It’s a Best in Show for his gorgeous authentic character cosplay. Let’s take a look at The Nameless Knight Cosplay!
It’s not daily {that a} cosplayer wins awards for an authentic character at a conference. Many occasions it’s the well-liked, well-known characters that take the day. But in the present day we’re that includes an artist with a cosplay SO POWERFUL, it shook up the competitors and earned the coveted high spot- Best in Show. We’re right here with Battle Damage Props to check out his award-winning building – The Nameless Knight cosplay!
The “Nameless Knight” is an authentic character that pulls inspiration from World of Warcraft, Norse, Celtic and Scottish iconography. I needed to create one thing that was formed within the type of these giant cumbersome, massively impractical in actual life armors that you just see in Blizzard video games. I say these shoulders I got here up with are massively impractical.
There are a number of elements of this construct that pay homage to the Logan clan of Scottland. The crest on the chest piece is a ardour coronary heart with 3 nails piercing it (which is seen on the Logan coat of arms), the shoulders have the phrases Hoc Majorum Virtus (“This is the valour of my ancestors”. The Logan clans Latin motto). The sword is known as Druim-nan-deur (Scottish Gaelic for “the ridge of tears”) and engraved on the massive belt is the Clan heraldic crest of a single. The making of this piece was an enormous endeavor and I learnt some precious classes.
I had no concept what this was going to seem like once I first began. I simply had the concept “Large, impractical, lots of details”. The chest and again piece have been the second issues I ever crafted out of froth. The shapes have been began after I got here again from my sixth Deployment (this time to Iraq) with the Canadian Armed Forces, round May 2020. Then they sat unfinished for in all probability a yr as I used to be coping with my Military profession and life.
I discovered time to work on different initiatives and developed extra abilities in crafting props out of froth. In 2021 I used to be impressed to start out engaged on this piece once more. Luckily all of the follow and failing upward had paid off and with every new piece of the armor, I used to be getting higher and higher. Some parts I removed utterly as a result of they not matched the aesthetic.
Eventually, I purchased a really giant enclosed CNC CO2 laser which utterly modified the time it takes to craft items. Instead of half-hour or an hour spent tracing designs, reducing them out, engraving particulars, and many others, it now takes minutes. There’s a bit on the again that took me hours to chop by hand. I could make that very same portion in 2 minutes now after designing it by way of Lightburn. The chest, helmet, shoulders, forearm items gauntlets, and parts of the belt took months to place collectively. Utilizing the laser to chop my shapes and among the finer particulars, I crafted the Shins, boots, Quad protectors, parts of the belt, AND sword in lower than every week. It was lengthy days, and late nights however I needed it able to put on to the Deep River Geekfest.
Battle Damage Props Nameless Night Cosplay at Convention
Walking round that conference helped to establish some issues. 1) I wanted to shut off some uncovered areas and conceal my elastic straps higher. 2) If you may connect issues with buckles, at all times go buckles, Velcro might not be the best choice. 3) I ought to have cosplayed as a fridge with AC as a result of this costume doesn’t breathe. I’ve a newfound respect for totally enclosed costumes.
One factor I haven’t touched on is how this was painted. Once the shapes are shaped I used Plastidip (open air and sporting a respirator) to prime the items to make sure the paint would persist with the floor. I then used a base layer of Rustoleum Antique Pewter. Some areas have been lighter, some areas heavier relying if I needed to chemical impact of the paint to happen. All the elements in gold have been first given a base layer of black acrylic to assist the gold shine. I attempted utilizing an iridescent gold at first immediately on the pewter coloration nevertheless it wasn’t actually coming by way of. This costume was very a lot a trial and error construct. If I might return and alter one factor, I might have included graphite powder into the portray course of. Graphite powder provides an impressive metallic sheen when utilized and buffed onto surfaces. There was no clear coat utilized as I didn’t wish to danger altering the look of what I had painted.
About 3 weeks previous to Fanatic-Con Ottawa, I had determined I used to be going to enter this construct into the Judged competitors. Something I’ve by no means completed earlier than. I might be mendacity if I mentioned I wasn’t nervous. I’ve deployed to Afghanistan 4 occasions, Libya and Iraq, however getting dressed previous to getting into the construct I might really feel my nerves twitching. My good friend, Matt tower should have heard me say “what time is it” at the least 6 occasions in 20 minutes. Yes, one other disadvantage to those giant outfits is that they’re not possible to get on by your self. Luckily Matt and his girlfriend agreed to indicate up and hang around and help me. Someone who will squire for you for the day and wipe the sweat off your forehead is a good friend for all times.
During the wait time, I met a number of different cosplayers that I observe on-line and it’s at all times enjoyable to speak store with folks and share concepts. Cosplayers/makers are such pleasant folks and at all times have a willingness to share. There are not any commerce secrets and techniques. It’s very a lot a craft that’s shared brazenly and that was on full show at Fanatic-con Ottawa. I used to be fairly impressed with the opposite builds that have been current and other people’s willingness to speak about it.
I put on listening to aids as my listening to was broken throughout my first deployment in 2006. And that helmet is stifling. Once my title was known as Matt assured me I wasn’t listening to issues and I managed to aspect step by way of folks within the crow “sorry, excuse me, large shoulders coming through” and received on stage and proper into character”. I gave a “are you not entertained” yell and was requested what the title of my construct was. That shocked me, as a result of I by no means thought to call it. So that’s how the Name of the Nameless Knight got here to be in that second. My thoughts going “uhhhhhhhhhh”. The sword has a reputation and I forgot to call my costume.
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After all of the contestants went up and confirmed off their pleasant outfits, we waited for the judges to go and make their choices. They got here again with a number of judges’ decisions, greatest make-up, third, second, after which lastly first place. I used to be fairly floored after they known as my title “Tanner Logan of Battle Damage Props”. I used to be much more excited once I was lastly capable of get out of costume, it was HOT.
All in all, I’m glad I went out for the competitors. Not due to the win, it’s good, however what’s extra thrilling is collaborating locally I’ve come to like and admire a lot for its creativity, openness, and compassion. I used to be capable of make some new associates and although I’ll be retiring this cosplay, I’m excited for my subsequent competitors and large construct. Which will completely have AC.
More from Battle Damage Props
Check out the Facebook data for this wonderful cosplayer. You can see extra about The Nameless Knight Cosplay there! And keep tuned- we’ll be again with an interview for Battle Damage Props quickly. You don’t wish to miss it!
~Join us subsequent week for extra Cosplay Coverage~
Jennifer aka “Mayhem’s Muse” is the Cosplay Editor for BoLS and manages Ad Sales and Communications. Her cosplay awards embody the RTX Judge’s Choice Award and Dragon’s Lair Austin’s Cosplay Symposium.
Jennifer has been a Cosplay Guest Judge at RTX, Tacticon and Genghis Con in Colorado. She repeatedly attends conventions to cowl cosplay for BoLS. Her cosplay work has been featured in publications comparable to Girls Who Love Monsters, Geek Fuel, and Renaissance Magazine. Jennifer has modeled within the Her Universe Fashion Show, Precision Camera’s yearly Precision Camera University, and has taught a number of workshops for photographers about partnering with cosplayers and inventive muses/fashions.
Jennifer is a lifelong fanatic of retro video video games and loves Dungeons & Dragons, city fantasy, tabletop video games, VR know-how, and historic archery. She has set National Records by way of USA Archery’s Traditional Division for Asiatic Bows and earned 4th Place within the World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan in 2018 for Women’s Korean Archery. Jennifer is presently finding out for her Masters’s Degree in Organizational Leadership.
