I Cant Believe I'm Posting Here, But, Here's My Thoughts on Galio, From 3 Season Main
For those who don't want to read, here's a voice recording of this thread being narrated: http://vocaroo.com/i/s13MTiEfaz11
I've mained Galio since Season 3 with hundreds of Ranked games on him.
Two seasons now I've gone from Silver to Platinum with him and I have beaten Diamonds with him.
TBH I'm going to just say it, this section of the forums rather disgusts me with how much circlejerking lower rated players do, but, I'll get past my feelings because I want to say a few things on my thoughts. And hey, maybe one of the Rioters on balance will see this (Meddler I still remember that game I did well as Galio, you coulda done better as Janna, so if you listen this would be payback thank you love you kthxbai).
Anyhow, getting to the serious meat...
I'd like to preface this by saying Galio's rather misunderstood-- this is coming from, again, a 3 season main who's decently high rated. He isnt a counter to all AP's (Azir counters him, he's only a soft counter to LB not a hard, Zed barely counters him and not why you'd think, and he counters Talon in all ways unless he roams extremely well repeatedly). There's no one way to build him every game; pure AP to really tanky to bruiser changes depending on the course of games and teamcomps, and what's needed. He's not just an "anti mage" and he counters some ADs rather funnily.
Moving on from that, I'd like to address my thoughts on a few things.
First off, people like to ask sometimes if his ult is too easily interrupted. The answer, is no. That's counterplay. People think Braum is a rough counter because of his Passive. The reality is, Braum has to walk up to Galio when Ulted, auto attack once with not the fastest animation, then the other Champions have to complete their animations, and then the Passive has to be activated enough. Braum is a problem but not the way you'd think.
Galio's Ult 100% has to be interruptable or else it would be broken and you'd see him as a highly contested pick, if not banned to an incredibly high degree. If you think this would never happen to a Champion used so little, I'll remind you that Sejuani was never really used before this Season (who I mained last season for over 100 games in Ranked... Just for the record but that's not really relevant).
Moving on, Galio's damage doesnt need to be touched in the slightest, which is why I'm actually upset seeing the buffs. He doesnt need them. His damage is fine. I've never once in a Ranked game said "Damn, I wish my abilities did just a little more..." Because they don't need to.
The only exception is his E, and I tell people all the time why his E shouldnt be touched. His E is weak because his W is strong. His W gives at Rank 2 45 MR/Armor and Rank 5 90. Plus it heals him. That kind of power is insane, but it's at a cost with his E being weak. I would never argue for a shift in power, because his W being strong is part of what helps his mixed bruiser/tank/mage identity, and weakening it to make all abilities roughly the same strength would weaken his identity.
The only real thing that's weak about Galio, is his mana regen. Now let me explain something, he HAS to be mana gated. If he wasnt you would never seem him leave lane because of his W and his poke would add up to be way too much. He -needs- to be severely mana gated. However, due to all of the changes this season with mana regen and how it operates, I would argue he needs an incredibly, incredibly, incredibly slight buff on his mana regen.
You want to buff Galio? That's how you do it. He won't become FotM, no one will shout "Wow Riot you broke a Champ now nerf", you wont see all of your friends picking him up, and you wont see him as a contested pick that trust me, you dont want to face all the time.
I'm not saying his kit is toxic but I am saying that while I personally enjoy picking him into any matchup, he should not be so strong that it becomes universally acceptable to use him outside of his niche (AoE bulky mid teamfighter, and a counter to certain Champs like Malza and Cass).
When a niche pick is no longer a niche pick, it becomes way too powerful when its niche is seen. That shouldnt be the case. Some picks in League should be picked less because they excel at a certain task; that's perfectly healthy.
Thanks for your time. Here's a video if anyone wants to see what I've done with him to prove I know at least something about him:
