The Problem with Manaless Champions

ShwaShwaBaggins·12/4/2015, 2:50:52 AM·2 votes·1,379 views

Manaless champions are very annoying early game, but are generally given their mana-less state based on their lore and kit. For example, Garen only swings his sword in different ways, so he doesn't use mana. Ninjas, Monks and most AD assassins (poor Talon ) use energy, as they just jump around and throw things (Lee Sin's jump, Zed's shadows, and Katerina's magic damage are not magic I promise). Even Riven, who uses a magic sword, derives her power from her sword and therefore uses no mana. However, aren't there quite a few champions who should fall under this category?

Caitlyn Caitlyn : Shoots things. All she does is shoot and lay traps. Plenty of people do this irl and, as far as I know, nobody in existence has mana. Corki Corki : Same as Caitlyn. Darius Darius : Swings his axe in different ways. Sure, the heal is odd, but then again so is a giant sword falling from the sky. Gangplank Gangplank : Shoots, puts down barrels full of gunpowder, eats in a Runescape-esque fashion, and tells his ship where to shoot. Magic? Graves Graves : Same as Caitlyn. Jarvan IV JarvanIV : Swings and throws his standard. Maybe his W is somewhat magical. Giant swords. Kha'Zix Khazix : Uses his insect body to perform his abilities. No magical skills; he would be better suited with energy. Master Yi MasterYi : Attacks rapidly, meditates, runs fast. Meditate seems somewhat magical but it is based off of a mana-less real-life action. Giant swords. This one is the most debatable. Pantheon Pantheon : Throws spear, attacks fast, blocks, jumps. His jump is exaggerated but... giant swords. Reworked Poppy Poppy : Gets her energy from her weapon. What's your excuse, Riven? Singed Singed : Let's out gas, throws down slime, throws people, drinks some kick-ass energy drink. Not very magical. Teemo Teemo : Shoots poisonous darts, runs, puts down poisonous mushrooms. Not very magical. Talon Talon : Sure, his blades levitate and he has rogue-like invisibility... giant swords. Xin Zhao XinZhao : His only magical component is his heal... giant swords Riot, giant swords. . . . . On the flip side: Akali Akali : Magical sparkling shroud and AP damage. Dr. Mundo DrMundo : Magical healing powers and can summon salt. Garen Garen : Magic shield, GIANT. SWORD. OF DOOM. Katerina Katarina : Magic damage. Other than this it makes sense. Kennen Kennen : Literally becomes electricity. Rengar Rengar : Healing, turns invisible like Talon. Poor Talon. Renekton Renekton : Similar ult to Nasus, which is magical. Shyvana Shyvana : Turns into a dragon, breaths fire, fire circles around her without lighting herself on fire like Mundo. Not magical at all. Vladimir Vladimir : ...How is anything he does not magic? Yasuo Yasuo : Because controlling wind isn't magical. Zed Zed : Living shadows and teleportation, along with a magical mark, definitely aren't magic.

I'm not saying any of these champions need changes. I'm just saying that, in many cases, whether or not a champion uses mana is not based on what the champion does, but on balance.

19 Comments

ModWulf Helhammer12/4/2015, 2:55:26 AM2 votes

Mana =/= magic

Frost Hellfire12/4/2015, 3:01:39 AM2 votes

Bruh, Lee Sin killed a child, so ----> He became blind and received powers. Do you think Rito gives two fucks about logic? v:

Vesarixx12/4/2015, 4:21:48 AM2 votes

as far as I know, nobody in existence has mana.

I have mana, be jealous

MilfHuntUnitXJ912/4/2015, 4:26:19 AM2 votes

You make true points, and your logic is very real.

However, think about it from a balance standpoint.

If all the champs who didn't do anything "magical" or have spells etc, could just cast everything with no cost, either a. it would get out of hand how many times they can use without it costing. b. the numbers would be tweak so the damage is ridiculously low or c. the cooldowns would be increased.

If A B and C never applied when there isnt costs then the game would be an even bigger snowball fest than it is right now.

DrNova12/4/2015, 3:56:32 AM1 votes

If every champ that could realistically be manaless was, Mana champs would be rare as manaless.