Should shielding supports be less effective at self shielding?

Oakleaf Ranger·Aug 16, 2017·3 votes·226 views

I constantly see the argument that shielding supports are squishy but that's only if your actually damaging them without their shielding and CC. Their itemization even come with defense stats so while they aren't as durable as tank support, they can definitely become on par with bruisers.

One of the future changes I hope to see is having shielding by supports remain the same or stronger on allies but weaker on themselves. They should be rewarded for enhancing and peeling for allies but realistically risk being focused/targeted themselves without having access to the same giant shield that is meant for teammates.

9 Comments

DarkRitualAug 16, 20172 votes

Just like how GW exists to help against healers, there should be an item that has boosted effectiveness against shields. Probably an assassin item that isn't unviable on others, if perhaps a little suboptimal (lower AD than other items comparatively).

DuskDaUmbreonAug 16, 20171 votes

While they do come with a good number of defensive items, their base defensive stats are usually garbage.

And (usually) when shielding yourself, you lose on the ability to shield an ally (the primary exceptions being Sona and Karma, the former of which has her shield balanced around shielding 5, and the latter of which can only shield multiple people with her R. Lux, the only other exception I can think of, gets half the shielding her allies do, as it doesn't double hers on return). They're giving up the ability to shield their ally to keep themselves alive. This is something any assassin should exploit by turning around and popping the now-vulnerable ADC.

Oakleaf RangerAug 16, 20171 votes

The thing is if a support is using a shield on themselves that usually means a assassin is using a high cool down/damage ability. Then gets melted by the adc. That isn't something I want to change though since that's how it should be in when neither side has a lead.

What I want to see changed is that if a enchanter support isolates themselves or is out position risk getting picked off without using a high cool down ability like summoners or their ultimate. That they have to respect single target focused threats (not as much an ADC or AP carry) or risk getting blown up themselves. That a shield on a basic ability wont be enough to guarantee their safety from a full rotation of an assassin, without some outplay on the supports part or really important/high cool downs being used.

DuskDaUmbreonAug 16, 20171 votes

What I want to see changed is that if a enchanter support isolates themselves or is out position risk getting picked off without using a high cool down ability like summoners or their ultimate. That they have to respect single target focused threats (not as much an ADC or AP carry) or risk getting blown up themselves. That a shield on a basic ability wont be enough to guarantee their safety from a full rotation of an assassin, without some outplay on the supports part or really important/high cool downs being used.

That's how it is now. If you see a lone Sona or Janna, and the assassin closes on them, odds are they're dying if they don't ult. And even then, they probably still have to flash, and hope a turret is close enough. Either that, or they have to hope an ally Is right around the corner, or they have a Galio/Shen with their ultimate off CD.

Now, why they would be alone in the first place as a squishy with no damage in a game with an assassin is beyond me, but that's a matter for a different time.

Oakleaf RangerAug 16, 20171 votes

Not really

Depending on the assassin, if they have to use a gap closer or get the drop, and how strong the support and the assassin. If you find them alone it usually means they are warding and/or clearing vison. They may not have the damage but they have the resistances, shields, and CC to get away. Janna just Q's your ass while flying off on her W passive and shielding away your damage with E.

Being solo she should be at risk if you can get the drop on her. But as we know its mostly just gonna end with a shield negating your full rotation as she runs away.