We should talk more about champion identities
Identity is what gives champions a place in the game with unique strengths and weaknesses. It is one of the driving forces behind changes in the game. It made Maokai more protective, LeBlanc more deceiving and Soraka the ultimate healer. But players often only get to see the end results without discussion in an earlier stadium. Both Riot and players should talk more about the identity of champions.
A change can be very disappointing and surprising if you as a player had a different direction in mind. Maybe you wanted Cassiopeia to melt people with poison, or more cc on Skarner or lower cooldowns on Sona. By the time you hear about a change, it is probably too late. So how about writing what you love about your favorite champion now? And Riot could talk about their champions a bit more too. Not because they will get changes next patch, but because players deserve to know what the vision is for a champion.
Now some champions already have great discussion going on (Ashe for example). But many others could use some love. My favorite champion was changed in a direction that I didn't like. That change came unexpected and without much discussion about identity. Make sure that Riot knows what you love about for example Hecarim, Brand or Nunu. When their inevitable changes come, it is too late.
I hope Riot encourages these discussions. You must have a vision for each champion, see if that aligns with what players think. Educate us so we know what to expect. You already asked for Poppy's identity and experimented with Nocturne's ult on the PBE. Do more things like that. Talk about Malzahar or Rammus, not because they will be changed soon, but to know what is core about them. That way players are not as surprised if they ever get changed.
Thank you for reading and have a wonderful day!
Unrelenting fighter who moves in an almost dance-like fashion as she dashes across the battlefield.
Assassin who can jump in and out of fights with multiple tools, capable of blowing carries up, given the proper circumstances.
How can evil actually be this cute? amirte?
Dance-like play style who can chase you down and pin you down with an array of tools
Best ganks; capable of of speeding into fights and then speeding out, with excellent aoe initiation. Speed SPEED SPEED
Taunts, has survivabilty, super team oriented. Can turn fights.
(especially when played mid) trapping the enemy and just watching your plants tearing them apart... maybe sadistic, but definitely fun.
incredible damage and an ult that makes you ignore the laws of fairplay.
getting kitet by her is like trying to catch the wind
Jumps on you and calls the power of the Sun to CC lock you for the rest of eternity. Laughs at your pitiful "damage".
Stealths to get into position, then throws you up in the air as Spin2Win 2.0 happens. (Should probably shout "Ionia!" while spinning?)
Throws around fireballs, turns into a freakin' dragon.
is a champion that is characterized as the ultimate hunter. This is his identity, and allows champion designers to bring up ideas for abilities that stay true to it. So looking at Rengar, things like his passive, which allows him to hide in a bush and jump out at enemies, is a practical and fun mechanic that is unique to Rengar and stays true to his ultimate hunter identity. All of his other abilities also compliment this theme, and make Rengar a well-designed and unique identity within Runeterra and on the Rift.
) and Rengar needs to stay different from them. So as a Rengar fan you can still express what makes him unique. Then Riot can consider that the next time they do balance changes to Rengar.
A pirate who is hard to catch, has amazing luck, and a champion who breaks the mold by being able to switch between class identities based on his item choices
A magic resistant brick wall with heavy movement control. Who acts like a sanctuary/guardian of his team
You are a near inescapable monster that never lets go once you get a hold on someone
He summons monsters to fight for him, and he is impossible to outnumber in a battle. He turns a 1vs 1 into a 5v1 all by himself
Poisons, Cardio, trollish, impossible to kill, and most important of all: laughs
Siege gang commander; artillery positions that provide a safe zone from which to launch sorties.
The King; (I know he's a prince, but he's one of the few royalty we have) Courage; fighting bravely; large plays to change the game. When he goes; allies are trusted to follow.
The Lich: undead sorcerer who has lost his mortality in exchange for great bouts of arcane power. Emphasis on undead nature, souls, sacrifice for power
Warrior queen: similar to Hecarim and Jarvan, leads from the front; perseveres; emphasis on being mounted and large aoe presence.
A brutal Ironclad knight with a hulking mace, whose enemies cannot escape his grasp even in death.
The dauntless vanguard charges headfirst into the fight to protect his comrades in battle, even in defeat, Garen readies himself for the next fight
Rage is one hell of an anesthetic
blood for power
hp tank that get bigger and stronger with a lot of cc
early game bully that dunk people
the guy who teleport a lot
the sustain fighter
that raped into farming single target DPS mage ??
Used to have at least two good paths and clear rewards for diving near the front of a fight.
Yordle with a broad imagination who uses her whimsical magic to protect her friends.
Since he's getting a rework soon, I really hope Riot sees this. I can't imagine them taking away his huge life drain or his on-hit build, but I mostly just hope he still keeps up with champions like Akali, Udyr, and Yi as one of the best post-teamfight monsters.
