"There´s no reason to pick Vel'Koz over other mages" - Rito 2016. Faker picks Vel'Koz in IEM Finals.

Ludovico·3/6/2016, 6:24:48 PM·64 votes·6,541 views

Pretty much the title. I didn´t see a single Syndra/Xerath or most other mages in the whole tournament.

But then again, who are we - the players - to influence the Rito logic.

EDIT: As much as I´m scared of what Riot´ll do to the last mage I like (RIP Xer/Karma), I´m not 100 % against the idea of updating him. This post is about what Faker (and I) see in Vel, that makes him pick worthy over other champions.

88 Comments

Zero Skill Tank3/6/2016, 8:16:53 PM15 votes

Vel'koz being picked in this patch only proved Riot reasoning: what they said wasn't exactly "there's no reason to pick him, ever" but "the only reason to pick him over other mages is if he happens to deal more damage than them at the moment".

And Vel'koz actually deals the most damage at the moment, save for Teemo and Karthus, who just don't fit current competitive meta as mages, because of their very unique strategical niche.

Back than some rioter called it "out-stating" someone - if champions lack diversity, you will pick the one with best stats, strategical differences beetween champions are just not important enough. This is bad situation for supposedly strategical game.

Photos of Ghosts3/6/2016, 9:56:50 PM14 votes

Don't cut out parts of a sentence you quote. "no reason to pick him unless he's dealing the most damage".

jdizzle3673/7/2016, 8:18:35 PM6 votes

Faker picked Olaf mid in worlds. Faker isn't really the best benchmark for champion value he could play Yorick ADC and make it work. His understanding and mastery of mechanics makes debates of game health difficult to translate to a normal level.

Penta Penguin3/6/2016, 9:45:00 PM6 votes

I think your post actually just serves the opposite point. The GREATEST player in the game found just one opportunity to pick Vel'koz. If there were more reasons to pick him we might see him more at tournaments and in more Faker montage videos. Nobody actually thinks he's not pick-worthy, but hopefully the update will make him more attractive in more situations, that's the goal.

AlwaysByMySide3/7/2016, 6:57:35 AM5 votes

{quoted}

Pretty much the title. I didn´t see a single Syndra/Xerath or most other mages in the whole tournament.

But then again, who are we - the players - to influence the Rito logic.

EDIT: As much as I´m scared of what Riot´ll do to the last mage I like (RIP Xer/Karma), I´m not 100 % against the idea of updating him. This post is about what Faker (and I) see in Vel, that makes him pick worthy over other champions.

You don't seem to understand what Meddler meant.

Meddler didn't mean that Vel'koz is bad garbage shit who shouldn't be picked. He meant his design/niche is so indistinct that the only time anyone really picks him (beyond just liking the champion) is if he has better numbers than similar mages.

It just so happens that he does right now. He's probably the best siege mage short of Lux, and even then he is only a better pick than her in some situations because he happens to do more damage.

That's the thing. Meddler says his design is not distinct enough. Damage is the only reason you pick Vel'koz. Brand is the same.

Darth Pixy Misa3/6/2016, 6:37:25 PM3 votes

Well, if you are picking Vel'koz you could pick Brand IMO they are combo mages and play in a similar way. Brand does more damage, but Vel has that slow on Q and Vel just needs MR shread to do well.

Both are fun to play.

Fok U Slegs3/7/2016, 8:56:27 PM3 votes

Look at how many times he was played in the past compared to other mages, using one game as a reference is pointless. And the meta is currently utility mages like karma(who was disabled for the tournament)and lulu. Twisted fate was played but that is the only other mage i can think of from the tournament.

Mazariamonti3/7/2016, 4:44:37 PM2 votes

I honestly am dreading whatever they're going to do to velkoz. He's been a personal favorite of mine and if you understand his limits and potential he has a place in support, mid, and even top. Similar to brand. I feel as though he is the most balanced champion upon release that Riot has ever designed. He does a lot of damage, but it's not just that, he deals conditional true damage which gives him a place with these health stacking champions running around. And he faces serious consequences in his low health and complete lack of mobility to make up for these advantages. Enemy picks a Tahm or Mundo? Velkoz or brand are solid picks either to face them head on or to pick for later in Mid or Support.

I get the feeling after this rework they will have a different idea of what makes VelKoz Velkoz than the people who actually play him, thus ruining him for his fans, or buff him to the extreme in a way no one ever wanted or asked for, making me hate him. I haven't played him as much this season, I've been picking Brand more often, but if they ruin him it would be very disappointing, especially seeing as how he never really needed a serious update in the first place, or at least that's my ametuer opinion on the matter.

invisiblecat13/8/2016, 12:20:05 AM1 votes

I pick him over Xerath because of his Passive, that is just so broken, and his ult base damage is a little too insane