#Analysing Richtofen

[kino-der-joon]

💫 Analysing Richtofen - Blood of the Dead ✨

✨ This instalment of 'Analysing Richtofen is part of an ask I got about the map 'Blood of the Dead'! Therefore, we will not be spinning a wheel this time, but we'll have fun anyway! ✨

✨ The last time we met, we were in the frosty air of Der Riese. I suppose it's only fitting to go from one extreme to the other. We will shortly find ourselves at the unfortunate end, but fear not! We still have many a map to cover after this!✨

NOTE: I do not always have the context of which these lines are said. The context and lore, while sometimes relevant, are not completely the point. This is looking more into Richtofen's mental state, current situation and any other tidbits he might drop!

💫 Now, let's get right into it! 💫

MAP: Blood of the Dead!

(TW: Character death. )

Here are all the videos I have referenced! For your convenience, I have listed them here and I urge you to show support to the original creators of said videos!

ONE - Youtube short of Richtofen's first quote on BotD, and also a few extra lines said around his lab and in certain areas of the map.

TWO - Youtube short of Richtofen's second quote on BotD, as well as some extra lines.

THREE - A video of all the conversations between Richtofen and the rest of the crew on BotD. Skip to 1:31 to avoid all the yap at the start!

FOUR - A video of all of Richtofen's quotes on BotD

💫 We find ourselves now in the freezing cold climate of Dr. Richtofen's lab. To your right, you'll see four cryo-chambers. For your safety, I urge you not to touch them, and not to ask questions about the human popsicles inside. They are fine, they like it in there. To your left, a bit further inside, you'll see a very useful map of Alcatraz! Right now, we are just underneath the ground, and the main building is up the stairs, out of the first door and up past the catwalk. And there, punctual as always, is Richtofen! ✨

"MAXIS! Stop it, Edward, this may be just a delusion- It must be! Surely I would never lead myself into such a...Such a... [Gasp!] Mein Gott, everything could change!" (ONE)

✨ Ah...I promise all 'Analysing Richtofen' instalments won't start like this, but he is unfortunately right. Just as before, we can tell that he is under immense stress, his first instinct once more is to call out to his father figure. This line is also shouted when he starts his journey alone. Richtofen is a man who isn't great at being vulnerable with others unless he's being self deprecating, so no matter what he might say later on, we know that he is in sheer panic. Who wouldn't be when they are stuck in a demented pocket dimension that demands for their death?

"Damn it, Edward, think! Yes, this looks bad, but something can be done! Any book that rewrites itself can be rewritten! First rule of interdimensional time travel! (nervous laughter that quickly diminishes into a concerned and conflicted sigh.) I'm so confused..." (TWO)

It's heart-breaking, hearing him do his damndest to cheer himself up and keep himself optimistic. In such a dire situation, is it really any wonder that his attempt fizzled out so quickly? He has used the kronorium to get himself this far, so having it suddenly re-write itself is like having the rug yanked out from under his feet. For perhaps the first time in this story line, we see him actively losing control over the situation, his leadership crumbling. ✨

✨ While we're in his lab, there are two things I wish to call attention to. The first, are those cryo-chambers! Again, don't touch them. When looking around his lab, Richtofen has this to say about them.

"Ahh, you have all remained safe for so long, mein little popsicles. Perhaps you could be of use? Hmph...Nein, I much prefer you all this way." (ONE)

✨ Here, this is confirmation that the Primis Richtofen we are playing as is the same Primis Richtofen we saw in the Victis crew comic run! Which is interesting, no? But the more important thing here is that he hasn't given up hope, not yet. The doctor is thinking on his feet, already starting to improvise and adapt. Despite seeing his death in the kronorium, Richtofen is still determined to evade it once more.

"(Chuckles,) bless you, little walnut. You always help me to calm mein nerves und think." (ONE)

✨ Not only is this a nod to the original lore in which Ultimis Richtofen first sees success in his teleporter work by teleporting a tiny walnut, but it also tells us that Richtofen has actually spent a lot of time in this lab. Presumably, he teleports the walnut from place to place while thinking, pacing back and forth while using the walnut to ground him. A lot is on his shoulders, now more than ever, and he has a little stress reliver to aid him. This also would imply that he got further than his Ultimis counterpart did with teleportation, being able to actually control where the walnut goes! But anyway -

✨ Rather than delving into Richtofen's voice lines only, there's actually some information we ca gather from their conversations as group and amongst themselves, Dempsey, Nikolai, Takeo and Richtofen! ✨

(This is the first exchange in THREE.)

