Poll: Thoughts on Sona's Rework?

ShadowGlaive213·Jul 28, 2014·3 votes·3,997 views

TL;DR Which Sona kit do you prefer, the current PBE or live? Feel free to comment your thoughts on the rework, sharing your history with Sona live/PBE would help people view your opinion in better context

Changes coming to Sona: "Passive

Q Passive does 50% bonus damage (reduced from 100% bonus damage)

Q - Hymn of Valor

Cooldown increased to 8 seconds from 7 seconds
Damage decreased to 40/80/120/160/200 + (50% AP) from 50/100/150/200/250 (+50% AP)
Aura now grants 20/30/40/50/60 (+25% AP) bonus magic damage to allies on next attack
    No longer grants AP/AD
    Aura lasts 3 seconds, extended by 0.5 seconds for each ally tagged

W - Aria of Perseverance

Cooldown increased to 10 seconds from 7 seconds
Initial cast now heals Sona plus lowest health nearby ally for 25/45/65/85/105 + (20% AP) down from 40/55/70/85/100 (+25%AP)
Heals now scale with the target's missing HP +1% healing for each 1% missing health (max 50/90/130/170/210 + (40% AP))
Mana cost increased to 70/75/80/85/90 from 60/65/70/75/80
Aura now grants a shield that blocks 40/60/80/100/120 + (20% AP) damage and lasts for 1.5 seconds.
    No longer grants Armor/MR
    Aura lasts 3 seconds, extended by 0.5 seconds for each ally tagged

E - Song of Celerity

Cooldown increased to 12 seconds
Initial cast grants Sona a boost of 13/14/15/16/17% + (7.5% AP) Movement Speed that decays down to the ally boost
Aura now grants allies 10/11/12/13/14% + (3.75 AP) Movement Speed that lasts for 1.5 seconds.
    Aura lasts 3 seconds, extended by 0.5 seconds for each ally tagged
    Sona's Movement Speed buff is also extended by 0.5 seconds for each ally tagged

Initial cast unchanged
Each rank of ult now increases the power of Sona's auras, as well as the self boost of Song of Celerity
    +10/20/40 Magic Damage for Hymn of Valor
    +10/20/40 Shield for Aria of Perseverance
    +2/4/6% Movement Speed for Song of Celerity"

--Fearless http://boards.pbe.leagueoflegends.com/en/c/champions-gameplay-feedback/ZH4AoF4k-newest-sona-update Her aura range has also been reduced to 350 units from 700 (q) and 1000 (w,e).

Visual Aid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=wHdoeOtx-fU

"Also, for anyone curious, just had a look to see how many champions we're changing in said patch. Not quite 40, but close ish - 30, with (as I read it) 14 champs nerfed, 15 buffed and one with significant gameplay changes focused on playstyle, not power (Sona)." --Meddler http://forums.na.leagueoflegends.com/board/showthread.php?p=48804407#48804407

It's been just under a month since Sona's rework hit PBE, and I have this funny feeling they're going to hit live fairly soon. As this rework was in development there have been several forums in which many of you have already commented. Now that this new kit has been out for a while for people to observe and play with and have undergone numerous adjustments, I was wondering what you thought of it now in its latest and seemingly final stages. For those who weren't aware of the changes, what do you think of them? For those who have been following more or less, what did you think initially and have your thoughts changed?

My thoughts: Sona is my main support and while I haven't been keeping count I'm fairly certain I've played over 100 games with her. I don't have PBE access so I haven't been able to try the new Sona. I love Sona how she is and I find this rework completely unwarranted. Despite many players saying she's under powered or can't compete with current high pick supports, she's had an over 50% win rate for quite some time. The justification for the rework is that Sona is unsatisfying to play and lacks play making ability outside of her ult, and that much of her power is invisible because they reside in her auras. Not everyone will or can appreciate the aura support play style that is a huge part of Sona's identity. Not all play styles will be popular in comparison to others, much like not all genres of music will be popular in comparison to others. I don't understand why Sona must be changed to conform to more popular play styles when there are over 100 other champs to choose from who can be flashy or make plays if that's the desired style. If her auras are too invisible new visual effects should take care of that, or at least try that first. The new VFX should help players realize and take notice of Sona's auras more. Appreciation is sure to follow realization. Reworking her kit without trying just the VFX first seems like cutting off a leg because of an infection without trying antibiotics first or something of the sort. I also feel that part of Sona is that she is seen as one of the lower skill cap champs and often relaxing to play as a result, and I don't think that should change. If you MUST give her more play making ability I like an idea my brother came up with where if you get a certain combination of chord procs you get a new effect. For example, since it is possible to get 2 chords off if charged initially, hitting an enemy with an e chord and an additional e chord before the effects of the first chord wear off results in a root. If more visibility is needed the first chord can mark the target like Nid's abilities now do. It doesn't make sense to me to change Sona from an aura support to a friendly AoE caster nor do I find the idea of chasing allies to tag them appealing.

