Let us be reminded on Skarner.
One of the ten least played champions in the game.
Nerfed: Loss of stickiness
Nerfed: Regain Stickiness, loss of duel potential, losing tons of damage and increasing cool downs. (not directly but through loss of amazing passive)
Nerfed: Loss of even more damage and lessen stickiness.
It's not that Riot doesn't care about balance, it's more that they don't know shit about balance. A lot of recently nerfed champions were intended as buffs, and Skarner was no exception, it's clear Riot thinks they buffed him, but all they ever do is nerf undeservedly, Sion was the same (though most can't understand these nerfs since they didn't play these champions)
First they start by choosing an identity, then call the champion a tank no matter what it's actual class is. Then ignore how strong other tanks base damage and scaling is, and lower the base damage with the idea that this is a tank and doesn't need damage. Lastly give more CC whether necessary or not because they think tanks should be nothing more than CC whores.
Skarner
Original Class : Fighter
Class in Moron Reworker's Eyes: Tank
Loses: about 60% of his damage, one of the best passives in the game, a perma slow
Gains: another movement speed buff, and a .5 second interrupt which is entirely useless to the champion.
Sion
Original Class: Fighter
Class in Riots Eyes: Tank
Loses: 100% lifesteal (5500 Gold Value), attack speed, 40% chance to get rid of damage dealt, 70 AD, and a click stun with 90% AP scaling.
Gains: Knock up, Knock up, Slow, Armor Shred. Really bad Kog'Maw passive.
I don't know what is missing from the brains of Riot employees that makes them think these are good changes, but both of these are weaker than they used to be.
I challenge Riot to make 4.9 Skarner 1v1 4.10 Skarner.
Idc if 4.10 Skarner copies this build but make 4.9 Skarner use Trinity Force, Wits End, Spirit Visage, Randuins, and old 1000 hp warmogs. 4.10 can use any 5 item build literally, make them both face tank each other 1v1, to simulate how it would end up if both landed everything, I guarantee 4.10 Skarner doesn't stand a chance in a 1v1.
Do the same with Sion. Old Sion uses Ravenous Hydra, BotRK, Bloodthirster, Randuins, and Spirit Visage (yea an MR item, not even going against an AP champ) So confident old Sion would win, that I don't even question if Spirit Visage is right, literally doesn't matter, old Sion was better.