"Okay, change of plan! We should be looking for the other Nikolai, but apparently, I have messed it up. When I say 'I,' I mean him...Me"

"What now, German? Surely you do not seek to torture me further. I know all too well what lies ahead."

"Enough riddles, Richtofen! Have I not already given you enough: My blade, my honour, my soul?!"

"Everybody just pull your shit together, or I'm gonna start freakin' out too!"

✨ In this exchange, we can see that rather than doing what he wants to do, cry out for Maxis, Richtofen instead puts the mission above himself once again and assumes the leader role of the group. Instead of following him with minimal complaint like usual, everyone understandably begins to unravel. Namely, Takeo and Dempsey seem the most impacted, while Nikolai's anger has yet to rise to a boiling point. In the next part of their discussion, Richtofen is unusually quiet until Takeo calls his behaviour into question. ✨

(This is the second exchange in THREE)

"So, let me see if I understand. Richtofen copied entire plan from special book, special book change its mind, and now it wants, what, our blood?"

"Of course, we all heard the Doctor: fate now demands our blood as well. I have never seen Richtofen this way...The threat is real."

(Dempsey's line isn't really super important here. Sorry Dempsey.)

"[AHEM!] Gentlemen, please, calm yourselves! You must forgive me, I...I forget how frustrating I can be sometimes. (nervous chuckle.) Nevermind the kronorium or this silly blood business. I have something entirely new in mind."

💫 Interestingly, Richtofen has just lied to his team as we will see later, but one of the more important things here is that loud clearing of his throat. Being read so easily by Takeo has him feeling uncomfortable, and his immediate response is to turn on the self deprecation and assure the team he has a plan. Again, we will see this later, but he has just lied to his team, this alone tells us that he cares about them. If not, why would he attempt to assure them with a lie while he himself is spiralling on the inside? Why would he demean the severity of the situation in the process? This is something he does more than once. When he watched each of them kill their ultimis counterparts in cycles before, it was those moments that made him realise that he did actually care about them, he admits this to us himself. This is no different. Suddenly the stakes of his situation are raised too, adding more weight on his shoulders. This is one thing that I don't see enough people talking about when it comes to his character- Is he selfish? yes, he can be. But, he does care, and he does actually show it in his own ways. He isn't someone who enjoys being vulnerable, so you do need to squint to see it, but there is more to Richtofen than just avoiding death and helping Maxis. He really is trying hard to do the right thing.

For another example of him minimizing just how much trouble they're in for the other's comfort, we need to look no further than the next conversation the team have about The Warden. ✨

(This is the third exchange in THREE)

"Richtofen knew exactly who that monster in cell block was, I could see it in his stupid, wide open face!"

"Yeah, that big guy with the club? Was he a prison guard or something?"

"That thing was no ordinary guard, I believe he was an agent of a much darker force."

"The Warden. I have known him to take many forms, each one used to torture the souls of both the damned, and the doomed. He's...Not very nice."

✨ This time it's Nikolai who calls him out very aggressively. Rather than talking to the whole group, it seems Nikolai was talking to Dempsey first, then Takeo jumped in, and then Richtofen overheard and jumped in to set the story straight. Notice how he isn't angry, despite Nikolai's insult. He might be used to the russian's anger, but this is different, I feel. I believe Richtofen understands the anger, and so can't really argue with it. Even still, he simply states The Warden is 'Not very nice,' rather than admitting that actually, The Warden is an immense threat. Once again, he is choosing almost childish words to describe what's happening, diminishing the danger to calm the others- We know it isn't for himself because we have seen how he is when he's on his own in his lab. If he truly didn't care for his team, this would be unexplainable. As would his words to Dempsey, where he yet again uses childish words in an attempt at comfort.

(THREE - 3:43)

"So, this 'Warden' guy, any idea why he'd wanna trap us here?"

"What do mad men ever want? ...That was rhetorical- But, just for the record: We are not 'trapped,' Dempsey, simply confined to one place, against our will! But it's not permanent. Pinky promise!"

For as hard as he tries, anyone will crack when they're pushed too hard. The more Dempsey keeps digging, the weaker Richtofen's resolve gets, until he can't sugar coat things anymore. ✨

(THREE - 4:19)

"Richtofen, I know your plan's probably way over my head, and I know I'll forget half of it later, but you gotta gimmie somethin'"

"There is no plan, Dempsey. Is that what you wish to hear? We were supposed to pop in, get the blood, und leave. But, things have changed. Now we must improvise und adapt! You are a marine, surely you can manage that."

