Regarding that upcoming Shyvana nerf
@riot
This is not the first time i see people screaming things like xxx is op, but what really shocked me is riot's response to it. Ok first Lets be honest, shyvana is doing very well in jungle atm, so a nerf on her jungling skill seems reasonable, but then we suddenly realize, wait a sec, after that nerf in jungle shyvana has no other place to go to. Given the already small number of shyvana players (compare to zed, yasuo ,kog etc), this nerf is almost equal to an removal of shyvana from the game. Below is my explanation.
Regarding shyvana top The original idea of shyvana was definiitely not a jungle champion, in 2013-14 most of shyvana guide are related to shyvana top, occasionally she had her ups, but most of the time she was down, especially after those nerf on her passive, ult and w. Compare to other champions on top shyvana has too many weakness, no cc, no regeneration etc. The result is nobody plays her on top now. Lets check the original designer's opinion on this champion :
"Simply put, Shyvana is for players who like any of the following: Offensive, aggressive playstyles Melee carries or fighters The idea of being a super-rad dragon We think this wantonly aggressive playstyle is something we haven't seen previously on the Fields of Justice. It's an exciting opportunity for players to experience a new way to play League of Legends."
Ironic, isnt it, in reality if a top shyvana plays aggresive to that quinn, draius or even fiora, the result is death, so most time she is hiding under the turret, that is if people actually pick her top at all.
Regarding shyvana jungle Well, why does people came up with the idea of shyvana jungle? I happen to know how did it became a thing in china, some shyvana players refuse to give her up (because afterall, she is a very cool champion, and yes she is a dragon), so they tried many different styles, including support, YES A SHYVANA SUPPORT. and then they suddenly realize shyvana is pretty good in jungle, the new jungle items further enhanced that advantage, but is she op? not really, her only cc is smite, and alot of jungle champions counter her, for example a level 3 xin in last patch. not to mention shyvana's weak late game play (40 minutes into the game where everybody has full build), my friends call a late game shyvana "superminion". so in conclusion, shes not shaco, who gives ur team a good start advantage, and she is not yi, who runs around unstoppable late game, to counter her is easy, mess up her jungle early game, or survive till late.
Regarding the nerf What really shocks me is riot's crude way of maintaining balance. shyvana jungle op? ok lets nerf q and w. By doing so they showed no consideration in this champion at all. Im not entirely against the nerf, given she is a strong jungle right now, but did they give her anything in return? maybe increase her health regen? maybe a slow on her e? at least give her anything so she could still see someplay in other lanes , such as top? the answer is no, it gives u this feeling that who cares about this champion, lets make sure she doesnt cause trouble anymore, btw lets buff that xin, wait a sec, do u know a new champion is coming out? get ur money ready! All I wanna say is, hello ,there are still shyvana players, we might be a small minority , but we liked her, for me, shyvana is the fist champion i bought , i joined league at the exact same date she came out, and personally I liked her, and although it sounds funny , sometimes people do attach their feelings to otherthings, including fictional characters, including shyvana. And personally I feel riot did not put any consideration in that, just nerf nerf and nerf, all we ask is something that give shyvana a chance in the league of op champions, could be a top, could be a jungle, and to the very least, a new skin maybe?
Regarding riot Personally i play on the NA server, but as a chinese player I did feel a taste of riot's unfriendliness to other nation's players. Recently a player sent riot a letter requesting reconsideration on that talon nerf. Her english is not good, but she used online translaters and spent hours writing that letter, guess what was riot's response? "chinese servers are run by tencent, send them a letter next time." what the hell, everyone knows champion changes are made by riot regardless of servers, problem here is not whether a talon should be nerfed or not, but the way they treat players, especially non north american ones. So yeah, sometimes i feel like maybe we have chosen the wrong game, the wrong company, to be honest im very angry, but I try not to let my emotions overrun myself. i find that tiny ahri icon below really ironic, it reminds me her quote " they have exhauseted their youth". maybe shes right.
