A love letter to Karma

BlackDragonIV·Jul 19, 2014·14 votes·2,399 views

Dear Karma,

I'm sorry that your were replaced... They said it was only a rework, that you would remain, only changed... But instead they only crafted a replacement. Someone different, and gave them your name.

I've missed you so much. The Fields of Justice have changed, and will be doing so again soon, and you won't get to see it. Many do not even know you existed, let alone remember. You abilities, skills and talents were among the best in the League, and for that you were sentenced to exile. A lack of understanding and appreciation amongst novice summoners. A portrait, like the rest of the champions, was made for your entry to the League, when you joined your portrait was something to relish, It's very creation shown to the world in appreciation, and I hope you took the highest of honor in that ceremony. The new champions don't get that privileged anymore, not even your replacement received that honor.

Since I've seen your replacement on the battle field, I have longed to witness your abilities again. I sincerely miss everything about your interactions throughout the Fields of Justice. The way you maintained control of the battle field, huddled and fought with and against the toughest of allies and enemies. Your fearless stride into the frey and the discipline taught through your most powerful of arts.

One day you will asked to return, and I hope that above all you accept this offer, not for Riot. But to lead your people, your allies, your friends, and your summoners to victory. On the Fields of Justice you shall return.

I met you on February 1st, 2011. It feels like only yesterday I had paid my dues to ally with you in the fields. 3150IP, and we would be partners forever. They lied.

However as a summoner, revenge and war amongst my people would not settle my disputes. So I fight another battle. One of love and compassion. One to restore the rights to the Field of Justice to the worthy. And you, my dear, Are of the worthy.


To Riot: Since I've played the replacement. I haven't been doing any of my favorite things in lane... I don't R+E my allied minions to damage enemy champions because my Q is in range. Wave clear feels like every other champ because now all I do is throw skill shots until it dies instead of using my combo including W and R+E. And worst of all. I find myself regretting it when I shield allies for a speed boost instead of an actual shield. And it doesn't stop there... Because when I get low I don't feel strong. I don't feel like Karma, I don't feel the burning spirit of leadership, the duty and perseverance for my people. I become frightened and cautious.

There is something so incredibly tangible about my experiences with Karma's real kit. It was more thematically accurate on a deeper level. The level of teamwork and leadership. Something just felt so amazing about fighting in the middle of of your team. Being surrounded by your allies being your best position. Now the replacement just sits in the back. Always maintaining distance like everyone else who isn't Melee. And supporting your allies feels superficial. You simply shield them and damage the enemy. You don't FIGHT WITH THEM. You don't MOVE WITH THEM. And most of all you don't PROTECT THEM anymore. You just go about your business and contribute numbers.

It's become a battle of statistics rather than choices.

It took me awhile to understand what I missed about Karma, and why I've missed it as much as I have. But now that I've had time to clear my mind and understand. The real Karma. Pure and true, was one of the best champions ever brought to the Fields of Justice.

If you are reading this and agree with me. Thumbs up this post and reply! Even if your just saying "HELL YEAH" every little bit helps. Riot needs to know that reworks and remakes are different. And that removing a character is never a solution.

27 Comments

Krizalid BrandoJul 19, 20144 votes

It's pretty romantic, but I love new Karma. You know, like she was a grey mouse in school and then boom, she becomes very cute and I wonder "How didn't I notice her before?".

HealyourownbumJul 20, 20141 votes

But why can;t the grey mouse stay? Why does everything have to be noticeable and amazing?

Krizalid BrandoJul 20, 20141 votes

It's just a matter of taste. Personally, I liked Karma even back then, but her new skillset just fits me more - now I can play her as mid champion and I won't suffer from being too weak compared to others AP champions.

HealyourownbumJul 20, 20141 votes

But the old kit fit me more. Why do you get to play what you enjoy and what i enjoyed got delete? And i never felt weak compared to other AP's i did amazing dmg massive amounts even in a great AoE and i could keep my team alive with strong shields and amazing heals. And when needed i could increase the movement speed of nearly everyone with just my W and get out. A MS skill that lasted if i remember correctly 5secs.

