The Actual Problem with Durability as well as a Potential Solution

No, it's not lowering everything in the game by 10-20% No, it's not towers being buffed.

It's the resolve tree.

Resolve is probably the weakest out of all the trees (Inspiration might be the weakest but that's more of a tree of tech choices). Resolve keystones are actually bland, no giving much upfront power as most are reactionary. In addition, we have one tank tree with one generic style (dont die lol) versus three trees for sustained DPS/conditional damage (Precision), one for burst DPS/roaming (Domination) and one for ability DPS/poke (Sorcery). Resolve, as of now, is kind of in the dumpster. It also directly translates to the game state, as a weak rune tree disables more possible counters, which in turn lets more DPS-oriented champions roam free.

However, my solution ISN'T to flat out buff the resolve tree. Rather, I'm going to propose a more wild, drastic solution:

We cut the Resolve Tree in half.

Resolve, as it is now, is one half-hearted solution to tanking everything. It also provides little in the way of flat resistance gaining, Instead, I would cut the tree one of two ways:

• A.) Cut the Resolve tree into Fortification (MR/Sustained DPS) and Crusade (Armor/Anti-burst) trees
• B.) Cut the Resolve tree into Bulwark (Bodyguarding/Protection tanks) and Siege (Initiation/Offensive tanks) trees

With Fortification/Crusade, the idea is to have choices depending on your lane opponent. Are you going against Zed? Pick up crusade to deal with it. I don't exactly have talents but the main idea would be a keystone for durability/surviving heavy but temporary burst as well as trees dedicated to countering burst, guarding, and 1v1 potential. Conversely, Fortification would be mainly focused on tanks who want to survive prolonged bouts as well as harass-heavy lanes. These keystone would be more about starting or ending fights while the subtrees focus on resource management (as you're surviving longer for more rotations), being in the middle of fights away from teammates and tanking prolonged focus.

The other idea (Bulwark/Siege) is similar but more focused around the idea of bodyguard/support tanks who desire more defenses/tools to protect and ally while conversely the assistance frontline/first in tanks needing different support. There's not much different other than the focus.

Most importantly, however, is that these trees would give armor and mr at a baseline. "But wait wtf then assassins can run mr AND domination!? OP OP OP". See, it's a tech choice; You have the option of cutting your raw dps for survivability. And yes, those sub trees can give a LOT of bonus damage you might not be aware of. Those who get the best benefit would be solid tanks: They could run both trees and get armor/mr, becoming tankier than other classes at a baseline.

#But why cut Resolve in half!?

To put it frankly, Resolve is a tree with no identity. Resolve is trying to play host to bruisers/juggernauts, tanks, support tanks and champions who might want to dip into more defensive itemization/protection. Likewise, the sub-trees suffer because of this. The first sub-tree has font of life, boneplating and demolish. Pray tell: What champ has a hard time picking between these three? In almost any situation, your champion likely has one befitting their focused playstyle. You see this in almost every part of the tree as well, albeit some parts are just outright awful.

By cutting resolve in half, we open up more design-space to champions who have far different tanking and brusier playstyles. It also means we can specialize the trees more into the different types of damage. Are ADCs super strong right now? Focus on sustained damage tanking and armor. Mages too strong? Switch to burst. Little bit of everything (or you're a bad player who could never survive without armor, mr, bonus hp and that bow from Ninja Gaiden that made the game easier)? Take both trees.

#But then other champs could take it too!

...Yeah. And then they lose some of their damage bonuses in exchange for it. Isn't that what you guys wanted?

Comment if you want. Just throwing out that idea.