I thought the assassin rework was supposed to allow counterplay to an assassin's burst?

Tryce Maxwell·Sep 8, 2017·2 votes·561 views

9 Comments

koocharioSep 8, 20175 votes

Zed is countered by intelligent comps, not just items. If Zed is a problem, it means your comp is garbage and you probably had a role in making it.

TwinkieProSep 8, 20172 votes

Zed, in my opinion, is the most fair assassin. I don't feel outplayed by Fizz Akali Leblanc Rengar Syndra

PennsSep 8, 20171 votes

but you feel outplayed by point and click zed ult into duskblade auto - E - another auto to proc thunderlords - you die to his ult? hehe

TwinkieProSep 8, 20172 votes

If zed is ahead, i expect him to do a lot of damage. Yet since i play Lee, I usually save my r for when he finishes his own R. Since there is a 1 second lockout, I'm basically guaranteed to kick him. His kit has power, yes, but it also has fairly visible counterplay.

legionnaire99Sep 8, 20172 votes

Only mages get that item 3157

BańgSep 8, 20171 votes

summoner 3

PopcornBunniSep 8, 20171 votes

Assassins as a whole don't fulfill the concept of the role. They're all essentially single-target-focused, short-range burst mages that are either cancer to lane against or a free win for their lane opponent.

The idea of an assassin is to "pick" off targets, yet so few characters in the role have picking mechanics, and several non-assassins do have them.

Ahri Charm is her only picking tool and it can be body blocked. Has become a glorified battle mage Akali Cancer infinite sustain skirmisher-all-in-8-seconds-of-non-interactive-gameplay Ekko No picking mechanics, just a poke and all-in laner Elise Not listed as assassin, but has more picking mechanics than most of them anyway Evelynn Anti-picking ult that works better the MORE people she hits at once Fizz Poke to all-in mid laner, picking ult can be body blocked Kassadin Battlemage that focuses on forcing trades Katarina Passive designed around rewarding picking off low-health targets, E R instant penta runs in contrast to it Kayn First on the list to actually have a picking mechanic in his ult and passive stacking Khazix Picking passive that actually feels like an assassin Leblanc Became a burst mage with awful AP ratios LeeSin Q2 designed to pick off low-health targets; overloaded kit that does everything Nidalee Both Qs designed to pick; decent assassin gameplay Nocturne Picking R; decent assassin gameplay Rengar sort of picking R; abilities are assassin-like but gameplay has become a diver Shaco Backstabs and stealth fit as an assassin; boxes and ult feel completely unrelated Talon Poke and all-in physical mage with free escapes Zed Passive designed to pick off weakened enemies; abilities are instead focused on poking with effectively unlimited resource

Meanwhile, non-assassins have low-health picking and separation mechanics that make them play up the idea of an assassin singling out their target better than actual assassins.

Poppy JarvanIV XinZhao Camille Ults designed to single out a target and separate their team

Morgana Garen Darius Pantheon RekSai Urgot Veigar Riven Volibear Warwick All have mechanics designed to pick off low-health targets retreating -- you know, the kinds of targets an assassin would want to be taking out.