✨ And here we are, the lie is revealed. But I find his next words much more interesting: 'Is that what you wish to hear?' When his first approach hasn't worked, Richtofen gets irritated, unable to curve his words, but his irritation isn't at his situation, it's at Dempsey...In a way. Dempsey wasn't soothed by his childish words and sugar coated lies, so now what? He was unable to lull his unlikely friend into a false sense of security, and I believe his irritation is a sign that he sees it as his own failure. So, he improvises and tries something else. Richtofen calls on Dempsey's military position, trying to use that to inspire him. The thing I want to call attention to now though, is what he isn't saying. Do you hear it? Listen to his line again, and focus on his breathing. He loses his breath after 'changed,' panting under his breath. At just the smallest admission that things are out of his control, he can't hide his panic anymore. With this tiny detail, we can begin to imagine just how heavy the weight on his own soul is.

The next interactions I want to call attention to are between Richtofen and Nikolai. Nikolai has never trusted Richtofen from the start. He has always questioned the steps the crew have taken, he has always stood against Richtofen's authority, and now, in this eternal hell, we get to see how Nikolai really feels. We also get to see that these two are actually divas in disguise, but that is less important and more just...Well, them.✨

(THREE - 4:46 )

"I see your accusing glances, Nikolai. Is there something you wish to say to me?"

"Why bother? That is what you always say, ehh? All will be forgotten anyway."

The gloves are coming off- And I don't just mean that they're being catty with each other. Nikolai has been glancing to Richtofen, likely glaring daggers into the man's back, and he finally can't keep his rage to himself anymore. This also gives us some insight into what Richtofen has been doing when he wants to avoid a conversation: Diminish the importance of the conversation and insist that it will all be forgotten anyway, what, with the constant element 115 exposure.

(THREE - 5:14 )

"So, this Warden, he needs your special blood, dah? Maybe three of us make side deal and just, hmph, give it to him."

"The moment you travelled through space und time, your blood became special as well. No, my dear Nikolai. Any attempt to bargain with The Warden would not go well for you."

The girls are really fighting now! Nikolai's core values are based on what he views as fair and right, he also has no issue working with the others, even when they bicker! (For example, him and Dempsey's 'Draw me map of fucking Chicago!' exchange.) So, for Nikolai of all people to be so open about throwing Richtofen out to the proverbial wolves, it would make sense that it would rattle the scientist. Instead, though, Richtofen indirectly threatens to drag Nikolai down with him should that ever be attempted, and it evidently works. Though, I don't believe this was just a threat. When talking about watching the crew kill their counterparts, he doesn't go out of his way to exclude Nikolai, and I think there's truth in what he says here. It's a threat, but also a well intentioned warning. Despite their animosity, I don't truly believe that Richtofen wants any genuine harm to come to Nikolai. ✨

✨ In this next exchange, they stop being catty with each other and get to the heart of the matter:

(THREE - 5:36 )

"Richtofen, I cannot stay silent- YOU DO NOT HAVE PLAN! For once in your life, admit it, and tell us what we are facing!"

"ANNIHILATION, AS ALWAYS! If I believed for an instant, that you could comprehend so much as a PHRASE in the Kronorium, I would hand it over! But, no. That is MEIN burden to bare! My way, Nikolai, is the only way."

✨ Do you hear the tiredness in his voice? When soothing doesn't work, Richtofen rips the band aid off with Nikolai and gives him the unfiltered truth. I don't believe that he is trying to keep a hold of his control here, I don't think he's worried about Nikolai taking control of the crew. I think this is an honest admission that in keeping the Kronorium close to his chest, he believes that he is protecting the group. Nikolai's words later on in Alpha Omega only reinforce this, he finally concedes to Richtofen for once, finally seeing eye to eye with him once he reads the Kronorium himself. He even choses to make the same choice as Richtofen, keeping it close to his chest and not letting anyone else read it. How funny it is, then, that no one seems to mention that when comparing the two to call one of them selfish... ✨

�� Finally, the last thing we see from Richtofen here is in his conversations with Takeo. Specifically, I want to focus on this one. Takeo is the only one who uses logic to call Richtofen out. He doesn't push, he isn't insulting, and Richtofen has been pushed and shoved so much by this point that he actually snaps at Takeo, the one in the group that he seems to like the most.

( THREE - 6:26 )

"The spirits of this island awaken in your presence, Richtofen. It seems as though they desire something from you."

"Doesn't everyone? The voices of the damned and the doomed can get in line, behind you three, The Warden, The Keepers, und the numerous other Richtofen's now placing demands on. My. Time!"

✨ Through his irritation and anger, we are finally seeing Richtofen be vulnerable with the others, but it isn't by his choice and it certainly isn't comfortable for him. I find the rest of his conversations with Takeo interesting too, but for the sake of time, I won't focus on those. But I do urge you to if you're at all interested!!

