Shaco wants a rework (Evolve mechanic)

"Why so serious?" I think Shaco could use a little something extra on his clone mechanic. I love Shaco, but he ranges between the extremes of being OP and being predictable. Now that Tibbers gets Annie's Molten Shield, this area of mechanics has opened up a bit. I'm not a huge fan of the Shaco clone's explosion on death. It's useful, but wouldn't it be much better if my clone could cast my basic abilities when I do? "Okay yes, that sounds cool but isn't that overpowered now?" Well what if it used an upgrade system like: Kha'Zix's evolve. On levels 6, 11, and 16, you get to choose which basic ability your clone can learn. You could also choose to upgrade the ultimate, which will give the clone a magic damage explosion on death like it has currently. The Evolve system is a perfect fit for Shaco. For Jack in the Box and Deceive, the clone would cast the ability at the point that's relative to itself, not the exact same point that Shaco is casting the ability. For Two-Shiv Poison, however, there are various options. Closest enemy champion priority, lowest health enemy champion priority, same target, etc.

I think this idea is fairly open in terms of balance and gameplay, because it really opens up the character to an incredibly versatile kit that can be tweaked in more ways than simply changing numbers, but also exposes the numbers that need to be changed. Looking at Shaco as he currently is, I'm not sure changing his numbers is a solution, because it's his gameplay that's leading to his rise or fall as a character. His gameplay is very unique, which is why it's either overpowered in the eyes of the inexperienced or predictable in the eyes of the experienced. Why not embrace that unique gameplay Shaco has in terms of balance too?

I would really like to see this change implemented, or even considered. It's a nudge in the right direction and I don't feel like it would add more complexity to Shaco's kit, just more options. Who knows, he might even be able to play a solo lane with this kind of change.

Feel free to leave a comment and/or vote in the poll.