Ekko is like Yasuo

Airtight argument there.

Perhaps if you compared him to Release-Yasuo.

Yasuo is famous (or infamous) for his late game scaling. He gets essentially 50% crit and 50% bonus armor penetration for free as the game progresses, and he has access to his Wind Wall which can negate many ultimate abilities.

However, to trade for his late game scaling, Yasuo's shield and early game damage via his E has been nerfed into oblivion. As well, his crit passive is a double edged sword since he can only benefit from it once he starts getting his items. His old shield used to be stronger, lasted longer, and up every ~2 to 5 seconds. His E, sweeping blades, used to stack up to 4 times and had 1.2 AP ratio scaling at the end of 4 stacks.

Yasuo was essentially good both early game and late game, and that is how Ekko is currently.

Post-nerfs Yasuo has one of the squishiest early games, worse than most ranged champions even. His kit only gives the illusion of strength because people don't know how to play against him. They use their abilities on his shield instead of procing it first with an AA, or trade against him while he has his wind wall out.

Ekko on the other hand, has a decent early game. Besides his high mana costs, he can easily do 50% of one's health with a Q, E, AA, Q combo in lane. Past the laning phase, he can straight out close to one shot an ADC alone with his ultimate. If Ekko lands both his W and R, the team fight is basically over. Additionally, he also gets a ton of free stats via the ultimate heal and his W shield. Despite his kit full of utility, he still do the same amounts of damage compared to other burst champions such as Xerath or Annie.

Ekko is essentially useful during the laning phase, and useful past it.

#L2Troll