We have seen Richtofen lie, put on a brave face, be begrudgingly honest, and now as he stands in a prison cell, we see him finally crack. Unable to take any more, Richtofen allows himself to show how hopeless he is. ✨

"(Defeated laughter.) Mein 'grand scheme?' Und what if I told you we were doomed from the start? That every word in that infernal book has come to pass, und we have been helpless to alter it? What would you have done, Marine? Tell me, please, what was the right thing to do?!" (FOUR - 2:18)

✨ Really, that's what it's always been about, hasn't it? Doing the 'right thing.' Here, he, albeit a touch sarcastically, begs Dempsey to try and see things from his point of view, asking him for his perspective. Richtofen is at the end of his rope and the weakness in his voice here shows it. This is the most vulnerable we've ever seen him.

There are plenty of lines showing us just how scared he is- Even The Warden calls him out on it. He states he can hear (the blood) in his veins, pumping faster and faster. But now, I think I'd like to point to some more light hearted fun little facts that Richtofen drops while fighting for his life, to cap off this entry! ✨

"Chemistry was always mein first love, haah, but then physics came and shwept me off mein feet." (FOUR - 3:47)

(At FOUR - 4:00, Richtofen shows off his hidden talent of being able to recognize acids just by their scent alone!)

"This glass here, it's a window into the astral plane! I have always wondered how the other side spends it's time!" (FOUR - 5:11) To me, this is actually quite a sad line despite his enthused tone. Richtofen has been thinking about the other side because deep down, he knows he can't keep running forever.

"Should your eyes be that colour? I can never keep track..." (FOUR - 5:50) A reference to how the zombie's eyes keep changing colour depending on who's controlling them.

(Richtofen calls the wolves on the map 'Wolfie," which is actually quite cute!)

"I can build a particle accelerator from spare parts, but I can't nail- ONE BOARD STRAIGHT!" (FOUR - 6:23)

(At 7:25, the implication here is that Richtofen can in fact speak French too?)

"Go on box, leave me. Wherever you go, I will hunt you down, pry open your lid, UND RIP MEIN PRECIOUS WUNDERWAFFE FROM YOUR INSIDES!" (FOUR - 8:06) I was always wondering what Primis Richtofen's connection with the Wunderwaffe was, and now we know!

"Why should anything go well, Ja?! Let the whole cosmos collapse- The Doktor, is DONE!" (FOUR - 8:17) A very valid crash out.

"There now, just a short stroll to the main cell block. Up, up, up!" (FOUR - 11:51) Another example of him using childish language and phrasing to minimize the scope of the danger that they're all in.

"(Laughter) Just like rubbing mein socks on the carpet to give a shock! Only about a trillion volts more fun!" (FOUR - 15:39) I am assuming that Richtofen did this as a child, which is actually kind of sweet!!

"Nikolai, did you make this? Because it tastes like you made this." (FOUR - 17: 15) This implies that the crew have made drinks for each other before! It's a nice thought until you remember how limited their resources must have been.

"Has anyone heard the one about the quantum physicist who lost his cat? ...I'm honestly asking. Exposure to element 115 seems to have erased it from mein memory." (FOUR - 21:42) This is a reference to Shrodinger's cat!! So yes, Richtofen, we have heard that one!!

"I promised mein Mutter I'd never play with fire again. Sorry, Mutter." (FOUR - 22:10) . . . So, this one...There's a story there, that's all I'll say.

"I felt the shock in mein wisdom teeth- UND I PULLED THEM OUT WHEN I WAS TWELVE!" (FOUR - 24:42) ...Jesus Christ-

💫 ...What? You're still scrolling like you're expecting something! We went over him being vulnerable, his relationship with the other's on the map, was there anything else you were expecting? I don't believe we missed anything! ✨

...

...Alright, fine, we'll move on to his death...If we must...

After trying his best to avoid it for so long, Richtofen finally embraces his fate and steps into 'The Dark Mechanism.' Even in certain death, he takes a grand stand: "YOU WANT MEIN BLOOD? TAKE MEIN BLOOD!" We know how scared he has been, and that makes the needles that stab into him hurt even more. The spirits might be free, but the cost is so much more than we could have expected. As Nikolai is handed the Kronorium from the new version of Richtofen, the one we have been following all this time is watching with us as a new leader of Primis is chosen. The power shifts.

Rapidly approaching death, Primis Richtofen struggles against the machine, calling out in the weakest voice we have ever heard him use. He doesn't even have the strength to speak above more than a whisper as he mutters for the last time: "Mein Gott...What have I done?"

