Ekko main here so lets talk. So lets see your gripes about Ekko Look at my games with him and look when I play against him. He is very easy to abuse early in lane as his CDs early are tough and Using your Q to farm can accidentally push the lane if not done right and using 50 mana to get 1 minion is also rough. But overall his "oh shit" button yes he can use it for defense and offense but it is a huge amount of damage or you just save your own life sometimes at least.
Ekko is currently sitting at a 50.8% win rate which is good not insane and in fact He is ranked 45th in terms of Winrate with Urgot right above him (never thought I'd see the day). I have almost a 55% win rate with him, but I also have over 800 games on this champ.
Escaping isnt that bad anymore when Ekko was first released his Passive slowed enemies and gave him speed. That was broken as shit I will admit, but now only Q slows.
His W is best for defensive plays as offensively it is hard to predict where to drop it, but if I get a gank from a jungle I time it so by the time the jungler or laner get to me it pops. Otherwise it is a very Long CD even rank 5 and 40% CD.
Please do not call my Main OP He is in a good spot barely in the top 50.