PBE Today - Context, please

I assume this PBE cycle's changes are not going to Worlds, but I'm still curious about some of the changes. There's quite a few Champions getting modified here, some who I didn't realize needed any changes.

So how's about we go through a list of stuff and see if any Rioters could provide us with some context, okay?

(The above linked page is still a WIP, so forgive me if I don't see some changes immediately)

I was surprised by this one since Brand's ultimate is now so much more reliable, and yet it's getting buffed? I have to assume there's some sort of accompanying nerf to turn this into a power-shift, but I'm curious as to why this is happening. Brand's AOE damage is already quite obscene thanks to his updated passive.

Note that this isn't a range increase, but causes the vacuum effect to send affected targets a further distance, meaning enemies right next to you could be sent flying a short bit behind you. Sounds like just a way to improve the effectiveness of the skill, and I see no issue with it.

This looks like a way to give her less anti-tank power and more anti-squishy damage. Fair enough; she's an assassin, not a fighter. Lowering the early cooldown is probably to let her gank more often, but with the better base damage, I'm not sure if that'll put her over the top.

More power to his passive at higher levels. I've always been peeved by good Ezreal players, so I'm not a fan of this one, but I'm guessing he's been getting outclassed by other ADCs. I'll let it slide if that's the case.

This one's been expected; GP has always been strong in pro play ever since his rework, and this is probably just to make his global ult gank contributions less devastating. No complaints; I'm not a GP player anyways.

Wasn't aware Gragas was getting in on jungle power creep, but there you have it. Nerfed early Body Slam cooldown means he's less evasive early-to-mid game. I really like the ult change, though, as it'll make his melee ults far less uncounterable. Now you have a brief instant to block or dodge it, instead of needing to psionically predict his move.

Haven't seen a Jayce in a good while, and probably this is why he's getting buffed. Giving Jayce less mana issues to worry about and faster swaps could make him more tricksy. I'm not up to speed on the current top-lane meta, but I'm guessing they want Jayce to be viable again.

Changes listed are incomplete, so I'm withholding on this one at the moment.

Again, no confirmed changes listed. Holding off.

Slightly less base damage on Lightning Rush, but no longer has reduced minion damage? Sounds like a helping hand for Kennen's waveclear and farming. He could sure use it. I've never known him to be really strong.

Now this one surprised me. I thought Malphite was constantly being considered a problematic top-laner. Did he get overnerfed? Either way, better cooldown and armor bonus on his W will reduce his downtime and make him tankier against physical attack. Definitely a nice improvement. Now if they'd only make Rammus more viable...

Improved Black Shield range sounds like a buff purely to Support Morgana, and I think it's fair game. Should help against Sona, at least.

I'm guessing her previous nerfs were too much, so giving her a little more base speed and better protection from her W passive are probably to improve how reliably she can get into fights without getting shot to pieces.

I'm not a fan of this one, but it's probably designed to be an anti-pro nerf. 30 extra seconds on Void Rush's cooldown is going to hurt. BADLY. And honestly, I find it a bit much, as Rek'Sai is already gated on her "global teleport" by her tunnels getting vandalized constantly, and by how risky it is to place tunnels in enemy territory early on.

Buffed base damage on her Wind Scar (Inuyasha fan, yes) probably meant to give her a little more bite back, especially since Kled is going to be ruining her day from now on. There's just no escaping that ornery Yordle prick.

Probably too much power in pro, so she's getting nerfed at her Ricochet clear speed. Saw this one coming; Sivir's a bitch in good hands.

Low number of Thresh players these days says he's underpowered. Buffing his ult's cooldown sounds like a way to get him back into the mix.

Boo, I don't like this one. Trundle's always been one of my favorite junglers, but nerfing his Pillar of Ice cooldown at higher ranks is a kick in the balls to me. I always max his E second for more disruption tricks, and this nerf is gonna hurt that BADLY.

I dunno about this one; wasn't Vayne supposed to be getting shifted away from burst-damage builds and more toward AS builds? She already hurts like hell in late-game, so giving her more late-game power Tumbles sounds like it's going to make her nuts.

Slightly more Q range? I'll take it. It always did feel a tad... short. (Yes, that was a short joke)

Yay, Vi buff! I haven't been using her as much since she's so punishable on her dives, but this will help her ganks and a bit on her clears.

So that's the list. What do you guys think? And Riot, please provide as much context as you can.