And now, in a somewhat poetic fashion, the new version of him that we have just met comes face to face with him, and Primis Richtofen begins to beg. He has come way too far, done way too much, it can't all end here. He betrayed himself first by shooting his counterpart in the head. He was then betrayed by another version of himself at the start of this map. And now, he is about to be betrayed by yet another version of himself. The Primis Richtofen that we know is about to find out what exactly his place is in the cycle, and we are about to see that he is the personification of 'Ouroboros,' the snake that eats itself. Each time a variant of him dies, each time he is destroyed, it gives way to birth something new. Truly, this is always what it's been about. It wasn't the choices he made, it wasn't the company he kept, nor his dedication to doing 'the right thing.' Every choice he made led him here, finding his end in the seemingly endless cycle of Richtofen's while trying to keep the overall cycle of the universe going. Death is rebirth, death is change, but death is also cold.

I don't think his last words need any explaining. There is nothing more I could possibly add to give his last speech any new meaning. All through this entry, I've been speaking for him, so for once, I'm going to simply let him speak for himself.

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[kino-der-joon]

💫 Analysing Richtofen - The Giant✨

✨Welcome, welcome!! Gather round, pull up a chair, grab some snacks and a hot drink!!✨

💫 This is a new little series I want to indulge in that I am calling: ‘Analysing Richtofen.’ In this series, we are going to spin a wheel and whatever map it lands on, we’re going to pick apart different voice lines of Richtofen’s from that map, see what we can learn about him and yap!

✨ NOTE: I do not always have the context of which these lines are said. The context and lore, while sometimes relevant, are not completely the point. This is looking more into Richtofen’s mental state, current situation and any other tidbits he might drop! ✨

💫 Without further ado, let’s spin the wheel !! ✨

💫 MAP: The Giant! 💫

✨ (TW: breif mention of suicidal ideation further down.)

✨ Here are the videos that I have referenced for these voice lines! These videos are not mine, credit is due to the creators! ⬇️

ONE (YouTube shorts of the first quotes on The Giant)

TWO (Large quote compilation video! For those who can’t stand gagging or sicky noises, beware of 2:40 to 2:50 ! And for friends who are sensitive to flashing lights, here’s another version of the video HERE! Though, please note that the time stamps might not line up 100% )

THREE (Primis crew conversation quotes! Skip to 1:22 to cut out the yap at the start!) ✨

💫 Ahh, here we are, back where the lore all started in Der Riese. Can you smell the death in the air? The cold winter’s chill is biting our noses, snow is crunching underfoot, and Richtofen has just enacted the first part of his plot to keep himself alive and aid Maxis. Let’s see how he’s fairing!!✨

“Mein Gott! What have I done?! Stop it, Edward! Breathe… It’s okay! It’s okay…This is important. This is what you have to do, even if another part of you dies each and every time.” (ONE)

✨ Oh…Not so well. But, this does give us something already! We know lore wise that this isn’t Richtofen’s first time in this cycle, he has done this before. Yet, his immediate reaction of pure shock and anxiety is presumably the same each time. He has to gather himself, force himself to breathe, and then he does something rather interesting: He puts the mission above himself and his own emotions. His own thoughts and feelings don’t matter to him because this cycle is far more important to uphold. Logically, he’s correct, but we don’t see him do this when he’s with the others. When Richtofen is with the other crew members he is a bold leader, calling the shots decisively. But, on his own? He’s anxious, mortified, and can’t even let himself fully express it. Let’s see what more he tells us when left to his own devices. ✨

“Gah- I must work quickly, there is so much to do: The- The vessel for Maxis, the radios, the opening of the gateway- NEIN! I am getting confused! Curse these 115 induced delusions!” (ONE)

✨ He is barely able to brush himself off and he’s already pushing forward. Only, ‘forward’ isn’t quite the way he’s going. The list of objectives here is the list he adheres to in the Origins map, meaning that there’s a good chance he’s stuck replaying the events of Origins in his mind because of his exposure to element 115. Given the amount of call backs to this line on other maps, we can assume this is happening regularly. Origins was the first map in which he experienced the outbreak, being the accidental cause of it. He also had to lobotomise his mentor and father figure, we can see how much it traumatised him in the opening cut scene of Origins alone as he stares at Maxis’ blood on his hands. This man is traumatised, undoubtedly has PTSD and is stuck reliving it through delusions and through the repetition of the cycle. Speaking of Maxis— ✨

“MAXIS!! No- Wait. Compose yourself, Edward…Mission accomplished: Temporal distribution achieved. The future is changed.” (ONE)