Krizalid BrandoJul 20, 20141 votes

Because life is unfair, so or so. Yes, it makes me sad when something doesn't happen as I want, but there's nothing we can do about it. As example, I'm drawing my Karma skin, there are many pictures of my Dark Gravitation Karma, which for sure won't be released because Riots will find more popular/fitting their tastes idea and it will be forgotten. Just relax, if results don't depend on your actions.

HealyourownbumJul 20, 2014

But not getting your skin over losing the champion you loved play is very differnt to me. Would you rly still care about that skin if Karma got remade in to a melee like mage now that would be compleetly differnt from what she is now?

Or would you be annoyed as well? Cause i did spend money on her wasnt alot but i did spend money on her and i was happy to do so. And then it just got taken away with a in my eyes do not note that please. A big FU you from Riot. Here you have a reminder of the golden days with this free skin! Cause you are never getting her back. But we like to add some salt to that wound for free!

Krizalid BrandoJul 20, 20141 votes

Interesting question. If she would become a melee mage using martial arts - it would be even cooler for me. It's pretty subjective, and it's very hard for Riots to pleasure everyone's needs. Bigger mass enjoyed new Karma - this is the main point of Riots interest, even if results don't grant our wishes.

UracleJul 20, 20142 votes

But not getting your skin over losing the champion you loved play is very differnt to me.

Because at the end of the day when all is said and done, it's not about you, healyourownbum. (.....that is the weirdest thing I have ever said outloud out of context) It's not about me, it's not krizalid, or the rest of the fans directly (I need to emphasize this)

It's about the game and will always be about the game. they can create the most fun character in the game tomorrow that is critically acclaimed as the best champ ever. (for the person playing said character that is) If it turns out the character is bad for the game they will make that decision to change him in a hot minute.

It's about the bigger picture. Yes, old fans are upset. That happens and they know this. People want the old kit back. they know this.

They also know that bringing back the old kit wouldn't help the game in the long run.

Also, one question that I keep forgetting to ask.

Old Karma players or regular players, answer me this:

Have you ever faced against an Old Karma before? Like, once? If so what were your experiences? How did you feel?

HealyourownbumJul 20, 2014

Yea i get that. But that still does not take the sting out of it for me. And it does feel like betting on something then if you buy something as they can just remove it.

And yea twice first time around was hell as it was still rather new to it all. Second time around i knew how to bait out the shield bomb and then just nuke her with ignite and win.

UracleJul 20, 20142 votes

Yea i get that. But that still does not take the sting out of it for me. And it does feel like betting on something then if you buy something as they can just remove it.

And yea twice first time around was hell as it was still rather new to it all. Second time around i knew how to bait out the shield bomb and then just nuke her with ignite and win.

It's not supposed to take the sting out of you but just so long as you understand at least where they are coming from when it comes to reworks and relaunches. Everything in this game is subject to change. You'd think everyone knew that already

Also, thanks for the experience info.

HealyourownbumJul 20, 2014

I knew things were subject to change. Not just being able to get deleted. And thats what suprised me so much and upset me so much. I did not expect them to just go about it like that. And then after the backlash doing the threads asking what ppl love about the champions and what they would like to keep and see changed. Showing me they are able to listen and work with the players. But it didnt happen with Karma.

Can you atleast see why it stings still and it still bothers me? I get it i am hung up on it too much and in the end they did what they thought was best. But that to me doesnt take away the sting of it all and how i feel about it still that they are able and willing to work with the players and try and see what they want to keep and what they want to change. And everything thats happend after. But i still lost my favo champion cause of it.

I am not someone able to just move passed that it seems i know silly and stupid and all that. But i cant and i dont rly want to either cause i do feel like it was done as a rush job without listening to the karma players at all. So many idea's suggested and ignored. And it got handed off to someone who was brand now at Riot.

