Skill Expression Among Immobile Mages
Recent PBE itemization changes have shined a spotlight on one of the core system weaknesses of League of Legends. Champions with mobility skills have a much deeper set of options for skill expression than champions without, leaving immobile champions either equivalent numerically (and therefore weaker when opponent mobility is used correctly) or stronger numerically (leaving them with little gameplay depth except to be stronger than their opponent). A proposed item would give a short dash to any champion, hopefully offering some of this skill expression to immobile mages, but this item has met with backlash because it doesn't seem to offer immobile mages anything unique for their immobility but instead makes them part of the group of mobile mages. With that in mind, I would like to look at League's current roster and identify immobile (or less mobile) mages which have significant depth of skill expression or unique skill expression in an attempt to identify what types or skill expression are available to immobile mages (other than mobility and skillshots).
Brand, Karma, Lulu, Orianna: Mastery of these champions depends on learning which of many options to utilize in a given situation. Use of these champions' skills can differ radically depending on some element of their kit (skill order for blaze, mantra choices, opponent or ally spell casts, or ball placement respectively). Learning how to use each skill increases mastery of the champion significantly.
Ryze, Cassiopeia: Mastery of these champions depends on using their skills at a high cadence spaced with movement. Many mages have some of this type of skill expression necessary to their damage combos but Ryze has extensive combos that must be chained together which create a very deep mastery curve. Good Ryze players are much better than bad Ryze players, despite the relative simplicity of each element of his kit. Mastery of these champions is often similar to mastering a marksman such that every spell must be timed and spaced for maximum output while still moving safely.
Heimerdinger, Zyra, Orianna: Mastery of these champions depends on learning where to place their tool (turret, ball, plants, etc.) Proper placement and play can lead to incredibly strong zone control, improper placement leads to significantly weakened impact. Similar champions outside immobile mages include Azir and Gangplank.
Lux, Ziggs, Xerath, Vel'Koz: Mastery of these champions depends on very careful positioning which is radically different from other champions. Their long range allows them to attack opponents without retaliation, but they are (theoretically) weaker when a retaliatory attack does come. This is most true with Xerath and Vel'Koz both of whom have to root themselves for their ultimate ability. On these champions, placing yourself in a safe siege position can make you neigh invincible, while placing yourself in the wrong position leaves you significantly more vulnerable than the average champion because your damage is dependent on making yourself unable to escape and vice versa. Similar champions outside immobile mages include Jayce, Jihn, Nidalee, Varus. In this category it is noteworthy that this mastery is made less important the more tools for mobility and survivability the champion has. So this is both more important and more skill differentiating for Xerath, Vel'Koz, Varus, and Jihn than it is for Jayce, Nidalee, Lux, and Ziggs.
Anivia, Veigar, Viktor: THE WALL. In all seriousness though, Anivia's wall (and Trundle's Pillar, Azir's wall, and Jarvan's Cataclysm) dramatically change the way in which champions of both teams can move and position. Properly used, these skills can be the ultimate defensive and offensive tools, improperly used they can be just as good for the opposing team.
Looking at the categories above, one thing sticks out to me. A majority of the categories have to do with the unique ways in which immobile mages interact with positioning. Mobile champions have the skills to have an effect on their own position but immobile mages have the skills and ability to have an effect on their opponent's position OR must approach their own positioning decisions radically differently from other champions.
Perhaps this is an area that can be explored through champion design or itemization. What if an item placed a small zone on the map (after a short channel time to prevent abuse by mobile champions) which gave the user 25% extra damage while they were standing on it but which went away if they left the area? This would reward not repositioning, giving immobile mages a reason to be immobile.
If you made it all the way through that novel of a post, thank you for reading it. If you fell like I've missed something or would like to add your own thoughts please feel free to comment below. If you are experienced with one of these champions (or another one I didn't mention) and have something to add about their mastery please do. If you have your own ideas for items those are welcome as well. And if any rioters show up, please tell us what your thoughts are on what good expression of mastery are among current immobile mages. I think it would really help the discussion if everyone could hear what you guys think are good examples of ways a champion can show mastery other than dashing about the battlefield.
@Beluga Whale, @RiotRepertoir, @Riot Sotere, @Xypherous