✨ This is heartbreaking. As we move through the maps, you’ll see that when Richtofen is under high amounts of stress, his first instinct is to call out for his father figure, Maxis. The second reason Richtofen is in Der Riese is to set up a beacon for Maxis to use to reach him, and this is still early into the map, that hasn’t been set up yet. Richtofen knows Maxis can’t hear him at this point, yet still he can’t help but cry out for him. The legendary Edward Richtofen who cheated death itself is truly just a man trying to survive, just as scared as everyone else. ✨

✨ He is also trying to understand the world around him. Despite his experience with the cycle, he still expresses frustration at the illogical ‘logic’ of his surroundings. ✨

“Did you put these chalk drawings here, Samantha?!” (TWO - 4:35)

“So many riddles, so many illogical leaps! Will I ever truly understand this madness?!” (TWO - 4:39)

“Weapons form out of thin air? This cannot just be my imagination!” (TWO - 4:54)

“It is as though we have stopped questioning how such insanity became reality!” (TWO - 5:00)

✨ Once again, he has been here before. Guns appeared just the same way in Origins, so his confusion is likely moreso to do with 115 exposure. We also see just a peek at his relationship with Samantha here. Maxis went insane in part because of Samantha, and Richtofen had to wittiness that, helpless to stop it. Because of that, it’s likely he holds some resentment towards Sam, hence the immediate accusation. ✨

✨ Oh! It seems like Richtofen has just found the gobblegum machine! Let’s see what he thinks! ✨

“What can I say? I have a sweet tooth, I always have.” (TWO - 5:09)

💫 Aww!! 💫

“Eugh. I abhor all things sweet.” (TWO - 5:37)

Oh.

✨ I’m not exactly sure what the reason for the contradiction here is. It could be an oversight from Treyarch, it could be that he doesn’t want the others to know about his sweet tooth. Whatever the reason is, there’s something else we can learn about his teeth here, oddly enough. ✨

“I must be careful. My teeth are brittle.” (TWO - 5:35)

✨ While there were toothbrushes and alternatives for soldiers in WW1, a lot of them weren’t able to care for their teeth because of the hectic action of the war, or bad dental hygiene before they were drafted. It’s likely that Richtofen has cavities and maybe even some cracked teeth if his dental hygiene also suffered, but this is heading into headcanon territory, so let’s continue!✨

💫 We have seen Richtofen on his own, so now let’s see him with the rest of the crew. And I want to call close attention to just how much his attitude changes. Let’s start with how he speaks to Dempsey at the beginning of the map. ✨

“Dempsey, my dear, simple-minded American. You simply wouldn’t understand.” (THREE - 1:25)

✨ When asked about what he was doing to ultimis Richtofen’s corpse, his immediate response is to put himself above Dempsey, talking down to him and brushing him off. ✨

“Strange? Ahaha~! Dempsey, you’re really going to have to narrow it down.” (THREE 1:37)

✨ Dempsey pushes, Richtofen brushes him off again. The Doctor is cocky, arrogant, and seems a lot more confident in his actions. Though, there’s something else here too that can give us a look into his psyche. His line to Dempsey is in green, his line to Nikolai is in red. ✨

“That wasn’t my body, that was someone else entirely. Someone a bit like me, but not. He’s dead.” (THREE - 1:46)

“I’m helping you more than you realise, Nikolai. After all, didn’t I just kill myself a little while ago?” (THREE - 2:57)

✨ You could be forgiven for thinking that this is just another contradiction, but no. This is his mask slipping. Logically, he can articulate that there’s a difference between him and the other Richtofen he killed, but if he genuinely believed that, he wouldn’t find it so easy to use his actions as a reason for Nikolai to trust him. But, in truth:

“To be honest, I still haven’t gotten over killing myself.” (TWO - 14:20)

✨ His inability to remain calm when he’s on his own, and the fact that while waiting for the PAP machine he finally acknowledges his feelings on the matter (while his hands are empty and he’s forced to do nothing for a few moments,) it’s obvious he is putting on a mask for the others. He is a man who will do almost anything to not appear weak in front of others, even if he’s being torn apart on the inside. He hates being vulnerable. Not only that, I also believe he struggles to see a distinction between himself and Ultimis Richtofen. Even on his own, he doesn’t put any distance between himself and Ultimis Richtofen like he did with Dempsey. Before he pulls the trigger in the opening cut scene on The Giant, you can see the disgust on his face, even in the micro movements of his eyes. I believe he shoulders the burden of his other self’s actions and blames himself for them. ✨

✨ Next, I want to touch on one of the darker aspects of Richtofen. Despite trying to do the right thing, he has his own underhanded ways of getting what he wants. We saw it in the Victis comic run, in which he manipulates Victis into giving their blood and stepping into those cryochambers, we also saw him manipulate his zombified form into helping him, we also saw how he swiftly stepped in and stole the summoning key in the Shadows of Evil EE, and we see it again in how he treats poor Takeo. Below, I’m going to transcribe all of his dialogue to Takeo in one go, but I urge you to listen to the exchange in full. Your time stamp is:

(THREE - 3:14 - 4:23 )

“I do have a purpose, Takaeo! A purpose you will come to share. You only have to trust me.”

