Thoughts on current PBE changelist
Maybe you don't know what I post, but you probably should.
https://boards.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/c/gameplay-balance/gBZKBwA2-riot-has-no-idea-how-to-balance-black-cleaver https://boards.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/c/gameplay-balance/N0qXWdet-we-need-nerf-master-suck-town-to-return https://boards.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/c/gameplay-balance/EZbcUBMj-consider-this-preseason-the-ultimate-and-final-trial-for-the-balance-team https://boards.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/c/gameplay-balance/KEmEjnjc-riot-you-cannot-ignore-this-preseason-bruisers-are-a-joke
As you can see, I have been completely unsatisfied with the current state of balance for quite a while. Now, with this PBE patch I get 'what I want'. I say that in quotes because it, of course, isn't exact. It needs a lot of work. Who knows, maybe this is the day Riot will work with people on this changelist, seeing as this is the greatest patch in the past 2 years.
But before covering this patch, I want to voice a certain concern. In the recent patch you will see Riven got quite a buff. +5 base damage on her ability she repeats 3 times, and 5% AD ratio. Effectively, 15 base damage and 15% AD ratio on her low, spammable Q. I would be fine with 15 base damage (since she's not getting any help in keystone changes on the PBE), but the AD ratio makes the buff rather large? Why is this issue? Riven was at a high 48 to 49 percent winrate. She got a larger buff than Darius, who was at 45%, and larger than Aatrox (on the PBE), who is been at 44% for a long time and never really been viable. I think that Darius and Aatrox need more help than what they're being given especially compared to Riven.
With that said, onto the PBE change discussion:
Heal shield power nerfed: This is what I've been saying for a while. It's late, but it's finally done. Now, tank supports are an issue right now with Aftershock. This should probably be fixed also this patch (also since tanks are a bit dumb top lane with Aftershock).
Lord Dom's Change: This is slightly good, but also bad. The health difference should be higher because it's the anti-tank, however the increased damage is very bad. LDR already needed it's bonus damage toned down. Bruisers are a health stacking class and already suffer from ADCs killing them in 5 auto attacks. Instead, reduce it to 15% bonus damage, but increase the bonus armor pen by 5%. This makes stay good vs tanks (who stack much more armor than a bruiser), but not make bruisers die in 5 autos.
New Grasp of the Undying: Now we get to the good shit. Sounds good, but should probably be changed to have a base AD ratio of some kind for the bonus damage so that it's better to use on bruisers (like Darius) and won't be hard abusable by tanks who have good ratios (think Malphite).
Cleaver and Tiamat/Titanic Hydra changes: This is very good. Seriously. Best part of this PBE changelist. I would hope that Cleaver disables Last Whisper if you have it to stop/prevent certain adcs from abusing it like MF (who I expect nerfs for this patch as well). Tiamat change is alright. Titanic Hydra is still too expensive and could really use a lower cost.
Other people are covering the Graves change so I'll just not discuss it.
Aatrox changes: I've said it isn't enough. Base AD helps work with his passive and that's really good. 5 damage on his E is nice, but doesn't help fix Aatrox. Aatrox has 2 fundamental flaws. He can't stick to targets so they just run away and drain out his passive, and then counter engage back on him and he loses. Aatrox is the only bruiser without a single anti-tank mechanic. Possible solutions to these grave issues? Make the slow on his E last a 1-1.5 seconds longer and make his W empowered attacks ignore 20% armor and 30% bonus armor (either mode). Some of it is bonus so he doesn't obliterate squishy targets.
Kayn/Rhaast changes: Like Aatrox and Varus, I also play the third Darkin. I do not care about assassin Kayn. I don't think more healing early is exactly what Rhasst needs. Rhaast's issue is that he doesn't have a keystone that suits him. He used to be able to use Fervor of Battle to gain large AD that increased his primarily his Q damage, which has a very large AD ratio for its percent HP component. Shadow assassin has Electrocute, but Rhaast himself doesn't have much of anything at all.
Changes I expect to see in the close future: In a week from now or tomorrow, a list of follow up changed to Darius, Riven, Maokai, and Ornn based on tomorrow's patch is the big thing that should happen. Titanic and Sterak's should probably go down 200 gold (bruiser's 3 item build of Cleaver, Titanic, Sterak's is 10400 gold). Pantheon, Akali, Kennen, etc should recieve nerfs. Manaflow Band should get huge nerfs for being very broken (Pantheon has infinite mana with this), and I would know because I abuse it on Kayle to perma heal myself in lane. Press the Attack should probably get 5-50 (based on level) more 3rd hit damage if melee, and Lethal Tempo and Fleet Footwork should have bonuses if you're melee. Jayce nerf isn't enough (3-0.5 seconds is not really a nerf).
Dear god, I hope some Rioter is looking at this because I really don't want this patch to be screwed up.