[Brand] Immobile Mage Rework
Brand is being listed as one of the immobile mages in the scope of riot's rework. As a brand player (and fan) I think brand shouldn't be included in the update. Riot says the reason these mages were picked were because they are lacking in at least one of the following areas:
Distinct - offer a unique reason to be picked Cohesive - deliver on their core thematic and gameplay fantasy Healthy - balance-able and fun to play as and against at all skill levels
DISTINCT I think brand is a very unique champion with a very clear role and reason to be picked. He brings very reliable strong CC to the team, as well as great team fighting capabilities for a mage with his ult, pyroclasm. I like that he is an Aoe DoT champion with the capability to lock down and kill isolated opponents or bring good damage to a whole team. I like that his presence alone can change the way opposing teams chose to play, where a hard engage without minions means big consequences when Brand's ult is off cool down.
COHESIVE I think brand delivers great on his core thematics and "game-play fantasy." As a burning vengeance Brand just wants to watch the world (or enemy team) burn. A well placed W into E can set multiple targets ablaze, followed with an ult will reduce the enemies to ash(e), what would Brand love more? His lore says Brand took possession of Kegan Rodhe's body and seeks nothing more than to bring burning pain everywhere he goes. "It is a creature of pure fiery hate that exists for no other reason than to lay waste the world of men and yordles." I have laid quite a few humans and yordles to waste, and I'd hate to see that change for the sake of mobility.
Healthy Is brand healthy? I think so. He is immobile, so assassins and fighters can easily counter him if they get in his face. As an immobile mage Brand's only escape tool is to stun someone. This isn't a point and click Taric stun, and it isn't a (3?) second Morgana stun. It requires a combo to complete and is a relatively slow skill-shot. I think this is healthy. If he stuns you he can get away, if he can't then you can kill him. He doesn't need a dash or a blink or a speed boosting ability, i like the kit he has now to deal large Aoe DoT damage. His ult is practically useless if you 1v1 him, and if you bring more than one person to a fight his stun alone won't be enough to save him. Is brand balance-able? I'd say he was very balanced before the new masteries, and since then has seen a spike in popularity. Is this Brand's fault? Hardly. Is it fun to play as Brand? Hell yes! Is it fun to play against Brand? I'd still say yes. He is very predictable. If he sets you ablaze expect the skill-shot next, if you're grouped with all your teammates expect an ult. If you know he's on a team he can be countered with a Braum shield or a Yasuo wind-wall to completely negate his ult. There's not a lot of champions in this game when you can just say "nope" to their ult like an off switch. He has counter-play.
So Riot has asked us
What aspect is most core or sacred to their identity? What issue bothers you the most when playing them?
Brand's core sacred identity is the BURNING vengeance. He lights stuff on fire bro. So this is his core for me, however, it's also what is the most frustrating to play against. That passive (._.) Brand with his passive, Liandry's Torment, Death Fire Touch, ignite, and possibly corrupting potion has the potential to do A LOT of damage over time. If there was a thing that needs changed (I guess) it's this. However, i would much rather see nerfs than a rework. If they took away his passive they can't really replace it with something to give him mobility unless it's something along the lines of what Stormraider's surge does already. His theme to light shit on fire then walk away like a badass, while opponents burn to death, is what held him near and dear to my heart... however, I can see the problem with it.
TL;DR: I think Brand is in a good place right now. He recently got a little extra power and popularity with new masteries, but i would rather see nerfs than a rework. I don't think there is a single part of his kit worth removing for the sake of mobility. I don't want one of my favorite champions to become obsolete to me like AP kog'maw now is. Rito Please.