Cunning (Costume)

## Cunning

### Description

There aren't enough heroes around, he thought. Yet vigilante justice is injustice.

## Other Details

### Series

* Time of Reunion
* Season 18 Essence 3
* Season 19 Essence 1

## Obtaining

### Obtained by

* Season 19 Essence 1
* Moviebuff Treasure Hunt
* Memory Spheres - Previous Seasons
* A-Tier Unlock Card

### Cost

N/A

**Cunning** is an A-Tier Costume for the Acrobat, Mike Morton. It was introduced in Season 19 Essence 1 that was based on Time of Reunion.

It is also connected to the Season 18 Essence 3 Lore.

## Appearance

### **Physical**

Mike has blonde hair and brown paint on his cheeks. His eyes are blue with golden star pupils.

### **Outfit**

Mike has a top hat with pointy tips and pink paint and two white feathers on the left front side. He wears a black mask, covering only his eyes with pink paint and glow. On the upper part of his chest is a small golden animal head, looking like a crow or eagle with pink eyes. On his left shoulder are red parts with golden tips and a cape stained with pink paint reaching to his waist, not covering his whole back. His sleeves are black with a red part in the middle and pink stains that reach to his hands. His chest is a red vest inside and his jacket is black with golden details outlining the inside and covering the vest. This is tightened with a black belt. He wears a dagger on the belt and black shorts, with black pants continuing all the way to his feet. His shoes are black.

### **Object**

#### Nitre Bombs

This costume changes his bombs to look like daggers.

##### Fire Bomb

The Fire Bomb is now a dagger that is bronze from the bottom and top of it, with the handle being brown with bronze lines and a red cross-guard.

##### Nitro Bomb

The Nitre Bomb is now a fully white dagger.

##### Sticky Bomb

The Sticky Bomb is now a fully black dagger.

### **Special Effects**

The outfit's chest can be seen glowing red and golden, and his mask emits a pink flame.

## Concept / Design Notes

### Official Website

#### Backstory

Weak kindness invites betrayal and destruction. Cleanse and revenge, rebuild the former paradise! The dinner party on Jueyuan Island ushered in the second half, the master of this side will control the chess pieces of fate and make a "just" judgment.

***A Banquet of Illusions, a Paradise to be Rebuilt***

The Season 19 Essence 1 follows the Season 18 Essence 3, telling the story that happened on the island from the perspective of the Novelist, Hollow, in his deep memory, his home is still like the Garden of Eden in such a quiet and beautiful time, the novelist Orpheus and his childhood playmate "Little Girl" were particularly yearning for the sea, and once smuggled out of the island to explore the unknown world. But at any time, they are closely guarding the island's secrets. Only one accident, weak and kind, let outsiders know that the "Goddess's Gift" grows on the island, and killing and destruction follow. When the Novelist Hollow returned to the island, the "Goddess's Gift" had been plundered and emptied, leaving only ruined walls and waves stained red with blood and flames of war. The "Little Girl", a childhood friend, had been forcibly taken away, and her cries were still reverberating in his mind...

Since all misery and darkness come because of him, and all beauty and happiness ended because of him, then it is also because of him that everything begins anew. The holy supper has come, each guest will usher in their own ending, and the novelist parachuted here—to rebuild the paradise!

***Judgment Feast, Light in the Darkness***

In the essence poster released by Identity V, the Novelist - Hollow, the Acrobat - **Cunning** and the Seer - Poisonfeather are surrounded by the crowd, and the unsheathed sharp blade creates a tense atmosphere, as if the next second will erupt fiercely of fighting. In the darkness and the flames of war, only the Novelist - Hollow, is as dazzling as the holy light. He stretched out his right hand, vowing to let the light illuminate the darkness, and let the holiness drive away the evil, even if it does whatever it takes.

***The Feast of the End, the Beginning of New Memories***

The Acrobat - Cunning and the Seer - Poisonfeather are also dressed up for the banquet. Acrobat - Cunning uses red, black and gold as the main color, and the strong contrasting color matching is very eye-catching. The casually thrown blade is shining with cold light, which will undoubtedly become the focus of the banquet. The fox mask exudes a faint red light, and comes with the magic of the soul. A little red stain on the hat, sleeves and cape, is this an elaborate rehearsal for the dinner party?