“I don’t have time to explain now, but, I have a message for you! A message from The Emperor.”

“You have not been forgotten, Takaeo. Stay strong, and your path will become illuminated.”

“The spirits of your ancestors are not the only voices you will hear, Takaeo. Trust your instincts. Listen to them.”

“Yes, hold on to that thought, Takaeo. In time, you will come to learn the significance of your visions.”

✨ Here, we see Richtofen latch on to something he knows Takeo will listen to and use it to his advantage. Richtofen doesn’t have a message at all, but he knows Takeo will listen and do what he tells him to if he thinks The Emperor is involved. His line delivery of ‘But, I have a message for you,’ sounds as if he thought of that on the spot, his cryptic words after that only reinforce that idea. This manipulation is cruel (considering how Takeo feels about The Emperor,) but necessary in Richtofen’s eyes. The means justify the end with him, always. ✨

✨ moving on, there’s another aspect of Richtofen’s character that his lines can tell us. He seems to believe he has some kind of special superiority over the hoard, and a strange thing with the title of ‘Master.’ This…Is probably one for the fanfic writers, but I’ll site my evidence here. There’s a total of five lines placing him in a ‘Master’ type role against the zombies and honestly, I have no idea with this one. A shot in the dark would be that perhaps all of his travels and cycles have left him feeling invincible, something we see the most in the Revelations map.✨

(Side note, at least this isn’t as bad as Ultimis Richtofen’s “Who’s your daddy?!” line on the original Der Riese map.)

“I am your Master, stay back!” ( TWO - 7:48)

“I should have been your Master!” ( TWO - 8:51)

“I am your Lord und Master!” (TWO - 10:07)

“I am your Master!” (TWO - 10:10)

“You have found your Master. Now, DIE!” (TWO - 13:03)

✨ Oh! It seems like Richtofen has found the PAP machine now! While we waits for his PAP Weapon, there’s some interesting things he says that lets us peek further into his mental state! The first, is that his memory is only really just starting to buckle due to his exposure to element 115. We’ve seen his mind get thrown back into the events of Origins, but this is the map where he starts having to remind himself of his own secrets out loud for the first time. This is something he does more often in other maps after this point. ✨

“I must remember: The others can never know.” (TWO - 14:16)

✨ Not just that, but it seems he also desperately wants someone to confide in. Honestly, who can blame him?

“Dempsey. I must confide in Dempsey. He alone may offer our salvation! Either him or Nikolai. Or Takaeo. Or is it Takeo-? I’ve never known!” (TWO - 14:41)

✨ The Richtofen we know would never truly give so much credit to Dempsey. But, this scatter brained line feels like there’s an underlaying sense of desperation to it. Stuck with a group that doesn’t trust him, he needs to choose at least one of them to confide in for his own sake.

✨ The Doctor reveals another small detail about his mental state with this next line, and it’s one of the saddest yet. ✨

“Perhaps I shall hold onto this as it explodes, und finally end this nightmare.” (TWO 22:45)

✨After so much brovado, this single line reveals that he deals with suicidal ideations. Again, this is something else that he does more often in other maps, so this is where we see those thoughts first taking shape. Given his circumstances, I don’t think anyone can blame him. He is stressed, tired and scared. I think thoughts like these in those circumstances are understandable. ✨

✨ But!! That’s enough heavy hitting stuff- Did you know he’s a dog person? This is something that him and Ultimis Richtofen share! Though, sometimes he is a bit more aggressive and disgusted by the hell hounds- ✨

“Damn it! We should be training them, not killing them!” (TWO - 9:38)

“Poor puppies. They know no better.” (TWO - 20:43)

✨ Lastly, before we leave Der Riese, I want to highlight a few references some of his voice lines call back to! This will just be a rapid fire list of some of them.✨

“Get off my legs, Minion!” (TWO - 1:35) - A reference to Ultimis Richtofen calling zombies ‘minions.’

