Squad 5 (Champion Designer of Ornn and Ivern) is Probably the best thing to happen to LoL in years.

ModCaptainMårvelous·Aug 24, 2017·4 votes·2,685 views

You can argue about how balanced his champs are but that's not why I think he's amazing.

Ornn and Ivern are probably the champions that add the most "new" to league. Stuff that has never been seen before. In addition, Squad 5 was partially responsible for champions like Jhin and Jinx. (At least according to Gypsylord) The champions he's made so far are the only champions that really shock me anymore. Champions where I go "holy shit he can do WHAT!?" Not to mention these are champions that bring things to the game that you can't really find on anyone else. Ivern's bush creation/jungle clearing or Ornn's brittle/crafting talents.

I really hope Squad 5 makes more champions. These are probably some of the most fascinating champions to date.

3 Comments

CaptainSetoAug 24, 20172 votes

Oh... so that's why I felt like Ornn was familiar to me. He's made by the people who made my Main and Cupcake. Seriously though, Ornn and Ivern are two champs who are very fresh. I mean, Ivern is a jungler who's like "Nah, go free my friends" and spends his time goofing off while Ornn is just like "Here's your item, don't talk to me again" and enjoys his craft. I really love both of their kits as well, though I've got problems landing Ivern's Q, and Ornn's second part to his Ult, but other than that I love them. The only champions that come close really are Kindred, Jhin, and Kled.

SIaytonAug 24, 20171 votes

Forced gimmicks aren't necessarily good design though, it's also about the gameplay and how fun they are to play / the feel.

ModCaptainMårvelousAug 24, 20171 votes

I'd hardly say these are forced gimmicks.

Forced gimmicks are stuff like Skarner spires or Morde getting solo xp despite a duo lane to encourage his playstyle. By contrast, Ivern's passive and bush-creation plays into his role as a jungler, as well as allowing for more supportive jungling. Ornn's new mechanics (Forging and brittle) give him unique strengths that make him a choice even if one tank has more CC or survivability. They don't feel tacked on, at least to me, but I understand that design is subjective.

Beyond that, I can't really talk too much about gameplay feel. Ivern and Ornn feel good to me but your mileage may vary. By comparison, I hate using Lee Sin or Zed and I think they feel awful. It's another one of those subjective things that will throw you in either direction.