Revenge and justice, cleansing and trial, repentance and reconstruction... The guests are all seated, so please be guided by the holy dinner toward your own end! Witness the reconstruction of the paradise with your own eyes!

### Social Media

#### Design Notes

The image of "Cunning" is a fox, which symbolizes cunning and alertness. He is the knight with the sword, juggling dangerous games without knowing it. He calls himself the 'Light of Justice', and whatever he does is right. He swore that no matter what method he used, he would pay justice to what happened in the past, yet he can't see clearly past his crazy and bloodthirsty face in the mirror.

#### Initial Sketches

Acrobat - Cunning calls himself a knight, and thinks he is the light of justice; anything he does is right, and he vows to catch his enemy, no matter the method he uses. The costume uses "fox" as the base inspiration, with black as the main color, reflecting the cunning and alertness of the character.

The first version of the sketch as a whole is brighter in tone, which doesn't match the desired black shade. So this version of the sketch really needs to have adjusted colors.

After adjustment, the color of the second version is close to the desired shade. The outline is more defined, and the overall black and white division is more integrated, which is more in line with the cunning and alertness of the character. Therefore, the second sketch has been chosen to be worked on more.

On the basis of the second sketch, the mask is also adjusted to black to match more with the costume.

Finally, we added special effects to the mask and accessories to enhance the sense of luxury and get the final draft.

#### Costume Design

1. Acrobat - Cunning wears a delicate fox mask, with bright red face paint spread across hiss face. He flung his dagger deftly, with a carefree smile.
2. He is dressed in an exquisite and complicated suit, with a tall and straight figure and a leisurely pose, and he thinks he is the light of justice that shines down on everything.
3. The dagger on the waist of Acrobat - Cunning was dangerously cold, but he turns the danger into a game - that is his specialty.

#### Showroom Design

There are several sharp knives in the hands of Acrobat - Cunning, and he deftly and skillfully throws these dangerous instruments with ease, as if playing a simple game.

The scalding flames burn all around the body of Acrobat - Cunning, and he curls up on the ground, trapped and struggling in pain. A clown with a ferocious face looms from behind him, with a dangerous red light in his eyes, as if clamoring to bring back the lost people to the scarlet memories.

#### Costume Effects

Red flames radiated from the front of Acrobat - Cunning, and black flecks poured down with sparks, giving off a hot and dangerous aura.

## Trivia

* This costume shares the same names with the Thief's ability, Cunning.
* Smiley Face made a cameo on the Press Animation.

## Gallery

* In-Game
* Official Art
* Additional Appearances

Cunning In-Game Model Front View.Cunning In-Game Model Back View.Cunning In-Game Model Left-Side View.Cunning In-Game Model Right-Side View.Cunning Entrance Animation.Cunning Idle Animation.Cunning Press Animation.
### In-Game

Changes to the Fire BombsChanges to the Nitro BombsChanges to the Sticky Bombs

### Concept Art & Icons

Cunning Global Concept Art (Twitter)Cunning Chinese Concept Art (Twitter)Cunning Sprite.Cunning Full Body Sprite.
### Promotional Art

Dear Detectives, the Novelist, deemed lord amongst men, empowered by the energy around him seeks only the great. - Official Artwork of Season 19 Essence 1 Featuring Hollow, **Cunning** and Poisonfeather.Official Chibi Artwork of Cunning.June 2022 Birthdays (Twitter)June 2022 Birthdays and Events (Weibo)2022 IVL Summer Finals (Weibo)Countdown .... 10, 9, 8 ....... 3, 2, 1!!!
2023 Happy New Year！
A toast to the new year!(Facebook)June 2023 Chinese Calendar (Weibo)

Cunning Portrait (80 Pulls)
## References

1. ↑ https://id5.163.com/news/official/20211201/26476\_989151.html
2. ↑ Read design notes at Hollow, Poisonfeather
3. ↑ https://weibo.com/6140485374/L4OqgfNon
4. ↑ https://twitter.com/GameIdentityV/status/1461982659014541313