Some "light" talk (Lux Buff on the PBE)

https://i.imgur.com/jv5MBs8.jpg

Sparked by the current Lux buffs on the PBE. (I also used op.gg for some data, in case anyone wonders where I get the data from)

The current buff on the PBE is increasing the amount of cooldown refunded when you get a kill with (R)Final Spark. This got me thinking about Lux and I was wondering if other buffs or changes could help with a goal from back in 7.15: increasing her competitive viability. A bunch of champs got buffs along those lines hoping to keep them balanced in casual, but giving them greater strength on the big stage.

The buff back then was for her (W)Prismatic Barrier. It doubled the returning shield strength if it hit an ally on the way out, which rewards skilled use of the ability. I was wondering if further shield buffs/changes could help bridge that gap? A couple of ideas for this crossed my mind, though I'll just list them at the end since specifics aren't the goal, as much as arguing for shield buffs. The reason that the shield buffs work for increasing pro viability is that when she is in the mid lane, Lux doesn't get the double buff of hitting another ally. As a result, she doesn't gain very much lane power but does gain quite a bit of team fighting utility for latter in the game, which is huge in pro play.

Also, casual mid lane play she has a 49-51% win rate, so buffs that don't do much for unorganized teams are a great direction. While she is seen in the support slot, its more of a troll pick than actually effective, even if they build support items to increase the shield, so its not likely to make a weak pick suddenly become overbearing. Between these two facts, any form of shield buff that is small and reasonable wont have too large an effect on solo que, in case other buffs are planned, or the goal is only minor improvements to ranked play.

So this was written for anyone to read, but if a rioter sees this I did try to make the best arguments I could, though it could be repetitive for you. I would love to see Lux be a viable pick in pro play, as a team fight utility mage vs the heavy poke Xerath already brings to the table. That is also one of the reasons I'm arguing for Shield buffs. It increases her strategic choice, trading the raw damage Xerath and Ziggs have for more supportive features. (though I seriously doubt anyone looks at Lux and says "dang, wish she did more damage with that lazer beam of death she has")

Buff Ideas (not really relevant to the argument, just example of the shape a shield buff could take)

1. decrease duration to 2.5, but double duration of returning shield if it hit an ally. (other cd and speed of travel would likely have to be adjusted to accommodate this)
2. simple numbers buff of 10+ shield.
3. Make the Ability return faster, so the larger returning shield is around longer since the duration stacks. (might make the ability a bit easier to use, though since it doubles its power on return making the ability easier is a much larger buff than it sounds) (also realize this means it returns faster when thrown the opposite direction of movement, which is also a larger buff than it sounds.)

On an off note about artillary mages, This is kind of how I see them. It points out that they do have a lot of tactical traits that they each bring to the table in different ways. Xerath-Strong poke at all stages of the game, little team fight utility Ziggs - Tower destroying champ of the rift. High AoE damage designed for fights in tight spaces. Lux- support/burst Artillary mage Velkoz - kills tanks with true damage, poke designed for prepping this. Cry me a River Braum Jayce- that guy who i haven't seen in forever. Somehow. So no real opinion.

closing note: I ran lots of numbers, came up with lots of exact stats for each stage of the game based on build path and cdr, but honestly, who cares? Numbers are just a reflection of the type of buff done, not really the reason that Riot does a buff. Direction is more important than numbered arguments. Giving reasons behind this is why I just deleted it all and leave it to Riot's balance team and their actual years of experience doing this to figure out the details.