“Embrace your fate, begin anew!” (TWO - 11:15) - A reference to Ultimis Richtofen’s words to Victis in Bo2!

“Do not fear death, fear ME.” (TWO - 11:47) - A reference to Ultimis Richtofen’s line on Kino: ‘Do not fear death, fear The Doktor!’

“Gather ‘round, my children. Gather ‘round und DIE!” (TWO - 12:45) - Potentially a reference to Ultimis Richtofen also referring to zombies as ‘mein children.’ He has other lines referring to the zombies as ‘children’ too!

Richtofen has a handful of lines referring to spleens, and I can’t help but wonder if those are in reference to the lore, when Ultimis Richtofen ‘accidentally killed’ his test subject, Pablo Marinus, by trying to inject 115 directly into his spleen.

“Why?! Why do you taste so bad?!” (TWO - 15:40) - Ultimis Richtofen has the same reaction to Quick Revive, saying the exact same thing. This isn’t the only drink the pair seem to agree on. Richtofen quotes his Ultimis counterpart when complimenting Speed Cola too!

“(Laughter,) I am paid in pain!” (TWO - 17:22) - Ultimis has a line just like this one too! The pair both relish in the gore and blood just as much as each other.

“Must I embrace my fate, begin anew?!” (TWO 19:25) - Another call back to Ultimis Richtofen’s words from Bo2!

“Double the pleasure, double the pain, double the damage.” (TWO - 22:20) - Ultimis Richtofen sings this line in a previous map!

“The illuminati will not find me.” (TWO 24:24 ) - This one…I’m not so sure. As far as I know, Primis Richtofen doesn’t have a run in with the illuminati until much later before BOTD, so this line being here might just be a call back to Ultimis Richtofen’s past with the illuminati.

-

💫 And that’s it!! The beacon is set up, Maxis is picking up our location, and if this post does well, I’ll see you on the next map!! Thank you so much for Analysing Richtofen with me!! Oh- And mind the zombie guts on your way out ! ✨

✨ NEXT ✨

[kino-der-joon]

✨ Hi hi!! Thank you so much for the new asks in my ask box!! Before I get to them, I’m going to go over my posts and make sure everything is all linked (I’ve noticed some breaks in the chain,) and then I’ll be all yours!! I am SUPER excited about the new asks- Who’s been looking at my Christmas list? 👀 ✨

[kino-der-joon]

💫 My, my, there are so many asks!! I’m gonna lock in and get to those, and I’m also gonna spin the wheel again, I want to do another ‘Analysing Richtofen!’✨

[kino-der-joon]

“The others don’t understand, I’ve been doing this for a very long time, I don’t want this to end- And by that I mean I don’t want me to end.” - Richtofen, Revelations.

💫 A quote I’ll probably use in another Analysing Richtofen, but I wanted to post this because this is proof from the man himself that he doesn’t want to end the cycle. I’ve seen some confusion about his goals, and I want to use 2 am to set the record straight that Richtofen is perpetuating the cycle, he never has any intentions of ending it. ✨

✨ Back to trying to sleep 💔 ✨

[kino-der-joon]

💫 Okay, I’m in a yapping mood (as always) I think it’s time to start another ‘analysing Richtofen.’ Time to spin the wheel!! ✨

[kino-der-joon]

💫 This is a COD Zombies side blog for @celestial-joon !

✨ @devo-joon - Apex Legends side blog! ✨

✨ @joon-dates-everything - Date Everything side blog!✨

✨ AuDHD || 25 || They/Them ✨

⚠️ MINORS DNI!! ⚠️

💫DIRECTORY !✨

For accessibility reasons, I have categorised and threaded my posts together so they’re easier to flick through!!

✨ Headcanons! ✨

A collection of headcanons that I or you have thought about!!

✨ Asks! ✨

Rules for the ask box: Have fun!! Ask about anything you like! Lore, headcanons, opinions, I’m all for it! Just no NSFW please !! If you want to ask me a trivia question for funsies, please do!! Just specify that it’s a trivia question!

✨Screenies!✨

Screenshots in game from Bo3 and Bo4 !!

✨Memes!✨

A collection of memes! (There’s not much here for now, but it will be added to!)

✨Art!✨

A collection of my artwork! (There’s not much here for now, but it will be added to!)

✨ ANALYSING RICHTOFEN ✨

A series in which we delve into Richtofen’s voice lines to see what they can tell us about him!

[kino-der-joon]

💫 After that instalment of ‘Analysing Richtofen,’ I need some time to kick my funny bone back into gear- I’ll reblog more of your responses tomorrow !! 🥹🥹 ✨