I think others Underestimate why I complain about damage.

Season 1. Soraka: Astral Blessing Astral Blessing Now heals the target for 80 / 135 / 190 / 255 / 300 instantly ( also granted 30 armor). Didn't cost Health, could give herself mana, had a 90% ap ratio, that was later reduced to 60%.

Also looks back to season 1 Force of Nature- Nice regen item Warmogs gave 900hp with 300 stackable hp Randuins gave a movement speed slow (as a passive) attack speed slow was higher

Idk, I could keep listing things, but it seems pointless when if you didn't experience the early seasons, you don't know how little defense the game currently has. Not to even mention some of the more busted shit like:

Aegis of the legion/Runic Bulwark and the if you ever got it stacked never died again Leviathan, which offered 15% flat DR.

Then we have the damage/cdr/ms increases to the game Black Cleaver Blade of the Ruined King (which they removed bloodrazors for being too inefficent) Lethality in general

IDK, You can downvote me if you want, but this game has changed so much its hard to talk about defense vs offence then vs now. What I do know is defense was alot stronger (comparably) back then. Alot of that stuff really didn't change much until season 5 when riot threw their balance completely out the window in favor for faster games.

I genuinely miss lower damage games from the earlier seasons.