UracleJul 21, 20142 votes

I knew things were subject to change. Not just being able to get deleted. And thats what suprised me so much and upset me so much. I did not expect them to just go about it like that. And then after the backlash doing the threads asking what ppl love about the champions and what they would like to keep and see changed. Showing me they are able to listen and work with the players. But it didnt happen with Karma.

Okay, breaking this down.

Riot always listens to their fans. And by listen I mean take their opinions into consideration. That's not a hard task because there are multiple suggestions coming from all angles. There's listening to what the fans have to say and then there's doing what the fans say. There's a huge difference. People want the latter. And you can't do the latter at face value.
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a) The forum interaction is a new thing, yes. But other then that they are still going about things the same. And there were still plenty or forums where Riot got suggestions from the fans. Also, there was this thread before the rework
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http://forums.na.leagueoflegends.com/board/showthread.php?t=2451177&highlight=karma+change+suggestion

A thread full a suggestions that RiotAmes was involved with.

   b) If you're going to be upset about Riot not making threads about Karma then why not be butt hurt about the reworks before Karma. Ezreal didn't get a thread. Katarina didn't get a thread. Xin Zhao didn't get a thread. The stealth rework did not get a thread (that I know of). In fact, Riot has done a lot of changes for the better that did not occur for previous champs. What? Do you want them to go back and redo it just for the sake of it? That's not how it works, I'm sorry to say.

The threads are just Riot's way of being more open with changes and explain on the way as opposed to before where they explained after it happened. That's good but that doesn't mean that they didn't have a reason to begin with (I hope that's clear)

Can you atleast see why it stings still and it still bothers me? I get it i am hung up on it too much and in the end they did what they thought was best. But that to me doesnt take away the sting of it all and how i feel about it still that they are able and willing to work with the players and try and see what they want to keep and what they want to change. And everything thats happend after. But i still lost my favo champion cause of it.

Velkoz "I acknowledge your pain"

Like I said above, they do work with players. The difference now is that they're more public about it. Just because you weren't involved or didn't feel involved directly doesn't they weren't listening. Not even sure why I bother explaining. Can't help how you feel so f- it.

I am not someone able to just move passed that it seems i know silly and stupid and all that. But i cant and i dont rly want to either cause i do feel like it was done as a rush job without listening to the karma players at all. So many idea's suggested and ignored. And it got handed off to someone who was brand now at Riot.

Actually, a lot of suggestions were addressed in the rework. Ones that worked and actually didn't break her. But nvm. If you feel it was a rushed job that's you. You do you and I'll do me. What's done is done. You don't have to move on and I don't care if ya do...just know that Riot really did not like that kit. In Xelnath's words, "it had no value to the game"

Insert angry fans saying how much they want to slap him (Which did happen by the way) I would not want to see a Riot rework thread for Karma if they had did one after seeing how people react to the most littlest of changes (see Sona: which even isn't that bad or is being deleted as some would say. I've played it. It's strong. Trust me. There are elements of Old Karma in there at least for me)

Hyrum GraffJul 19, 20143 votes

...but I lurve replacement karma </3

On the note of feeling powerful vs scared when I'm low HP: I don't feel powerful, but if I have my ult up, I'm also looking for opportunities to bait the enemy into trying to dive or engage on me, only to shield and ult-w.

While I get where you're coming from and I would also be heartbroken to have new karma taken away from me, I also understand that for the first couple years of making this game, Riot didn't have a clear direction for where the game was going, what to do to make it better, etc. Now they have clear guiding principles, and they're doing a gradual rework of the whole game from the ground up, to bring everything into accordance with their principles, which will hopefully result in a game that's more fun to play.

HigeRJul 20, 20143 votes

I couldn't agree more with you, just wanted to post to thank you because in threads like these I tend to feel kind of alone in this side of the fence, I love current Karma as well, but it seems like we're a bunch of silent people who doesn't really come into these forums very often ._.