What are your thoughts?

For those who would like to see how things have developed or other feedback already given here are some links:

When Sona was first marked for death/change depending on who you are. http://forums.na.leagueoflegends.com/board/showthread.php?p=46561127 http://boards.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/c/live-gameplay/sHpZtYpv-lets-talk-about-sona-for-all

Just before Sona hit PBE. http://boards.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/c/champions-skins/hUj8b74R-sona-update-qa

PBE Threads. http://boards.pbe.leagueoflegends.com/en/c/champions-gameplay-feedback/jbIE4XVr-sona-update-feedback-and-bugs-thread http://boards.pbe.leagueoflegends.com/en/c/champions-gameplay-feedback/IYeaedu8-sona-pbe-update http://boards.pbe.leagueoflegends.com/en/c/champions-gameplay-feedback/JwxAlIBO-sona-update-is-back-feedback-and-changes-here http://boards.pbe.leagueoflegends.com/en/c/champions-gameplay-feedback/ZH4AoF4k-newest-sona-update

21 Comments

SgathachJul 28, 20144 votes

No matter how I try, I can't get myself to like the Sona rework. I love Sona as she is and I was originally excited to hear about her being reworked. I had high hopes that she would be even MORE fun. Now I'm scared they're gutting her and making her useless. I don't get to play her as much as is because because sometimes she isn't a "smart choice" compared to other supports. Now even more so than ever.

ShadowGlaive213Jul 28, 20142 votes

Yeah I feel ya. I feel like they're reworking her in a similar fashion to Karma, only I don't think the new Sona will be as functional as the new Karma. What part of the changes in particular do you most disapprove of?

SgathachJul 29, 20142 votes

At first it was the size of the auras that was the biggest issue, added into the fact that they lowered her health at the first three levels? She's already squishy and its dangerous in lane to play her. In a time when massive CC is popular on a support and you HAVE to huddle up to your team just to give them useful buffs, it just seems dangerous. With no means of resistance? Junglers or supports like Amumu and Leona would RUIN her team input EASILY.

ShadowGlaive213Jul 29, 20142 votes

According to surrender@20 she will have higher base armor and health per level to compensate. While she will have lower health for level 1-3 she will have higher health 4-18, which I have mixed feelings as to how good that trade off is since early game is so important. Higher base armor and lower health 1-3, higher health 4-18 supposedly. idk. I do agree that the changes to her auras is an unwanted AoE hazard though.

MrBuffingtonJul 28, 20143 votes

I like the new visuals on the PBE Sona, but the kit feels better on Live Sona. My main complaint about PBE Sona is that her auras have pretty much no range on them.

ShadowGlaive213Jul 28, 20143 votes

Yeah, I think they're trying to get Sona to do more by decreasing the range to make her move around more and work harder. But it really defies all logic in positioning, especially as a squishy support in my opinion. Counterproductive or counter intuitive like Quinn's ult.

MrBuffingtonJul 29, 20143 votes

Exactly my thought, if Sona wants to apply aura buffs to her tank line before they dive, she has to get to the front line to do so. The only time Sona is supposed to be in the front line is when she flash-ults, then quickly retreats to the back line. What bothers me is that these auras don't seem to be really buffed from the live auras, which means she's essentially just getting a range nerf in addition to the auras having a really short duration, so this seems a lot like a nerf to Sona overall, where Sona isn't even OP.

