The massive problem that Aatrox has

Look, I just got off a string of tilted games where I played like shit. But generally I feel he is okay right now, ALMOST okay at least.

If the game goes long, I almost always win. His late game is great right now.

Fervor with his passive is not insignificant. At level 6 with stacks and hellbent you can shoot up from 100 or so AD to 150.

Honestly, number wise its all fine and dandy. But, he is outclassed in many respects.

For example what do they have? Well they all have a way to reduce or block incoming damage that they can chain to stun after. Riven has 2 hard CCs. 2 of them have a more reliable stun compared to Aatrox knock up, and Jax has built in resistances.

Nearly every top laner you will see has either built in resistance or tenacity, or a way to reduce incoming damage. Even graves gets bonus armor, and he is seen at top.

And if they don't have the above mentioned, they have ways of speed boosting or better mobility.

Aatrox is alone in not having any bonus resistances, a way to boost his movement speed, or a shield or parry. Most champions have at least one of these if not more.

Furthermore, Aatrox defense is arguably his sustain and revive. But as for the sustain, its contingent on attack speed and building health. Compare that to Pathenon Block or Jax Counterstrike. No matter what they build, its still there. They enjoy it innately no matter what. They can pop it if their attack speed is slowed...where as Aatrox can do anything if his attack speed is slowed except suffer the consequences. Or Olaf, who simply gains bonus resistances, it not contingent on anything he builds. It just is (at level 6).

Summary: Aatrox lacks the basic tools that most champions enjoy. The tools he does have are not exceptional in function or damage as a way of compensation. Furthermore, Aatrox defense is highly contingent on various factors that are easily hampered or countered--any attack speed slowing, any hard CC.

Aatrox lacking these things can not be justified by saying he has revive. The reason being is that its not a functional ability in combat. It doesn't keep in in the fight to attack or run away the way Volibears health regen does, or Mundos ult. It isnt useful in killing an enemy while being defensive the way Jax's counterstrike is. Or Riven or Yas shield. Aatrox revive gives him no options, and doesn't serve a dual purpose in helping secure a kill or escape. This is why its not as strong as it sounds.

Solution: His E should be changed to something that gives movement speed or defensive abilities or reduces the damage done by an enemy. Or perhaps he should use that huge hellboy like fist to do smashing blow that doesn't do too much damage, but knocks back the enemy hit, slowing any enemy that he is knocked into, and reducing the armor for a time.