Exponential stat growth is a needlessly complex solution (That doesn't even solve anything)

Okay, lets be honest, show of hands: Who thinks that the new "Growth Statistic" plan was well thought out?

So either nobody, or I've got an audience of amputee's, got it.

Right, so for those of you who aren't aware, in 4.20 Riot implemented a change that changed the old per-level stat gain from levels into a needlessly complicated formula where a % of stats was gained each level, which...is confusing, to say the least. Their supposed goal with this change was to help smooth out the Level 2 power spike that can allow players who get to lane first to potentially immediately stomp an opponent with a forced early trade. Now, this is a legitimate problem that exists in the game, as the power jump from level 1 to 2 has always been very extreme, but there were two reasons for that.

1. Players at level 2 have higher stats than players at level 1, generally around 15-20% higher based on a champion's base stats, masteries, and runes.

2. Players at level 2 have quite literally twice as many skills as players at level 1.

So this change solves one of those problems...kinda. It makes the stat difference between 1-2 to be closer to say, 10%, or thereabouts. But that's barely a solution and doesn't even begin to justify such a counter-intuitive and complex change (Seriously, the only way for any new player to understand what the hell is going on is to delve into old patch notes, and that's just nonsense.) To top it off, it didn't solve the actual problem with level 2 engages; Level 2 players have access to far, FAR more of their kit than level 1 players. A level 1 champ, especially with the frequently interconnected basic abilities of today's champs, is pitiful. A level 2 champ generally has access to a champ's primary engagement combo, which on top of the stat gain, makes them far more threatening to a level 1 champ than, say, a level 14 is to a level 13.

But do you notice something? The primary problem with the level 2 engage hasn't been solved by this change. That's...kind of a failure when you think about it. Such a complex solution with such a problem, you'd hope it at least solve the problem. But no. Level 2 engages are still potentially very lethal, and reaching lane first is paramount to success (which makes life awkward if your jungler is anticipating a leash, as most junglers do in the new and improved jungle).

So...the problem of stat superiority is solved in a needlessly complex way, and the core problem remains. So what would be an actual solution to this dilemma?

How about we start people at level 3?

I know this concept boggles the mind, but think about how much this solves.

1. At level 3, a level advantage isn't nearly as statistically relevant, and the stat advantage is down to 10-15%, as with the current system.

2. At level 3, a champion has access to all of their basic abilities, which means champs can have deeper, more inter-active kits that are actually relevant at the start of their game.

3. With their slightly higher base power, junglers won't require quite as much help getting started as before, which means less necessity for leashes and a more even playing field in lanes.

4. Making everyone start out slightly higher up on the chain helps decrease match length, hopefully keeping 40 minute games from being the norm.

I mean, even just for the first two points alone, this solution is far, FAR superior to the senseless pile of calculus that's currently being used. And what's the risk? We lose out on cheesy level 2 engages? Wasn't that the entire point of the change in the first place? Maybe some champs who are particularly vulnerable at levels 1-2 lose those vulnerabilities? Seems reasonable to me.

Look, all I'm asking is that Riot consider it. Revert the "Growth Statistic" changes, and have everyone in SR start at level 3. Just for a few weeks. Just to see how it plays. I'm positive people will enjoy it far more than doing even more math every time they want to figure out how good a champion is.