ShadowGlaive213Jul 29, 20143 votes

Yeah unfortunately that's where Riot and most of the community differ in opinion. Much of the community believe Sona is under powered, while Riot sees Sona as having the right amount of power if not too much power. I can see it likely as an attempt to keep her out of mid lane like they tried to do with Soraka and Lulu. I really would like to keep her AP off build =/ I don't like the funneling into one role. Meddler said that the rework is supposed to be "significant gameplay changes focused on playstyle, not power" so they're not supposed to be buffs.

MrBuffingtonJul 29, 20142 votes

The thing is, Sona mid/top is always going to be sub-optimal, since she has no waveclear (and no real utility, unless you're really good at managing your powerchords, especially not the utility of Soraka or Lulu especially). I get they don't want to buff her, but it definitely feels like they're nerfing her.

tau43Jul 29, 20142 votes

Dude she's the squishiest.

Lady ZatakuJul 29, 20143 votes

Sona was my first and favorite support champ and even though she is not my main anymore(Nami now) I still play her often. When it comes to her compared to say Nami who is a rather popular pick I still feel as if Sona is strong. Sona can be and is just as good as any other support maybe people just don't like that she is not a stun monster or a tank which is what people seem to be demanding more of. The update does not seem as if it would feel like Sona at all instead it would feel like more of a forced offense champ that needs to be snuggling her team and spamming to do well. I am bias as I adore her but that is my view on it.

ShadowGlaive213Jul 29, 20142 votes

I think Sona has always been kind of an offensive champ. In lane aside from her sustain she's known for her q poke, and post laning her ult initiates. With the rework she won't be as spammy because of the increased cooldowns, so following that thought she's really just snuggling her teammates for the sake of snuggling her teammates =/ I almost feel like they're trying to make her take more risks in the way that Lux, Ziggs, and Xerath have long range and have a passive that forces them take a risk, and with Sona they decreased her range to increase her risk, but idk she's already squishy as hell and not very mobile and her passive already requires her to be in aa range, I thought that was risk enough

Lady ZatakuJul 29, 20142 votes

Her passive really is a risk as is to try and use without minion cover verses people with a stun. Her only real mobility comes from her E or summoner spells. I don't know no matter what way I think about what they are doing I just can't like it.

ProjectRay12Jul 28, 20142 votes

No no no, I don't want this. The part of Sona I loved was the Persistant Auras, that's what made her unique. I love the idea of stances, and the only reason I haven't tried Udyr yet is because I prefer ranged champions. Sona is underpowered right now on live, but I'd rather have her passive effects buffed than her actives.

ShadowGlaive213Jul 29, 20141 votes

Yeah, Riot doesn't seem too keen on the idea of letting Sona do work just by being there. Sona already moves around mashing buttons, as far as I can tell their solution for her to feel more satisfying to play is to do it even more? idk just my thoughts

NiriiyaJul 29, 20141 votes

Sona was my 1st support champ, as i eased into the role of support. I don't play her much now but I remember her being fairly easy to use back in the day. Pertaining to the changes, I am not sure what warranted riot to implement this, I can only guess. It could be that she isn't as popular as other supports eg. thresh, leona, morgana. You mentioned that she has a 50% win rate, so she isn't a bad support, just not popular. Tweaking her play style is what riot saw fit. They reduced the range of her auras and in order to get the her aura duration to last longer her abilities would have to be cast in range with as many allies as possible. With this change she would have to stick to her teammates like crazy glue. Sona is literally made out of paper, and these changes mean she will more than likely have to be in the front lines of a teamfight. No longer will she be able to hide comfortably at the back while casting. I can only imagine how fast she will be blown up by aoe dmg. After these changes she will no longer be a starter support champ. Her skillcap will be fairly increased as positioning will be a key factor. That shield on her w does look kinda cool though. Aside from that I do like the visual updates, her auras are clearly visible now and hard to miss. It is a lot easier to see which aura sona is granting her ally/allies. On the other hand, i don't like the new crescendo, I really prefer the older version, looked better to me. I'm not sure whether these changes are entirely bad or good. The only way to really find out is when I play her upon release. I think I understand where your coming from, this is a champ you have played over 100+ games with, you have grown accustomed to a certain play style. Similar to what they did with Rengar, you can either learn to play her a different way and adapt to the changes or you may have to move on to maining a different support. Riot is always looking to fix things that aren't necessarily broken.

