State of Approach Velocity

IShowerWithUrDad·6/10/2019, 8:10:31 PM·2 votes·2,146 views

As of patch 9.9, Thomas the Kench engine has been dominating the top lane. He wins pretty much automatically any lane, while he is decently easy to learn. Basically, he lands a Q, runs at you and kills you. Right now, he is pretty much the only frequent Approach Velocity user in the game(sometimes Ash takes it too) and this runes seems to make his kit too easy to abuse. He also has a strong relationship with Shield Bash, but I feel like this other rune is so strong on him because of how strong Approach Velocity makes him. Hence, I wonder how Approach Velocity could be reworked or nerfed to ajust this abusive domination that he brings. Maybe just the numbers aren't right? Or should it proc only on ally CC? What are your ideas?

8 Comments

SuicidePlank6/10/2019, 8:13:39 PM2 votes

, I wonder how Approach Velocity could be reworked or nerfed

Or maybe just nerf Tahm Toplane since it is absolutly horrible to play against and impossible to win as melee. I just fucking hate how they want diversity in a lane that is shit anyway for most melees and ruined by cancer like Irelia, Riven and any ranged champ (looking at you Vayne, you abomination).

Tahminatrix 6/10/2019, 8:15:32 PM1 votes

Its a 15% movement speed increase going towards enemies who you slowed, if it was any stronger than that it would be a keystone rune.

Keep in mind im not putting all of the blame on this rune, im acknowledging the fact that tahm kench himself is also an issue.

That and I tend to normally just abuse ravenous hunter on tahm kench.... that thing heals me for more than the damage and healing that grasp does combined, I would still take it over grasp + shield bash, the only problem is stacking the unique champion kills which is almost guaranteed once the teams start grouping.

Ravenous hunter is probably the best rune for tanky champions in general just because of how it synergizes with high resistance and base damage, along with countering max health true damage (they cant damage you based on health that you don't even have yet)

Saezio6/10/2019, 8:16:41 PM1 votes

pick kennen or neeko. IDK about Jayce but guess he would work too. Maybe quinn vayne

Moody P6/10/2019, 8:19:27 PM1 votes

I take it on Volibear. Don't nerf the rune, just Tahm.

XJ999999999999996/10/2019, 8:38:36 PM1 votes

olaf its insane too

wolvius6/10/2019, 8:50:16 PM1 votes

So to fix a container leaking corrosive liquid you use duct tape, that wont cause problems further along at all. The only reason approach velocity isn't taken often atm is inspiration has been nerfed to a point that the tree it isn't very good except for specific circumstances where you need biscuits or playing glacial Ahri, velk etc.

I used to take it secondary on Nasus and Asol occasionally before.

PopcornBunni6/10/2019, 9:58:25 PM1 votes

Being a single abuser hints more at the problem being with the champion than the rune (See Dark Harvest Karthus )

Chogath also runs the rune being a melee ranged juggernaut with no gap closers and having a ranged crowd control tool.

Which is sort of the point. The rune is niche because to make it worth using a champion can't have ranged attacks, but needs a way to proc it from range, which limits its potential users to pretty much just

Braum DrMundo Gragas Chogath Nasus Maokai Malphite Olaf Rumble TahmKench Trundle + Ashe .

Add on top that the %speed increase meaning it scales disproportionately with champions that have higher base speeds, tahm being among those in the third of seven speed tiers.

Its niche enough that the abuse case with tahm is more symptomatic of the champion itself being effectively more of a juggernaut than a warden at this point. Shift power from his damage to his tankiness before looking at hitting a rune that can already barley be used by 5% of the cast.