I think it's time we go on a slow cleansing

Ekko - There is a reason. Time. Speeds and slows have something to do with that. The speed boosts also fit his character.

Bard - There is a reason. Without the chime speedboost he would suck. He needs to roam to stay at an appropriate power level but would probably be out of lane for too long. The speed boost on the heal may be unnecessary, although I think it is two spells in one - either a haste or a heal.

Rek'Sai - No speeds or slows.

Kalista - Yeah... I agree.

Azir - Gets a slow, but I think it is necessary. How else are you going to keep enemies in range of your soldiers? You aren't, really.

Gnar - I would go along with no slow on the hop, but every other slow makes sense. Even the boomerang would be a fairly bad skill without a slow.

Braum - Needs his slows. They make sense.

Vel'Koz - Are there any long range poke mages without a slow of some kind?

Yasuo - No speeds or slows

Jinx - A slow on her W. I would argue that it makes sense given her "multiple threat range" thing, but there could be arguments against that.

Lucian - Speed boost on W. Makes sense - he is supposed to be chasing the dark.

Aatrox - you try making him work without a slow!

So, of these 12 champions, 2 have no speed boosts or slows. Of the 124 champions, 32 have no speed boosts or slows.

That isn't actually very far off. It would be right on target were it not for the odd slow on Kalista's E. The rest are justifiable (makes sense given the kit and the character) and fit the trend almost perfectly. It isn't a new thing.

So yeah. That is my opinion.

"Aatrox - you try making him work without a slow"

The sad truth, hue.

It is absolutely necessary due the insane amount of mobility in the game now.

nah nah a 3 second 80% slow on ekko is balanced because "melee"

I feel like Kalista's slow on E is to force her to choose to use it to execute or to slow, but not both. Runaan's kinda takes away that choice much of the time, but the point still stands.