Hyrum GraffJul 20, 20143 votes

People who aren't upset with the changes, don't come and make threads about their feelings very often. People who are happy do make threads, but much less often.

KhodexusJul 19, 20143 votes

I read this, and while I never got to experience the original Karma, I think I can understand how you feel because it's how I'm feeling right now about the changes in the pipeline for Sona. I bought Sona and thoroughly enjoy her as she is now, but she won't be Sona anymore for much longer, unless Riot takes the hints with their hyper-down-voted rework article and realize that people don't want her to lose her identity as the queen of Auras.

I feel for you. I've tried the current incarnation of Karma, and didn't really care for her.

I'd love for a chance to try something more thematically similar to the original Karma, just to see what it was like. Even if it was updated, perhaps with season 4 support scalings.

Here's hoping Riot pays attention to threads like these.

AK47WOLFJul 19, 20143 votes

It sucks that things got changed so much. Current Karma might not be overpowered, but she's way different. She's also now one of the most toxic champions to lane against. It's utterly annoying.

BuffySummerssJul 20, 20143 votes

I miss her too :/. I mained the old Karma and loved every ability she had. I also liked how she looked, but now its kinda meh. Her traditional skin and Sakura skin look like glorified bathrobes :c and the back part of it moves in a wierd way.

HealyourownbumJul 19, 20142 votes

Very well written thank you. I have the same problem with Skarma she does help some what but not as much as Karma could. I still miss her loads and all my friends are getting tired of me nagging about it lol..

ZarkkastJul 19, 20142 votes

Maybe someday Riot will realize that a rework is not supposed to completely wipe a character from existance and bring her back. Bring Trundle back. This is obviously not gonna happen, but one can dream. Worst thing is, I think more champions will receive this treatment. I don't think we'll ever see Sion again and I smell many stupid lore changes coming.

HigeRJul 20, 20142 votes

you will not be seeing current Sion anymore that's for sure =/ but I wonder to what point it'd be healthy to have him in this state... I've always thought Sion was 2 champions merged in one, would it be so bad if he were split and you could play each version into different champions?

ZarkkastJul 20, 20141 votes

They can definitely rework a champion without wiping his existance. The Q and R are his defining abilities, riot can definitely work around changing his abilities, and most importantly, his lore and personality, without completely destroying him like they did to Karma or Trundle.

HigeRJul 20, 20141 votes

yeah I agree, but where do the change becomes too much? I mean they have to update his visuals, his lore is a little flat but the whole undead, noxian warrior is a good concept for the story, his gameplay will be shifted but I'm guessing he'll remain as a bruiser, his skillset is pretty Iconic I think not only his Q and R but some changes are needed there.

It surprised me that you said that his core skills are Q and R, since most of the time, Sion will focus on 2 skills depending on weather he's AP or AD, for AD it's E and R, and for AP it's Q and W.

Anyway I think he'll be an undead Warrior/Bruiser of sorts, mostly focused in AD but if this feels like too much then I'm lost here ._.

ZarkkastJul 20, 20141 votes

I understand where you're coming from his skills, what I meant is that the whole "defining skills" thing riot are asking players. For instance, what the defines Urgot is his Q+E Acid Hunter combo. I think what defines Sion is his Cryptic Gaze (the stun needs to remain) and the concept of the ultimate, with the ghosts flying around him.

The shield doesn't really make much sense and the E is rather meh.

I really hope they maintain the undead Noxian storyline.

MrBuffingtonJul 20, 20141 votes

I didn't get a chance to meet the original Karma (I only started playing after they reworked/replaced her), but I do enjoy this Karma. I can relate to one point you made, which is shielding allies for the speed boost. It's something I love and hated about Karma, where I could do (more or less) what Lulu did in two spells with only one, but at the same time, it was awful when I wanted to rush to an ally's aid, only to realize I already used my shield to speed myself up to get in range to shield them, or other situations where I know I could save two allies by shielding one and speeding the other up, but I have to choose one or the other.

RapturesWeaponJul 22, 20141 votes

I love her even more