State of Assassins

Re-posted here from General Discussions, as this is where it belongs.

I've been pointed out by many and had several suggest now that the scaling/damage or even stats in general needs to be different for High elo play and low elo play. Most think that there should be a separate balance team, and honestly, this isn't such a bad idea, given that the champions in the game can have very different winrates when played in higher elo, so today I'm going to talk about Assassins, since they seem to have all taken a hit in the past year or so.

This list takes into account that you are farmed, but not overtly fed, basically if both teams have identical gold, how they perform. The reason for looking at it this way is because Riot has stated that they want to reduce snowballing. (Ironic though that they make Baron give minions hyper resist and more damage to minions and champs... Not to mention Dragon buffs.) This List is alphabetical with the exception of Veigar.

Form of measurement is how well an assassin can get their job done killing an ADC or Mage.

While not technically an Assassin, has assassin damage. Has a lot of counterplay for higher ranks or people with good mechanics, otherwise a pubstomper (For those that might not know this means "Public game stomper" or someone that doesn't usually require a large amount of cooperation from teammates. I believe the term originated from DotA)

Varying degrees of usefulness now. Still has great damage, though now requires a bit more intelligence/timing to play at all levels. I know some Bronzes that still see her picked in 90% of their games.

Despite many nerfs, still very strong and capable. Has great followup CC. Can sometimes struggle in lategame.

Isn't even really played as an assassin anymore. When she is, she can get the job done sometimes, otherwise gets cc'ed or kited from a lack of dash. Can get an early lead, though is generally played as a fighter/tank now.

AP still can get the job done moderately will IF he lands his Ult. AD generally does well too, though is seen as more of a fighter build. Both build can be weak if they fall behind.

Mostly useless Until Mid-Lategame now. Iffy scaling at best compared to other assassins. Terrible base damage makes him struggle. Passive helps him get through early game unless he's vs. an AD. Needs an early lead. At equal gold, play someone else, he can't generally blow up an adc instantly even in lategame.

A champion meant for snowballing. If you aren't ahead and you have good judgement for when to go in, you'll still be useful in cleaning up fights. Mediocre scaling. Another Pubstomper.

Hasn't seen a lot of play in low or high level of play recently. Still does "okay" though he feels very gimmicky at times when he doesn't successfully assassinate someone. I've seen him be played more as a fighter these days as well.

Still rarely has issues not killing a squishy. Falls off a bit lategame due to her squishy nature, though with decent setup, still a pubstomper. Very high scaling on abilities.

Not going to comment on him too much. Scales well, is a pubstomper. Pros play him decently as well due to his q dodging many abilities completely. Is very squishy and can be shutdown hard with cc or thornmail.

Even after receiving many nerfs, she still can get the job done when played right. Used to be considered a pubstomper, though now requires a bit more to play. (Personally never have much trouble with her still) At times still returns to being a spearbot, taking on the mage/support role.

Not used as much as he used to be, often used as a "heal tank" or a fighter nowadays. Scales alright, though isn't particularly strong any time except midgame. Can't always get the job done if the squishy is positioned well.

He has a very interesting state. He scales very well, though requires the jungle to fight in teamfights without an ult which makes him difficult to play in lategame without significant cdr or coordination. Still very viable and has great damage.

While listed as a fighter, almost always played as an Assassin. Very good scaling and damage. Can be somewhat lackluster without prior initiation or practice with the champion. Not quite as useful given equal gold. Regardless, good cc and plenty of dashing for gapclosing or escaping. Considered a pubstomper.

Can blow up targets instantly without warning. I'm sure most have experienced this one way or another. When this doesn't happen, however, he often dies very very quick and becomes very very useless. Often used as a splitpusher these days. Can still be viable, though watch those pinks.

One of the best aoe teamfight "assassins." Likely a great choice for AOE comps. Can hit very high crits with q, allowing him to kill carries in mid and lategame with relative ease. Sometimes considered a pubstomper due to his relatively simply play pattern. Often left as nearly useless when he doesn't get the job done, however.

Very interesting indeed. The nerfs to crit items hurt him, but still very strong regardless. With a good team, is extremely effective, though can get blown up easily as well. Has good utility, can get kited when not near minions. Generally still gets the job done during sieges.

Once considered the king of pubstompers by some, he can still easily get the job done, though the stat nerfs he has received have hurt this to some extent. Scales alright, though can be lackluster lategame, especially at higher levels of play where QSS is actually purchased. Mages often get Zhonyas as well. Can sometime end up being a baiter of such things to open the path for hard cc at the expense of a very high damage single target spell.

Final words: While I'm sure plenty will disagree, feel free to leave a comment about another champion you feel needs to be added to the list or evaluated. Feel free to add your own thoughts as well. Thanks for reading.

Final analysis is that assassins overall are still viable, though a few may need a little tuning yet. Only a few are incapable of getting the job done even when played by a skilled/smart player at equal gold level. The weakest right now I would personally list, due to sometimes needing much more than a single rotation of spells are Kassadin, Kha'Zix, and Evelynn.