets of the parasite, Armstrong discovered its true purpose: it was the last of its kind, sent to Earth to assimilate and conquer humanity. Despite the creature's malevolent intentions, Armstrong felt a strange connection to it, and he struggled to reconcile his loyalty to humanity with the newfound bond he shared with the extraterrestrial being.

With time running out, Armstrong realized that he had to make a choice. Could he find a way to coexist with the parasite, leveraging its powers and knowledge for the betterment of humankind? Or would he have to sacrifice himself and the alien entity to protect the world from an unstoppable force?

In the end, Armstrong chose to sacrifice his life to protect the human race. Using his remaining strength, he ventured deep into space and detonated a powerful explosive, destroying both himself and the alien parasite in the process.

Neil Armstrong's legend will forever be remembered as the first man on the moon, but his greatest act of heroism remains shrouded in mystery. His selfless act of sacrifice, unbeknownst to the world, saved humanity from the brink of annihilation, solidifying his place as a true hero among the stars.