ShadowGlaive213Jul 29, 20141 votes

Visual effects changes are different from kit changes. I approve of having new VFX to clarify Sona's power and make her teammates and perhaps even players themselves more aware and appreciative, but I disagree with the kit changes. When there are over 100 different champs encompassing a multitude of different play styles no champion should have to be changed to conform to the style of another. I do agree that the positional requirements definitely increase her skill cap by a lot. Due to increased cooldowns she will also have to be pickier about when she casts her spells, which is unfortunate since I feel a part of her identity was the spammability of her spells. I find it comparable to increasing the cooldown on Lux's ult.

NiriiyaJul 29, 20141 votes

yea, her short cd's and ability spamming became more apparent when URF mode was introduced, sona was practically perma-banned till they disabled her lol. Heals for days and nearly unkillable.

Quacker2Jul 29, 20141 votes

Im split down the middle tbh. Im a support main and I can see pros and cons to this. I can definetly see where previous posters are getting at.

The new sona truly shows her power more visually. The idea of having a small aura range is big...but the idea of making them ONLY TEMPORARY is bigger. I agree that this change will make sona more challenging, yet much more rewarding if played right. However I do feel that it means that if she falls behind in lane...she stays down even deeper than before. Comebacks will be harder for sure (thats hypocritical with a lot of other changes riot has made). I do like how she actually has a strong speed boost and aoe shield now. However the biggest problem the skin has is that if will make her hard matches....even harder. A realistic scenario will explain this best.

As sona, the most natural counter pick is going to be a bursty cc-lockdown support because it works against her squishyness and her poke strategy respectively. Basically leona blitz and thresh come to mind. Old sona could work around these matchups (nightmares) by poking carefully and allowing her auras to help her carry win out in shorter trades. In other words, she could play safer from a decent range and still make the lane tolerable. These shortened auras however force the sona to stand next to her adc to take affect. This makes landing the leona e's and blitz q's tht much easier. What do you guys think?

NinjaFiferJul 29, 20141 votes

The main problem with Auras in general is their near impossibility to balance. The fact that the power of the aura drastically changes with the number of allies present means you have to stick to a balance point. For Sona, if you stick low and give her comparable power during the laning phase to traditional supports, how to you keep her from being OP in teamfights? On the flipside, if you make her comparable to other teamfight strengths, how do you keep her from being UP while laning? Also, the power level of her auras increases the longer the allies stick around. In a teamfight, that HP5 isn't doing anyone any good, but this way, a team shield does what that HP5 would have done over 10 seconds, exactly when you need it.

I like that they changed most of her kit to being AOE bursts of buffs, instead of consistent auras. That makes for easier balancing, better clarity for enemies, and easier, but more engaging, decision requirements. With old Sona, you cycled through Auras, spending mana on them for next to no effect, just to get points towards your power chord. This way, every switch gives you a little more 'oomph', and you don't feel like your mana was wasted on the little time you spent in that aura.

MrSc0ttyJul 29, 20141 votes

As a PBE tester-Sonas lane playstyle of Q-Hit-And-Run is unchanged, her engage/escape with Celerity is unchanged, and her effective healing is, in many cases, buffed quite substantially. Her core GAMEPLAY of being one step ahead of your opponents in order to avoid hard engages is unchanged.

What's different is the level of coordination With your ADC to pull her off to her full potential. Her harass pattern before was Q+auto, it's now Q+auto+ADC auto. If you coordinate the harass and act in harmony ( get it?) she gets a significant buff. Same with Celerity. You swing in close to your ally, pop it, and roll in/out, and you get more mileage out of the skill. It's not just a low level near constant boost.

Basically this will put her in a similar spot to Nami in terms of playstyle. Acting solo, she falls under more independent supports like Thresh or Karma. Acting in sync with a teammate and the enemy will go bye-bye-bye. (I'm not sorry.)

Also, rather than purely a lane bully Sona is now a late game BEAST. her skill rotation is basically Talisman Active+Locket Active+Summoner spell heal, then a Sona ult. Holy cow levels of utility if you get in the middle of your team.